Every summer it’s time for pet parents to wrestle with fleas and ticks. For Tripawd parents who are also managing their pet’s cancer battle, deciding which type of flea protection to use is an agonizing decision, especially when we learn hard facts about parasites:
Facts About Pet Parasites
- In just one day, a single flea can bite your dog more than 400 times.
- Blood consumption by fleas can produce iron deficiency anemia and even death in heavy infestations.
- Ticks spread Lyme Disease in dogs, which dogs are 50 percent more likely to contract than humans.
- Heartworm infection occurs in all 50 states.
- More than 70 species of mosquitoes are capable of transmitting the disease.
Source: Good News For Pets, Parasites: Not So Fun Facts
Whether or not our pets have cancer, flea and tick season means a never-ending struggle between
Keeping our pet’s bodies strong
by minimizing chemical exposure
vs.
Protecting them from scary diseases
that fleas and ticks can transmit.
Choosing how to protect your pets from flea and tick infestation is a personal choice and there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to parasite proection. From all-natural herbal sprays to topical spot-on drops, what works for one pet in one part of the country may not work for someone on the opposite coast.
Health Tips for Pets on Chemical-Based Parasite Control
If you use chemical-based flea and tick products on your pets to keep parasites away, be sure to read all product warning labels so you know how to administer them properly, and how to look for side effects.
Then look around your home to find other ways you can minimize their exposure to toxins. For example:
- Are you feeding your pets a healthy, real-foods diet? Keep their bodies strong by spending money on high quality pet food that encourage a pawsitive state of health. Or better yet, learn how to home cook for pets yourself! Nothing could be better or tastier to your animals.
-
Flying Fish non-toxic rubber dog toys Choose high quality supplements and vitamins to boost your pet’s immune system.
- Eliminate toxic household products like cleansers and carpet cleaners.
- Keep windows open to circulate fresh air for a healthier home.
- Stop using lawn chemicals
- Clean your pet’s feet with soap and water to remove any pesticides they might have picked up during daily walks
- Buy Non-toxic dog toys
- Ban cigarette smoking around your pets.
- Use filtered drinking water
Recommended Reading:
Tripawds Nutrition Blog: The Flea Dilemma for Cancer Dogs
Tripawds Amazon Blog: Natural Flea and Tick Sprays We love
Thank you for this helpful post. I actually woke up thinking about this very topic, since my girl is about due for her monthly flea and tick preventative.
You’re so welcome, glad you found it useful. Flea prevention is a big topic that’s always on our minds, we try to avoid the toxins at all costs but it’s a tough call when you’re in a high risk area for fleas and ticks. Let us know what you decide for MJ.