It is recommended that you flea and tick your dog at least once a month, if not more frequently. This will help prevent fleas and ticks from taking hold in your pet’s environment and potentially causing diseases such as Lyme Disease or Ehrlichiosis. Fleas can lay eggs in areas of the home, so regular grooming and treatment of your dog’s environment should be part of this routine.
Before applying any treatments to your dog, it is important to consult your veterinarian and ensure that the product being used is appropriate for use on dogs. Some products are designed specifically for cats, youths or adults only; others may contain all natural ingredients and contain no chemicals. Once you have selected an appropriate flea/tick control product for your dog, it should be applied according to instructions provided by the packaging.
Additional steps may need to be taken towards controlling fleas or ticks in the home environment if they have become frequent visitors in your pet’s area. Vacuuming frequently, washing bedding materials regularly, cedar oil sprays or other over-the-counter products like some natural fly repellents may help reduce pest populations in and around the home environment.. Additionally, seeking veterinary advice about whether monthly infestations preventatives might be beneficial for controlling populations of pests both on animals and around homes is advisable.
Know the Signs of an Infestation
It’s important to know the signs of a flea and tick infestation so you can take measures to prevent your dog from getting sick. Symptoms of a flea infestation in dogs include intense itchiness, redness, and hair loss. Ticks can cause similar symptoms including intense scratching, swelling, bumps, and even anemia due to blood loss.
If you suspect your dog may have fleas seresto store or ticks, check his coat for any signs of parasites. Look carefully for small dark spots (fleas) on the ears and around the head. Dampen your fingers with water or rubbing alcohol before running them through the fur to easily spot ticks.
If you find either fleas or ticks on your pet, consult with your vet right away to discuss the best treatment option for ridding your pup of parasites. Preventative medications like Frontline are available that provide a long lasting protection against fleas and ticks. These treatments should be repeated every few months in order ensure long-term protection against these pests.
Determine How Often to Apply Flea and Tick Medication
The frequency of applying flea and tick medication for your dog will depend greatly on the area in which you live. Generally, if you own a pet that is outdoors frequently or is present in humid climates, it’s best to apply prevention treatment more often — every 3 weeks is usually recommended. However, when living in cooler parts of the world, dogs may only require applications every 8 weeks or so.
So how do you know when the time is right? If you live near highly populated area with other animals (or a lot of ticks) and frequently have your dog out in nature or outdoors then make sure that you are applying flea and tick medication more often according to the labels instructions — as this will help drastically reduce the number of pests sticking around your pup. Also, make sure that any type of flea and tick prevention contains safe chemicals that won’t harm your pet before application.
Choose Products Wisely
It is important to choose the right flea and tick products for your dog and to use them according to the instructions. Some over-the-counter products are less effective than prescription medications, so it’s worth using something that has been approved by a veterinarian. Also, some flea and tick products contain harsh chemicals or other toxins that can be dangerous for pets if not used properly.
When picking out a product, be sure to check ingredients list or ask your vet what type of product they recommend. You may want to consider natural, pet-safe alternatives such as essential oils, or edible supplements like garlic powder or brewer’s yeast which can repel fleas naturally. Once you have determined which treatment option is best for your pup, it’s time to start applying it! Apply products monthly according to the instructions on the container, making sure all areas of the skin are treated including between toes and around collars. To keep your pup protected from parasites all year round, it is also advisable to use preventative treatments during peak flea seasons like early spring and late autumn.
Ending
In order to keep your canine friend safe from fleas and ticks, it is important to be proactive in flea and tick prevention. By familiarizing yourself with the signs of infestation, choosing the right products, talking to your vet, and applying medication at recommended intervals, you can keep your pup free of parasites.
