"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." —F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
On the edge of summer, we teeter, ready to fall headfirst into all that there is to love about it. The sun, the fullness of the trees, the promise of lazy afternoons. But along with our blissful feelings about summer comes a warning to be prepared for the pests that accompany the season. Here are a few ways you can make sure your pets are ready to take on summertime.
Start your pet on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives.
These pests can wreak havoc on your pet’s health, but thank goodness there are preventatives! It only takes 21 days for one flea to multiply to 1,000 fleas, causing your pet to itch, lose hair, and develop scabs. Not to mention how difficult it is to get rid of fleas! Ticks cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease, and Ehrlichiosis. And not only are mosquitoes annoying, they can transmit heartworms to your pup. It is important to note that even indoor animals should be vaccinated against these pests. Mosquitoes can thrive in a flowerpot!
Vaccinate against leptospirosis.
Bacteria in lakes, ponds, and standing water can cause leptospirosis, which can make animals very sick and in severe cases can damage the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, eyes, and reproductive system. Our yard backs up to a large wooded area teeming with wildlife, so this is a vaccination we make sure to keep up to date. You should also make sure your pets have plenty of fresh drinking water. Dogs typically come into contact with the bacteria through drinking contaminated water. A thirsty dog is likely to drink standing water in your yard and this can be very dangerous.
Check the perimeters of your yard.
Of course, summertime dangers don’t always come in small packages. Make sure to protect your pets against snakes and wild animals that may be more prevalent in the summer. Keep your yard clean of items that might attract rodents, a snake’s natural food source. Pick up food and birdseed that has fallen on the ground and keep your grass cut short. Check out our post, Snake Bites and Dogs to read up on tips for dealing with a snake bite.
Invest in your pet’s health!
Summertime can be a fabulous change of pace, as we slow down to enjoy the sunshine, longer days, and extra time with family and friends. Allow yourself some peace of mind by letting PetPartners shoulder some of the financial burden when it comes to keeping your pets safe in the summer. With the Defender and DefenderPlus plans you can receive reimbursement towards the cost of routine care for your pet, including vaccinations, routine testing, wellness prevention products (heartworm, flea, and tick) and more – so your pup can be protected year-round without breaking the bank!
