It’s almost winter, which means that most of the creepy, crawly insects that hover around your home in the summer months are either dying off or preparing to lay low. However, one type of pest might actually be making its way inside your home before the cold settles in: cat fleas.

Many pet owners mistakenly believe ticks are only alive in summer. In reality, ticks stay active for almost the entire year. It is not until the weather is close to freezing that ticks go dormant. This means that ticks are alive well into fall and can easily latch onto your dog during your crisp autumn runs or hikes. Tick bites are certainly a nuisance, but the worst part about these tiny insects is their potential to carry Lyme disease, a scary illness that is all too common in dogs.

Every pet owner has heard of worms—the often-microscopic parasites that infect your dog or cat and spread through eggs. What pet owners often don’t realize, though, is just how common worms are in house pets.

It’s natural for your cat to get a little itchy now and then—almost any body part can have a normal itchy spot. Or, perhaps the itch is caused by a mild irritation or allergy. You’ll definitely notice, though, when your cat’s casual scratching turns into obsessive, harmful behavior. If this scratching is centralized by the ears, you might have something more than a regular itch on your hands. Your cat might have ear mites.

Warmer weather means more walks, hikes and playtime outside with your beloved pup. Unfortunately, the dawn of spring also means that bugs are also outside. One of the worst offenders during the spring and summer months are ticks—these nasty, blood-sucking insects are not only a nuisance to deal with, but can transmit terrible diseases to your dog, your other pets and even you.

You and your pooch will likely be spending a lot of time outdoors while the weather is warm this spring. Unfortunately, warmer weather also means a great number of insects like bees and mosquitos will begin to make your backyard, nearby parks and wilderness areas their home. Dogs are curious by nature and will try to sniff around, but this curiosity may come back to bite them—literally. While outside this spring and summer, it’s important to be mindful of the insects that can cause your dog harm.

Few things have the power to frustrate pet owners like fleas do. These little critters can be the bane of your home and a nuisance to both you and your furry friend, causing everything from allergies to itchiness and more. Worse still, it can seem like an impossible task to get rid of them, even after baths, sprays, flea collars and vet visits. It’s best to make sure any fleas are discovered and eradicated quickly.

Few things have the power to frustrate pet owners like fleas do. These little critters can be the bane of your home and a nuisance to both you and your furry friend, causing everything from dog allergies to itchiness and more. Worse still, it can seem like an impossible task to get rid of them, even after baths, sprays, flea collars and vet visits. It’s best to make sure any fleas are discovered and eradicated quickly.