- December 4, 2025
If you have lived in Florida for any length of time, then you have a firsthand knowledge of the nuisance that fleas ticks, and mosquitoes cause. But are you aware of the harm that they can cause your pets?
Fleas exist in Florida year-round. There is no off season. Any animal is susceptible to getting fleas. Fleas are looking for a host for a blood meal. That means that they bite to feed themselves and can cause damage to their hosts. In animals, we may see infestations that cause skin irritation, hair loss and infections. When small animals are infested with fleas, they are in danger of blood loss and anemia. Anemia can be fatal if the reason for the anemia is not treated.
Your pet also can get tapeworm from fleas. Fleas on domesticated pets can be eradicated with oral or topical medications. Certain brands can be purchased over the counter at many grocery stores, pet stores, humane societies or from a veterinarian office.
Ticks also exist in Florida on a year-round basis. The most common tick that you may see on your domesticated pet is the American and Brown Dog Ticks. They prefer to feed off dogs more than humans. The Brown Dog Tick can survive in an indoor setting so your pets can bring them into your home. Many ticks can carry Lyme Disease or some form of a Spotted Fever. You can protect your pets from ticks with oral or topical medications that are often included in the same products you would treat fleas with.
Mosquitoes are probably rated one of the most nuisance insects in Florida. They make both animals and humans miserable. Mosquitoes are very harmful to domesticated pets as they can carry microfilaria, also known as heartworms. Heartworm disease is fatal in cats. It is fatal in dogs if left untreated. Currently there is no treatment for cats but there is for dogs. Heartworm disease is preventable. Preventative medications for dogs and cats can only be obtained through a veterinarian’s office as they need a prescription.
Dogs should be tested for heartworms yearly through a simple blood test. Most animals infected with heartworms do not show symptoms until the later stages of the disease. Mosquitoes can enter your house, so inside pets are just as susceptible to heartworm disease as pets that spend a majority of their time outside.
Keeping fleas, ticks and mosquitoes off your pets can be as simple as an oral pill or chew, a prevention collar or a topical application. If you are having issues with any of these, seek advice from a pet care professional.
Sometimes a parasite can become immune to a product so a simple product change may solve your issues. Most of the parasite preventions on the market today treat multiple types of parasites, so talk to your veterinarian or one of the veterinarians at Flagler Humane Society to decide which one is best for your pet.
Katie Share is the lead animal services officer for Flagler Animal Services and has been with the Flagler Humane Society for nearly 25 years.
