When Should Dogs Get Flea and Tick Protection?

Fleas and ticks may live and flourish in mild and moderate conditions, so protecting your dogs throughout the summer is critical. If you reside in a region where the weather remains warm all year, you should keep your pet on topical flea treatment all year.

Even northern areas, however, typically get a few mild, spring-like days throughout the winter months. Fleas and ticks have plenty of chances to get on family pets and into your home during these short warm spells. Fleas may continue to proliferate once inside, dwelling on the flooring, carpets, and everywhere else your pet dwells. Ticks may crawl from your dog and then onto the people in the home if you don’t apply tick prevention to him.

What Are Dog Flea and Tick Preventatives?

There are many products ready to support keeping your dog parasite-free. Pesticides, repellents, and growth inhibitors are examples of such goods. To avoid infestations, each of these kinds of preventatives targets pests at distinct phases of their life cycle.

Some treatments are exclusively effective against a single species, most often fleas. Flea dips, washes, and powders are examples of such products. Additional treatments may be required to guarantee your dog is protected against both fleas and ticks.

Combination flea and ticks preventatives for dogs, such as Nexgard, offer a variety of substances to combat various pests. These preventative measures primarily protect against external parasites, but they may also protect against worms, mites, or parasitic infections.

Choosing a Dog Flea and Tick Joint Medicine

When it refers to flea and ticks prevention for dogs, there is no lack of alternatives, making it difficult to choose the ideal one. Your veterinarian is an incredible guide for cutting down your options and determining the best match.

Here are some of the variables to consider when deciding which sort of flea or tick treatment is best for the dog.

Method of Implementation

Flea and tick repellents are most commonly available in two forms:

Oral: A chewable pill that your dog swallows.

Topical: A liquid that is applied between your dog’s scapulae or extends down off his body.

For dogs that are finicky eaters or just have sensitive stomachs, topical bug and tick flea preventative are an excellent alternative. Nevertheless, if you do have small kids or other animals, be sure they don’t approach or lick the substance before it has a chance to dry.

Spot-on flea preventative treatments (https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/dog-flea-tick-treatment-spot-on)  may have a medicinal odor, induce temporary itching/irritation, or even cause hair loss. Topical ointments are just not a good solution for dogs that enjoy swimming a lot or need to be bathed often. Water might have an impact on the product’s effectiveness.

Because they may be given as a treat, oral medications can be a simple and handy alternative for dog owners. If you are using oral medications, ensure your dog eats the full pill and doesn’t vomit it away before it is even absorbed by their system.

If your dog throws up after taking an external flea and tick prevention, contact your veterinarian for re-dosing instructions and to report a possible reaction to the medication. Feeding oral preventatives after a meal may help reduce upset stomach and improve product absorption.

Though if your dog doesn’t spend much time outdoors, fleas may readily enter via window screens, other dogs that go outside, or maybe even a human’s clothing and shoes. That is why, irrespective of how much time a dog stays outside, doctors will always suggest flea and tick prophylaxis.

Lifestyle

While no breed is especially susceptible to fleas or ticks, certain dogs may be at a greater risk owing to their attitude and breed features. Working, herding, and hunting dogs may devote the most of their days in the field, whilst other dogs prefer to spend their days at home, only going out sometimes.

Lifestage

If your dog is still considered to be a puppy or a is a toy dog breed, you should see your veterinarian to choose a product that is suitable for their weight or age. The majority of flea and tick repellents have an age requirement of 6-8 weeks, and always read the product insert for confirmation.

Making the right choice for your dog’s flea and tick medicine

It can be hard to find the best way to keep your dog from getting fleas and ticks, because there are so many options. Your veterinarian can help you narrow down the search and find the best match.

Without a prescription, over-the-counter preventatives are available

Many flea/tick topical preventatives fall into this category since they are not taken into your pet’s body in the same manner as prescription medications are, thus no prescription is necessary. Because these preventatives are classified as pesticides rather than drugs, they are likely to be controlled only by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pest and tick treatments, washes, dips, collars, and various “spot-on” treatments are examples of OTC preventatives.

Preventatives are accessible without a prescription.

Some flea/tick exterior preventatives come into this group since they are not absorbed into your pet’s system in the same way as prescription drugs are, thus no authorization is required. Because these preventatives are categorized as pesticides rather than pharmaceuticals, they are likely to be governed primarily by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tick and flea therapies, shampoos, washes, collars, and different “spot-on” remedies are samples of OTC preventatives.

What Variables Affect Over-the-Counter vs. Prescription-Only Prescription?

Many factors impact whether a bug and tick preventative is offered from OTC or via prescription. Companies take this into consideration:

The ingredients. Where you can get the medicine is significantly determined with its active ingredient(s) and the risks of taking it incorrectly or at the incorrect dosage. The components in prescription drugs are all well regulated, while those in over-the-counter medications really aren’t, which implies that over- or under-dosing is significantly more probable.

It is also managed as follows: Is the medicine used internally as a capsule or tablet? A solution that you apply to your pet’s skin? Perhaps a substance that must be delivered via the skin? How easy is it to utilize?

It is governed by the following federal agencies: Because this drug is merely a pesticide, you will need a recommendation from your veterinarian if it is controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Because this substance is classed as an animal medication, you will almost certainly need a prescription if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is really the regulator.