Why Flea and Tick Prevention Matters — Especially This Time of Year
Here in Chattanooga, summer is a beautiful season. Chances are your dog loves it too, and shows it when they roll around in the grass on a sunny day. What you might not think about as often is what's hiding in that grass alongside them. This year, it's more important than ever to pay attention.
Are Ticks Worse This Year?
Here in Chattanooga and across the Southeast, tick season tends to hit hard. This year, populations are surging nationwide, and our area is no exception. That means higher risk for the pets spending time outdoors and for the people who love them.
Ticks aren't just a nuisance. They carry serious diseases: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and several others. What makes ticks especially tricky is that many of these illnesses operate in the background. Your pet may not show obvious symptoms right away, making early prevention far more effective than treating a problem after the fact.
Can Ticks from My Pet Make Me Sick?
Here's something worth remembering: ticks don't stay on dogs. If a tick hitches a ride on your pet and makes its way inside, it can just as easily end up on you. Keeping your dog or cat on a preventative isn't just good pet care. It's a layer of protection for your whole household.
The same goes for fleas. Beyond the obvious irritation of itchy, uncomfortable pets, fleas can also carry disease and create ongoing infestations in your home that are a lot harder to deal with than preventing them in the first place.
What Is the Best Way to Protect My Pet from Fleas and Ticks?
The good news is that keeping your pet protected has never been easier. Today's flea and tick medications are highly effective, and in most cases, treating your pet is all you need to do. Gone are the days of extensive yard spraying and environmental treatments as a first line of defense. Give your dog or cat their monthly preventative, and you've addressed the vast majority of the risk.
If you're not sure which product is the right fit for your pet, your vet clinic can help you sort through the options. Our team at Southside Veterinary Clinic in Chattanooga is always happy to make a recommendation based on your pet's size, age, and lifestyle.
Can My Pet Pick Up Parasites from the Yard?
While we're talking about what's lurking outside, it's worth mentioning intestinal parasites too. Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and others can cause real discomfort for your pet, including diarrhea, weight loss, and low energy that's easy to write off as just having an off day. Many of these parasites live in the soil and can infect your pet just from sniffing around or walking through contaminated ground. It's one more reason that keeping your dog or cat on a regular preventative is about more than just fleas and ticks.
What If My Pet Has Never Been on a Flea and Tick Preventative?
If your pet isn't currently on a flea, tick, or parasite preventative, that's okay. It's not about how you got here, it's about where you go from here. Starting now still makes a real difference, especially heading into the height of summer.
If you have questions about which preventative is right for your pet, or just want to make sure they're covered going into tick season, give us a call or send us a message. We're here to help you and your fur baby be as healthy as possible.
Questions about flea and tick prevention for your pet? Reach out to Southside Veterinary Clinic in Chattanooga.
Contact us here.
About Our Pet Resource Blog
Everyone of the questions asked on our Pet Resource Blog is answered by an actual veterinarian from our clinic. You can watch a video of Dr. John Lindsay speaking on this topic here.