Parasites, commonly referred to as worms, can be picked up by your pets from community parks, insect bites, contact with infested feces and contaminated water. If your pet becomes infected they can carry those nasty worms into your home. Preventing the infestation is the best way to keep everyone safe.
First, de-worm your pets on a regular schedule -- dogs monthly and cats four times a year. There are treatments prescribed by your vet that you can safely give at home.
Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands after cleaning up after your pets and grooming them.
Remove your pet’s waste from your yard and pick up after them in parks. You don't want them to re-infect themselves or another animal.
If you are a pet parent, you know protection against parasites is a part of life. Intestinal parasites can infect your pets, you and your kids. Today I have several ideas to help you keep you entire family parasite free in this edition of Pet Pointers.
Keep your pet flea free by using canine Advantix, Advantage or Frontline as an easy way to keep pests away.
Don't go barefoot or roll in the grass. You could be exposed to the larvae of the worm that could penetrate the skin and you could be infected.
When out for a hike, don't drink from streams or allow your pet to. Carry fresh water for both of you. Streams could be contaminated with animal waste, parasite larvae and other diseases.
Regularly bathe active pets, especially if they enjoy rolling in dirt, grass and other things with strong odors that humans avoid and dogs seem to love. Keeping them clean will help keep your family's environment free of some nasty parasites.
Intestinal worms are one of the most common parasites in the world and can be especially dangerous to humans with compromised immune systems, as well as the very young and the elderly. So preventing infestation is the best way to keep your family healthy.