Having a pet in your life is a wonderful experience. It is something that many of us have since the time we were very young and we may enjoy that companionship, even as we get older. The benefits of owning dogs are too numerous to mention, and there are likely some benefits that you particularly enjoy.
Aside from those benefits, there are also occasionally going to be problems and we must be ready to address them properly. Those problems may come up unexpectedly, or it could be an ongoing issue that we may have anticipated. You often run into those problems when grooming your dog, and it is typically the best time for you to address the issue and even to care for it.
Some of the issues that may come up during the time that you are grooming your dog are fleas and ticks. These can be a real problem, and you may find that you are having to deal with this issue on an ongoing basis. Fortunately, there are some ways to handle the situation properly and to even get beyond it if you work at it on a regular basis.
One of the most common problems that are experienced is a flea infestation. If you see a flea during the time that you are grooming your dog, it is likely that there are more on the animal. Fleas will go through 4 different stages in their life, including the pupa, larva, and adult. When a female adult flea is on your dog, they could lay as many as 25 eggs a day and you may soon find that you are dealing with a serious issue.
Fortunately, there are some things that can be done if the dog does have a flea infestation. There are some medications that can be put on the dog that will keep the fleas away. Some of them are available at your local pet store without a prescription but it is the prescription brands that tend to work the best. They can be expensive, but they are effective and well worth the money.
Ticks are also a problem and they can be an issue, not only for the pet but for any humans that share the same space. They are relatively common but if they are permitted to go through their lifecycle, you could be dealing with a full-blown infestation. Many of the medications that are used for fleas also work for ticks as well. It is best to look carefully for ticks and fleas when grooming your dog and if you recognize a problem, have the issue taken care of.
One word of caution is to handle any chemicals that you use for flea and tick control very carefully. They could cause problems with the dogs if they are able to ingest the chemicals and you should avoid getting it on your skin or in your eyes. Read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter.
