Hot chocolate, cozy blankets and endless cuddles, that’s how you picture your winters with your furballs, right? But what about keeping them protected from fleas and ticks? We know you might be thinking that fleas and ticks are just a seasonal threat, only active in hot and humid weather. Well, that’s not the case!
In this blog post, we will bust some common myths about flea and tick protection in winter among pet parents, along with easy tips to prevent the infestations, so that you can ensure the vitality and longevity of your furry companions and make the most of this winter season.
Let’s get started!
Is flea & tick protection necessary in winter?
Pet parents are often in a dilemma about whether flea and tick protection is necessary in winter. The answer is always a YES! Fleas and ticks are present all the time, irrespective of the season and hence providing them with year-round protection is paramount.
While these parasites are less active in the colder temperatures, they do not completely disappear and can still attack your pet while they are having a cozy time inside the house. Moreover, many regions of the United States are not cold enough to completely kill these pests and deter their activity. Hence, make sure to keep your little one on appropriate flea and tick preventives for the entire year, considering their needs and preferences, to ensure their vitality and longevity.
How fleas & ticks stay active in winter?
Fleas and ticks stay active in the cold weather by hiding inside the grass, bushes, soil, woods, furniture or bedding until they find a host to survive. Once they find the warmth of a host’s body or a heated home, they easily survive and thrive and transmit harmful diseases.
# Risk of fleas in winter:
Fleas require temperatures equal to or greater than 700 F, but they can easily survive the winter by seeking warmth inside homes. During colder months, flea pupae remain protected in their cocoons for up to 30 weeks at around 51.8°F, waiting to emerge as adults when temperatures rise. Flea eggs, larvae, and adults can endure conditions as cold as 30°F. A single female flea can lay hundreds to thousands of eggs over her lifetime and needs just one mild day to find a host.
# Risk of ticks in winter:
Ticks are most active in warm weather, but become dormant during winter. As the temperatures drop, they hide in wooded areas, shrubs, under leaf litter and snow to stay protected. After hatching, young ticks feed during the summer and then survive through winter. Although many ticks can live in temperatures as low as 35°F, they stop thriving when it drops below 10°F. Female ticks usually take about two to three years to grow into adults, going through several stages and needing a blood meal from a new host at each stage to reproduce successfully.
How to prevent fleas & ticks in colder months?
Mentioned below are a few simple yet effective ways to keep fleas and ticks away from your canine companion during the winter months:
# Administer flea & tick preventives:
Year-round flea and tick treatments are available in different forms, such as oral, topical, collar, etc. Choose the one that suits your canine’s requirements and preferences to keep them in good health throughout the year.
#Vacuum the beddings:
Warm rooms, beddings and furniture become the home of fleas and ticks during winters, where they wait for a host to thrive. Therefore, make sure you regularly vacuum the beddings and furniture to keep these nasty parasites away.
#Mow the lawn:
During the winter season, fleas and ticks tend to hide in the woods, grass, bushes and leaf litter, waiting to attack your dog when they go outside for a walk or playtime. Make sure you keep your lawn trimmed to prevent these pests and ensure the sound health of your furball.
#Check for ticks:
Ticks attach themselves to your pet’s body and take a blood meal to transmit harmful diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, etc. Hence, check your canine’s body for ticks every now and then, especially when you come from outside. If you find any, remove them carefully with a tick remover or a tweezer.
#Routine vet visits:
Routine vet visits ensure early detection of infestations and potential diseases, if any and help provide the required treatment to your furry friend before it is too late.
Wrapping Up
Since fleas and ticks are not seasonal, it is essential to be proactive all year to keep these parasites far away from your four-legged companions and keep them protected. Educate yourself with the information provided in this blog and keep your fluffballs hale and hearty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Does my dog need flea and tick prevention in winter?
Ans. Yes, your canine needs effective flea and tick prevention even in the winters as these parasites stay active all year. Hence, administer appropriate flea and tick preventives irrespective of the season to keep your dog safe and healthy.
Q2. Can I skip flea and tick treatment during the colder months?
Ans. No, you should not skip flea and tick treatments during the colder months since these blood suckers survive throughout the year and can transmit harmful diseases to your dog. Therefore, don’t forget to administer flea and tick treatments even if the temperatures drop.
Q3. Can my dog get fleas even after staying indoors?
Ans. Yes, your dogs can get fleas even if they stay indoors as fleas hide inside the beddings, furniture and heated rooms, searching for a host to attack and thrive.
Q4. Is there any treatment that kills fleas instantly?
Ans. To protect against fleas, various treatments are available in the market in different forms, including oral, topical, etc., which help kill fleas quickly. You can consider using Capstar, a fast-action flea killing formula that starts working within 30 minutes of administration.
Q5. How do fleas and ticks survive during winter?
Ans. Fleas and ticks go dormant during colder weather. Once conditions improve, they look for a host to attack. As they find a host, the warmth of a host’s body helps them survive easily in the colder temperatures.