Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time for your pets to enjoy the great outdoors! The days are getting longer, and the weather is warming up, giving your furry friends more time to play and explore. But with the joys of spring also comes the return of some not-so-welcome visitors–fleas and ticks. These little pests can cause everything from skin irritation to serious health issues for your pets. Don’t worry, though! With the right precautions, including knowing what months to use tick repellant for dogs, you can keep your pets safe and comfortable all season long. In this blog, we’ll share the best ways to prevent fleas and ticks, including treatments, helpful tips and expert advice. Whether you’re dealing with these pests now or want to stay ahead of them, we’ve got everything you need to protect your pets this spring.
Fleas are tiny, blood-sucking insects that can multiply fast, turning what starts as a small problem into a full-blown infestation in no time. They cause your pets a lot of discomfort, including severe itching and skin irritation. Some pets even develop flea allergy dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to flea saliva. In extreme cases, a large number of fleas can lead to anemia, as they drain your pet’s blood. Fleas are also known to carry tapeworms, which your pet can get by accidentally swallowing an infected flea while grooming. This can lead to intestinal infections. Ticks, on the other hand, are arachnids (think spiders) that latch onto your pet and feed on their blood. While ticks can cause irritation around the bite, they’re also known for carrying diseases. Lyme disease, caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, is one of the most common illnesses transmitted by ticks. It can cause symptoms like fever, tiredness, swollen joints, and even kidney damage. Other diseases ticks can carry include ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, which can cause fever, joint pain, and loss of appetite. Ticks can even cause tick paralysis—a rare but serious condition where toxins in tick saliva affect the nervous system, leading to paralysis and, if not treated, death. While cats are less likely to get ticks, they’re still at risk. A disease called cytauxzoonosis can be fatal for cats, with symptoms like fever, tiredness, and jaundice. Fleas also pose major problems for cats, causing skin reactions, hair loss, and in severe cases, bacterial infections like feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis. All of these risks highlight how important it is to take preventative measures and keep an eye out for ticks and fleas on your pets.
Spring weather creates the perfect conditions for fleas and ticks. Fleas love temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C) and high humidity, which speeds up their breeding cycle. During this time, one flea can lay hundreds of eggs, leading to an infestation that can spread quickly if not taken care of. Ticks, on the other hand, wake up from hibernation when temperatures rise above freezing. You’ll often find them in tall grass, wooded areas and leaf piles, waiting for an unsuspecting host to walk by. Their activity is highest in the spring and summer, making this the best time to take preventative measures.
Preventing flea and tick infestations is much easier than dealing with the aftermath. Pet owners should take a proactive approach by combining preventive products with good hygiene habits and regular vet check-ups. For dogs, there are several options to choose from. Topical treatments, which are applied directly to your dog's skin, offer month-long protection and target fleas at different stages of their life cycle. Tick medication for dogs provides systemic protection that kills fleas and ticks when they bite. If you're looking for long-term solutions, flea and tick collars are a good choice, offering up to eight months of protection by releasing controlled doses of active ingredients to keep pests at bay. Grooming also plays a key role in prevention. After walks, especially in grassy or wooded areas, regularly check your dog’s coat for ticks. Bathing your dog with medicated shampoos can also kill fleas and ticks on contact, although this only provides short-term relief.
It’s important to know what months to use tick repellant for dogs. Ticks are most active in spring, summer and fall. Some pet owners start using tick prevention medication for dogs as early as March or April. If you’re unsure when to begin, your vet can help determine the best time based on the local tick population. Be sure to stay consistent with tick prevention throughout the warmer months, particularly during peak tick season, which typically runs from spring to autumn.
Even though cats might not roam as far as dogs, they’re still just as vulnerable to fleas and ticks, especially if they spend time outside. Cat owners need to be extra careful when choosing treatments because some products made for dogs can be toxic to cats. Flea and tick treatment options made specifically for cats are a safe and effective way to fight fleas and ticks. These products are designed to keep your cat safe while providing great results. While oral medications are less common for cats, they can be another layer of protection and are worth discussing with your vet. For outdoor cats, flea and tick collars with a safety-release feature are a practical choice, offering long-lasting protection while minimizing the risk of accidents. Regular grooming is also important—it can help you spot any fleas or ticks early so you can take action right away. While ticks are less common on cats than on dogs, they can still cause serious health issues, like tick paralysis and bacterial infections. Removing ticks as soon as you spot them is crucial for preventing complications.
As mentioned above, fleas and ticks affect cats differently than dogs, and treating them requires a gentler approach because cats are more sensitive to certain chemicals. For example, permethrin, a common ingredient in dog flea treatments, is highly toxic to cats. Always check with your vet before starting any flea treatment or tick prevention program for your cat. Along with treatments, keeping your cat indoors during peak flea and tick seasons can greatly reduce their risk of exposure. For outdoor cats, creating a flea- and tick-free zone in your yard can help make the environment safer. While ticks are less common on cats, they can still cause serious problems if not caught in time. If you find a tick on your cat, be sure to remove it carefully and keep an eye on your pet for any signs of illness, like tiredness or a loss of appetite.
Catching infestations early is key to reducing their impact. Pets with fleas often scratch or bite at their skin more than usual. If you take a closer look, you might spot tiny black specks (called flea dirt) or even live fleas in their fur. Skin irritation, redness, and hair loss are also common signs. Ticks can be trickier to find since they burrow into the skin. That’s why tick prevention for dogs and cats is so important, especially during peak tick season. Make it a habit to check your pet regularly, especially in areas like the neck, ears, and belly. If you feel any lumps under the fur, it could be a tick. If your pet shows signs like tiredness, fever, or loss of appetite, it could mean they've picked up a tick-borne illness, and it’s important to get them to the vet right away. Regular tick prevention for dogs and cats can help you avoid these issues, keeping your pet safe and healthy.
Fleas and ticks don’t just stick to your pets—they can also invade your home and yard, turning into a long-term problem. Managing your pet’s environment is an important part of preventing infestations. Inside your home, vacuuming frequently is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of flea eggs, larvae, and adult fleas from carpets, furniture, and even cracks in the floor. Washing your pet’s bedding in hot water regularly will also help eliminate fleas and eggs, reducing the chances of reinfestation. If you’re dealing with a severe infestation, pet-safe sprays or foggers can help treat your home. Your yard can also be a hotspot for fleas and ticks. Keeping your grass trimmed and clearing away leaf litter and debris will reduce hiding spots for pests. You can also create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn to help stop ticks from migrating into your yard. In some cases, professional pest control services may be necessary to treat outdoor areas effectively.
There are plenty of myths about fleas and ticks that can make prevention trickier. Let’s clear up a few:
It’s easy to think that keeping your pets inside keeps them safe from pests, but that’s simply not the case. Fleas and ticks are experts at hitching rides, and they can get into your home on humans, other pets, or even things like furniture or bags. Tick treatment for dogs is crucial even if they don’t go outside often, as ticks can still make their way inside. Regular use of tick treatment for dogs ensures your pets stay protected, no matter where they are.
Ticks may love wooded and grassy areas, but they’re not limited to those spaces. These resilient pests can be found in suburban backyards, parks, gardens, and even city dog parks. As the climate changes and cities grow, ticks are expanding their range, so they could be a risk in places you wouldn’t expect. It’s important to be proactive with tick prevention, no matter where your pet spends their time.
Fleas don’t care if your house is spotless or messy. What attracts them is warm-blooded hosts—like your pets. Fleas can sneak into your home on pets, visitors, or even stray animals, and once they’re in, they can quickly multiply. Even a clean home can get infested if you’re not using preventative treatments. Regular cleaning can help reduce the risk, but without flea treatments, your home could still fall victim to an infestation.
Ticks are sneaky, especially when they’re young. Larvae and nymphs can be as tiny as a poppy seed, making them tough to spot. Plus, ticks often hide in places you might not check, like under your pet’s collar or between their toes. Even if you don’t see ticks, your pet could still be at risk for tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. That’s why tick treatment for dogs is so important. Regular tick treatment along with frequent tick checks can help keep your pet safe and prevent tick-borne illnesses from affecting them.
You might have heard that burning a tick with a match or twisting it off with your fingers is the way to go, but that’s just not safe. Burning can cause injury, and twisting might leave part of the tick behind, leading to infection. The best way to remove a tick is to use a proper tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers. Gently grasp the tick close to the skin and pull steadily. If you're unsure or the tick seems deeply embedded, it’s best to consult your vet.
At the Humane Society of Greater Niagara, we're all about keeping your pets healthy and happy. Our full-service veterinary clinic is here to provide expert advice and a variety of products, including tick medication for dogs, to help protect your pets from fleas and ticks. Whether you're looking for prevention tips or need assistance with an infestation, our team is ready to support you every step of the way. Learn more about our full-service veterinary clinic.
Fleas and ticks may be small, but they can cause big problems for your pet’s health. With a little effort and the right prevention plan, you can make flea and tick season a stress-free time for both you and your furry friends. Don’t wait until it’s too late—start your prevention plan today. Contact our full-service veterinary clinic for expert guidance and resources to get started. Together, we can make flea and tick season a thing of the past for your pets.