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With the spring and summer months approaching, it’s time to start protecting your pets against fleas and ticks if you aren’t already!
As you start taking your pets outdoors more, like to the park, on a hike or even vacation, it’s important to make sure that your dogs and cats are guarded against the different pests that may cause them harm or discomfort. In this guide I’ll share some information on fleas and ticks, the illness they may carry or cause and the different products you can use to prevent them!
If you want to read more about heartworm disease and prevention for it, read my article here.
Disclaimer: While I do have experience with animals and working in the veterinary field, I am not a medical professional and this should not be construed as medical or professional advice. This is simply a guide to help you understand the importance of flea and tick protection. I recommend that you seek advice from a veterinarian.
FLEAS
Let’s talk about fleas!
First things first. Yes, your pet can still get fleas even if they stay mainly indoors! Yes, they can still get fleas in the colder months. And yes, you can still have fleas even if you don’t have carpet!
There are four stages to the flea’s lifecycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Eggs are laid on your pet by an adult female flea, who alone can lay up to 50 per day. These eggs then fall off your pet and onto places like their bedding, your sofa, carpet and even the cracks of your hardwood and tiles. Eventually the eggs become larva. which feed on flea dirt (the feces left by adult fleas) in those same places for several days until they start to cocoon for several weeks to months. Once they become an adult flea, they find the nearest host like your dog or cat and start feeding on their blood.
This cycle repeats indefinitely and doesn’t stop just because it’s cold outside. While fleas thrive in warmer temperatures, they can still live in colder weather and are more likely to move right in to your home or other warmer spots in your yard during the winter. So year-round protection is necessary!
And even if your pet does not go outside, it is still completely possible for them to get fleas! Sounds crazy, right? But it can happen just by you yourself going outside, petting a dog while walking down the street or even visiting a friends home that has pets. You can become a transporter of a hitchhiker flea, looking for a meal. Once you get home, that flea is looking for the warm-blooded body of your dog or cat. So yes, your pet can very much get fleas without ever leaving the house!
Treating your pet alone will not be the only solution to getting rid of fleas. You will need to give all of the pets in your home preventative medication for fleas at the same time, as well as treating your home. Vacuuming carpets and upholstered furniture like your sofa, along with washing pet beds is just the start. You may even need to treat your yard to ensure complete flea control! It is important to clean consistently for as long as need to make sure all lifecycles of the flea are killed. Remember, fleas can be the cocooning stage for months!
How can you tell if your pet has fleas? Most of the time you can see the fleas directly on them, but other signs include your pet biting, scratching, itching or chewing themselves. You may also see the flea dirt on your pet, which looks like tiny black flakes.
Fleas can cause a lot of trouble for your pet. Allergic reactions, hair loss, hot spots and other skin infections. The simplest solution to preventing all of this is keeping your pet on flea prevention year-round! It is far better to protect your pet and home from these annoying little nuisances from the get-go!
TICKS
Like fleas, many people think ticks are only a problem during the warmer summer months, but that’s not the case!
Ticks are not killed off by the colder temperatures, they just lay dormant in leaf litter until the spring arrives. Deer ticks, however, can still be active in the winter when temperatures are above freezing. This past winter after a walk in the park, even though there was snow on the ground, we still found a tick on our pup when we got home. Luckily the tick hadn’t embedded in his skin yet and he was also on prevention for ticks, so it wasn’t a worry!
As you start to venture outside this spring, the risk of exposure to ticks and the diseases they carry will increases. Ticks live in tall grass and brush, where they can wait for a host to pass by. After they have attached to you or your pet, they will begin to take a blood meal which will also start the transfer of diseases like Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
It is important to check yourself and your pets for ticks immediately after going outside, whether its a hike in the woods or even your backyard. Your pets can also get ticks from other pets outside of your home. Don’t forget to check your pet’s mouth and in-between their toes, too!
Ticks can be removed with special tick twisters or tweezers. Make sure to twist the tick and not pull because you need to make sure the entire tick, including the head, is removed to stop the spread of disease.
In addition to checking yourself and your pet and using prevention, you can also have your pet vaccinated for Lyme disease. This is a lifestyle vaccine and usually recommended only to pets that live in or travel to high risk areas, so speak with your vet is you are interested or want more information.
FLEA & TICK PRODUCTS
Consult your veterinarian before administering any medications; applying shampoos or sprays; or using any products to treat your home or yard! Do not use multiple treatments without first talking to your vet, as mixing ingredients may cause side effects. Always use medication as directed and only for the pet it is prescribed. Never use a medication that is meant for dogs on a cat or visa versa. Your veterinarian can direct you to the best treatments for your budget and your pet’s health, age, weight and lifestyle.
PRODUCTS FOR DOGS
PREVENTIONS THAT ARE ADMINISTERED ORALLY:
Bravecto Chews – One Bravecto flavored chew provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks, and eight weeks of protection from Lone Star ticks. This prevention is used to kill adult fleas and prevents infestation of fleas and ticks. Caution should be used for dogs with a history of seizures. This medication should only be used for dogs over six months old.
NexGard Chewable Tablets – This flavored monthly chewable tablet is used to kill adult fleas and prevent infestations, while also killing ticks. NexGard should only be used for dogs eight weeks of age and older and weighing four pounds or more.
Trifexis Chewable Tablets – A monthly chewable tablet that kills fleas and prevents flea infestations, prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls adult hookworms, roundworms and whipworm infections in dogs. This medication does not provide any prevention against ticks. Only for use with dogs that are eight weeks and older and five pounds or more.
PREVENTIONS THAT ARE ADMINISTERED TOPICALLY:
Bravecto Topical Solution – This topical solution provides 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks and eight weeks of protection against Lone Star ticks. It works by squeezing the medication on your dog’s back, so bathing or water immersion should be avoided for several days after application. Use caution in dogs with a history of seizures. Medication should only be used in dogs over six months old.
Frontline Plus Flea & Tick – Frontline works to kills adult fleas, eggs, larvae and helps to prevent future infestations while also killings ticks and lice. Apply between your dog’s shoulder blades every 30 days and keep them from getting wet for 24 hours after application. Frontline can be used on dogs eight weeks and older.
K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick & Mosquito Prevention – Formulated to repel and kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes on contact. It kills all life stages of fleas to prevent re-infestation and repels biting fleas. This should be used only on dogs seven weeks or older and applied every four weeks to keep your pet protected.
Revolution Topical Solution – Apply this topical every 30 days to your pet’s skin to protect against heartworms, fleas and ear mites. This medication does not protect against ticks. Dog’s should be six weeks of age and older before using this product.
COLLARS:
Seresto Eight Month Flea & Tick Collar – This adjustable collar is odorless, non-greasy and formulated to repel and kill fleas and ticks on contact for up to eight months. It starts to repel and kill fleas within 24 hours and ticks within 48 hours of initial application. The Seresto collar can be used on puppies and dogs seven weeks and older weighing over 18 pounds. While this collar is water-resistant, its effectiveness may be reduced to only five-to-seven months for dogs that swim or are bathed more than once a month.
SHAMPOOS:
Richard’s Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo – 100 percent naturally derived and formulated to kill fleas and ticks while repelling mosquitoes without any sulfates or parabens. Safe for use on dogs 12 weeks and older, however this shampoo is NOT safe to use on cats. Use this shampoo during your dog’s next bath to freshen fur, kill fleas and tick and provide bite relief!
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Shampoo – Control fleas and ticks on contact! This shampoo soothes irritated skin while gently cleansing and exfoliating your dog’s skin and coat. It is safe to use on both dogs and cat over 12 weeks old.
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor – Safe for dogs and cats over 12 weeks of age, this shampoo is great for sensitive skin since it contains soothing ingredients like aloe, oatmeal, coconut extract and lanolin. It is formulated to help prevent flea re-infestation by killing adult fleas, flea eggs, tick and lice for up to 28 days.
SPRAYS & WIPES:
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Pet Spray – Provides protection from fleas and ticks for up to two months by stopping the flea life cycle and preventing new infestations, while also killing ticks and repelling mosquitoes. Safe for dogs over 10 weeks or older and cats 12 weeks or older. Spray on your pets coat to provide instant relief and protection.
Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea & Tick Wipes – These wipes are free of pesticides and toxins, using the power of geranium and peppermint plants to protect your pet from pests. Wipe down your pet every two-to-three days to protect against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Safe for dogs or cats four months of age or older.
COMBS & TICK REMOVERS:
Hartz Groomer’s Best Flea Comb – This extremely fine-toothed comb make it easy to remove fleas, flea eggs and other debris safely and gently. Safety tips on on every pin ensure a gentle experience, safe for both dogs and cats!
ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool – This handy tool allows you to quickly remove ticks with a simple hook, twist and lifting motion which ensures the head of the tick is completely removed. You can use this tool on both dogs and cats, to remove ticks of any size.
Safari Double Row Flea Comb – Use this comb to control fleas, ticks and to help identify skin and coat problems. When we adopted our flea-infested puppy a couple of years ago, we invested in this comb and it was so helpful! It was gentle enough on his coat, but the double row of teeth helped trap and pull out fleas. This comb is only directed for use on dogs!
PRODUCTS FOR CATS
PREVENTIONS THAT ARE ADMINISTERED ORALLY:
Capstar Flea Tablets – Capstar is a unique oral preventative because it can be given up to once per day! After administering the pill to your cat, it will start killing fleas within 30 minutes providing quick relief. This works to kill fleas before they can lay eggs. This can be used for cats and kittens weighing two to 25 pounds.
Comfortis Chewable Tablet – This medication helps to treat and prevent flea infestations for one month. This chewable can be given to cats 14 weeks and older and 4.1 pounds or greater.
PREVENTIONS THAT ARE ADMINISTERED TOPICALLY:
Bravecto Topical Solution – A topical solution that provides 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks and eight weeks of protection against the Lone Star tick. It works to kill fleas and ticks and prevent infestations. It is applied between the shoulder blades and should only be used on cats six months of ages or older.
Revolution Topical Solution – Revolution is applied to your cats skin to protect against heartworms and fleas, as well as to prevent and treat ear mites, roundworms and hookworms. Each dose last 30 days and is safe for cats as young as eight weeks old.
Advantage II Flea Treatment – Formulated to kill all life stages of fleas and prevent re-infestation. This medication works for up to four weeks and is safe for cats eight weeks and older. It is applied to your pets skin and begins working within 12 hours.
Frontline Plus Flea & Tick – Frontline works for 30 days to kill adult fleas, eggs and larvae and help to prevent against further infestation. It also kills lice and ticks! Applied to your cat’s skin and stored in their oil glands, this medication is safe for cats weighing 1.5 pounds or more.
COLLARS:
Seresto Eight Month Flea & Tick Prevention Collar – Formulated to repel and kill fleas and ticks on contact. This non-greasy, odorless collar starts killing and repelling fleas within 24 hours and ticks within 48. The collar lasts for up to eight months and should only be used on cats that are 10 weeks of age and older.
SHAMPOOS:
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor – Safe for dogs and cats over 12 weeks of age, this shampoo is great for sensitive skin since it contains soothing ingredients like aloe, oatmeal, coconut extract and lanolin. It is formulated to help prevent flea re-infestation by killing adult fleas, flea eggs, tick and lice for up to 28 days.
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Flea & Tick Shampoo – Control fleas and ticks on contact! This shampoo soothes irritated skin while gently cleansing and exfoliating your pet’s skin and coat. It is safe to use on both dogs and cat over 12 weeks old.
SPRAYS AND WIPES:
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Pet Spray – Provides protection from fleas and ticks for up to two months by stopping the flea life cycle and preventing new infestations, while also killing ticks and repelling mosquitoes. Safe for dogs over 10 weeks or older and cats 12 weeks or older. Spray on your pets coat to provide instant relief and protection.
Only Natural Pet EasyDefense Flea & Tick Wipes – These wipes are free of pesticides and toxins, using the power of geranium and peppermint plants to protect your pet from pests. Wipe down your pet every two-to-three days to protect against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Safe for dogs or cats four months of age or older.
COMBS & TICK REMOVERS:
ZenPet Tick Tornado Tick Removal Tool – This handy tool allows you to quickly remove ticks with a simple hook, twist and lifting motion which ensures the head of the tick is completely removed. You can use this tool on both dogs and cats, to remove ticks of any size.
Hartz Groomer’s Best Flea Comb – This extremely fine toothed comb make it easy to remove fleas, flea eggs and other debris safely and gently. Safety tips on on every pin ensure a gentle experience, safe for both dogs and cats!
Safari Flea Comb for Cats – The Safari Flea Comb is used to control fleas, tick and can help identify skin and coat problems, like dry skin, rashes, sores or other problems.