Late February is the ideal time to prepare for early spring parasites. As temperatures rise—even slightly—fleas, ticks, mites, and lice begin to wake up. Dogs and cats are obvious targets, but chickens, goats, and horses also face early-season parasite pressure. Prepping now keeps infestations from gaining traction when spring fully arrives.
Start with indoor pets. Continue monthly preventatives without skipping winter doses. Fleas breed indoors all year, especially in well-heated homes. Dogs and cats who spend time in yards or barns can reintroduce pests easily. Early spring grooming helps you spot problems before they escalate.
Check bedding and living areas. Wash dog and cat beds, vacuum frequently, and dust baseboards where flea larva may hide. For rabbits and guinea pigs, refresh bedding more often as warmer air encourages parasite activity. Tack rooms, feed storage areas, and barns also benefit from decluttering before pests become active.
Coop cleanouts matter. Replace bedding, scrub perches, and ensure ventilation is solid before temperatures shift. Chickens can experience mite flares after long winter nights spent on roosts. Adding a dust bath or refreshing an existing one helps prevent pests naturally.
Farm animals need hoof and coat checks. Goats and horses can develop lice or early tick attachments before pasture season starts. Groom thoroughly, check under manes and tails, and ensure stalls stay dry. Keeping manure piles managed also reduces early fly and parasite pressure.
If you need flea/tick preventatives, barn-safe sprays, coop powders, or grooming tools, The Hungry Puppy stocks parasite-prep essentials for pets and farm species alike. A little early effort now saves big headaches later.