Summer means more playtime outside for you and your pet. But it can also mean more exposure to pests that are hazardous to your dog or cat. Parasites can make your pet uncomfortable and even be hazardous to their health.

For example, ticks infect your pet with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. Intestinal parasites living inside your pet’s gut can cause diarrhea. Puppies and kittens can be particularly affected, even leading to weight loss or stunted growth when they have intestinal parasites. Fleas cause itching and scratching, which can result in skin infections, but they also can carry tapeworms. Your pet can become infected when they eat a flea while grooming themselves.

Tips from the Cornell Small Animal Community Practice will keep your pets safe from parasites and make your summer a memorable one.

Choose a parasite prevention product

There are many parasite prevention products on the market with different spectrums of coverage. Newer all-in-one products prevent fleas, ticks, heartworm and intestinal parasites at once. Others might specialize in flea and ticks. Based on your pet’s lifestyle, your veterinarian can help you choose the best option for your pet. Does your pet stay indoors? Roam the backyard or nature trails? Swim in bodies of water? All are factors when choosing coverage.

Avoid home remedies

While it may be tempting to use different home remedies found online, they are usually ineffective in protecting your pet from parasites, and some might actually be harmful. Stick with the tested, veterinarian-approved approach.

Properly apply the product

There are many different forms of parasite prevention: chewable tabs, topical liquids, collars, etc., and each one must be properly administered. For example, the Seresto collar is effective at controlling fleas and ticks, but only works if it’s touching your pet’s skin, and can fail if the collar is too loose.

Keep it up

Don’t let parasite prevention lapse! Most parasite prevention products need to be administered every month for the entire year. Certain products have a longer duration, like Bravecto, but read each product’s directions carefully to ensure you’re keeping your pet safe and getting the most out of your purchase. Remember that fleas and ticks can be active in the winter months as well!

Check for parasites regularly

No parasite prevention product is 100% effective, so be sure to look over your dog or cat after they’ve been outside. Ticks love to attach to warmer spots on dogs, such as their ears and neck. Make it part of your snuggle routine to check these areas.

About the Cornell Small Animal Community Practice

The Cornell Small Animal Community Practice is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. It offers three main types of medical care to its patients in the Ithaca, New York region: health maintenance, primary care and elective surgery. With a history dating back to the 1980s, the community practice service is committed to compassionate care as well as teaching the next generation of veterinarians.