Protecting Your Pet from Parasites

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Parasites can cause itching, fatigue, belly problems, and transmit diseases. In this guide, we will discuss how to prevent these issues, regardless of your pet’s breed, when to give medications, and how to keep your pets parasite-free year-round.

All pets need regular protection against parasites, especially puppies, kittens, senior animals, and those that spend time outdoors or around other animals.

Why Prevention Matters

Unchecked parasites can harm health: fleas can cause skin wounds and increase the risk of worms; ticks transmit diseases like Lyme; intestinal worms steal nutrients and cause belly pain in puppies. Regular prevention avoids these risks and reduces the chance of transmission to humans—especially in homes with children.

Annual Flea and Tick Protection

Use veterinarian-recommended treatments, such as pills or collars, throughout the year.

  • Start using them on puppies and kittens at 8 weeks, with age-appropriate products.
  • Continue protection in all seasons—even in winter—because parasites can still be active.
  • Keep an eye on tick prevalence in your area and adjust protection methods as needed.

Intestinal Deworming Guidelines

  • Puppies/Kittens: Deworm at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks and continue at vet check-ups until they are 6 months old.
  • Adults: Deworm every 3 months or as recommended by your vet.
  • Senior and immunocompromised animals: Follow a special plan from the veterinarian.
  • Use broad-spectrum dewormed that target various types of worms, such as roundworms and tapeworms (e.g., medications with praziquantel).

Annual fecal exams are essential—they help detect even low-level infections.

Choosing the Right Products

  • Ensure the medication is appropriate for the species: some dog medications can be harmful to cats.
  • Avoid using multiple medications with the same active ingredient at the same time.
  • Consider combination products that protect against fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites in one dose for convenience.
  • Always weigh your pet regularly—the dosages change with weight.

Heartworm & Vector-Borne Prevention

In many areas, monthly heartworm preventatives (such as Ivermectin, Milbemycin, etc.) also aid in protecting against ticks and intestinal worms.

  • Highly important in areas with high prevalence or for pets that spend a lot of time outdoors.
  • Annual testing for heartworm is crucial before starting or resuming preventative treatments.

Quick Prevention Tips

  • Use spot-on, oral, or collar products to protect your pet year-round.
  • Deworm puppies frequently; for adults, every 3 months.
  • Have annual fecal exams to detect hidden worms.
  • Preventing and testing for heartworm helps avoid serious illnesses.
  • Keep your yard clean—promptly remove feces.
  • Brush your pet weekly to spot fleas or ticks early.

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