Ask anyone with a dog about their furry friend, and they’ll be happy to tell you how much joy they bring to their lives. They’re great companions, whether you’re into running or just curling up on the couch watching a movie. Inquire a bit deeper, and they’ll also tell you about the responsibilities involved in being charged with their care. Providing quality food, regular exercise and grooming are obvious needs, but perhaps one of the most important tasks is safeguarding their health.
In addition to making sure their vaccines up-to-date, protecting your dog from pests such as fleas and ticks is an essential part of keeping them healthy. What follows are some steps you can take to keep your pet (and your home!) free from hungry, uninvited guests.
- Regular baths using insect-controlling shampoo are a great help.
- Long haired dogs should receive grooming in spring and summertime, the big flea and tick months. This helps them in three ways: fewer hiding spots for pests, it makes it easier to spot the ones that do latch on, and it will help your dog keep its cool in the hot weather.
- Make sure you’re keeping an eye out for hot spots on your dog: itchy red skin, bug bites and excessive licking and scratching are all good signs that they may be having a pest problem.
- If you and your dog go for a walk in the woods or tall grass, make sure to check his coat carefully for debris or bugs. Give him a good brushing afterward for good measure.
- Ask your veterinarian about any sort of preventative meds your pet should be taking, such as heartworm pills.
- Behavioral changes in your dog, such as lethargy or decreased appetite, can signify a potential health problem. The tick-borne Lyme disease has similar symptoms. A trip to the vet is in order, just to be on the safe side.
- If you find a tick on your dog, immediately remove it, making sure to completely extract the head and mouth parts completely.
- If you find your dog has fleas, give them a thorough flea bath and consult your vet.
- Keeping your living space clean and clutter-free will help lessen the risk of pest infestations, as well as making it easier to spot any pests that do make it inside. Keep floors and carpets vacuumed and bed linens clean.
- The same goes for your dog’s bedding, toys, food dishes, crate and sleeping areas. Keep them clean and washed.
- Keeping your yard and garden well maintained is key to preventing pests from becoming a breeding ground for pests. Tall grass and weeds are common hiding places for them.
- If you have reason to believe that you’ve got an infestation of ticks or fleas in your home, don’t delay. Call a pest control professional as soon as possible.
These tips should help to keep your dog and home happy and pest-free. If you’ve already got a problem and you need professional help, the pest control experts at Ambassador Pest Management have been helping residential and business customers in West Palm Beach, Stuart and Jupiter, Florida for over 25 years. Call today for a free, no-obligation inspection. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! 866-632-0088.
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