In a lot of the country, flea and tick season ends when it gets cold. Houston does not really do cold. Our mild winters and high humidity mean fleas and ticks stay active essentially all year, which catches a lot of owners off guard when they stop prevention in November and end up with an infestation in January.
If you take one thing from this article: in Houston, flea prevention is a twelve-month job, not a summer one.
Why Houston’s Climate Makes Parasites a Year-Round Problem
Fleas thrive in warm, humid conditions, and that describes Houston for most of the calendar. A flea’s entire life cycle can keep running indoors all winter thanks to our heating and our short, mild cold snaps. Eggs and pupae sit dormant in carpet and bedding and hatch when conditions are right, which is why an infestation often seems to come out of nowhere.
Ticks are similar. Our mild winters mean tick activity barely pauses, and the wooded, brushy areas around Houston keep populations high. Both parasites get a longer runway here than almost anywhere else in the country.
More Than an Itch: The Real Health Risks
What Fleas Actually Do
Beyond the obvious scratching, fleas cause real medical problems:
- Flea allergy dermatitis, where a single bite triggers intense, miserable itching and skin infection in allergic pets
- Anemia, especially in puppies, kittens, and small animals carrying a heavy flea burden
- Tapeworms, which pets pick up by swallowing fleas during grooming
What Ticks Carry
Ticks transmit several diseases that matter in Texas, including ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These can cause fever, lethargy, joint pain, and more serious problems if missed. A tick has to be attached for a while to transmit disease, which is why prompt removal matters.
How to Remove a Tick the Right Way
If you find a tick attached to your pet:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull straight up with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk.
- Do not use a match, nail polish, or petroleum jelly. These old tricks can make the tick regurgitate into the wound.
- Clean the area, and watch the spot over the next couple of weeks for redness or swelling.
The safest option is always to bring your pet straight to our urgent care clinic. Tick removal can be tricky, and if the head breaks off, it can lead to infection. Our veterinary team can remove the tick quickly, safely, and completely
Choosing Year-Round Prevention
There are good options now: monthly chews, topical treatments, and long-acting products that cover both fleas and ticks. The best choice depends on your pet’s species, weight, lifestyle, and health, and cats in particular must never get certain dog products, which can be toxic to them. The key habit is consistency. Prevention only works if it never lapses, and in Houston that means dosing through the winter too.
FAQ
Do indoor-only pets really need flea and tick prevention?
Yes, more than people expect. Fleas hitch rides indoors on clothing, on other pets, and through small gaps. The risk is lower than for an outdoor dog, but it is not zero, and an indoor infestation is miserable to clear.
I found one flea. Does that mean an infestation?
Often, yes. For every adult flea you see, there are usually many more eggs and larvae in the environment. One visible flea is a good reason to start treatment and to clean bedding and carpets thoroughly.
Can I use a dog flea product on my cat?
No. Some dog products contain ingredients that are seriously toxic to cats and can cause tremors and seizures. Always use a product labeled for the correct species, and ask us if you are unsure.
My pet is on prevention, but still got fleas. Why?
Usually, it is a timing or dosing gap, a missed month, a dose given late, or a product washed off too soon after a topical. Occasionally, a pet needs a different product. If prevention seems to be failing, let’s review what you are using.