Pesky Parasites and Your Pet

Help Keep Those Pesky Parasites at Bay with Pets & Friends!

Wherever they roam, dogs and cats can be at risk of contracting various parasites. Whilst the majority of this is out of our control as pet-parents, keeping up with regular treatments and taking prevention measures against fleas, ticks & worms will help your pet stay healthy and parasite- free!

At Pets & Friends we want to help you take the best care of your pet, so we’ve put together a handy guide on how to help prevent and treat common pet parasites. We always recommend speaking to a trained team member in-store before making your initial purchase, as products vary depending on the weight/age and type of your pet.

Fleas

Fleas come out of everywhere and nowhere, and in this case, prevention is always better than the cure for your pet. Choosing the right products and using them regularly can help avoid infestations and keep your pet itch-free and happy.

How do pets contract fleas?

Very easily! Fleas live everywhere, especially around the home, so the best prevention measure is to treat your home first. Investing in a good quality household flea spray can help eradicate the cause by destroying flea eggs before they have a chance to hatch. Look for a spray which has an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) for best results. Regular vacuuming can also help prevent the spread- but it’s important NOT to vacuum for around a week post-treatment as this could lead to you cleaning up the treatment, rather than the fleas.

Which treatment should I use?

There are various types of flea treatments available on the market, from specialist collars to tablets.

  • Spot-Ons- these are easy to apply treatments, which can last around 4 weeks and can be used to both repel or kill fleas
  • Tablets- tablets are fast working treatments which can be used together with a spot-on treatment for maximum affect.
  • Collars- collars are a great flea deterrent and usually last around 4 weeks.
  • Sprays/Powders- the most thorough treatment where you can ensure your pet is fully coated and protected, these treatments usually last around 1 week.
  • Shampoos- great initial treatment if your pet shows signs of infestation, you should always use shampoos with another flea treatment for maximum protection

 

Always de-worm your pet after a flea infestation and treatment, as fleas can carry tapeworm.

Worms

At some point in their lifetime, your pet will contract worms. The affects of an un-treated worm infection can be awful for your pet, and in some cases, can also be passed on to humans, especially smaller children.

It’s important to look for the signs of a worm infection: vomiting, diarrhoea and appetite loss are just some effects of worms. Regular worming should be carried out to reduce the health risk to your pet.

When should I treat my pet for worms?

Kittens and puppies should be de-wormed more regularly than adult pets as they are at a higher risk of infection.

  • 0-3 months = worming treatment every 2 weeks
  • 3-6 months = worming treatment every 4 weeks

Adult dogs and cats should be treated every 3 months/12 weeks throughout their lifetime.

Ticks

The great outdoors is full of wonder for our pets, but it also comes with a downside: ticks! Ticks can be contracted from any area with foliage, including fields, long grass and even your garden. A lot of flea treatments combine both flea and tick repellent, so the easiest way to avoid ticks is to use a dual treatment.

My pet has a tick, what do I do?

Always remove a tick as quickly as possible to avoid pet discomfort and disease transmission. The best way to remove a tick is using the right tools: tick removers are designed to remove ticks with minimal discomfort to your pet.

If you suspect your pet has a tick infestation, or is suffering discomfort due to a tick, always seek veterinary care.

 

Visit our website: https://www.petsandfriends.co.uk/

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