There are many products that can help in the fight. Some protect against fleas or ticks only. Others offer protection against both. Some, in addition to fleas and ticks, add protection against other parasites, such as lice or mosquitoes. There are those that focus on immediately killing parasites already on your pet, but offer no long-term protection. Deciding which works best for your pet depends on your pet’s needs and their specific environment.

Your vet will make a recommendation based on a number of factors: where you live, the health of your dog, and other pets and children in the household. This may sound complicated, but it boils down to two actions: kill fleas and ticks on your pet right now and prevent fleas and ticks from attacking in the future.

kill fleas right now

If your pet has fleas at this time, you can treat them with medicated shampoos and sprays, or a quick-kill pill that works in a few hours. Then proceed with the preventatives.

Kill ticks right now

If your pet has ticks, remove any that are attached. If you see one, check to see if there are other ticks crawling or attached to your pet elsewhere. Check your pet’s head and neck area very closely, as this seems to be a common place for ticks to bite.

Prevent them from coming back – Preventive

The second part of fighting fleas and ticks is keeping them from coming back. These medicines are called preventives. A popular preventative approach is a topical medication applied directly to your pet’s skin once a month. Read the label. Not all topical medications are created equal. A product sold in stores, for example, works for dogs but is harmful for cats. You must know the difference to know what products you need for your pet and how to apply the product. One extends the protection by putting oils on the pet’s coat. To apply, pull back fur and apply product directly to skin, starting with a spot on the neck and then one or two more spots on the back. Apply the liquid in places where your pet cannot lick it off. In a couple of days the medication will spread and your pet will be protected throughout his body.

The best time to apply the topical medication is at night, just before your pet falls asleep and children are in bed. There are a few hours at that point for the liquid to start working before your pet rolls around or the kids start playing with them. Also, it’s a good idea not to wash your pet for a couple of days before or after applying the medication so that the oils remain in the fur.

Other topicals are applied to the skin but are absorbed directly into your pet’s bloodstream. If you choose this method, you only need to apply the liquid to one point, on the top of the shoulders or the back of the neck. After applying any topical, wash your hands and do not touch the wet stain.

Protective collars are another way to keep your pet away from fleas and ticks. You should change the protective collars approximately every three months.

Aerosols can be another option. Read the directions on the bottle or can.

Talk to your vet

Your veterinarian will customize a flea and tick prevention program that works best for your pet and your family where you live. Enjoy the season with healthy, parasite-free pets!