WASHINGTON — Spring can bring more than higher temperatures and blooming flowers: It can bring a whole new set of problems for pet owners.
Bugs and allergens can cling to a pet’s fur and find their way into the house, which is why veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson says it is particularly important to vacuum frequently.
“If you can do it every day, that’s going to be best for you,” Nelson says. Having all of the carpet in your house, including furniture, steam-cleaned regularly will also help keep insects out.
Keeping up the outside of the home can also help keep bugs off pets.
“Keeping everything trim helps to decrease the ability for those ticks to ride on those grass blades and get onto your pets in the first place,” Nelson says.
Some pet products on the market can help keep bugs away. “There are beds and scarfs and clothes for dogs that have a product in them called Insect Shield,” Nelson says. This helps to kill and prevent bugs from attaching to pets.
Depending on the pet, combing can help as well. If the pet’s hair is fine, such as that on a Labrador or Chihuahua, combing can help remove ticks and eggs. However, Nelson does not recommend combing dogs with curly hair.
“If you have a dog … with sort of poodle hair, you’re not going to do much with combing because all you’re going to do is frizz the hair,” says Nelson.
As always, keeping up with monthly flea and tick treatments is also crucial.
“No matter what you do, outside or inside, having that protection on your pet — there’s nothing that can beat that,” says Nelson.
