Choosing a Flea and Tick control for dogs

With global warming, winters are shorter and warmer, there has been a proliferation of wild animals, which has led to an increase of ticks and fleas on dogs (and cats) due to the fact that they have a greater chance to come in contact with those wild animals. Also, with warmer temperatures, the reproductive cycle of ticks and fleas has become faster, worsening the number of infected animals. This necessitates an effective method of flea and tick control for dogs and other pets in your household.

While high season used to happen in summer, this is now a recurrent problem for most of the year, making flea and tick control for dogs more difficult.

Some Effective Flea and Tick Control for Dogs

Fleas
It is very important to treat your dog if he has fleas. Untreated dogs can suffer from dermatological problems linked to flea bites and allergies to the saliva of the fleas, causing the dog to scratch, and even, in bad cases, infected injuries in weaker animals. Also, some dog worms can be transmitted through flea bites. This is why it is best to also use an anti-worm treatment when your dog is infested with fleas.

But getting rid of the fleas on your dog alone does always solve the overall flea problem. Not only treating your dog is essential, but it is also important to treat the dog’s environment as well, including the house, the dog’s bed, the garage, the cars. Bear in mind that fleas can lay up to 25 eggs, and that the offspring will start laying eggs within 20 days. Moreover, some stages of the flea reproductive cycle can survive many years in a non treated house.

When treating your animal against fleas, give them and the house a first full anti-fleas treatment. To avoid recurrence, it would be wise to treat your dog every month for a full year.

Ticks
Ticks pose a threat to both dogs and humans. Usually found in the forests, ticks can be dangerous because they can transmit Lyme disease, a disease which can infect both humans and dogs. Fortunately, Lyme disease is a very uncommon disease.

Prevention is the key – choose the right flea and tick control for dogs

An effective and popular flea and tick control for dogs is usually external, such as sprays or spot-on. More and more, people opt to use spot-on because they are easy to use and some products can be used against a wider range of parasites, such as mosquitoes. Those spot-on are effective and non messy, making them a number choice among many dog owners. However, if you dog has long hair, a spot-on may fully protect the dog and it is then recommended to also use sprays.

Vaccination is also a good way to protect you dog against piroplasmosis and Lyme disease. If you decide to venture in the woods with your dog, use insects repellers.

Remember the importance of protection your dog against bugs and diseases, and to use a good flea and tick control for dogs. By doing so, you will keep your dog healthier, cut back on vet bills and of course, add a few more precious year to its life.

Other reading: Homemade and Totally Natural Flea Repellent

Heartworm Medicine provides information about dog diseases and Flea and Tick control for dogs.