Find out about topical flea and tick control for dogs. Learn the different available products, including their usage instructions. Discover why flea and tick control is essential to your dog's health.
Reasons Why Dogs Need Flea and Tick Control
Flea and tick control is essential to a pet's health. Dogs are highly susceptible to flea allergy dermatitis and can contract tapeworms from fleas. There are other internal parasites known as dipetalonema reconditum that dogs get from fleas, though these parasites rarely cause serious illness. Other uncommon diseases transmitted by fleas include haemobartonellosis and tularmeria (rabbit fever).
Tick bites can lead to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease. In addition, haemobartonellosis is transmitted through tick bites.
Choosing Flea and Tick Control for Dogs
Ask your veterinarian to recommend flea and tick control for dogs that seems effective on other animals living in your area. Why you may be more familiar with one product over another because of advertising, some medications simply work better in certain regions.
If you find your pet's flea control product isn't working effectively, it may be time to switch products. Some research finds fleas and ticks may be able to build up a resistance to the insecticides found in flea and tick control products. If that seems to be the case, change medications.
The Best Products Offering Flea and Tick Control for Dogs
Advantage Multi is a topical medication that protects against fleas, heartworm and intestinal worms. If you need protection against ticks, you will have to add a tick collar. This medication lasts a month and is safe on puppies over seven weeks. It is not safe for animals weighing less than three pounds.
Biospot Spot On Flea and Tick kills fleas, mosquitoes and ticks. The topical medication lasts 30 days. It's important to note that the product cannot be used on dogs younger than six months and should not be used on pregnant, nursing or elderly dogs without discussing the risks with your veterinarian.
Frontline Plus kills fleas, lice and ticks. One topical dose lasts a full month. The medication is water repellent. Do not use this topical medication on dogs younger than eight weeks.
K9 Advantix Flea and Tick Control for Dogs is a topical medication safe for dogs as young as seven weeks. The medication kills and repels biting flies, fleas, lice, mosquitoes and ticks for one month. It's waterproof making it a great choice for dogs who enjoy swimming and water activities.
Revolution is a monthly topical medication. It protects against fleas, mites, parasitic worms and ticks. If your dog is on heartworm preventatives, talk to your veterinarian about Revolution because it includes protection against heartworm too. The medication is safe for pets over six weeks of age and is safe for pregnant and nursing dogs.
Using Topical Flea and Tick Medications
It's important to squeeze the entire vial on your dog's spine, usually in the area between the shoulder blades. If you have multiple pets in your home, keep them from grooming each other while the medication soaks into the skin.
Never use an additional flea product, such as a flea collar, flea dip or shampoo. This can cause overdose.