Paws 4 Safety: It’s not just the heat, it’s the bugs that come with it

BY KIM BRADLEY, Paws 4 Safety

We all know it: the temperatures continue to soar, the humidity is thick, and many of us are spending more time indoors trying to stay cool. And just like us, most pets are also spending more time indoors. A brief potty break and back inside they come.

Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones seeking relief. Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are thriving during these warm, humid months, and our pets can unknowingly bring these tiny hitchhikers right into our homes after nothing more than a quick trip outside. 

Warm temperatures combined with high humidity create ideal conditions for parasites. While extreme dry heat can reduce their survival, moisture helps fleas and ticks avoid drying out, allowing them to remain active in shaded yards, tall grass, wooded areas and even around our own landscaping. Mosquitoes are equally happy, especially where standing water provides the perfect place to breed. 

Most of us think of fleas as simply an itchy nuisance, but they can cause much more than scratching. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs each day, meaning a minor problem can quickly become a major infestation. Fleas can trigger allergic skin reactions, transmit tapeworms, and make life miserable for both pets and their families. While tapeworm infections are more common in pets, people, especially young children, can also become infected if an infected flea is accidentally swallowed. Although uncommon, it’s another reminder that parasite prevention protects the entire family, not just our pets. 

Ticks deserve just as much respect. Ticks don’t just threaten our pets. They can also attach to people after a walk through tall grass or wooded areas and may transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Checking yourself and your pets after spending time outdoors is a simple habit that benefits everyone. 

Then there are mosquitoes. Besides leaving behind itchy bites, mosquitoes are the primary carriers of heartworms. Just one infected mosquito has the potential to transmit heartworm larvae to an unprotected dog or cat. While heartworm disease is much more common in dogs, cats can become infected as well, and as of this writing there is currently no approved treatment for heartworms in cats. Prevention truly is the best medicine. 

Regular inspections of our pets (and ourselves) are so important. 

After walking or playing outdoors, take a minute to run your hands over your pet’s body. Check around the ears, under the collar, between the toes, around the tail and under the belly where ticks often like to hide. That sounds like a lot but really it can be done in just a minute or two. Watch for excessive scratching, chewing, hair loss, or small black specks, sometimes referred to as “flea dirt” in the coat that may indicate fleas.

Simple steps can reduce your pet’s risk. Keep your lawn trimmed, remove standing water whenever possible, wash pet bedding regularly, vacuum carpets frequently, and most importantly, talk with your veterinarian about the flea, tick and heartworm preventatives that are best for your pet and your area. 

One positive thing about these sweltering summer days… They give us an opportunity to slow down and spend a little extra time with our pets indoors. Teach an old dog a new trick, practice basic commands, introduce a new puzzle toy, or simply enjoy some quiet time together in the air conditioning. When the temperatures climb, mental exercise can be just as valuable as physical exercise for both you and your pet. Keep yourself and your pets safe this summer.