Some folks think that if their animals don't go outside, or mainly stick to paved walking paths, that they don't have to worry much.

But guess again.

Even indoor pets or those that spend most of their time in backyards are susceptible to bites from these little pests, which can be extremely painful and uncomfortable. Not to mention, they can also put your pet at risk for a number of serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Some of the more notable ones include anemia, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and heartworm disease. With illness related to bites from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes having tripled in humans over the past 20 years in the US, it's more important than ever to keep our furry family members safe as well!

In this article, we'll first take a look at how fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes find your pet by learning a little bit more about them and their lifecycles. Then, we'll explore flea, tick, and mosquito prevention for dogs and cats and look at some natural repellents and treatments to keep these stubborn bloodsuckers at bay.

What Are Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes?
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are able to make our pets sick through the transmission of different viruses, bacteria, and parasites. This can happen when they bite and extract blood, which they feed on.

Knowing a bit more about fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes will help when you need to deal with them. 

Fleas

Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that live on the exterior of their hosts. Fully grown, they're only 0.1 to 0.32 cm (0.039 to 0.13 inch) in length. They have tough exteriors, making them hard to squish, and the adults feed on the blood of mammals and birds. With over 2,000 known species, they can be found across the world in polar, temperate, and tropical regions.

A flea's lifecycle can be separated into four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. All can take place on the host and this is how infestations occur on dogs and cats.