Flea and Tick Control for Dogs
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Flea and Tick Control for Dogs

Regardless of how clean you keep your house and dog, your home and pets are at risk for a flea and tick infestation. Learn what to do before you have to get rid of the little buggers. It's a lot nicer to prevent fleas than it is to remove them.

Remember

  • Pesticides and repellents, both chemical and natural, have been known to be harmful. Read the label very well before purchasing a flea collar or spray, consult your vet, and monitor your dog after use.
  • Ask your vet about adding garlic and yeast or apple cider vinegar to your dog's diet to make your dog less tasty to finicky fleas.
  • Read the FDA's Fighting Fleas and Ticks.
  • It's impossible to outline the differences between all brands and their products right here. Once you decide which methods you're going to use, talk to your vet, and read Doctors Foster & Smith's charts comparing the relevant products.

What Are These Ingredients?

  • Permethrin/Pyrethrin is a the strongest adulticide (adult flea and tick killer, not humans).
    • Very good for most dogs, although some have dangerous reactions.
    • Do not use for cats.
  • Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) keep larvae from maturing into reproductive adult pests. These keep the infestation cycle to a single, 3 week-long generation.
  • Natural repellents shy away from dangerous chemicals.

Preventative Care

Use these precautions from the time your dog is but a pup and look forward to a life together of itch-free happiness. Make sure that products are puppy-safe, though.

Collars

  • Flea collars  can stay on your dog for 3 months at a time.
  • The collars spread chemicals over the hair and skin, providing them with whole-body repellant against infestation
  • Best for prevention or conquering mild infestations. Not good for ridding a dog from a large infestation.
  • Some people don't like the smell.
  • Take them off before the dog goes swimming or has a bath.

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Household and Lawn Sprays

  • To keep your entire life free of pests, try spraying your house  and lawn  with some repellent.
  • Fleas love to lay their eggs in furniture and carpeting. Keep them from coming back.
  • Outside, other animals and high grasses and other plants could be nesting grounds for untold numbers of pests.
  • These are most important in homes with lots of animal traffic or a known infestation problem.

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Monthly Treatments

  • One minute is all it takes for monthly treatments  to keep fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes away.
  • A cream or liquid applied to your dog's skin seeps into the skin and repels pests and/or sterilizes them, keeping the infestation cycle from starting.
  • You may even be able to get your hands on a monthly pill  for the same effect.
  • Some dogs may react to certain chemicals in very bad ways.
  • Check with your vet before starting any program.

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Dealing with the Problem

Anti-Itch Treatments

  • If an infestation has already afflicted your dog, you might need some anti-itch treatments  to keep biting and scratching from causing even more damage.
  • Shampoos, salves, lotions, rubs, and sprays can help alleviate discomfort and start addressing the pest problem.

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Combs

  • Fleas are trapped in the very narrow gaps between the teeth of these specialized combs  (often doubled as a bristle brush for standard coat care).
  • Keep a bucket of soapy water nearby, cleaning off the comb in the bucket after every swipe.
  • Use this after you've killed off the fleas with another method.

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Shampoos and Sprays

  • Once your dog already has fleas, it'll need a bath to get rid of them immediately. Use special shampoo
  • Fleas can carry seriously bad diseases. Do not hesitate in eradicating them.
  • Your dog will be so much happier, healthier, and shinier afterwards.
  • Water-based  shampoos work well in conjunction with other treatments, because they don't disturb spot treatments.

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External Links

  • About -- How to choose the proper flea and tick control.
  • Doctors Foster & Smith -- Information on each type of prevention and comparison charts across top brands.
  • Elverson Puzzle -- How BioSpot products can kill, one consumer's report.
  • Epinions -- Advice on which treatment to pick.
  • FDA -- Fighting Fleas and Ticks.
  • Placerville Vet -- Pros and cons of most of the top flea, tick, and heartworm-control brands.
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Dog Care
Article started by ShopWikiRuleslast updated by 
lauren