Happy New Year! Today is a perfect time to make sure your pets stay pest-free in 2021. There are several things you can do to ensure your animal friend doesn’t fall victim to creepy crawlies like fleas, ticks, and worms. These disgusting parasites can sideline your pet’s health. Some can even be deadly! Keep up with these pest-control measures all year round, and your pet will have nothing to worry about. 

Use Preventative Medications

There’s a reason most veterinarians recommend keeping pets on a year-round heartworm preventative and a flea-and-tick preventative. It’s the safest bet! These simple measures should protect your furry friend from all of the common pests that are lurking outdoors. If your pet isn’t already set up with these preventatives, get in touch with your vet right away.

Groom Your Pet Regularly

Taking the time to groom your dog or cat on a regular basis is a great way to check the coat and skin for fleas and ticks. Even if Fido or Fluffy has a short coat of fur and doesn’t require any specific grooming measures, you can still run a flea comb through the coat to check for tiny brown or black specks, which would be flea feces. If you find do anything, call your vet’s office to schedule an appointment.

Seal the Gaps

Use a spray sealant foam to block off any small holes or cracks in your home’s siding or foundation. Many pests can easily slip in through these openings and latch on to unsuspecting pets–and people–inside.

Tend to the Landscaping

Pests are often attracted to dense brush and tall, unkempt grasses because these areas give them places to hide. Go around your house, and trim back thick shrubbery. You’ll also need to cut back lengthy grass, so you don’t inadvertently give pests a home. If vegetation is touching your home itself, perhaps near a window, you might be giving unwanted guests an open invitation into your living room.

Keep Things Clean

At the end of the day, there’s really no substitute for keeping things clean, both indoors and outside. Be sure to vacuum and disinfect inside your home regularly and be sure to toss your pet’s bedding in the washing machine very now and then. Outdoors, get rid of any garbage or leftover food that could attract pests. Remove any sources of standing water—empty flower pots, birdfeeders, old tires—that mosquitoes could use to breed.

Does your dog or cat need pest-control medications? Want to learn more about keeping your four-legged friend safe and sound? Call your local vet’s office to speak with the professionals.