Owning a pet certainly has a lot of benefits for older adults. Pets offer unconditional love and companionship, which can prevent loneliness. Studies show that having a pet also offers health benefits, like lower blood pressure.
Unfortunately, the responsibilities involved in pet ownership can be difficult for older adults. They may have cognitive problems that cause them to forget to do important things, like feeding or scheduling vet appointments. Or, mobility problems might make it hard to bathe pets or take them outside.
One task that can go unheeded is flea and tick prevention. If you’re unsure how to prevent your parent’s pet from getting fleas and ticks, here are some tips.
Use Veterinary Recommended Preventatives
The first step in stopping pets from getting fleas and ticks is to use products designed to repel the pests. There are many kinds of preventatives available, including topical, oral, and collars. A veterinarian can recommend a product that will work best for the pet based on the owner’s lifestyle and the size of the pet.
Check the Pet Frequently
Catching a flea infestation early can make it easier to get rid of while the number of fleas is still relatively small. Inspect the dog or cat frequently for signs of fleas. Check areas of the body where the coat is thinner, such as the belly, the insides of their hind legs, and the armpits. Also, check for ticks and remove them promptly to avoid infections.
Vacuum Often
Vacuuming helps to remove fleas from the home by sucking up fleas in all stages of development, including eggs and larvae. It’s especially important to vacuum areas where pets sleep or spend a great deal of time. If the animal sleeps on the bed, wash bedding frequently.
Keep Grass Short
Fleas and ticks thrive in long grass and weeds. To prevent an infestation in the yard that can spread to the house, keep the grass mowed short. Avoid walking the pet in areas where grass is tall or in the woods where ticks are more common.
If all these tips sound like too much work for your aging parent, elderly care can help. Elderly care providers can assist them to apply flea preventatives or remind them to give the pet oral medications that repel fleas and ticks. Elderly care providers can also help with brushing cats and dogs. In addition, elderly care providers can drive the senior and their pet to a groomer for bathing and professional grooming.
Sources: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/flea-tick/flea-and-tick-prevention-tips/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/how-dangerous-are-fleas
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/index.html
https://www.livescience.com/2156-study-vacuums-kill-fleas.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Cambridge MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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