If your dog has been scratching more than usual lately, South Florida’s heat and humidity are probably to blame. Fleas and ticks thrive in exactly these conditions, and unlike much of the country, South Florida’s mild winters mean the season rarely fully ends here, it just peaks harder in the summer months.

Why South Florida Is Especially Tough on This

Fleas complete their life cycle fastest in warm, humid environments, which describes most of a Miami-Dade or Broward summer perfectly. Ticks are less about humidity and more about vegetation, so dogs that spend time in grassy yards, parks, or wooded areas face higher exposure risk right through the season.

Signs Your Pet May Have Fleas or Ticks

  • Frequent scratching, biting, or licking at the skin, especially around the tail base, belly, and legs
  • Small dark specks in the coat that turn reddish-brown on a damp paper towel, often called flea dirt
  • Visible ticks, which can range from the size of a sesame seed to much larger once engorged
  • Red, irritated, or scabbed skin patches
  • Restlessness or difficulty settling down

Prevention Still Beats Treatment

Talk to your veterinarian about a year-round flea and tick preventive rather than a seasonal one, given how mild South Florida winters are. Regularly checking your pet’s coat after time outdoors, especially in grass or brush, catches ticks before they have a chance to attach for long.

Where Grooming Fits In

Regular grooming appointments are a natural checkpoint for catching a flea or tick problem early. A thorough brush-out and skin check during a groom often turns up things an owner might miss during a quick pet at home, especially on dogs with thicker or darker coats where fleas are harder to spot.

Quick Answer

Can indoor-only cats get fleas? Yes. Fleas hitch rides on shoes, clothing, and other pets, so even a cat that never goes outside can end up with an infestation, particularly in a multi-pet household.

If it has been a while since your pet’s last groom, now is a good time to book one. A professional set of eyes on the coat and skin is one more layer of protection during the peak of the season.