Summer is the time for pet owners to spring into action with ticks and fleas, writes Matt Whittaker, manager of Pets at Home Swindon

With the arrival of the warmer weather, flea and tick season has begun so it’s time for pet owners to take action.

The British summer is the perfect time for flea and tick numbers to flourish, when weather conditions are warm and damp, meaning that dogs and cats are more prone to picking up these unwanted visitors.

A pet can easily pick up a tick or flea while out in the garden, or even from other furry friends, without an owner’s knowledge and if left can cause problems, so it’s important to seek advice on the best treatments.

Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease which can be contracted by people as well as pets.

They are most commonly found in long grass and rural areas where pets like to roam, so it’s important to treat dogs and cats regularly.

Fleas can also cause nasty bites which lead to soreness and itching in both humans and pets.

If undetected, fleas can also cause infestations in the home, laying their eggs in carpets and furniture and causing you bigger problems.

Fleas and ticks aren’t always easy to spot on your pet; fleas are typically dark in colour and ticks often attach themselves without notice to areas of the body where the skin is slightly thinner, such as behind the ear or groin.

However, a tick will appear engorged when feeding making it easier to spot, so once identified it can easily be removed with a special tick remover, available in store.

It’s important to treat your pet against fleas – every four weeks for cats and six weeks for dogs – and every four weeks if treating for ticks.

Advice is available in every store, is completely free and no appointment necessary. Just ask in-store for more details or visit www.petsathome.com/flea-fighting-force