Protect your pet from the year-round parasite threat
We all wish that the cold weather would banish pet parasites, allowing us to enjoy the season without worry of pesky pests, but unfortunately, this is not the case.
See how different pet parasites live through freezing conditions to keep bugging our pets all winter long:
Fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks find your home cozy, surviving and potentially multiplying indoors comfortably year-round. They can also overwinter in garages, barns and sheds, waiting for you or your pet to walk by and carry them into your toasty home. Even when they live fully outdoors, a warm spring or fall can extend the flea and tick season up to 10 months a year.
Heartworm. Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, but just like for fleas and ticks, mosquito season can kick-start early or linger late into the fall thanks to unpredictable weather patterns. Warm spells can even cause mosquitoes to reactivate in the middle of winter when they are least expected. Even in areas that remain consistently cold all winter, mosquitoes still overwinter inside buildings or within “heat islands” created over structures and parking lots that trap heat in urban areas.
Intestinal worms. Of all the parasites, intestinal worms are often least affected by the cold. Roundworms and whipworms shed eggs that are quite hardy, easily surviving freezing temperatures for many months, ready to infect your pet as soon as they’re ingested. Meanwhile, tapeworms are transmitted when pets hunt other creatures, like mice or rabbits, or swallow fleas during grooming, both of which can occur regardless of the weather outside.
You can see that a set parasite “season” doesn’t exist and stopping parasite preventives because the weather turns cold puts pets at risk of contracting these bothersome bugs and the diseases they carry. Continue your pet’s parasite prevention uninterrupted this winter to keep your furry friend healthy and your home parasite-free.
Find everything you need to protect your pet against parasites so you can enjoy the things you love to do together, worry-free. >>
