Flea and Tick Season Is Here: How to Protect Your Pets

by PetGuide Staff

Published: June 17th, 2025

As spring arrives and the days grow warmer, most of us start spending more time outdoors - and so do our pets. Long walks, backyard lounging, hiking adventures, and open windows become the norm. But with all that sunshine and fresh air comes something a little less welcome: flea and tick season.

flea and tick season is here how to protect your pets

Starting in spring and stretching through early autumn, fleas and ticks become more active, posing real risks to both dogs and cats. And if you think these pests are just a minor nuisance, think again. The health risks they bring can be serious - but thankfully, they're also preventable.

Why Fleas and Ticks Are More Than Just a Seasonal Hassle

Fleas and ticks aren't just gross - they're dangerous. Here’s why it’s so important to stay ahead of them:

1. Fleas Can Multiply Fast - and Wreak Havoc

A single flea can lay dozens of eggs in just one day. Left unchecked, they can infest your home and cause:

Intense itching and skin irritation
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
Hair loss and secondary infections
Tapeworm infections (fleas carry the larvae)

2. Ticks Carry Serious Diseases

Ticks are more than a creepy hitchhiker. They can transmit life-altering illnesses to pets (and people), including:

Lyme disease
Ehrlichiosis
Anaplasmosis
Babesiosis

These diseases can be hard to detect and even harder to treat. Prevention truly is the best medicine.

When Does the Risk Peak?

In many regions, the active season for both fleas and ticks starts in spring and continues until autumn. Warmer temperatures and increased humidity create the perfect environment for these pests to thrive - especially in grassy areas, woods, gardens, or even your backyard.

Even indoor cats aren't completely protected as fleas and ticks can easily be brought inside on clothing, shoes, or other pets. So yes, both dogs and cats need protection, even if they don’t roam far from home.

What Can You Do to Keep Your Pet Protected?

The good news? Flea and tick prevention has come a long way. And when it comes to protection, FRONTLINE ® is a name that pet owners know.

FRONTLINE® SHIELD for Dogs

FRONTLINE ® SHIELD is a product designed to provide triple-action protection. It kills fleas, ticks, and repels mosquitoes that may transmit heartworm disease – all in one monthly application.

FRONTLINE® PLUS for Dogs & Cats

For multi-pet households, FRONTLINE ® PLUS is your go-to solution. Specially formulated to protect both dogs and cats, FRONTLINE® PLUS helps protect your pets against fleas and ticks with fast-acting, long-lasting results.

Both products are:

Easy to apply
Waterproof after 24 hours
Designed for monthly use

Prevention Is Protection - Every Single Month

Using FRONTLINE® SHIELD or FRONTLINE® PLUS regularly throughout the season (and even beyond) ensures that your furry friend is protected before a problem starts. Don’t wait until your pet is scratching or you find a tick embedded in their skin. Prevention is always easier (and cheaper!) than treatment.

A Season for Fun, Not Fleas

Spring and summer should be a time for fetch in the park, lazy naps in sunny spots, and all the tail wags and purrs your heart can handle - not itchy bites, vet visits, or pest infestations.

Staying consistent with protection is important. FRONTLINE® Brand Products offer multiple monthly doses to protect your pet from fleas and ticks all season long.

NOTE: This is sponsored content produced in partnership with Petsmart

PetGuide Staff

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Flea and Tick Season Is Here: How to Protect Your Pets

Why Fleas and Ticks Are More Than Just a Seasonal Hassle