Choosing the Right Product: A Guide to Flea and Tick Prevention for Your Dog

Fleas and ticks are not only pesky, but they can also transmit diseases to your dog and even you! Keeping your furry friend protected requires a proactive approach. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right flea and tick medicine:

Know Your Enemy:

• Regional Rundown: Different regions have different flea and tick cycles. Consult your veterinarian to understand the flea and tick threats in your area. This will help determine the most effective prevention strategy.

Planning for Protection:

• Year-Round Defense: Don’t wait for an infestation! Fleas and ticks can be active year-round, so discuss a year-round prevention plan with your veterinarian.
• Plan for how to deal with fleas if your pet brings them indoors. Wash all dog bedding, spray furniture and spray yard for fleas.

Early Detection is Key:

• Regular Inspection: Get in the habit of regularly checking your dog for fleas and ticks. Look for signs like excessive scratching, black specks (flea dirt) in their fur, or visible fleas or ticks themselves. Use a flea comb to put fleas out and a special remover to take ticks off your dog safely.

Treatment Options:

• Home Remedies: While home remedies like flea baths exist, they may not be as effective as prescription medications. Consult your vet before trying any at-home treatments.
• Professional Help: For a severe infestation, a professional exterminator may be needed to treat your home and yard.

Medicine Mania:

There’s a range of flea and tick medications available, each with its pros and cons:

• Combo Products: These medications protect against both fleas, ticks and heartworms. They come in various forms like topical treatments or chewable tablets..
  • Examples of combo products are: NextGuardPlus, Bravecta, Simparica Trio, Selarid, Revolution
• Flea and Tick -Specific: These medications only target fleas and ticks. They might be suitable if your area has minimal tick concerns.
  • Examples of combo products are: NextGuard, Soresto, PetArmour, Pups Dream, Adam’s Flea and Tick, Advantage, Frontline Plus

Collars, Oral or Topical Treatments:

At one time there were only a few options but now there are many options. Determining how you will administer the medicine is one of the more important decisions.

• Collars: These come in sealed bags and unroll to put around your dog’s neck. They are easy to cut with scissors to fit your dog’s neck.
  • Examples are Soresto, PetArmour, Pups Dream, Adam’s Flea and Tick
    • Pros: An effective form of flea control, lower price than other options, ease of use
    • Cons: Does not offer heartworm protection. Some dogs may experience allergic reactions or skin irritations. Dog parents might not like the idea of the collar and touching it.
• Topical: These medications are in a tube and applied to the skin of the dog in between the shoulder blades.
  • Examples are: Frontline Plus, Revolution, K9 Advantage, Selarid, Bravecto
    • Pros: Can be reapplied if more needed. Suggested for pregnant or nursing dogs. Can be suggested for other dogs with health conditions.
    • Cons: Messy with greasy residue while drying on dog. Can be affected by swimming or grooming.
• Oral: These are either chewable or non-chewable tablets that the dog will take orally. Examples of combo products are: HeartGuard
  • Examples are: NextGuard, NextGuardPlus, Heartguard, Simparica Trio, Comfortis, Capstar, Pet Honesty
    • Pros: Most effective. Easiest to administer. Does not irritate the skin. Can be used for flea, tick and heartworm prevention. Not affected by grooming.
    • Cons: More expensive that the other options.

Weight Matters:

• Dosage Dilemma: Most flea and tick medications are dosed based on your dog’s weight. Knowing your dog’s weight ensures you administer the correct dosage for optimal effectiveness.

Consulting Your Vet is Key:

• Professional Guidance: Your veterinarian is your best resource when choosing a flea and tick prevention plan. They can recommend the most appropriate medication based on your dog’s breed, weight, lifestyle, and the specific threats in your region.
• Note that some of these products are available only with prescription. But they can be purchased online at retailers and at Costco. The store will verify with your veterinarian for a valid prescription.

Remember:

• Read the Label: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and frequency of use.
• Stay Alert: Even with preventative measures, occasional flea or tick encounters can happen. Maintain vigilance with regular checks and prompt treatment if needed.

By working with your veterinarian and choosing the right flea and tick medicine, you can keep your dog safe and those pesky parasites at bay! Make this an important topic to discuss at your pet’s next annual visit so you can prepare for your region’s seasons.