With more time at home during quarantine, it's the perfect opportunity to give your pets the attention they deserve. Dogs thrive on extra walks and companionship, but cats may feel stressed by household noise. Spring also brings risks of ticks and fleas, so proactive care is essential to keep your furry friends healthy.
The mild winter in the Netherlands has led to heightened tick activity in forests, dunes, and heathlands. With more outings to nature amid coronavirus measures, dogs face increased exposure. Fleas can quickly spread too.
Veterinarian Piet Hellemans notes: "Dogs love having owners home more—they're social animals who dislike being alone. Extra nature walks mean more bonding, so while grooming, comb through the fur carefully to spot fleas or ticks."
Cats, however, often prefer quiet. Hellemans explains: "Working from home and staying indoors isn't ideal for all cats, who sleep 18-20 hours daily. A noisy house disrupts their rest, so create a peaceful sleep spot and let them approach you on their terms."
Tips from Veterinarian Piet Hellemans to detect fleas and ticks:
1) Post-walk checks
Inspect thin-skinned areas like the head, ears, armpits, and groin. Always check dogs after walks and cats during cuddles or brushing.
2) Wet toilet paper test
Black specks might be flea dirt, not soil. Dab with wet toilet paper: if it turns reddish-brown, it's flea feces—treat immediately.
3) Safe tick removal
Avoid alcohol or pulling, which risks infection. Use tick tweezers, twist gently, and pull straight out.
4) Prioritize prevention
Visible fleas are just 5% of the issue; 95% (eggs, larvae, pupae) lurk in your home. Monthly treatments prevent painful bites and itching.
