flea & tick

Ticks are the bane of every dog lover’s existence. Worse than fleas, these blood-sucking arachnids can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis. Veterinarians agree that year-round flea and tick prevention is essential, especially in areas where ticks are common, which today includes much of the United States. The tricky part? Ticks are experts at hiding. Some are no larger than a poppy seed before feeding, making them easy to miss during a quick … Read more

Good news: summer is here. Bad news: this is the most active time of year for fleas and ticks. To keep your dog safe, you need to learn more about the potential threat. One key takeaway: flea and tick season poses a threat all year long. Thankfully, there are ways to protect your pup. The Creatures Let’s start with the basics. Fleas are the most common external parasite to dogs. They are wingless insects. They feed on blood. And those … Read more

Many of us were thankful that the winter was mild. Unfortunately, that means wooded and grassy areas will have higher concentrations of ticks this summer. The University of New Haven’s Lyme Disease Research Group has issued a warning that tick season is going to be a doozie. Thanks, 2020.  Post Quarantine, People Are Enjoying the Outdoors The last few months have been challenging to say the least. Now that parks and trails are open to the public again, cooped up … Read more

Reviewed by Elizabeth Racine, DVM The subject of “worms” isn’t a favorite one to linger on for most. But according to experts, it might be time for pet parents (and veterinarians) to devote some focused attention to these common—and harmful—parasites. Despite nearly four decades of veterinarians recommending monthly heartworm prevention and the widespread availability of safe, effective treatments for intestinal parasites, recent studies point to an alarming rise in the number of dogs infected with heartworm and hookworm (1, 2). The … Read more

It’s that time again… fleas are back in season! In fact for many of us in warmer areas like California or Florida, fleas remain a threat year around. A Natural, Inexpensive Method of Flea & Tick Control The new iHeartDogs Flea & Tick Guard Bones are a natural way to help keep your dog pest-free. The tasty little chews incorporates a small amount of garlic to ward off pests. When eaten daily, the blend of brewer’s yeast and garlic tablets make your pup … Read more

Many people assume that fleas die off in the winter and it’s safe to stop your dog’s flea and tick preventative. But is it really safe to do that? Do you need to worry about fleas during cooler months? The surprising answer is that YES, you do still need to worry about them during cooler months, and it’s all about their life cycle. About the flea life cycle You may be surprised to learn that much of a flea’s life … Read more

Fleas may be small, but they cause big problems. They’re external parasites that cling to skin and survive by taking advantage of their unwilling hosts. Their bites leave behind itchy red bumps, they spread diseases, and they make dogs miserable with incessant scratching. Fleas love nothing more than finding an unprotected pet to live on, and getting rid of them is no easy feat. The best way to protect pets and people from fleas is to stop the pests from … Read more

You definitely don’t want your dog and your home to be infested with fleas, but you might be a little concerned about using the hardcore chemicals and pesticides found in traditional flea repellents, whether they’re topical or ingested. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between using chemicals or not protecting your dog. There are lots of natural ingredients that can help repel fleas without exposing your dog to chemicals and pesticides. But first, if you live in a climate with … Read more