The weather has warmed up and it is now fly season! We know how annoying it is with flies buzzing around your head, landing on your food and spreading bacteria. Unfortunately, our pets are susceptible to be bothered by flies which cannot only be frustrating, but dangerous to their health.
Flies can bite dogs on their ears, bellies, or backsides which can extremely painful or cause bleeding and infections. If flies have access to infected or open wounds, they can lay eggs inside which can evolve into a serious problem!
So how can we help our fur babies avoid these pesky critters?
Keep Your Yard or Home Environment Clean
It sounds simple enough but keeping your pet's surrounding environment clean is the easiest way to stop flies from pestering your pets! Ensure faeces is disposed of and no food is left open around your pets as flies are looking for next meal and to lay their eggs! Removing garbage and waste in the yard are simple steps to avoid them.
Give Your Pets A Hideaway
Sometimes your pets just needs an escape! Allowing your pets indoors (and keeping the flies outdoors) during fly season can be extremely helpful to let them run away when they're being bothered. If outdoors, even a kennel or an area where a simple fly screen or plastic strips can be installed so your pet can pass in but block out flies!
Protect Your Pets
Sometimes flies are just persistent! Using insect repellent is extremely useful to ward off flies and other biting insects from irritating your pet. It's imperative to only use insect repellents which have been formulated specifically for animals as some may contain harmful chemicals to your pets. We recommend Vetsense Flygon Insect Repellent which contains natural pyrethrins and citronella in low irritant oil base to prevent irritation on your pet's skin. In a handy spray bottle, this formula has a soothing feel on contact and repels flies and other biting insects.
Your pet's eyes, ears, nose and base of tail are very delicate area which can be severely irritated if bitten by insects! For these areas, we recommend Troy Fly Repella Cream which both prevent insect bites and any irritation caused by them. Use a thin smear of cream around their sensitive areas.
What If My Pet Is Bitten?
If you find your pet has been bitten by flies or other insects, wash the affected with clean water. Give them a cooling bath with a cooling bath with a soothing shampoo which will calm their skin and bites. Fido's Pytherin Shampoo is a great option as it has a mild formula but can also control biting insects.
Alternatively, Aloveen Oatmeal Shampoo has an oatmeal formula to nourish and soothe their skin.
Check the bites regularly and if an infection occurs or if you notice any changes in your pet's behavior or physical changes, please seek veterinary advice immediately. Always remember that every pet is different and can have different reactions to fly and other insect bites! Keep them safe and protected from buzzing pesky critters.
