Cats and dogs, even those who never venture outside, are vulnerable to all manner of internal and external parasites. Tiny parasites pack a huge punch when causing pets’ illnesses, so you should follow stringent preventive measures to keep your furry pal safe from parasitic diseases. Parasites can also transmit diseases to you, which makes your pet’s parasite prevention even more important.

To safeguard your pet and other family members from parasites and the problems they cause, shore up your defenses against invasive pests. Follow The Old 41 Animal Hospital team’s five ways to protect your four-legged friend from parasites.

#1: Learn which parasites can harm your pet

Parasites are categorized as being internal or external, based on where they thrive in their host. Pets’ internal parasites commonly include:

  • Intestinal worms — Roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and hookworms are the main intestinal worms your pet may contract. These intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, bloody stool, failure to thrive, and other signs associated with gastrointestinal (GI) illness and nutrient deficiencies. Your pet can contract intestinal worms if they ingest infective feces or contaminated substances. An infected mother may also pass intestinal worms to her young while still in utero or by nursing.
  • Protozoan parasites — Protozoan parasites are single-celled organisms that can cause severely infected puppies and kittens to experience serious illness, such as bloody or intermittent diarrhea, dehydration, or even death. Cats’ and dogs’ common protozoan parasites include Giardia, coccidia, and Toxoplasma gondii. These parasites can be exceptionally difficult to treat and eradicate from the environment. Your pet can contract protozoan parasites in a variety of ways, such as by ingesting infective feces or water, or uncooked meat.
  • Heartworms — Heartworms reside in cats’ and dogs’ large blood vessels in and around the heart and lungs. Your pet can contract heartworm disease if an infected mosquito bites them, not from another pet. In infected pets, heartworms can cause coughing, exercise intolerance, lethargy, asthma-like signs, and can ultimately prove fatal. 

Although some internal parasites can cause life-threatening illness, external parasites can also cause your cat or dog plenty of misery. Pets’ external parasites commonly include:

  • Fleas — Fleas are wingless insects capable of jumping great distances. Fleas can cause your cat or dog immense discomfort if they bite your allergic pet. In an attempt to find relief, cats and dogs who are hypersensitive to flea bites can develop an itchy rash that causes them to lick, chew, and scratch until their skin is raw.
  • Ticks — Ticks can transmit myriad diseases, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. However, a tick typically needs to be attached to your pet for several hours or days to transmit pathogens. If your pet contracts a tick-borne disease, they can carry a lifelong infection that flares when your cat or dog is stressed or ill.
  • Mites — Ear mites and mange mites can cause your pet an intense itchiness, and certain mites can pass from pet to pet, or from pets to people. Ear mite infections are more common in cats, while demodectic and sarcoptic mange appear more frequently in dogs. 

#2: Research parasite preventive options for your pet

Your pet’s lifestyle and the ease or difficulty you have medicating your cat or dog will influence the parasite preventive type that will work best for your four-legged friend. Depending on your pet’s needs, an all-in-one product may be ideal, or a combination of two products may work best to provide broad-spectrum coverage. The Old 41 Animal Hospital team may recommend you give your cat or dog a combination of the following parasite preventive types:

  • Topical parasite preventives — Administer your pet’s topical parasite preventive on their skin at the base of their skull, between their shoulders, or down their back. A topical preventive may also come in a collar. These products are best suited for pets who are difficult to orally medicate. Topicals may not be the best option for pets who swim, need frequent bathing, or live with small children.
  • Oral parasite preventives — Oral parasite preventives come in crunchy tablets, flavored chews, or pills. These products are perfect for pets who easily take oral medications, have chronic skin issues, or who live with small children.
  • Injectable parasite preventives — Injectable products are only available for dogs’ heartworm prevention and tapeworm deworming. These products are beneficial if you often forget to give your dog their preventive. Injectables are also beneficial if your pet refuses to take oral medications or they cannot tolerate topical products. Injectable products are not recommended for pets with allergies, immune disorders, or certain other health issues.

#3: Set up reminders to administer your pet’s parasite prevention on time

Life gets busy, and you may have difficulty remembering all the preventive care your pet needs. To ensure your furry pal receives their parasite prevention on time, schedule automatic reminders to pop up on your phone, write a note on the calendar, or set up reminders through the preventive’s manufacturer.

#4: Control parasitic infections in your pet through environmental management

In addition to administering your pet’s parasite preventives routinely, you also help prevent your cat or dog from developing infectious diseases through environmental management. To protect your furry pal from parasites, reduce their exposure by following these environmental management measures:

  • Maintain your yard to discourage parasites and their hosts from moving in.
  • Clean up after your pet to prevent intestinal parasite infections.
  • Avoid interacting with unfamiliar pets who may not be taking parasite preventives.
  • Regularly launder your pet’s bedding in hot water to eliminate pathogens and parasites.
  • Regularly groom your pet and check for parasitic infection signs.

#5: Schedule regular parasite screening tests for your pet

During your pet’s wellness visit, our team will conduct parasite screening tests by taking fecal and blood samples. We will also check your cat or dog from nose to tail for external parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites. By monitoring your pet for parasitic infections, our team can ensure your furry pal’s prevention is working effectively.

Although tiny, internal and external parasites can cause your furry pal to become seriously ill. To discuss which parasite prevention options would be most effective for your pet, call The Old 41 Animal Hospital team.