Spring Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs and Cats

Spring is here, and while warmer weather is welcome, it marks the start of peak flea season across Victoria. If your pet is not already on year-round prevention, October is the time to start. If they are on prevention, it is a good time to review whether the product you are using is still the right choice.

Why spring matters for fleas

Fleas do not disappear in winter, but cold temperatures suppress their populations significantly. As soon as the weather warms in September and October, flea numbers explode. A single female flea lays up to 50 eggs per day, and those eggs fall off your pet into carpets, bedding, and furniture. By the time you see fleas on your pet, there is already an established infestation in your home.

The rule of thumb: for every flea you see on your pet, there are approximately 100 more in the environment at various life stages.

Paralysis ticks: what Melbourne pet owners need to know

Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) are primarily found in coastal areas of New South Wales and Queensland, but they are also found along parts of Victoria's eastern coast and in areas of the Dandenong Ranges. If you travel with your pet to tick-endemic areas during the warmer months - holidays along the NSW or Queensland coast being the most common scenario for Melbourne families - tick prevention is essential.

Paralysis tick toxin causes a progressive ascending paralysis. Signs include weakness in the hindlimbs, a changed bark or meow, difficulty swallowing, laboured breathing, and vomiting. If you find a tick on your pet or notice any of these signs after travel to a tick area, seek veterinary attention immediately. Tick toxicosis is life-threatening without prompt treatment.

Choosing the right flea and tick product

Monthly spot-on treatments are applied to the skin between the shoulder blades. They are effective and affordable, with many covering fleas and other parasites in one application. They require accurate weight dosing. Never use a dog product on a cat - some ingredients safe for dogs are toxic to cats.

Oral chewable tablets for dogs - products such as Bravecto, NexGard, and Simparica are oral treatments that provide flea and tick protection from the inside. They are not affected by bathing or swimming and are highly convenient. Some cover paralysis tick; others do not. Check the label specifically if travel to tick areas is planned.

Flea collars - the Seresto collar provides up to 8 months of flea and tick protection and is a practical option for dogs and cats that are difficult to medicate regularly.

Monthly spot-on for cats - cats cannot be given the same oral flea products as dogs. Revolution Plus and Bravecto Spot-On for Cats are effective monthly options that cover fleas, ear mites, and some worms.

Treating an existing flea infestation

If your pet already has fleas, treating the pet alone is not enough. The environment must also be treated.

• Wash all bedding - pet and human - in hot water
• Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture thoroughly and dispose of the vacuum contents outside immediately
• Apply a household flea spray containing an insect growth regulator (IGR) to kill eggs and larvae as well as adults
• Treat all pets in the household simultaneously - treating one pet while others remain untreated sustains the infestation

A moderate flea infestation typically takes 3 months to fully resolve with consistent treatment, as eggs in the environment continue hatching for weeks after the initial treatment.

Year-round vs seasonal prevention

For most Melbourne households, year-round flea prevention is recommended. Fleas can survive indoors through winter in heated homes, and the cost of treating a full infestation is significantly higher than twelve months of consistent prevention. Tick prevention only needs to be maintained for travel to endemic areas unless you live in or regularly visit such regions.

Ask us what is right for your pet

Some antiparasitic products are not suitable for certain breeds - Collies and related breeds have a known sensitivity to some compounds - and not all products are safe for pregnant or very young animals. Our team can recommend the most appropriate product for your pet's species, size, lifestyle, and health status.

To stock up for the spring and summer season, visit our veterinary pharmacy, call us on (03) 9439 8650, or book an appointment to discuss your pet's overall parasite prevention programme.