Ticks and Fleas? No, Thank you!

There are many pests that can bother your dog or cat. Fleas and ticks are certainly among the most well-known and common parasites. What other ones exist? how do pets get infected? and when are they at their greatest risk? you can read and found out here:

Ticks are active from a temperature of around 8 degrees Celsius. Therefore, tick bites are most common from February to October. However, due to climate change, it is increasingly common for ticks to survive year-round and infest pets. Fleas can also live in animals' fur throughout the year and therefore infest your pet year-round.

So remember: your pet needs effective flea and tick protection all year round.

To keep track of the many parasites, it is helpful to divide them into endoparasites (live inside the host) and ectoparasites (live on the host).

The most notorious ectoparasites in dogs and cats are:

• Fleas
• Mites
• Ticks

The most notorious endoparasites in dogs and cats are:

• Single-celled organisms (e.g., Giardia, Toxoplasma)
• Worms (e.g., intestinal worms, heartworms, lungworms)

You can find an overview of the various parasites in dogs or cats in the zooplus magazine.

There are various ways your pet can get infected with parasites:

Dogs and cats get fleas when they come into contact with other infested animals. This includes not only other pets but also wild animals such as hedgehogs. Fleas can also transfer from infested clothes or shoes onto pets.

Ticks, on the other hand, typically lie in wait on grasses and in bushes. When a dog or cat passes by, the tick attaches to their fur and bites into the skin.

Currently, there is no approved vaccination against parasites for dogs or cats. However, you can vaccinate your pet against certain infections transmitted by ticks, such as Lyme disease and babesiosis.

In addition to mosquitoes, ticks are especially responsible for transmitting pathogens that cause Mediterranean diseases and other infections. In dogs and cats, these include:

• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Borreliosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Hepatozoonosis

While fleas less commonly transmit pathogens, they can cause severe itching and allergies (flea saliva allergy).

You can find an overview of the most common diseases in dogs and cats in the zooplus magazine.

Therefore, it's important: If your pet shows signs of illness, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.