If there are two things that can turn a fun day in the yard into a bad one, it's fleas and ticks. Every pet parent knows they can be annoying, but it's easy to forget how harmful these little pests can be. Fleas and ticks can cause skin irritation, lead to Lyme disease, and even infest your house if left undetected long enough.

How Do Dogs Get Fleas and Ticks?

Dogs most commonly pick up fleas and ticks from spending time outdoors, especially in tall grass, wooded areas, or brushy spots where these pests like to hang out.

They can also pick them up from contact with other animals, including other dogs, wildlife, or even stray cats. Fleas in particular can jump from animal to animal pretty quickly, so it doesn't take much for them to hitch a ride on your pup.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe From Fleas and Ticks

Be Proactive

No pet parent likes heading to the vet for flea and tick medication every few months, but it will offer you peace of mind every time you let your pup run out and play.

And while over-the-counter options are more easily available, they often don't work as well as prescribed medications. Talk to your vet about the best option for your pup.

When it comes to vet-recommended options, there are a few different routes you can take:

Oral tablets: Monthly chewable tablets are a popular option for a lot of dog owners — they're easy to give and work from the inside out to kill fleas and ticks before they can cause problems.
Spot-on treatments: These are applied directly to your dog's skin, usually between the shoulder blades, and provide a month's worth of protection.
Collars: Flea and tick collars have come a long way, and some can provide protection for several months at a time.

Your vet will be able to point you in the right direction based on your dog's size, breed, and lifestyle.

Caution: Never use flea or tick medication made for cats on your dog. The formulas are different and can be harmful. Always double-check the label before applying any product to your pup.

Protect Their Environment

What's one of the best ways to prevent your dog from getting a tick or flea? Keep them out of your yard. Spraying for ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes will keep them from hanging out in your grass and latching onto your dog.

You should also wash their bedding in hot water every few days to kill any fleas, and if you have more than one dog in the house, make sure you treat all of them at the same time. Treating one pup but not the others leaves the door open for fleas to jump right back over and start the whole cycle again.

Your yard needs a little extra attention, too, beyond just spraying. After all, you want it to be a safe place for your pup to run and play!

Here are a few things you can do to make your yard less inviting for fleas and ticks:

Mow your grass regularly: Keeping it low makes your yard a lot less inviting for fleas and ticks.
Clear out brush and leaf litter: These are prime hiding spots for pests, so don't let them pile up.
Try cedar chips: Spreading them around the edges of your yard can help naturally deter fleas and ticks.

Inside the house, don't stop at just the bedding. Vacuuming your carpets and furniture regularly can help pick up any fleas or eggs that may have hitched a ride inside; just make sure you dispose of the vacuum bag outside so they don't find their way back in.

Check Their Skin Regularly

If you wait until your dog starts itching or scratching at their skin, you've already got a problem on your hands.

Instead, run your fingers or a flea comb through their hair or fur when they come in from the yard. When you're doing your check, make sure you're paying extra attention to the spots fleas and ticks love to hide:

When you're doing your check, make sure you're paying extra attention to the spots fleas and ticks love to hide:

Around the ears and inside them
On the belly and under the legs
Near the tail
Between the toes
Under your dog's collar

These are the areas they tend to gravitate toward, so don't skip them! And don't forget about bath time. Using a pet-safe, flea-repelling shampoo as part of your regular grooming routine is a simple way to add an extra layer of protection between checks.

If you do find a tick, how you remove it matters:

Use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool and grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Pull upward with slow, steady pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking, which can cause parts of the tick to break off.

Wearing gloves is always a good idea during the process. If you're not comfortable removing it yourself, give your vet a call. Once it's out, keep a close eye on how your dog acts over the next few days.

Be Mindful of Where Your Dog Roams

Tall grass, wooded areas, and brush are prime territory for fleas and ticks. When you're out on walks or hikes, try to stick to cleared paths and keep your pup from wandering into overgrown areas.

It's also worth keeping them away from stray animals, which can easily pass along fleas without either of you realizing it.

Think Beyond Just the Summer

While it's true that fleas and ticks are most common during the summer, they can pop up as early as February and last into November or December. Unfortunately, fleas and ticks are year-round concerns.

One of the best things you can do is make flea and tick prevention a regular part of your annual vet visit. Your vet can help you adjust your prevention plan based on the season and your dog's needs, so you're never caught off guard.

At Camp Bow Wow, we take your pup's health and safety just as seriously as you do. Every dog that walks through our doors must be flea and tick-free, giving you peace of mind while your furry friend enjoys a day full of play and fun. Find a Camp near you today!

How to Prevent Your Dog From Getting Fleas and Ticks