“Ticks and mosquitoes are dangerous to the health of people as well as pets,” says Dr. Jill Lopez, a veterinarian with Merck Animal Health. “For that reason, flea and tick protection is essential for all dogs and cats that live with you.”
Do dogs really need flea and tick medicine in the winter?
Yes. Though many species of ticks and fleas are slowed down or dormant during the winter, certain areas of the United States are not cold enough to truly kill these parasites and stop their activity. Because ticks and fleas can carry diseases that could harm your dog, it’s best to keep them protected all year long.
Do dogs need flea and tick medicine all year?
Yes! Keep your pets on flea and tick protection all year round! It is common today to hear people say “I don’t give my pet flea and tick prevention in the winter there is no need, since it is so cold”. … It is proven that ticks are more active or highly active in the late summer and early fall.
Do dogs really need monthly flea treatment?
Once your puppy is old enough, it’s important to start using a monthly flea and tick preventive medication to help ensure that your dog won’t be affected by fleas or ticks in the future. Many of the treatments available and are effective for preventing both fleas and ticks.
Is tick prevention necessary for dogs?
Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tickborne diseases. Vaccines are not available for most of the tickborne diseases that dogs can get, and they don’t keep the dogs from bringing ticks into your home. For these reasons, it’s important to use a tick preventive product on your dog.
What is the safest flea and tick medication for dogs?
Identify safer ingredients.
If chemical products are necessary for additional flea or tick control, NRDC recommends s-methoprene or pyriproxyfen, which are less toxic ingredients—but read the labels carefully because some products use them with other, more harmful pesticides.
What is the safest flea and tick prevention for dogs?
Types of Safe Flea Treatments for Dogs
- Frontline Plus is an OTC product that uses fipronil and (S)-methoprene to attack fleas and ticks at every life stage. …
- Trifexis employs spinosad and milbemycin oxime to keep dogs protected from heartworms and intestinal parasites as well as fleas, but it does not work against ticks.
What months should you give your dog flea and tick medicine?
December through February are arguably the lowest risk months for parasites, so many pet-parents will forgo coverage in those months, and start flea and tick prevention again in March or April when the weather begins to warm.
How often should I give my dog flea and tick medicine?
Pet flea sprays can kill fleas, but may need to be re-applied from as often as every few days, up to every few weeks. Flea tablets work in your dog’s bloodstream, which means fleas have to bite before they are exposed to the active ingredient to kill them.
How can I prevent my dog from getting ticks?
The 10 Best Ways to Get Rid of & Prevent Ticks on Dogs
- Shampoos. Bathing your dog with a shampoo that contains medicated ingredients will generally kill ticks on contact. …
- Tick Dips. …
- Tick Collars. …
- Powders. …
- Tick Sprays. …
- Treat the House and Lawn. …
- Check your Dog(s) …
- Keep Dog(s) Indoors.
Does flea and tick medicine work?
Effectiveness. Some pet owners complain that flea and tick medications don’t work as well as advertised, but veterinarians and flea and tick medication producers told The New York Times that when the products are used correctly, they do work.
How do you keep ticks off dogs naturally?
Mix 7 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil into a 32 ounce spray bottle filled with distilled water. Apply to your dog’s bedding or spray lightly between your dog’s shoulder blades to keep pests away. Remember, essential oils should never be ingested and only should be used diluted on the pet’s fur.
How can I prevent fleas and ticks on my dogs naturally?
Vinegar. Combine 1 quart of water, 1 cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and 1 cup of baby shampoo or liquid dish soap. Use this mixture to bathe your dog once or twice a month. Vinegar kills fleas and ticks on contact and can prevent future infestations.
How do I rid my yard of ticks?
Create a Tick-safe Zone to Reduce Blacklegged Ticks in the Yard
- Remove leaf litter.
- Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
- Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
- Mow the lawn frequently.