Fleas and ticks can cause tremendous discomfort and even sickness for your cat. At Kindness Family Pet Clinic in Forest Grove, we believe prevention is the best policy and can help you keep pests away from your cat as much as possible. Our flea and tick prevention will keep your cat comfortable and healthy. Parasite prevention is a life-saving treatment that all pets need.
How Do Cats Get Fleas and Ticks?
Fleas and ticks are parasites that can cause a lot of serious diseases and issues in your pet. Fleas and ticks breed in warm environments and usually make their habitat in tall grass, under bushes, or in other garden or yard areas. If you have an outdoor cat, he or she may bring these pests back home without realizing it. Your pet may also get fleas or ticks from other canine or feline friends when visiting.
Treatment
There are many different flea and tick prevention medications you can give your cat. A monthly pill is the most common and effective means of controlling pests. We offer topical treatments you can use on your cat. Flea and tick collars are also helpful in some situations.
Flea and Tick Treatment Inside Your Home
Because ticks are larger than fleas and tend to stay in one spot, they can often be found with your hands. Just run your hands all over your cat's body to feel for anything that isn't smooth. A lump right up against the skin and non-moving is often a tick. Remove any ticks and use a tick prevention shampoo to get rid of any that went unnoticed.
To check for fleas, go to the area that doesn't have much fur. This would be the underside of the belly for most cats. Use a flea comb to comb through this hair. If your pet already has fleas, give him or her a bath with flea prevention shampoo and take them to our veterinarian as soon as possible to get onto preventative medicine.
Signs of Fleas and Ticks
The most basic symptom of fleas or ticks is your cat excessively scratching. Your pet might also bite at their skin, attempting to remove the tiny parasite. Fleas mostly cause discomfort. Ticks are more dangerous and can cause Lyme disease. Some scratching is normal, but if you see an excessive amount, give your cat a close examination to see if you can find any fleas or ticks.
Visit Our Veterinarian for Treatment in Forest Grove
Even if your cat does not have fleas or ticks now, he or she still has the chance of getting them at some point. Don't let fleas and ticks bother your pet. Find out how our team at Kindness Family Pet Clinic protects cats in and around the Forest Grove area with our parasite prevention treatment. Contact us today for quality veterinary care for your pet.