We’ve all seen the cute ad on TV with the puppies at summer camp. It makes a great point because fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are not only irritating to a dog or cat, they can also infect them with diseases. Depending on where we live, most of us need to start some kind of insect control on our fur-babies well before we get into the summer months.

Getting advice from your vet is always the best place to start. They normally recommend topical application of a product that will keep your pets free of bugs for a whole month. There are a few different kinds, but avoid those available in the grocery store as they are inefficient at best, and harmful to your pet at worst. Your vet will be able to sell you what they have in stock, but because they are non-prescription you can also shop around on the Internet for better prices once you have the brand name.

I’m also exploring natural bug prevention. Garlic is a known insect repellent and some companies offer it in tablets that they claim take the place of the chemical applications. I treat two of my three dogs with Frontline Plus, and give my youngest one of these garlic tablets daily. So far, no bugs, but I won’t be convinced until summer is in full swing. I’ll be sure to give you all an update in a few months, so watch this space. If there is ever a natural alternative to a chemical that works, I’m on it!

Heartworm prevention is a year-round necessity in most states. Heartworms come from mosquito bites so use your judgment on when you need them, or ask your vet. As a prescription is needed for these tablets, written only after a blood test is performed, you do need to see a vet to obtain them. I buy mine from the vet because I want to ensure I’m getting the real deal, but you can ask for a prescription and fax this to an Internet store if you don’t mind taking the risk that you may not get what you pay for.

Keeping your pets free of bugs is very important, but don’t forget all the other health essentials. To keep them in tip-top shape for life take them to see a vet at least once a year for a check-up and to receive their shots. Prevention is much better than cure, and regular physicals ensure that any problems are caught early. As well as testing for heartworms, a vet will also do a fecal test to check for other worms. If he or she finds them, administering a simple pill will cure the problem. A rabies shot is mandatory by law in most states, given yearly or three-yearly, and a booster shot (DHLPP) to help prevent other diseases is recommended. Current thinking is that these shots go for longer than a year, and some vets offer a service called “titering” which tests the levels of the vaccines in the pet thus indicating whether the shot is needed or not. This is a great option, but more expensive. Although most people opt for the yearly vaccinations, just be aware that there are choices if you don’t want to over-vaccinate your pet.

Things are a little different if you have a kitten or a puppy. They need three sets of shots before they are totally immune. Until they have them all keep them away from other animals as best you can to protect them from disease. Your vet will advise you on what you need and when. If you have your pet groomed regularly, or kennel it when you leave home, you will also need to get it immunized against bordetella (kennel cough), an airborne infection that can spread when animals get together in groups. This is given in the form of drops up the nose or a shot. Once every six months is the recommended timeframe, although some believe once a year is sufficient. Cats should receive an additional shot to protect them from feline leukemia.

Last but not least is to have your pet spayed if it’s a female, or neutered if it’s a male. There are health advantages to “fixing” your pet; it will stop your male from wandering and potentially getting hit by a car or getting lost; and it will stop the birth of unwanted puppies if your male gets out and impregnates an unspayed female. With millions of healthy, sweet dogs and cats getting euthanized every year because there are no homes for them, you should make sure that you don’t add to the problem.

Knowing that your pet is protected from disease and cannot contribute to pet-overpopulation brings peace of mind, and leads to a long and healthy relationship between you and your companion animal.