14 Nov Don’t Let The Cooler Temperatures Fool You Into Skipping Flea & Tick Treatments

As temperatures start to fall, many pet owners are tempted to think that it’s ok to take a break from making sure their pets are protected with flea, tick, and heartworm prevention products. They assume that the colder temperatures shut down all flea and tick breeding activity but unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

Our relatively mild East Tennessee winters just aren’t cold or long enough to kill off all flea and tick infestations. As explained in 3 Facts These Vet Techs Really Want You To Know About Fleas, last winter didn’t get cold long enough to slow down the flea and tick populations. Consider these facts:

• Fleas can live outdoors in temperatures as low as 33 degrees for up to five days, which is certainly long enough for them to latch on to your pet and find their way into your home.
• Flea eggs can live year round in protected areas, such as crawl spaces or porches.
• Ticks become active again if the temperature is 40 degrees or above (although some experts estimate 32 degrees), and East Tennessee winters certainly have their share of these seemingly balmy days.

Plus, as squirrels, possums, and raccoons scurry about preparing for the coming cooler weather, they can easily drop thousands of flea eggs while passing through your yard. And the thicker winter coats that our dogs and cats are developing this time of year just makes for warmer, cozier breeding grounds for those fleas and ticks.

The best course of action is to treat your pets year round in order to keep your pet and your home parasite-free. While it may be tempting to take a few months off of parasite prevention products, it’s not worth the risk. It is far more costly and frustrating to have to treat your pet and home for an infestation than it is to pay for year-round prevention products.

If you’re not sure which preventative product is best for your pet, the staff at any of the three PetWellClinic locations will be happy to help. We have a variety of top quality topical and chewable options for dogs and cats, at affordable prices.

By operating convenient hours for non-surgical care, PetWellClinic® is able to offer substantially discounted prices for safe flea, tick, and heartworm preventative products, vaccinations, wellness exams, and treatment of minor conditions. Think of us as a “minute clinic” for your pet—no appointment necessary, with quick in-and-out service.

If you’re curious about how we’re able to offer more affordable pet care without compromising quality, check out our free and quick guidebook to how PetWellClinic® can save you time and money.

PetWellClinic® has three locations: 10549 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922; 7329 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919; and 228 S. Calderwood Street, Alcoa, TN 37701. Learn more about how PetWellClinic® can exceed your expectations for affordable, top quality pet care by visiting our website at www.petwellclinic.com.