2021 is a brand new year, and definitely could not have arrived a minute too soon. This is the perfect time to make sure your pets stay pest-free in the coming year. There are several things you can do to keep your animal friend safe from creepy crawlies like fleas, ticks, and parasitic worms, which can sideline your pet’s health in no time at all. A local vet offers some tips on this below.
Use Preventative Medications
Veterinarians recommend keeping pets on a year-round heartworm preventative and a flea-and-tick preventative. These simple measures will protect your animal companion from the most common pests. If your furry friend isn’t already set up with these preventatives, get in touch with your vet right away. It’s much easier to prevent infestations than to treat them.
Groom Your Pet Regularly
Taking the time to groom your furry pal on a regular basis is a great way to check the coat and skin for fleas and ticks. Even if your pet has a short coat and doesn’t require any specific grooming measures, you can still run a flea comb through the coat to check for tiny brown or black specks. (That would be flea dirt.) If you do find anything, call your vet’s office to find out how to proceed.
Seal the Gaps
Use sealant foam to block off any small holes or cracks in your home’s siding or foundation. Pests can easily slip in through these openings. Once they have a foot in the door, you already have a problem on your hands.
Tend to the Landscaping
Many pests are attracted to dense brush and tall, unkempt grasses, simply because these areas give them places to hide. Check around your house, and trim back thick shrubbery and lengthy grass so you don’t inadvertently give pests a home. This is especially important if this vegetation is touching your home itself, perhaps near a window. You might be giving outdoor pests an open invitation into your living room without even realizing it!
Keep Things Clean
There’s just no substitute for keeping things clean, both indoors and outside. Vacuum and disinfect inside your home regularly and be sure to toss your pet’s bedding in the washing machine very now and then. Outdoors, be sure to get rid of any garbage, debris piles, or leftover food that could attract pests. Remove any sources of standing water, such as empty flower pots, birdfeeders, that old tires, that mosquitoes could use to breed.
Does your pet need pest-control medications? Want to learn more about keeping your four-legged friend safe and sound? Call your local vet’s office to speak with the professionals.
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