When it comes to flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, pet owners often assume their cat or dog doesn’t need it if they are indoor pets or when the weather cools down. However, these parasites don’t take a break—and neither should your pet’s protection!

But did you know that fleas, ticks, and heartworms don’t affect cats and dogs the same way? Understanding these differences can help you see why consistent, year-round prevention is essential for both species.

Fleas & Ticks: Different Risks, Same Problem

Dogs: Fleas aren’t just a nuisance—they can cause extreme itching, allergic reactions, and skin infections. Some dogs develop flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), an intense allergic reaction that leads to severe itching, hair loss, and painful open sores. Ticks pose an even greater danger, transmitting diseases like Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Tick Paralysis, all of which can lead to long-term health complications, joint pain, and even neurological issues.
Cats: Many cat owners assume their pets are safe from fleas and ticks if they stay indoors, but these parasites are persistent. Fleas can easily enter the home on clothing, other pets, or even through open windows, and once inside, they multiply rapidly. Flea infestations can cause flea anemia, a life-threatening condition in kittens, seniors, and immunocompromised cats. Ticks are just as dangerous, carrying Cytauxzoonosis (bobcat fever), a deadly disease with no cure that progresses rapidly and is often fatal.

Heartworms: A Deadly Threat to Both Dogs and Cats

Dogs: Heartworm disease is one of the most serious parasitic infections in dogs. Spread by mosquitoes, heartworm larvae grow into foot-long worms that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, causing severe lung disease, heart failure, and organ damage. Treatment is risky, expensive, and painful, requiring months of rest. The good news? Heartworm prevention is safe, simple, and far more affordable than treatment.
Cats: While certain interventions, like surgery, may be considered in extreme cases, there is no approved treatment for heartworm disease in cats. Even a single heartworm can cause serious damage, leading to respiratory distress, inflammation, and sudden death. Because there is no main treatment option, prevention is essential to keeping your cat safe and healthy.

Why Year-Round Protection Is Non-Negotiable

Many pet owners mistakenly stop flea, tick, and heartworm prevention in colder months, but they can still be impacted by these pests in the fall and winter. Fleas and ticks can survive indoors, and mosquitoes—the carriers of heartworm larvae—are still active in mild temperatures. Just one warm day can wake them up, putting unprotected pets at risk.

What is the best way to protect your pet? Stay on top of prevention 12 months a year!

Skipping doses or stopping for a season leaves your pet vulnerable, and missing just one month can lead to a lifetime of health complications.

Keep Your Pet Protected – Stock Up Today!

Prevention is easier, safer, and far more affordable than treatment. Whether you have a dog, a cat, or both, keeping them on year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention is the best way to protect their health.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Get your pet’s monthly prevention today. Call us or visit our online pharmacy to stock up!