Pet Pests to be Aware of in Singapore

No matter where you live, there’s always something indigenous that could pose a danger to your cat or dog. Native plants. Bugs. Larger wildlife. And diseases. You learn to identify these potential threats and how to help your pet avoid them. But what if you’re moving to a foreign country – say, someplace exotic such as Singapore? Will there be exotic, unknown pet pests you should worry about?

Is it even safe to move your cat or dog to Singapore?

Yes, it’s safe for pets to travel to Singapore, and live there, too. You’ll find that most households in Singapore have a pet – dogs are most common, as they are elsewhere around the world.

And yes, you’ll find pet pests in Singapore, too. But you’re probably already familiar with most of the insects and parasites, and the diseases they transmit, all of which can be cured/prevented with proper medication:

• Fleas make themselves at home on your dog or cat, sucking their blood and laying eggs in their fur. Fleas can jump from one pet to another (or to you), and their populations can multiply quickly. If your pet has especially sensitive skin, they could develop infections or lose their fur. You’ll be able to avoid problems by continuing your pet’s regular flea-prevention medication.

• Ticks live in tall grass. They can also leap onto your pet and suck their blood, although they will drop off to lay their eggs somewhere nearby. Ticks can transmit several serious diseases including Lyme disease, canine ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and fever.

• Mites are extremely small parasites that typically target your pet’s ears, face, legs, or other warm and “protected” parts of the body. Their bites can cause itching and skin irritation, and your pet could also suffer from insomnia or anxiety.

• Mosquitoes bite dogs and cats as well as humans. They target easy-to-reach areas such as the nose and ears, but dogs with very short fur are vulnerable anywhere. Aside from the annoying itching, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm larvae, which travel through your pet’s bloodstream and take hold in the heart and lungs. Untreated, heartworm is quickly fatal in cats, although dogs can live for quite some time with a heartworm infestation.

• Stinging insects such as bees and wasps can also attack your pet, causing pain and swelling as well as other possible symptoms such as diarrhea.

• Internal parasites, such as roundworms, whip worms, hookworms, and tapeworms can all live in your pet’s gastrointestinal system, robbing them of vital nutrients in their food.

• Giardia is a single-celled parasite that also can live in your pet’s digestive system. Dogs and cats frequently acquire the pathogen by drinking water from streams or other bodies of water. Ask your vet whether your pet should be immunized against giardia.

Almost all of these pet pests can annoy and infect humans, too, with equally dangerous health consequences. There are numerous pest control companies in Singapore. So if your household becomes infested, you can call on them for help. However, spraying pesticides around your home may not be your preferred treatment method.

The best defense is a good offense

If you’re moving to Singapore, your “good offense” plan starts well before you ever leave. Your dog or cat will need to meet certain health requirements prior to moving to Singapore.

Every country requires pets to be immunized against rabies and various other diseases, depending on what problems are prevalent in that country. Pets need to be free of internal and external parasites, too, and Singapore requires internal and external parasite treatments shortly before your pet leaves the country.

But knowing in advance what pet pests you may face allows you to be proactive after you arrive in Singapore as well. Find a veterinarian before you move, or make that a priority once you arrive, so your pet can receive continuous preventive care without missing any important treatments.