Fleas and ticks cause a constant struggle for many dog owners. They bite both you and your pet to feed on your blood, cause terrible itches, and can even transmit diseases. Worst of all, once one insect has found its way on to your dog, it can quickly form a pest invasion.
Ticks can transmit a number of diseases including Lyme disease, anemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis
. Furthermore, they may strike at any time, even in the coldest of winters. Fleas, by comparison, tend to appear in the late spring and last until the end of summer, spreading murine typhus and bartonellosis as well as causing flea allergy dermatitis and anemia in dogs.
In the past, to get rid of these fleas and ticks you had to resort to various dips, sprays, and powders, which were not only difficult to use but also had the potential to cause serious health problems for your pets and family members. Today there is a range of
flea control products on the market, all of which are much safer and more convenient than ever before. Here are just a few of them. As always, be sure to consult with your vet for your dog’s specific needs.
Prevention & Control
Program
Program is a flea control product that works by preventing flea eggs from hatching and growing into fully-formed insects. It is completely harmless to all mammals. The downside of this treatment is that it has no effect on adult fleas; therefore, it may take between 30 to 60 days for the flea problem to be reduced, as you need to wait for any existing fleas to die. In addition, it is not sufficient for a dog suffering from a flea allergy.
Sentinel
This combination of Program and Interceptor works like the Program treatment above and is a heartworm, ascarid, hookworm, whipworm, and flea control all in one.
Comfortis
Comfortis is an FDA-approved monthly flea prevention and flea infestation prescription-only treatment that comes in chewable, beef-flavored tablets to put in your dog’s food. The medication has the active ingredient spinosad, an environmental substance that causes fleas’ nervous system to become excited, leading to paralysis and fast death. The treatment starts working within 30 minutes of ingestion, killing fleas before they can lay eggs.
NexGard
NexGard is chewable available for monthly flea and tick prevention. This medication kills fleas in the same manner as Comfortis, however, NexGard also kills American Dog ticks. The active ingredient is afoxolaner and it works on the pests’ nervous system, causing hyperexcitation and death of fleas and ticks.
Natural Flea & Tick Defense Spray
Natural Flea & Tick Defense Spray is made with all natural ingredients from the Brazilian rainforest: lemongrass, cinnamon, sesame, and castor oils along with purified water. The recipe is based on remedies people in the area have used for centuries and successfully remained pest free. Be aware though that the product has a very strong scent that some people find bothersome.
Around the House
In addition to flea and tick control medication, there are several things you can do around the house to manage fleas and ticks.
- Keep your lawn short, remove underbrush from trees, and rake away leaves in your yard to remove pest habitats. There are also several sprays available for your lawn to kill fleas and ticks.
- Wash dog bedding and blankets on a regular basis. This keeps pests from lying in wait for your dog’s return.
- For items you cannot put in the washing machine, an indoor product will kill pests and provide you with flea control for several months. Zodiac Carpet & Upholstery Pump Spray leaves no stains or sticky patches, although it does have an odor for the first few minutes after use that quickly fades.
Always consult your veterinarian if you are unsure about a product, and apply treatment exactly as instructed on the label. The safest products for family and pet will be those registered with the EPA or FDA-approved.
