By MATT PIKE
As the weather warms up, pet owners need to be aware of the dangers of fleas and ticks for their pets.
Melanie Barnes with Friends of the Animal Shelter says if you haven't already, now is the time to make sure you are taking those preventative measures to protect your animals.
"As opposed to reacting and trying to treat it, I know people think prevention is very expensive, sometimes we also have a compliance issue with that of owners forgetting to apply it, or maybe applying it incorrectly or giving it incorrectly," Barnes says on the KFEQmunnity show. "But at the same time, trust me, prevention is far cheaper than a sever infestation because also once it's on one pet, it's probably on all the pets as well as also in the environment in the home."
While now is the time to make sure you prevent fleas and ticks, Barnes does also point out measures should have begun back in February when temperatures initially began to get warmer.
As for what preventative measures you should take, Barnes says it's best to contact a veterinarian to figure out what works best for you and your pet.
"There are so many products out there nowadays, it is far beyond what used to be two decades ago, there are so many products," Barnes explains. "So there are topical products, there are oral products, there are collars and wearables now, so you do have to think about what is best from a compliance perspective, if your pet doesn't really like to take pills, then maybe an oral isn't good for them, if your pet jumps in the pond every other day, or every day, maybe a topical's not good.
"So you do have to take into consideration your pet's behaviors and what's best for your pet, but also you as well, what's convenient for you, can you remember monthly? So, it is up to you and your pet in what's best for the household in general."
Barnes also points out that if you have cats, that is something to take into consideration as prevention measures for cats and dogs are different, and some prevention measures made for dogs can even be toxic to cats.
Most prevention measures are only effective against certain life stages of the flea or tick, or not effective until it begins to attempt to feed. Pet owners should watch for signs of possible infestation. Depending on how your pet is reacting, if bitten, a vet should be contacted.
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