Dog & Cat HospitalCalabasas

Patient Education

Parasite Prevention Program

Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention tailored to each pet's lifestyle — because the best parasite is the one that never takes hold.

Parasites are a year-round threat in Southern California's mild climate. Fleas can survive outdoors in Calabasas throughout the winter, ticks are active on local hiking trails, and mosquitoes that carry heartworm larvae are present most of the year. Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas's Parasite Prevention Program takes the guesswork out of protection by pairing the right products with the right schedule for your individual pet — factoring in species, size, lifestyle, and any conditions that may affect product choice. Prevention is always simpler, safer, and more affordable than treating an established infection.

How It Works

During a wellness visit, the veterinarian reviews your pet's exposure risk — indoor versus outdoor access, proximity to wildlife habitat, travel history — and recommends a prevention protocol from the current generation of safe, highly effective products. For most dogs and cats, this means:

  • A monthly or tri-monthly flea-and-tick product (oral chewable or topical) chosen for your pet's species and any known sensitivities
  • Year-round heartworm prevention — especially important because heartworm-positive dogs require a separate, involved treatment protocol
  • Intestinal parasite (deworming) coverage, since many all-in-one preventives also protect against roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
  • An annual heartworm antigen test for dogs and a fecal exam to catch anything the preventive may have missed

Cats have unique parasite biology: they are susceptible to heartworm disease but cannot be treated the same way dogs can, making prevention the only reliable protection. The team selects feline-safe products and will never recommend a product labeled only for dogs.

Set up the right prevention plan for your pet

Book an Appointment

What to Expect

The first visit includes a brief history of your pet's current prevention, any past reactions, and a review of your lifestyle (hiking, dog parks, multiple-pet households). The veterinarian will recommend specific products and walk you through the administration schedule. Refills can be picked up at the hospital or arranged through our online pharmacy portal. Reminders and recheck testing are built into your pet's annual wellness calendar so nothing falls through the cracks. If a product isn't a good fit — because of taste, coat type, a skin reaction, or budget — alternatives are always available.

Good Candidates

  • All dogs and cats — parasite prevention is recommended for every pet, regardless of how much time they spend outdoors
  • Pets in multi-pet households, where one animal's infestation quickly becomes everyone's problem
  • Dogs who visit dog parks, board, hike, or travel out of the area
  • Cats who go outdoors, sit in screened areas, or live with a dog who goes outside
  • Pets whose owners have children or immunocompromised family members at home — some parasites are zoonotic (transmissible to humans)
  • Puppies and kittens starting preventive care for the first time
  • Pets who have had a flea infestation or tick exposure in the past and need a more reliable protocol going forward

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the best flea and tick prevention for dogs?
The best product depends on your dog's size, health, and lifestyle — there is no single universal answer. Oral chewables (such as isoxazoline-class medications) offer reliable systemic protection for most dogs, but the veterinarian will match the recommendation to your individual pet.
2Do indoor cats really need parasite prevention?
Yes, indoor cats still benefit from prevention. Fleas hitch rides on clothing and other pets, mosquitoes enter homes and can transmit heartworm, and intestinal parasites can arrive on shoes or from hunting insects indoors. Because cats cannot be treated for heartworm the way dogs can, prevention is the only reliable safeguard.
3How often does my dog need a heartworm test?
Dogs should be tested annually, even when on heartworm prevention year-round. No prevention is 100% effective if a dose is missed or vomited, and catching an early infection before symptoms appear leads to a much better outcome.
4Can my pet get fleas even if they never go outside?
Absolutely — fleas are frequently brought in on people's clothing, on other pets, or from wildlife that passes through the yard. An indoor-only pet in a house with a dog that goes outdoors is at meaningful risk.
5Are flea and tick preventives safe for my pet?
Products approved for use in dogs and cats by the FDA have undergone rigorous safety testing. The key is using the correct product for the correct species — some dog products contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. Our team ensures the recommendation is species- and size-appropriate.
6What happens if I skip heartworm prevention for a few months?
A single missed month creates a window for infection, especially in warmer months when mosquito activity peaks. If a dog becomes infected, treatment is lengthy, expensive, requires strict exercise restriction, and carries real health risks — prevention is far simpler.
7Is year-round parasite prevention necessary in California?
Yes. Southern California's mild winters mean fleas and mosquitoes remain active longer than in colder climates, and ticks are present year-round on local trails. Seasonal gaps in prevention leave pets unprotected during months when parasites are still active.
8How do I know if my pet already has fleas?
Look for excessive scratching, small dark specks (flea dirt) on the skin or bedding, or small reddish-brown insects moving through the coat. Even one flea on a sensitive pet can trigger intense itching, and a single pregnant female can start a full household infestation within weeks.

Related

ConditionsFleas, Ticks & Intestinal ParasitesConditionsHeartworm Disease

Set up the right prevention plan for your pet

Our team will review your pet's lifestyle and recommend a year-round parasite prevention protocol that actually fits — no one-size-fits-all.

Book an Appointment