Pets get different parasites just like humans do.
An estimated 1-3% of pets have parasites at any given time.
Some pets are asymptomatic, so you might not even know about the problem until it’s too late, and your pet is sick.
Because some parasites can be fatal to our beloved pets, we need to take precautions to protect them from getting sick.
So here are some tips on how to protect your pet from these little creatures.
Get a Monthly Flea, Thick, and Warming Subscription
Taking care of your pet’s health is important. However, with a busy lifestyle and it can be easy to forget about parasite prevention.
A monthly subscription is the easiest and most effective way to keep your pet protected from fleas, ticks, and other insects that carry parasites.
As explained by professionals from Itchoff, having monthly flea, tick, and warming subscriptions for your dog or cat is the most effective way to keep track of your pet’s parasite prevention.
Instead of having to remember to buy flea & tick control every time you run out, all you need to do is go online, pick what type of subscription your pet needs, and enter your address and payment information.
Then you can relax and do other things while the product will be delivered right to your doorstep every month.
Keep Your Pet’s Living Area Clean
This is one of the most important tips on how to protect your pet from parasites.
It’s a good idea to get into a habit of cleaning up after your dog or cat even if they use a litter box.
If you let your dog’s food leftovers sit where your pet can get to them, they might pick at them while you’re not watching and accidentally ingest something that could make them sick.
This is why it’s best to keep their living area clean and free of food leftovers; not only because it will stop parasites in their tracks, but also because this way your family members won’t accidentally get exposed to parasites by coming into contact with the living area.
Use Flea & Tick Control Products Carefully
Fleas and ticks are two of the most common parasites found on pets today, so this one is a really important one to remember.
We all love our pets and we don’t want them to get sick, but sometimes we’re not careful enough about the products we use on them and this can lead to a problem.
That’s why it’s important to only use products that are meant for your pet’s weight category or recommended by your vet.
It is also very important that you read the label of every product carefully before using it since there are certain types of products that indicate whether they are safe for dogs or cats only.
This might mean you have to buy different kinds of flea & tick control if you own both a dog and a cat.
Get a Heartworm Test for your Pet
Even though some pets may not show any signs of being infected with heartworms, most will have symptoms that would be very hard to miss if you know what you’re looking for, and this is why it’s so important to get them tested regularly.
Symptoms include coughing, problems breathing, lethargy, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Once the dog or cat has been diagnosed with heartworms they can go through a specific and long treatment that takes care of both adult worms inside their hearts as well larvae that are living in their blood vessels.
This kind of product might take up to 3 months to clear all parasites, but if the dog or cat is young and healthy it should be able to survive this very safe treatment.
Keep your Pet’s Vaccinations up to Date
This is important because not only can some parasites cause certain fatal diseases, but they can also be transferred to you and your family if the dog or cat in question has an infection.
This means it’s better not to take chances when it comes to things like this, so make sure your pet gets regular check-ups and that they are up to date with their vaccinations.
For example, if your pet is close to you and can’t stop licking you, then you want to make sure they’re vaccinated against rabies because this disease can be transferred through saliva.
Parasites like roundworms spread easily too so always check the stool of your pet for anything that might look like it.
Don’t Let Your Pet Drink from Standing Water
You should never leave standing water outside because that’s where mosquitos and other insects live and that’s where different parasites like Giardia be contracted.
This is why it’s best to provide your pet with a bowl of fresh water at all times because this way they won’t go out of their way to drink from dirty sources.
There are many portable water bowls, you can find on the market today, and these are convenient to use if you want to take your pet with you on a trip.
You should also avoid letting your dog swim in the rivers or saltwater for the same reason, so it’s better to provide them with a pool or a bathtub to take a dip in.
Caring for your pet’s health is not as hard as it might seem.
The trick is being organized and planning ahead of time, as well as knowing the right type of products to use and how.
With these tips, you’re well on your way to protecting your pet from parasites and keeping them healthy and happy.