A consistent, risk-based parasite plan is the biggest win for keeping unwanted guests off your pet. Spot-ons, tablets, chewables and collars work to stop fleas, ticks and worms before they settle in. 

Some adult cats and dogs need protection in every season. Central heating and mild winters give parasites a year-round open house. Other factors such as multi-pet households and mixing with other animals can increase the risk of fleas. Puppies, kittens, raw-fed pets and cats that hunt regularly often need more frequent worming. The same goes for pets in homes with children or vulnerable adults. Walking your dog in areas with deer, sheep, cattle or long grass can mean they’re more likely to pick up ticks. Parasites can carry some nasty diseases, so prevention is important! 

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Most fleas aren’t on your pet at all. They’re in your carpets and soft furnishings, waiting to grow through their various life stages. If you only treat the dog or cat, the next generation simply clocks in for their shift and jumps aboard. 

A home clean-up routine helps break the cycle: 

• Vacuum regularly, especially any hide-and-seek spots.
• Wash bedding and blankets on a hot cycle.
• Apply a household flea spray to carpets and fabrics. 

Household flea sprays can be fatal to small pets and fish so always follow instructions carefully and relocate all pets before spraying. 

A quick hands-on check after walks or in the evening is one of the easiest habits you can build: 

• Run your hands through the coat to feel for ticks,scabs or any tiny scuttling shapes. 
• Check for fleas regularly using a flea comb, especially around the neck, base of the tail and groin. If you collect any dark coloured debris on the comb, wipe it onto a piece of damp cotton wool. If it turns orange/red, this is a good indication there are fleas present and you need a trip to the vet. Fleas themselves are very small, dark brown/black in colour and just a few millimetres long. They move very quickly and jump long distances, so can be tricky to spot.  
• After walks through the country, look carefully for ticks all over. Ticks can vary in size, they can be grey orbrown, and can often look like lumps or skin tags. If you look very closely through, you can spot legs. 

If you spot a tick, it’s important to remove it with a proper tick tool. Slide the hook close to the skin, then gently twist it until the tick comes away. Don’t twist or pull the tick with your fingers, don’t try to burn it, and don’t smother it in oils. Quick, clean removal reduces the risk of leaving the tick’s mouthparts behind in the skin, and minimises disease transmission.  

Worms are more subtle than fleas and ticks, but no less important! Pets pick them up from: 

• Eating infected poo.
• Eating prey like mice or rabbits.
• Swallowing infected fleas while grooming.
• Eating grass.
• Drinking from outdoor water bowls.

Most adult pets need worming at least every three months; some higher-risk pets need monthly treatment. Your vet will usually recommend a product that covers roundworms and tapeworms, and, for dogs in high-risk areas, lungworm too. If you’re pregnant, it’s really important to keep on top of your pet’s worming routine. 

Good poo habits are part of the plan: 

• Pick up dog poo promptly on walks and in the garden.
• Clean litter trays daily and wash them regularly.
• Discourage scavenging and unsupervised snacking on ‘mystery items’ outdoors.

It’s not glamorous, but it stops your pet turning the local park into a worm party. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to parasites. Lifestyle matters: 

• Outdoor adventurers, pets that travel abroad, raw-fed pets and cats that hunt are higher risk.
• Indoor-only cats still need protection, especially as fleas can hitch a ride in on shoes or other pets, though this may not be as frequent.
• Households with children, pregnant people or immunocompromised family members may need stricter worming schedules.

Your vet can recommend the right combination of flea, tick and worm control. They can guide you towards a product and show you how often to use it, based on your pet and your household.