January, February, and March all have “walk your dog” themed pet holidays. These days celebrate and promote walking your pet, outlining the physical and mental health benefits that walking your pet may offer. Veterinarians promote routine exercise tailored for your individual pet to promote both pet health and the human-animal bond. While there are many health benefits for both owners and pets associated with routinely walking pets, there are also important preventative considerations for both owners and pets.
Walking Your Pet: Benefits and Seasonal Awareness
A multifaceted approach to protecting your pet from ectoparasites and vector-borne disease should be considered before planning to incorporate outdoor walks with pets. Mosquitos are a required host in the life cycle of Dirofilaria immitis, which may cause heartworm infection in canine and feline pets. Ticks may transmit several diseases to pets (and owners) while on walks. Canine (and feline) pets should have veterinarian-recommended and individualized preventative plans that consider flea, tick, mosquito (heartworm prevention), and intestinal parasite prevention and control as applicable. Preventative medications should be used for pets year around. Prevention is often the best medicine for pets and people alike!
Preventing Vector Exposure While Outdoors
Environmental awareness and management are essential to keeping pets (and owners) healthy while on walks and outdoors as well. Controlling pests including ectoparasites and mosquitoes is most effectively accomplished when using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This includes EPA-registered repellents, environmental control, and avoiding or minimizing exposure (Companion Animal Parasite Council). The CDC recommends using EPA-registered insect repellents for people, wearing protective clothing, and using care to avoid mosquitoes at dusk and dawn (CDC Mosquito Bite Prevention). The CDC also recommends primarily avoiding ticks while in tall grass or leaf debris, using insect repellents with DEET, and knowing where to expect ticks (CDC Preventing Tick Bites). Using strategies to avoid mosquito and tick bites will benefit both pets and their owners.
A One Health, Collaborative Approach to Pet Safety
Collaboration between pet owners, veterinary professionals, and integrative pest management specialists provides a comprehensive approach to ensuring the well-being of companion pets (and owners). Gulf South VECTOR aims to promote this collaborative, One Health strategy, empowering trained professionals to monitor and respond to vector-borne disease risks. Keeping pets safe and healthy is a collaborative and ongoing effort between pet owners, veterinary professionals, governmental bodies, and, many times, with groups such as Gulf South VECTOR. Please visit our site below for professional training opportunities relevant to vectors, vector-borne disease, veterinary/animal-related topics, and beyond.
Author: Dr. Brandi K. Sandstrom
