Many pet owners breathe a sigh of relief once summer ends and assume flea season is over. In western Washington, that assumption costs a lot of itchy pets every October. Our mild, damp fall keeps parasites active well into winter, and indoor pests like fleas do not care what the thermostat says. Here is what to watch for this season.
Fleas thrive in a Pacific Northwest fall
Fleas do best in mild, humid weather, which is exactly what October looks like west of the Cascades. Nights get cold, but fleas survive just fine indoors, in garages, crawl spaces, and under porches, and they are actively looking for a warm host when temperatures drop.
A less obvious fact: most of a flea population is not on your pet. Eggs, larvae, and pupae live in bedding, carpets, and cracks in the floor, so treating one itchy dog or cat does nothing for the hundreds of fleas still developing in your home.
Signs to watch for
Intense scratching, chewing at the base of the tail, and small black specks that look like ground pepper in the fur (flea dirt) are the classic signs. Cats often show flea problems by over-grooming rather than scratching, so hair loss on the belly or hind legs is worth a closer look.
Fleas also carry tapeworms. If you see small, rice-like segments near your pet's tail or in their bedding, that is a tapeworm sign and it needs a trip to the veterinarian, since the medication that clears tapeworms is different from most flea preventives.
Ticks stay busy in the leaf piles
Ticks in Washington, including the western black-legged tick, remain active through fall and even on mild winter days. They prefer exactly the places dogs love in autumn: tall grass, brushy trails, and piles of leaves.
Check your dog from nose to tail after walks, including ears, armpits, between toes, and under the collar. Remove a tick promptly by grasping it straight out with fine-tipped tweezers, without twisting. Tick-borne diseases can take days to show symptoms, so tell your veterinarian if you find an attached tick and your pet seems off afterward.
Intestinal parasites and fall puddles
Standing water from fall rain spreads giardia and other parasites that pets pick up by drinking from puddles. Rodents become more active around houses this time of year too, and they can track fleas and roundworm eggs right into the yard.
Keep pets from drinking from puddles and slow-moving water, pick up pet waste promptly, and mention to your veterinarian if your pet has ongoing diarrhea or unexplained weight loss, since these are common parasite signs.
Prevention is a year-round habit
The simplest protection is a monthly parasite preventive recommended by your veterinarian, given year-round to every dog and cat in the household, not just the one who goes outside. Missing doses in the off-season is the most common way pets end up with a flea infestation by mid-winter.
Around the house, wash pet bedding weekly during a flea problem, vacuum carpets and furniture regularly, and keep leaf piles and brush trimmed back from areas your pets use. If fleas have already moved in, treating the home is as important as treating the pet, and your veterinarian can walk you through a plan that covers both.
A calm, protected pet is a happy pet. If you are still looking for a companion to bundle up with this winter, visit our Adopt page to meet the pets waiting for a home.
Give an animal a second chance
There are so many animals who still need a safe place to land. Whether you’re ready to adopt, open your home as a foster, or simply want to support our work, there’s a way to help.