As difficult as it is for humans to deal with pests, our dogs truly get the worst of it. Pet specific pests such as fleas and ticks can latch onto their skin, bite and cause painful itching, rashes and skin damage, and even some diseases like Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. To make sure that your fluffy pals don’t have to go through such an ordeal, it’s important to take protective measures against fleas and ticks. Here are some ways to keep your dog free of these pests.

Tick and Flea Treatment

The first and most obvious step for keeping fleas and ticks off your pet is to let a veterinarian treat their fur with pest deterrents. These can either come in the form of drops or as a collar that your dog wears around his or her neck to ward off bugs. If you don’t want to drive all the way out to the veterinarian’s office, then there are numerous over-the-counter options you can choose from. However, prescription flea and tick medication generally works better.

Check Your Dog

It’s always important to check your dog’s fur for fleas and ticks on a continual basis, especially if you live in a densely wooded area and your pet spends much of their time frolicking through the trees. Run a comb through your dog’s fur before they come inside, and if you find anything that doesn’t belong, quickly spray them with flea and tick killer and give them a bath with pest eliminating shampoo. Checking your dog’s fur regularly for fleas and ticks helps ensure that if they ever do get any insects on them, you can take care of them before the infestation gets too problematic.

Pest Proof Your Environment

After you’ve finished fumigating your dog, it’s time to go around your house and yard to reduce the risk of fleas and ticks in the areas where your dog plays. Remember, ticks and fleas love places with dense foliage, so make sure you mow your lawn at least once a week and trim back trees and bushes before they become too overgrown. Also, wash your dog’s bedding and vacuum the carpet where he or she hangs out.

As much as we and our pets love each other, dogs can’t tell us when they are suffering, which means that it’s up to us, their owners, to keep them protected from irritating pests. For more information, or to receive quality pest control services, contact Hart Pest Control today.