Tick and Flea Prevention

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It is that time of year again, fleas and ticks have arrived.  It is particularly important to be aware of the dangers these parasites pose to your pets. Not only can they cause itching, blood loss, and in severe cases anemia, but they can carry diseases which can be transmitted to your pet and also to you and your family.

Find out more about Ticks (and Fleas) in this Talent Hounds article How-to-protect-your-dog-against-ticks/

Kilo the Pug got a bad case of fleas 2 years ago, when I was late with prevention. His belly was covered in bites so fast, it was scary. He barely goes anywhere except around our block so we were surprised. I got a few bites on my ankles before we cleaned everything- arghh- quite the ordeal. Our friend Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund got quite sick from a tick bite I discovered when we both worked on a prevention campaign “No Bite Is Right”.

Flea and tick products come in a variety of forms, oral like pills, food toppers and chews, to topicals like sprays and liquids, to collars, tags and shampoos. It can be overwhelming with the many products out there to choose from. It can also be polemic as all treatments have risks and consequences. You need to protect your dog but limit adverse reactions or side-effects. Informed use is very important so read the warnings and ingredients and do your research.

Before starting your dog or puppy on any flea treatment or prevention, consult your veterinarian.

We have compiled a list of some of the best products that we found based on our own experience, reviews and friends’ recommendations (including some natural products from dog expert Carol Bryant below). I did not include collars or oral medication (which are often prescription) as we do not use them.

We also checked the product reference guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council and videos and posts by Dr Karen Becker – see link below.

Tick Prevention and Treatment

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links. I may get a small commission if you buy through these links but you do not pay more.

Topicals

I use this Advantix treatment for Kilo. I just dab a few drops in the recommended amount between his shoulder blades once a month starting in late March or April for 4 months. K9 Advantix®II contains the active ingredients imidacloprid, permethrin and pyriproxyfen that kill adult fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae, ticks, mosquitoes and lice, and reduces mosquito and stable fly bites. K9 Advantix®II should only be used on dogs (not cats). It is important to get the product that corresponds with your dog’s weight.

My Amazon link K9 Advantix II Flea and Tick Prevention for Extra-Large Dogs 6-Pack, Over 55 Pounds

Bayer Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Dogs 20.1-55 lbs, 6 Doses (6-mos. supply)

I have heard good reviews about Bayer Advantage Multi but have not tried. It kills fleas and several other parasites but NOT Ticks.

I have used this treatment for Kilo too. Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, all life stages of ticks and chewing lice for one month; safe for use in dogs and puppies at least 8 weeks of age that weigh at least 5 pounds; safe for use in breeding, pregnant and nursing dogs; fleas don’t have to bite for it to work. Its active ingredients, fipronil and S-methoprene, work together to kill parasites and break the flea life cycle. Fipronil kills adult fleas and ticks and chewing lice. S-methoprene prevents flea eggs, larvae, and pupae from developing.

My Amazon Affiliate Link :Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Dogs (Large Dog, 45-88 Pounds, 3 Doses)

Wondercide – Flea, Tick and Mosquito Spray for Dogs, Cats, and Home – Flea and Tick Killer, Control, Prevention, Treatment – with Natural Essential Oils – Pet and Family Safe – Lemongrass 32 oz

This natural product is plant based and seems safe. It comes in four different scents and a variety of sizes. This product kills, repels and prevents not only fleas and ticks but also mosquitoes, flies and other common pests. I am planning to try for Kilo.

My Amazon Affiliate Link: Wondercide – Flea, Tick and Mosquito Spray for Dogs, Cats, and Home – Flea and Tick Killer, Control, Prevention, Treatment – with Natural Essential Oils – Pet and Family Safe – Lemongrass 32 oz

Natrapel 6 Hour Mosquito, Tick and Insect Repellent

This DEET free pump spray comes in a lemon eucalyptus scent and provides up to six hours of protection against ticks, mosquitos and other insects. It is easy to apply and its compact size allows you to take it anywhere. My Amazon Affiliate Link : (2 Pack) Continous Spray 6-oz Natrapel 8-Hour Mosquito, Tick & Insect Repellent

Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Spray

This all natural formula contains peppermint oil and clove extract to help kill fleas and ticks on contact. This product is great for dogs and is easy to use and apply. My Amazon Affiliate Link: Vets Best Flea & Tick Spray, 8 oz, USA Made, Brown (3165810346)

Nature’s Protection Fleas & Ticks

Nature’s Prevention carries many different products to help with your flea and tick problems. They carry collars, sprays and topical formulas that are all-natural and easy to apply. All products are DEET free and contain no synthetic chemicals. Pesticides or insecticides.

Nutri-Vet Defense Flea & Tick

Nutri-Vet Defense Flea & Tick protects your dog—and your home—from nasty fleas and ticks. Among the best flea and tick control for dogs, this convenient and easy-to-apply topical solution also fights mosquitoes, lice, and mites to keep your dog safe and itch free. Nutri-Vet Defense Plus Flea & Tick Control for Puppies

Hartz® UltraGuard® Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs and Puppies

Hartz UltraGuard Dual Action Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs and Puppies – 15-30lbs, 3 Monthly Treatments

SENTRY® Flea Killer & Mosquito Repellant Spray and SENTRY® Squeez-On™ Flea, Tick & Mosquito Control for Dogs

Shampoos

Pure and Natural Pet Flea & Tick Shampoo

This natural dog shampoo is formulated with essential oils to help repel and kill fleas and ticks. It is gentle on your pets skin and acts as a natural antiseptic to soothe the skin.

Tropiclean Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo

This fresh smelling shampoo kills fleas and ticks while soothing your animals skin. It contains cocoa butter a natural soothing agent along with lemongrass and sesame oil to help repel ticks and fleas. This product is safe enough to use every time you bathe your cat or dog. TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Soothing Shampoo for Dogs, 1 gal – Made in USA

Hartz® UltraGuard® Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs – Citrus Scent

Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs with Soothing Aloe

Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo

Working to kill fleas and ticks and to prevent flea development for up to 28 days, this shampoo is gentle for sensitive skin. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor 12 Ounces

Tags

There are several tags that you attach to collars or harnesses in Kilo’s case that give off vibrations to repel. I tried one with Kilo which lasted 6 months and he was tick and flea-free but it was hard to tell if it was working.

Best Natural Flea and Tick Prevention For Dogs from Carol Bryant

I have had a positive experience with the topical products I use but my good friend Carol Bryant of Fidose of Reality had a really bad experience with some treatments. Just in case your dog has sensitivities or you prefer all natural products, I am including a link to her recommendations which include the Wondercide spray and soap listed above.

“There is a multitude of reasons I don’t use chemical flea and tick spot-ons, topicals, sprays, and ingestible tablets on or in my dog. Not long after putting a chemical tick and flea preventative on my first Cocker Spaniel, she had serious side effects. Her skin flared up, it burned the hair off her back, and it never grew back. Some of her blood levels were altered, and she had a seizure.

A variety of natural products that have been successful on my dogs in the war against ticks and fleas.Natural flea and tick products come from nature (animal, vegetable, mineral) and they are not synthetic, though one has to be careful with any natural product on dogs.” Carol

Her informative post linked above explains that knowing how fleas and ticks attack dogs is the key to preventing them. There are certain odors that for example ticks find repulsive. In general, these include cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, rose geranium, cedar, citronella, eucalyptus oil, orange, and lemon. She is not a veterinarian but a diligent dog mom who has tried dozens of products on her Cocker Spaniels over the past three decades.

Dr Karen Becker

You can also check out How flea and tick meds work, and answering the “what do we do now?!” question! with Dr. Karen Becker

Tick Removal

Regardless of which tick prevention product you choose, you should still check your dog for ticks after outdoor adventures. If you find a tick, remove it and put it in a sealed jar with the remover below.

Tick Twister Tick Remover Set

This little tool is great to have around your house. This can be used on animals or humans, it works by gently removing the tick without squeezing it. The tool removes the entire tick without leaving the head behind. It is a safe and easy way to remove ticks large and small. Tick Twister Tick Remover Set with Small and Large Tick Twister

Do you have a product you love or an experience with ticks or fleas to share? Tell us in the comments.

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