Warmer days bring more time outside, and that usually feels like good news for pets and their people. However, spring in Colorado also means changing parasite risks. Ticks become more active in spring and early summer, and April is widely recognized as Heartworm Awareness Month. For families in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Fountain, Monument, Falcon, and the surrounding areas, this is a smart time to think ahead instead of waiting for symptoms to show up.

Dogs and cats do not need to be deep in the woods to run into trouble. A backyard, a neighborhood trail, or a weekend outing can be enough. That is why spring preventive care matters so much. Fillmore Veterinary Hospital focuses on helping pets stay protected with timely exams, testing, and parasite prevention tailored to their lifestyle.

1. Why Spring Changes the Risk for Pets in Colorado

In Colorado, ticks are most active in spring and early summer, especially in grassy, brushy, and higher-elevation areas where animal hosts commonly travel. Colorado State University Extension notes that ticks often concentrate along field edges, shrublands, and trails, which makes spring hiking and outdoor play more than just a seasonal routine for pets.

Heartworm can feel easier to overlook here, partly because many people associate it with warmer, more humid parts of the country. Even so, the American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention and annual testing, including in lower-incidence states. Travel, pet relocation, and changing mosquito exposure all play a role in why prevention still matters.

That combination—more outdoor activity, more ticks, and a false sense of safety about heartworm—makes spring a particularly important season for preventive care.

2. The Parasites Pet Owners Should Keep on Their Radar

Spring parasite conversations often start with ticks, but they should not end there. A few of the biggest concerns include:

• Ticks, which can attach during walks, yard time, or hiking trips
• Heartworms, which are spread by mosquitoes and may cause serious disease before symptoms are obvious
• Fleas, which can survive year-round and often become more noticeable as temperatures rise
• Intestinal parasites, which are still an important part of routine screening, especially in pets who spend time outdoors or interact with other animals

The CDC advises regular flea and tick checks and year-round flea control, since fleas can persist whenever they have a host. Similarly, the CDC recommends checking pets who go outdoors for ticks every day.

At Fillmore Veterinary Hospital, these concerns connect naturally with Wellness & Preventative Care. A routine visit is not just a quick check-in. It is a chance to look at the whole picture—your pet’s habits, environment, travel patterns, and parasite risk.

3. Ticks in Colorado: What Makes Them a Spring Problem

Ticks are a real seasonal concern in Colorado, and spring is when many pet owners first start finding them. Dogs are especially vulnerable because they are more likely to move through brush, trail edges, and tall grass. Cats who spend any supervised or unsupervised time outdoors can also be exposed.

A few habits can reduce risk:

• Check your pet after walks, hikes, and time in tall grass
• Pay close attention around the ears, neck, toes, and under the collar
• Stay near the center of trails when possible
• Ask your veterinarian about parasite prevention based on your pet’s lifestyle

The CDC also notes that daily tick checks help protect both pets and people, since crawling ticks may move from a pet onto a family member.

If your pet seems uncomfortable, develops lethargy, or you find multiple ticks, timely veterinary care matters. Urgent & Sick Pet Care is also available during regular business hours at Fillmore Veterinary Hospital, which can be especially helpful when a sudden concern cannot wait days for an appointment.

4. Heartworm Prevention Still Matters in Colorado

Heartworm does not always get the same attention in Colorado that it does in the Southeast, but prevention is still important. The American Heartworm Society recommends testing pets once a year and keeping dogs and cats on heartworm prevention year-round. Missing even one dose can create a gap in protection.

This matters because heartworm disease is usually much easier to prevent than to manage after infection. Dogs may not show obvious symptoms early on, and cats can also be affected, sometimes in ways that are difficult to detect at first. The Companion Animal Parasite Council notes that heartworm patterns can shift with pet movement and regional changes, which is one reason prevention remains a nationwide conversation.

For pet owners in Colorado Springs and nearby communities, spring is a natural time to review:

• Whether your pet is current on prevention
• Whether annual testing is due
• Whether your pet’s lifestyle has changed
• Whether a wellness visit should include parasite screening or lab work

At Fillmore Veterinary Hospital, the In-House Laboratory supports faster answers when testing is needed, including heartworm tests and parasite screening.

5. What Preventive Care Looks Like at Fillmore Veterinary Hospital

Prevention works best when it is consistent. That is why spring is such a useful checkpoint. Instead of waiting for itching, coughing, fatigue, or visible parasites, a wellness visit gives you the chance to catch concerns early and update your plan before the season gets busier.

Depending on your pet’s needs, preventive care may include:

• A wellness exam to review overall health, body condition, and lifestyle
• Updated vaccines if your pet is due
• Parasite prevention recommendations for fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites
• Heartworm testing, fecal screening, or other lab work when appropriate
• Guidance on what to watch for at home during spring and summer

This is also a good moment to talk about the places your pet goes most. A dog who hikes regularly around Monument or Falcon may have different parasite exposure than a mostly indoor cat in central Colorado Springs. Likewise, a pet who travels, boards, or spends time with other animals may need a different prevention strategy than one who stays close to home.

6. Simple Ways to Protect Your Pet This Season

A few practical steps can go a long way:

• Keep up with annual wellness exams
• Stay current on heartworm, flea, and tick prevention
• Check pets after outdoor time
• Watch for subtle signs such as itching, fatigue, reduced appetite, or changes in behavior
• Schedule testing promptly if your veterinarian recommends it

Spring should be a season pets can enjoy. With thoughtful preventive care, it can be.

If your dog or cat is due for a wellness exam, parasite screening, or a prevention update, now is the time to contact Fillmore Veterinary Hospital. A spring wellness visit can help catch early concerns, guide the right tick and heartworm prevention plan, and reduce the chance of unpleasant surprises later in the season. For families in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Fountain, Monument, Falcon, and the surrounding areas, taking action early this spring can make all the difference.