In seasons where pests and insects can be quite the issue at home, our usual precautionary measures are only directed at keeping ourselves and the other people in our household safe. These usually include using insect repellent lotions or patches and setting up traps for Gravid Aedes mosquitoes. The aforementioned practices are definitely helpful in protecting humans, but when we have pets at home, there have to be further precautions.
Pet owners must know that insects also pose risks for pets because they can transmit parasites and viruses to pets. Due to this, you also need to take precautions for the safety of your pets.
Here are some of the best ways to keep those pesky pests away from your pets at home:
Keep Your Pet Clean
The first tip is something that should already be standard practice for your pets and that is making sure that your pet is always clean.
1. Shampoo your pets using the right products.
You may be expecting our advice to say that you should shampoo your pet every day to keep them clean. However, pets do not necessarily need bathing daily. Healthy pets will usually just need a bath when they smell bad.
That is no excuse to never bathe them, though. When you bathe your pets, use a shampoo that is specifically formulated for their species because human shampoo can dry their skin and make them even more vulnerable to diseases. For an added layer of protection, use shampoos geared particularly towards getting rid of pests, such as fleas and ticks.
2. Have them groomed during peak seasons.
Spring and summer are the seasons in which insects thrive. Grooming your pet during this season is even more important because of how it can keep pests away from their fur.
However, take note that it is not advisable to just shave off all their fur during these seasons, as animal fur works to regulate their body temperatures, regardless of whether the season is cold or warm. What you can do instead is to give them a haircut, but leave some hair to protect them from sunburn during the summer.
3. Regularly check for any irritations on their skin.
There are times when pests grow on your pet’s fur due to oversight. Make sure that you immediately examine their fur after they go out to play, especially if they run towards areas that are unfamiliar. It is best to brush their fur after every outdoor activity to not only get rid of dirt but to also remove any insects that may have stuck to their fur during their time out.
One disease that you can avoid through regular brushing and cleaning is myiasis, a condition in which there are maggots on an animal’s skin. These can feed off of wounds and eventually even healthy skin if untreated, so the best move is to prevent the growth of maggots on your pet’s fur entirely.
Keep Your Home Clean
Aside from cleaning your pet, you should also keep the places your pet visits around your home clean.
1. Keep your outdoor areas tidy.
Pets running outdoors and getting their share of play out. However, there are many insects that make themselves at home in different plants on your lawn and are much harder to contain because they are in an open space.
If you have grassy areas outside, trim your grass low to avoid the growth of different insects. Do not leave trash lying around, too, and always store them in their respective bins.
Give your pet a set time for outdoor play so that you can monitor what they do and where they go.
2. Clean your pet’s bed, playpen, and other frequented areas.
Pests love dirty and messy spaces. Do not let your pet’s safe spaces be the places where they get bothered by insects that can cause injuries or illnesses.
Always keep your pet’s bed and cage clean, particularly noting places where they urinate or defecate, as these can attract harmful insects. You should also clean up their playpen and toys after every play session to make sure that these are not avenues for pests to transfer to your pet’s fur.
3. Clean your home regularly.
This should go without saying. Keeping your home clean keeps it safe and healthy for both your household and your pets, so the simple activity hits two birds with one stone. Remember that a clean home is a happy and healthy one.
When in doubt, always consult a veterinarian. Do not devise solutions for conditions or issues you are unsure of on your own. A veterinarian will know the right steps to take to keep your fur babies safe through the seasons.
