Remember Flea, Tick and Heartworm Prevention During the Winter Months

All too often, cat owners believe that flea, tick and heartworm preventative treatments are not required during the cold months of winter. This common misconception means humans aren’t providing their feline friends with the tick, heartworm and flea prevention in Alexandria, VA that these animals require to stay healthy and pest free. You’d be surprised how important these preventative treatments are, even during the winter.

Colder temperatures aren’t enough

Yes, the weather has certainly cooled down from the high temperatures we experience during the summer. However, it has to be very cold for an extended period of time to kill off ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and the parasites that cause heartworm. These pests can survive in 32℉ for up to five days. It only takes one flea, mosquito or tick to cause a serious problem for your feline during the winter. A flea might settle down and survive in your cat’s coat for months before it’s warm enough for flea pupae to hatch and create a major issue.

While it feels chilly to us, the average temperatures during the winter months in Alexandria hover in the 40s. This is not cold enough to kill off the harmful pests and parasites that might attach themselves to your cat, especially if your pet spends any amount of time outdoors. Even if your cat lives indoors only, you can inadvertently bring fleas, ticks and mosquitoes into your home.

It’s also important to keep in mind that in humid climates, these parasites can thrive in indoor spaces for months at a time. Especially during the winter, when people heat their homes to 65 to 75℉, this creates the ideal settings for fleas, ticks, and even mosquitos to continue living until such a time that they can find a host to infest.

The cost of prevention vs. the cost of treatment

Yes, high-quality flea and tick prevention in Alexandria, VA can be pricy, but paying for preventative medications costs much less than shelling out for flea, tick and heartworm treatments once your cat has an infestation. If your cat has heartworms, fleas or ticks, you not only have to treat the animal, but also deep clean your house, particularly with fleas. For those families with multiple pets, a veterinarian needs to check to see if they’ve also been attacked by these dangerous parasites. Treating ticks, heartworms and fleas after the fact is expensive, time-consuming and requires treatments that are hazardous to your cat’s overall health.

Save money on preventative medications

The tick, heartworm and flea prevention in Alexandria, VA offered at vet clinics is much better at protecting your cat from infestations than those you can buy online or over the counter at pet supply stores. Additionally, veterinary offices can usually offer discounts or rebates on these products to help lower your overall costs, especially when purchased in bulk. It’s worth the investment to buy a six-month supply and dose your cat monthly rather than paying to treat your pet after he or she has already been infected.

Need to see a vet about heartworm, flea and tick prevention in Alexandria, VA? The qualified, knowledgeable and cat-loving staff at Kingstowne Cat Clinic can help! From annual exams to dental services, we offer everything you need to keep your cat healthy all year round. Call us now to make an appointment for your cat.

Categorised in: Cat Veterinarian

This post was written by Writer