Top 3 tips to protect your canine from the risk of heartworm

This winter's mild temperatures have made the coming spring and summer seasons look like a nightmare for dog owners, as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes will be out in droves. While infestations are certainly on the mind, many pet parents are far more concerned about the risk of heartworm. This potentially-deadly ailment is a parasite spread by mosquitoes that can reproduce in a canine's bloodstream and can cause blockage in the dog's heart. According to DogChannel.com, there are various ways to protect your canine from the risk of heartworm to give you peace of mind throughout the season.



1. A monthly heartworm medication. Even during the winter months, dogs should be given a monthly heartworm medication that can eliminate the larvae in the bloodstream that can gradually mature into a full-grown worm. Thankfully, most of the products on the market are in tablet form, so you can give it to your furry friend at the same time you apply a flea treatment to ensure that he's fully-protected.



2. Make regular veterinary visits. This spring is expected to be one of the worst years in recent memory in terms of parasites, so make an effort to regularly visit the vet and perform blood work. It is far easier to treat a potential heartworm infestation if the worms are caught early in their life cycle, and vets can catch these changes in a routine blood sample, according to PetMD. This is also a great chance to go over the many heartworm medication options that are out there to find the ideal choice for your canine.


3. Flea and tick treatments. Since heartworm is transferred by mosquitoes, using an effective topical treatment is another weapon in your arsenal. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs can help to eliminate fleas, ticks and mosquitoes on contact for up to 30 days. The topical drops are placed at the skin level between a dog's shoulder blades and down the length of his back to the tail to provide superior protection.



Heartworm is one of the most dangerous parasites that can afflict your furry friend, and this year looks to be one of the worst in terms of mosquito populations. Thankfully, there are plenty of quality topical products and medications that can prevent heartworm and keep your companion healthy and happy throughout the season.



To get detailed information on every Hartz flea & tick products, visit www.hartz.com

Even your indoor cat is at risk for fleas and ticks this season

Hot off the heels of an extremely mild winter, pet owners will be forced to face one of the worst flea and tick seasons in recent years. With soaring parasite populations all over the country, pet parents will have to go the extra mile this year to protect their furry friends. However, some owners may not understand the depth of the problem and may resign themselves to the fact that their indoor cats are safe from many of these outdoor risk. If you have an indoor cat at home, even he is at risk for flea, tick and mosquito-based illnesses so it's vital that you take the following steps to protect him all season long.

1. Take a trip to the vet. Spring is the best time of year to create a plan of action to protect your feline from parasites throughout the height of flea season, as well as test for any health problems that may have developed over the winter. For instance, you should insist that your vet performs bloodwork to test for any nutritional changes as well as any health improvements you can make to foster cat wellness in your home.

2. Topical treatments. Even if your cat spends the vast majority of his time indoors, using a monthly flea treatment can protect him from myriad outdoor risks. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops for Cats will kill fleas, deer ticks and mosquitoes on contact and keep them from coming back for up to 30 days. These topical drops are placed at the skin level on the back of the neck at the base of the skill each month. This monthly treatment will give you the peace of mind throughout any season that your furry friend is protected from pesky insects.

3. Regular inspections. If you leave the windows open a lot, even a small gap in the screen could let small insects get inside your home, so make an effort to regularly inspect your cat's skin and coat. Make this a part of your regular brushing regimen that you perform multiple times each week. By taking the extra time to inspect your cat's coat for the traces of insect bites or flea filth, you'll be one step ahead of the game in preventing a flea infestation in your home.


To get detailed information on every Hartz flea & tick products, visit www.hartz.com