Fleas and ticks will not resolve on their own. They reproduce easily, so once you have one flea or tick in your household, more will follow.

While there are some vaccines for dogs, there are none for cats. Cats are at a higher risk for getting these diseases, so preventing fleas and ticks is crucial.

The best way to control fleas and ticks in your cat's environment is to keep your cat on preventative treatment 12 months out of the year. Depending on the environment, there may be additional recommendations, but preventative treatment is always the main method of control.

Yes, prevention is needed all year round, especially in areas where it doesn't get cold enough to kill off fleas and ticks. Even during the winter, warm days can cause these parasites to become active again after being dormant during colder periods.

You should definitely talk with your veterinarian about the best prevention for your cat. There are over-the-counter options and prescription options. Prescription options are always the better choice. Over-the-counter options can be toxic to cats, and even those labeled for cats can sometimes cause problems. Prescription options are also more effective, as many over-the-counter options have been on the market for a long time and are no longer effective, as fleas and ticks have grown resistant to them.

Typically, in cats, we use a topical medication for flea and tick prevention.

Prevention is key and it's fairly easy. In cats, we typically use a topical type of prevention, which is a liquid that goes in between their shoulder blades. The frequency varies depending on the type of prevention, usually once a month, once every two months, or once every three months.