Fleas and ticks in dogs and cats: spotting, removing and preventing them

Almost every dog or cat has to deal with them at some point. Fleas and ticks aren't just annoying, they can cause skin problems and disease too. Fortunately, there's a lot you can do about them.

Spotting fleas

Is your pet scratching a lot, especially around the base of the tail and the neck? Run a fine flea comb through the coat over a sheet of white paper. If you find small black specks that turn reddish-brown on a damp piece of kitchen paper, that's flea dirt. Some animals are allergic to flea bites and develop bald patches or inflamed skin.

Treating fleas: the home matters too

Most of a flea problem isn't on your pet but in your home: eggs, larvae and pupae in the bed, rugs and gaps in the floor. So treat every dog and cat in the household at the same time, wash beds and blankets at 60°C or more, and vacuum thoroughly for a few weeks. Ask your vet which product works best; there are spot-ons, tablets and collars.

Ticks: check after every walk

Ticks live in long grass, woodland edges and shrubs, and are most active from spring into autumn, though also in mild winter weather. They can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and babesiosis. The sooner you remove a tick, the lower the risk of infection. After a walk, feel especially around the head, ears, neck, armpits and between the toes.

Removing a tick safely

• Use a tick removal tool or tick hook, as close to the skin as possible.
• Twist or pull the tick out slowly and steadily, without squeezing its body.
• Don't use alcohol, oil or soap: they can make the tick release more saliva into the wound.
• Clean the spot and keep an eye on it for a few weeks.
• See a vet if your pet develops a fever, seems lethargic, stops eating well or goes lame after a tick bite.

Prevention is better

There are products that kill or repel fleas and ticks, as spot-ons, tablets or collars. Which one suits best depends on your animal, its age and where you walk. Talk it through with your vet. Important: never use a dog product on a cat. Some dog treatments contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. Take care, too, if your cat is in close contact with a dog that has just been treated.

Professional help

At the annual check-up, your vet will look for fleas and ticks and recommend a prevention plan. A groomer is also often the first to notice a problem during a groom. On Petovia you can find and book vets and grooming salons near you.