Dog flea and tick
control is a must with approximately 68 million dogs in the United
States. Fleas and ticks consume your pets’ blood and can be dangerous to both
their and your health. Flea bites can cause an allergic reaction called flea
allergy dermatitis which can lead to permanent hair loss and other skin problems
because of the constant
scratching as your dog tries to rid himself of fleas. If a pet is
overwhelmed with fleas and/or ticks, they can suffer from anemia due to the loss
of blood, as well. Fleas and ticks can also carry other parasites and diseases
including tapeworms, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted
fever that can be transferred from one animal to another.
Dog flea and tick control products are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and are available through pet supply stores, catalogs, the Internet and through your veterinarian. You will need to determine the best product for you and your dog based upon the age, health, ease of use, how often you need to apply, etc. It is best to discuss prevention with your veterinarian, always read product labels carefully and follow application directions exactly.
Many of these dog flea and tick control products act as repellents to keep the fleas and ticks from coming in contact with your dog. Others only act to kill adult fleas and ticks after they are already on your dog. Some products attack the immature fleas, preventing them from developing into adults. A few of the products are capable of preventing the fleas and ticks from settling on you dog and killing both adult and immature pests. Finally, some products have the advantage of preventing heartworm as well.
Products that aid in dog flea and tick control come in many forms including shampoos, spot-on, sprays, wipes, dips, collars, foggers and dusts. Spot-on products are applied directly to the dog’s skin on the nape of the neck. Shampoos, dips, wipes and dusts require the product to be applied to the entire pet. Spot-on, shampoos, dips, wipes and dusts will need to be reapplied every few weeks. Dog flea and tick control collars will need to be replaced after a certain period of time. Sprays are used on carpets and throughout the house to kill fleas and eggs. Foggers are used to rid a house of fleas and should be only used when all pets and humans are safely out of the house. Sprays and foggers are generally used at the same time as products on the dog to treat both your house and your pets simultaneously.
Many dog owners prefer more natural, non insecticidal flea control methods such as combs, eucalyptus oil, neem oil, sonic collars, flea traps, garlic and brewer's yeast etc. These methods tend to work better at keeping fleas away rather than killing or eliminating present infestations.
If you wish to treat outdoors for fleas, make sure to treat where fleas live - shaded areas like under porches or decks, at the edges of woods, and in places where your pets lay outdoors. Diatomaceous earth, boric acid and silica aero gels can be used to treat your lawn for fleas and ticks.
When you treat a pet for adult fleas and ticks you are only treating part of the problem. Once a home becomes infested, flea and tick control can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive. The best defense is both ongoing treatment and prevention. It is advised that you continue your flea, tick and heartworm treatments year round. Dog flea and tick control is necessary to maintain a healthy and happy canine companion.
