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With spring right around the corner, it’s time to think about warm weather pet care. Pests like fleas and ticks flourish during the spring and summer months and they will soon begin seeking furry hosts to inhabit. Hickman Creek Kennel in Lexington and Nicholasville, KY, is here to provide the information you need to protect your pet from itchy skin, allergies, and illness. 

Your Guide to Warm Weather Pests

What Are the Threats?

The most common pests your pet will encounter outdoors include fleas, ticks, and biting insects like mosquitoes and flies. 

Fleas are tiny, dark brown insects that love hot weather. They typically originate in outside environments from flea eggs falling off an infested animal and hatching. Because of their strong back legs, they can easily jump from their ground location onto your dog or cat. These pests feed on a host’s blood and their bite can cause extreme itchiness, allergic reactions, and skin infection. They also multiply quickly, making treatment difficult. 

pet care Lexington Nicholasville KYLike fleas, ticks also feed on host blood. They typically crawl up long blades of grass or wait on low-lying shrubs for an acceptable passerby to brush up against them. Once they land on their host, a tick attaches to skin through a hyperstome, a tiny harpoon-like appendage that anchors the tick while it sucks blood. They can remain on your dog or cat for days or even weeks if left unaddressed. 

Other pests, such as mosquitoes and bot flies can bite your pet and irritate their skin. Mosquito bites can even cause heartworm. 

What Steps Can You Take? 

Comprehensive pet care can help you protect your furry friend from warm weather pests. Use a vet-prescribed or over-the-counter flea and tick prevention treatment to keep your dog or cat from becoming infested.

Proper pet grooming and hygiene techniques can also go a long way toward pest avoidance. Keep your pet’s coat clean and search thoroughly for signs of infestation, especially after playing outside. You can usually spot crawling fleas or flea dirt on an animal’s skin by separating their fur. If you see these signs, head straight to the vet for a professional treatment. 

Ticks can usually be removed with tweezers, though great care is required with this method. Grab the tick as closely to the mouth as possible, being careful not to pinch your pet’s skin, and pull straight back slowly. Don’t twist or squeeze the tick, as you could burst it or risk leaving the mouth parts embedded in your dog or cat’s skin. Once the tick is removed, use rubbing alcohol to clean and disinfect the bite area. If you have any doubt you have fully removed the parasite, contact your vet. 

To avoid mosquitoes and other biting bugs, don’t walk your pet near stagnant water or high grass.

Taking charge of pet care can help you protect your furry companion from warm weather pests. If you live in the Lexington or Nicholasville area and are planning a spring or summer vacation, let the caring professionals at Hickman Creek Kennels provide a loving, safe, and clean boarding option for your dog or cat. Visit their website or call them at (859) 885-DOGS (3647) today. 

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