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Humans are not the only creatures preyed on by annoying pests; your feline and canine family members are also targeted by them too. By knowing which bugs you need to worry about and how to protect your furry friend, you can ensure your pet stays healthy andstress-free.
In this post, we shall look at some of the common pests that attack pets, how they affect them, and what you can do to ensure they don’t prey on your animal companion.
Fleas
These are tiny, flat parasites that live in the fur of animals and feed on their blood. The bites from fleas can cause intense itching as well as skin irritation in animals. The situation is much serious for animals that are allergic to fleas as they could develop skin infections, extensive rashes, or even lose their fur.
As if the itching and blood loss is not enough, fleas also carry tapeworm larvae which can be ingested by your pet through grooming. Although tapeworms don’t usually cause serious problems, they will both cause discomfort to your pet as well as cause malnutrition symptoms when left untreated for long.
Ticks
Ticks are small critters that attach themselves to animals and feed on their blood. In addition to sucking your pet’s blood, ticks are also capable of spreading diseases to your pet which include Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.
Although they are hard to spot before they feed, ticks will increase in size as they fill up with the blood they consume from the animal making them easier to spot and feel when running your fingers through the animal’s fur.
Mosquitoes
While mosquitoes are mostly known for their ability to spread a number of serious diseases to humans, they also pose a health risk to both cats and dogs. To these animals,mosquitoes spread heartworms which are transmitted as larvae to the animal’s blood stream.
When they mature, heartworms will lodge in the lungs and heart of the animal causing symptoms such as weakness and coughs. Without early detection and aggressive treatment, heartworms can have fatal results.
Bees and wasps
A sting from a bee or wasp is just as painful for your four-legged friend as it is for you. Other than the pain and swelling they cause, these stings can also trigger serious allergic reactions in some pets. Symptoms of an allergic reaction in pets are similar to those displayed by humans and include hives, generalised swelling, shock, diarrhoea, and difficulty breathing.
How to protect your pet from harmful pets
Pestrol suggests that there are a few things that you can do to protect your loved pet from these pests:
- Wash your pet often. Use an anti-flea shampoo to clean your pet and do it often to get rid of infestations before they take root.
- Keep your pet indoors at dusk and dawn.This are the times when mosquitoes are most active. Keeping your pet inside will reduce exposure to these potentially dangerous pests.
- Tidy up your lawn. An unkempt lawn will harbour fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Maw your lawn regularly to get rid of these pests.
- Tidy up your home. A dirty and cluttered house provides the perfect conditions for pests to thrive. Keep your house clean and tidy to keep pests away.
- Check frequently for ticks and fleas. Check for the pests themselves as well as signs of their presence such as licking and scratching. Make sure to remove ticks with a tick-removal tool to avoid breaking them and leaking toxins into the animal’s bloodstream.
- Use insect repellers. Insect repellers can either be applied onto your pet’s body or come incorporated into the fabrics ofpet accessories such as beds and bandanas for wearing outdoors. These will repel all insects keeping your pet safe.
Pets are just as susceptible to harmful insects as their human companions. Taking precautions to protect them from dangerous critters will keep them both happy and healthy.
