It’s a new year, and it’s the perfect time to make sure your pets stay pest-free. There are several things you can do to ensure your animal friend doesn’t fall victim to creepy crawlies like fleas, ticks, and parasitic worms, which can sideline your pet’s health in no time at all. Keep up with these pest-control measures all year round, and your pet will have nothing to worry about.

Use Preventative Medications

Veterinarians recommend keeping your pet on a year-round heartworm preventative and a flea-and-tick preventative. These simple measures should protect your animal companion from all of the common pests that are waiting outdoors. If your pet isn’t already set up with these preventatives, get in touch with your vet right away. For comprehensive care, including vaccinations, visit our Vet Wellness & Pet Vaccinations service.

Groom Your Pet Regularly

Taking the time to groom your pet on a regular basis is a great way to check the coat and skin for fleas and ticks. Even if your pet has a short coat of fur and doesn’t require any specific grooming measures, you can run a flea comb through the coat to check for tiny brown or black specks—that’s flea poop. If you find ticks, it’s crucial to address them promptly to prevent illnesses like Lyme disease. Learn more about Preventing Lyme Disease in Dogs. If you find anything concerning during grooming, call your vet’s office to find out how to proceed.

Seal the Gaps

Use sealant foam to block off any small holes or cracks in your home’s siding or foundation. Pests can easily slip in through these openings and latch on to unsuspecting pets inside.

Tend to the Landscaping

Pests are attracted to dense brush and tall, unkempt grasses because these areas give them places to hide. Around your house, trim back thick shrubbery and lengthy grass so you don’t inadvertently give pests a home. It’s especially important if this vegetation is touching your home itself, perhaps near a window—you might be giving outdoor pests an open invitation into your living room.

Keep Things Clean

There’s no substitute for keeping things clean, both indoors and outside. Vacuum and disinfect inside your home regularly and be sure to toss your pet’s bedding in the washing machine very now and then. Outdoors, get rid of any garbage or leftover food that could attract pests. Remove any sources of standing water—empty flower pots, birdfeeders, old tires—that mosquitoes could use to breed. Does your pet need pest-control medications? Want to learn more about keeping your four-legged friend safe and sound? Call your local vet’s office Live Oak, FL to speak with the professionals.