Fleas and ticks: how to protect your dog or cat

Fleas and ticks are more than an annoyance: they can transmit serious diseases to your pet, and sometimes to people. In Morocco, the mild climate allows them to be active much of the year. Here’s how to protect your companion.

Fleas: how to spot them

your pet scratches a lot, especially at the base of the tail;
you see small black dots in its coat (flea droppings): on damp white paper, they turn reddish;
red spots or hair loss;
you get bitten yourself, on the ankles.

Fleas lay eggs in the environment: baskets, carpets, sofas. Treating the animal alone is often not enough.

Ticks: why they’re dangerous

Ticks attach to the skin to feed on blood. They can transmit diseases such as babesiosis (piroplasmosis) or ehrlichiosis in dogs, which can be serious.

After each walk in grass, scrubland or the countryside, check your dog: ears, neck, armpits, between the toes.

How to remove a tick

Use a tick remover (sold at vets and pharmacies).
Slide it under the tick, as close to the skin as possible.
Turn gently without pulling, until the tick comes off.
Disinfect the area and wash your hands.

Never use ether, alcohol or a lighter on a tick: it can make it regurgitate and increase the risk of infection.

Available treatments

Type	How it works
Spot-on pipettes	applied to the skin, usually every month
Tablets	given by mouth, protection of one to three months depending on the product
Collars	protection of several months
Sprays and shampoos	as a complement

Your vet chooses the right product according to the animal’s weight, age and lifestyle.

⚠️ The dangerous mistake with cats

Never put a dog product on a cat. Some dog pipettes contain permethrin, which is very toxic for cats and can cause trembling, seizures and death.

Always use a product made for the species and the weight of your pet. If your cat lives with a treated dog, ask your vet’s advice.

Also treat the house

Wash baskets and blankets at high temperature;
vacuum carefully (and throw away the bag);
use an environment product if advised by the vet.

And worms?

Intestinal worms are another problem, often linked to fleas (some worms are transmitted by swallowing a flea). Deworming every three months for adults, more often for puppies and kittens, according to your vet.

Which schedule?

Fleas and ticks: depending on the product, every month to every three months, all year round or at least in the warm season.
Deworming: often every three months for adults.

Risk areas in Morocco

Ticks and fleas are almost everywhere, but some places need more attention:

the countryside and forests: for example on outings to the Maâmora forest or in the mountains;
wasteland and tall grass in town;
gardens with lots of vegetation;
places where stray dogs live, which often carry parasites;
boarding facilities where many animals mix.

Spring and summer are the most active seasons, but with Morocco’s mild climate, ticks are found for much of the year. That’s why many vets recommend protection all year round.

If you travel with your dog, or leave it with a sitter, check its treatment is up to date before you leave. And ask the sitter to inspect its coat after every walk.

FAQ

My cat never goes out, does it need a treatment? Fleas can come in on your clothes or with another animal. Ask your vet about a suitable schedule.

Are natural remedies effective? Some products can repel, but their effectiveness is often limited. And some essential oils are toxic for cats.

Can I treat a puppy? Yes, with a product suitable for its age and weight, on your vet’s advice.

Never forget a treatment

In DarPaws, record your pet’s treatments (antiparasitic, deworming) and vaccines with their dates. Everything is in its profile, ready to show to the vet or sitter.

Their care, at a glance. Download DarPaws for free on Google Play.

This article gives general information. It does not replace your vet’s advice.