Post-Storm Pet Care: How to Get Rid of Ticks and Parasites

When the weather is warm, the air is humid, and heavy rain comes from a natural disaster, you can bet that parasites will be on the move.

Because unfortunately, fleas, ticks and worms don’t take a break just because you’re dealing with storm clean-up — they’re out in full force, looking for a new host. And usually, that host is your pet.

With so much contaminated water and soil around after a storm, it’s easier than ever for your pet to pick up parasites just by walking through a yard or lapping from a puddle!

So let’s look at what to watch out for, and how to keep your pets healthy and safe after a storm.

After the storm: Why your pet is at higher risk

The warm, humid conditions that follow a storm create the ideal environment for parasites to breed and spread.

Floodwaters don’t just wash away debris; they also help carry these pests to new areas (like your backyard!), making it easier for them to spread.

Not to mention, any stagnant water left behind creates the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can transmit heartworm to dogs and cats.

Even rogue rodents searching for new shelter bring along their own set of problems – namely, roundworms and hookworms.

Tick prevention and care

What are the types of ticks in Australia?

There are three main ticks to watch out for in Australia:

• Paralysis ticks: The most dangerous, as their bite can cause life-threatening paralysis in pets.
• Bush ticks: Common in coastal and bushland areas, they can spread disease but are not as harmful as paralysis ticks.
• Brown dog ticks: Often found in kennels and homes, they primarily affect dogs and can transmit infections.

Where do dogs and cats get ticks from?

Ticks can hide underbrush, in long grass, forest areas and piles of leaves. If your pet is often outdoors, chances are they'll encounter ticks.

Be sure to keep your dog on a leash during walks – for their own benefit – to keep them from running around in overgrown areas.

How to check your pet for ticks

You can perform a tick check by gently running your fingers through your pet’s coat with enough pressure to feel for any abnormalities. (You should do this daily.)

Ticks are most likely to attach to the nose, face, ears and front leg areas, but can still be found anywhere – so check their entire body down to their tail.

Ticks will feel like small lumps on the surface of your pet’s skin.

How to remove ticks from your pet

If you find ticks on your dog or cat, they should be removed as soon as possible!

Your first line of defence should be to apply a tick remover. Otherwise, use a pair of tweezers to grab the tick as close to the head as possible, near your pet’s skin. Pull very gently with a twisting motion to remove the tick.

Avoid squeezing the body as this can release toxins into your pet’s bloodstream and try to ensure you’ve removed the entire tick – especially the head, which separates easily from the body. If you’re unsure if you’ve removed the entire tick properly, take your pet to the vet immediately.

After you’ve removed the tick, keep it in a sealed container to give to your vet to identify. Clean the bite area with antiseptic and monitor your dog or cat closely for signs of tick paralysis, such as weakness, wobbliness, vomiting or difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your pet to the vet immediately.

It’s also a good idea to visit the vet if your pet has multiple ticks (and often, if you’ve found one tick, there will be more).

How to prevent ticks

The best way to prevent ticks on your pet is to give them a regular tick preventative treatment – whether this is at home, or through your vet.

For at-home treatment, you can use NexGard Spectra. These are all-in-one monthly chews that provide complete protection against fleas, ticks, heartworm and intestinal worms, removing the need for multiple treatments. Or Advocate for even more flea and worming treatment options for dogs and cats of all sizes.

You can also consult your vet, who can administer Bravecto Quantum to your dog. With this one injection, your dog will be protected from flea and tick infestations for an entire year. Your vet will be able to provide ongoing, personalised recommendations on the best flea and tick prevention and care.

Flea prevention and care

How to spot fleas on your pet

If your dog or cat has fleas, you’ll likely be able to see them. You’ll spot ‘flea dirt,’ which is dried blood and flea waste that fleas leave behind. It looks like small, black, dirt-like specks, and it’s usually found around the armpits, groin, ears, belly and/or tail.

One way to check if it’s flea dirt or everyday dirt is to collect some dirt off your pet on a white piece of paper and add some water onto it. If it’s normal dirt, it will remain a dark colour. If it’s flea dirt, it will turn pink/red, as it is dried up blood.

Your pet may also show other signs and symptoms like:

• Excessive scratching
• Fur loss
• Repetitive chewing or licking
• Frequent head shaking
• Restlessness

If your dog or cat shows these signs, it’s a good idea to check over problem areas to ensure they’re flea free!

How to get rid of fleas

For at-home defence to get rid of fleas, you can:

1. Use a dog flea shampoo or flea spray to kill existing fleas in your dog’s coat – this will not protect them from future infestations
2. Wash your pet’s bedding (and anything else they sleep on) in hot water
3. Vacuum your carpets frequently to draw out fleas and pests
4. Clean any outdoor areas where your pet hangs out
5. Keep their treatments up to date with ongoing dog flea treatments or cat flea treatments

If you have a flea infestation in your house, we recommend that you visit your vet for specific advice. They’ll be able to create the best solution to help treat your pet – and your household.

A post-storm checklist

✔ Check your pets daily for ticks, especially around the ears, neck and face.
✔ Keep them away from floodwaters, debris and stagnant water. Or from running around in any dense bushland.
✔ Monitor your pet for signs of illness (lethargy, itching, vomiting, difficulty breathing).
✔ Keep up with flea and tick preventatives – monthly chews, oral tablets or flea collars.
✔ Wash bedding, carpets and soft furnishings to eliminate flea eggs and larvae.
✔ Treat your yard with pet-safe pest control if the infestation is severe.
✔ Seek vet care immediately if you notice symptoms of tick paralysis, flea infestations, or worm infections.

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