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. Top Brands Adams  Electronic Flea and Tick Repeller  Ovitrol Plus  Preventic

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. Top Brands Adams  De Flea  Zodiac FleaTrol

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. Top Brands Advantage  BioSpot  Capstar  Frontline  K9 Advantix  Program  Revolution

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. Top Brands Drs. Foster & Smith Itch Stop  Herbal Skin and Coat Rub  Lido-Med Spray  Soothing Treatment

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. Top Brands

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. Top Brands Adams  BioSpot  De Flea  Drs. Foster & Smith

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.