Ticks and fleas in pets

In short: Ticks and fleas are among the most common parasites in dogs and cats and can transmit dangerous diseases in addition to causing itching and skin irritation. Regular prevention and early treatment are crucial for the animal’s health.

In more detail: Both parasites can cause significant health problems even with a light infestation, especially in young or weakened animals.

Note: Not a substitute for veterinary advice.

In detail

• Transmitted diseases: Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, among others, while heavy flea infestation can cause anaemia.
• Tick removal: A tick should be grasped as close to the skin as possible with tick tweezers or a tick card and pulled straight out.
• Recognising flea infestation: Heavy scratching, small black specks in the fur (flea dirt), and visible skin irritation indicate a flea infestation.
• Preventive products: Spot-on treatments, collars, and tablets offer different lengths of protection against ticks and fleas depending on the active ingredient.
• Environmental treatment: With flea infestation, bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture must also be treated, since most of the flea population is there rather than on the animal.
• Year-round prevention: Due to mild winters, ticks and fleas are now active outside the classic summer season too, making year-round protection sensible.
• Veterinary visit: With signs of transmitted diseases like fever, lethargy, or lameness, a vet should be consulted promptly (haustier-gesundheit-impfen-entwurmen-tierarzt, hund-erziehung-grundlagen).