When flea and tick season is upon us, pet owners need to be proactive regarding the health implications and discomfort these pests can cause their animals.

Important Flea and Tick Facts

• Fleas thrive in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and in conditions of high humidity.

• The best place to look for fleas on your cat or dog is over the back by the tail base and on the abdomen between the hind legs where there is less fur. They are also commonly found on the ears and in the ear canals, at the base of the ears and on the feet and in between the toes.

• Oftentimes, a flea is hard to spot but evidence of flea infestation known as "flea dirt" or the stool of the flea, is telltale. Use a flea comb to find flea dirt on your pet, looking for tiny dark flecks in the hair caught in the teeth of the comb or brush bristles.

• Ticks can carry and transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They are often found outside in areas of low brush and shrubs.

• Ticks can be removed from your dog or cat by grasping the head of the tick where it attaches to the skin with tweezers and gently but firmly pulling back. Use extreme caution.

• There are many brands of topical flea and tick preventatives currently available, including Frontline®, Revolution® and the Advantage® family of products. Your veterinarian can recommend the one that's best for your pet.

• The best way to check for ticks is to brush your pet daily.