Flea, tick and worming basics for dogs and cats

Most dogs and cats need ongoing protection from fleas and intestinal worms, and dogs may also need heartworm and tick protection depending on where they live and travel. There isn’t one schedule that suits every pet: the right product, and how often you give it, depends on your pet’s species, age, weight and lifestyle. Follow the product label and ask your vet. The one rule never to break: flea products made for dogs can be fatal to cats.

Fleas: treat the pet and the house

The RSPCA explains that adult fleas live on your pet, feed on blood and lay eggs in the fur. Those eggs fall off into bedding, carpets, under furniture, under the house and into the soil, and the eggs, larvae and pupae can survive there for weeks to months. That’s why a flea problem can keep coming back after you’ve treated your pet.

The cat flea is the most common flea on companion animals, and it happily lives on dogs too. Flea bites are itchy and painful and can lead to skin damage and allergies, and in very young or old animals a heavy infestation can cause anaemia.

The RSPCA’s advice for getting on top of fleas:

• Treat every pet in the household with a product that suits each animal, not just the one that’s scratching.
• Clean weekly until the infestation clears: vacuum floors and furniture, wash bedding at a high temperature, and treat outdoor kennels, runs or enclosures.
• Ask your vet which product suits your pet and how often to apply it.

Never use dog flea products on cats

This one is worth repeating. The RSPCA warns that flea products designed for dogs can be fatal if given to cats. Always check the label for the species and weight range, and if you have dogs and cats at home, keep their treatments separate.

Worms and heartworm

Intestinal worms often don’t show obvious signs, so worming works best as a regular routine rather than something you do when you spot a problem. Puppies and kittens are generally wormed more often than adult pets, and the interval depends on the product, so read the label and ask your vet for a schedule that suits your pet’s age and lifestyle. The RSPCA recommends at least yearly vet visits for vaccinations and health checks, and your vet can advise on flea, tick and worm prevention at the same visit.

Heartworm is different from intestinal worms. It’s spread by mosquitoes and lives in the heart, lungs and the blood vessels around them, where it can cause severe disease. Combination products differ in what they cover, so check whether the product you’re using includes heartworm, intestinal worms, tapeworm, fleas and ticks, and ask your vet if you’re unsure.

Ticks in South Australia

The paralysis tick is the one most people worry about. The RSPCA says it’s generally found on the eastern seaboard, from North Queensland down to Victoria, so it’s mainly a concern if you travel east with your dog. Signs of tick paralysis include wobbliness or weakness in the back legs, a change in voice, coughing, drooling and breathing trouble. If you see any of these, or find a tick, remove it and get to a vet immediately.

The brown dog tick can carry ehrlichiosis, a serious disease of dogs. The RSPCA notes that infected ticks and dogs have been found in the Far North region of South Australia. If you’re heading north or interstate with your dog, book a vet check before you go to talk about tick control, worming and heartworm prevention, and check your dog for ticks every day while you’re away.

Common questions

This is general information only, not veterinary advice. If you’re worried about your pet’s health, please see your vet.