Have a pest-free summer

With the start of summer comes a lot of great things — longer days, more time spent outdoors and warmer temperatures. However, as with most things, you can’t have the good without the bad, and as we get into summer, we’re also getting into the heart of flea and tick season.

This time when these parasites are most active starts in our area around April or May and goes through October. When left untreated, fleas and ticks can cause serious health concerns for your pet — and even you. Preventing them in the first place is key.

Most people might have an idea of what fleas or ticks look like, but the truth is both are so small that they’re easy to miss. Fleas measure less than one-eighth of an inch (like a crumb), so you likely won’t even notice them until your animal is exhibiting symptoms like scratching and having irritated skin. You might also notice dark specks (flea droppings) or white specks (flea eggs). Common spots for fleas include the base of the tail and neck.

Ticks, about the size of a pinhead, often go unnoticed until they swell from taking in blood from your pet. Common places for ticks include the neck, ears, feet or toes, around the eyes, and under legs.

Flea allergy dermatitis — an allergic reaction to flea saliva that causes itchiness — is the most common effect of these pests, but more serious skin disease or infection can occur.

Fleas can also take in so much blood that they cause anemia, and the loss of red blood cells, which can require expensive diagnostics and treatment and even be life-threatening.

Ticks can cause serious illnesses, in both animals and humans, like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and more. Cats can get a lethal disease from ticks called cytauxzoonosis.

If you’re not convinced, note that you are not safe from fleas and ticks either. While the illnesses that fleas and ticks cause can’t pass from animals to humans, fleas and ticks sure can.

The eggs that fleas lay on your pets’ fur can get all over your rugs, bedding, and more. Although fleas won’t use humans as hosts (they prefer your dog or cat) they will bite you and cause irritated skin. Ticks can also jump from your pet to you, and humans are also prone to serious tick-borne diseases.

Dogs commonly get ticks from walking outside, especially in woods or high grass where ticks tend to be. They can get fleas from other animals they interact with or from being outdoors in areas infested by wild animals carrying them.

If your cat goes outdoors, the same goes for her, but even if she is indoor-only, she can get fleas and ticks from your pets who do go outside, or ticks from you.

If you’re wondering what to do about these parasites — don’t panic! Preventing them is fairly straightforward.

There are various ways to avoid fleas and ticks in your pets, including monthly skin treatments, flea and tick collars, chewable tablets and more.

Some preventatives need a prescription from your veterinarian, while others are sold over the counter. Always involve your veterinarian in choosing flea and tick products and follow the instructions for administering them. This is important — for example, some dog flea and tick preventatives can be fatal for cats.

At Better Together Animal Alliance, we sell flea and tick preventatives at a discount, for $15 per application. Learn more by calling BTAA’s animal care center at 208-265-7297, ext. 100.

We hope you and your pets have a fun, flea-and-tick-free summer!

Better Together Animal Alliance, 870 Kootenai Cut-off Road, Ponderay. bettertogetheranimalalliance.org