"Flea season" used to mean summer. With milder winters in many regions, fleas and ticks are active far more of the year than most pet owners assume — which is exactly how gaps in protection happen.
Why the season is longer than you think
Fleas thrive above roughly 5°C (about 45°F), a threshold that plenty of "winter" days now clear in many regions. Ticks are even more tolerant of cold and can be active any time the ground isn't frozen. Year-round prevention, not just a seasonal application, is the safer default almost everywhere now.
Indoor pets aren't automatically safe
Fleas hitch rides on shoes, other pets, and clothing — an entirely indoor cat can still end up with an infestation from a flea that came in on you or a visiting dog. Ticks are more of an outdoor risk, but even a small yard or a single walk through tall grass is enough exposure.
Matching the product to the timing
Most flea and tick preventatives work on a cycle — monthly topical or oral treatments, or longer-acting collars. The protection has a real expiration; a few days' gap between doses is when pets are actually vulnerable, and that gap is easy to lose track of without a reminder.
What to watch for even with prevention
Excessive scratching, small dark specks in fur (flea dirt), or a tick you can feel as a small bump are worth checking even on a protected pet — no preventative is 100%, and catching an issue early keeps it from becoming an infestation.
Furvey tracks parasite treatments on a schedule that adjusts to each product's cycle, so a monthly topical doesn't quietly become a five-week gap — with a reminder before protection actually lapses.
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Not veterinary advice. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian.