The best defense against fleas and ticks is to keep your dog on a year-round flea and tick preventive medication as recommended by your veterinarian. “Be sure to ask your veterinarian for advice about the safest treatment for your dog and your home,” advises Dr.
What months should dogs take flea and tick medicine?
Most flea and tick products for puppies are not safe to use until they’ve reached at least seven or eight weeks of age (see chart below). Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a flea and tick preventative for puppies to safely use, and advise you on when it’s safe to begin administering it to your puppy.
When can I stop giving my dog flea and tick medicine?
Its total life span can be as long as one and one-half years under ideal conditions. Many people are concerned about not giving their dogs a break from flea and tick medication, opting to discontinue preventative treatment at the onset of winter and starting back up in the spring.
How often do dogs need flea and tick treatment?
Vets tend to recommend monthly flea-and-tick treatment across the board for all dogs, but what’s best for one dog is not necessarily best for another. What is this? Yes, in some areas you really need to protect your dog from fleas and ticks year round.
Can you skip flea meds in winter?
Is Tick and Flea Medication Necessary 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.
Can you skip flea and tick in winter?
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”.
What time of year do dogs get fleas?
Summer is one of the most active times for fleas and ticks, with some of the worst season being fall, in September, October, and November. Research has shown that the number of fleas on cats and dogs is 70% in the fall when compared to the spring season.
Can a dog get a tick in the winter?
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Dogs and cat owners typically need to worry about fleas and ticks once the weather warms up in Spring. However, ticks do not hibernate and could still latch onto a pet’s skin in the winter.
Should NexGard be given year-round?
Dr. Ball stressed that for maximum effectiveness NexGard should be administered year-round. “Even when it is cold outside during the winter, fleas can still survive inside the house,” said Dr.
How can I prevent fleas and ticks on my dogs naturally?
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.
Do dogs get fleas in the winter?
If you’re wondering if dogs can get fleas in the winter, the answer is yes. Flea populations might slow down a bit, especially outdoors, but they don’t go away completely. To be safe, you’ll want to keep those flea treatments going even in the cold winter months.
What is the safest flea and tick prevention for dogs?
Under many circumstances, newer dog flea collars are safe options for flea and tick control (unlike older collars, which were largely ineffective). The Seresto collar is a very popular option right now. It uses flumethrin and imidacloprid to kill fleas at multiple stages of development as well as ticks.
Do I really need to flea my dog every month?
Treat all the pets in your home regularly (usually every month but some products vary so check the insert or ask your vet) with a suitable flea treatment. Regularly wash your pet’s bedding on a hot wash to get rid of any flea eggs that might be lurking there. Use a long-acting household spray regularly.
What time of year are ticks most active?
Adult ticks, which are approximately the size of sesame seeds, are most active from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November. Both nymphs and adults can transmit Lyme disease. Ticks can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.
Is there a once a year shot for fleas and ticks?
One Bite, One Proheart 12 injection, One full year of protection.
What month is worst for fleas?
For many states, the most prevalent seasons for fleas and ticks are the spring and summer, or roughly from May through September. For southern and southwestern states, the flea and tick season typically occurs year-round. Extremely high heat will destroy fleas and ticks, as well as their eggs.
What happens if you miss a month of NexGard?
If you miss that monthly dose, your pet is at a potential risk of getting flea or tick bites, which can transmit some serious diseases.
What flea and tick medicine is killing dogs?
The medication is called Bravecto. It’s a dog chew so powerful that one dose can kill fleas and ticks for three months. Pharmaceutical giant Merck says it’s safe and effective, but the number of dog owners who think otherwise is growing. “I believe that Bravecto killed my dog,” Donna White of Buckhead told Strickland.
Are fleas active during winter?
As winter arrives, many fleas and their eggs will die. Fleas prefer a temperature of around 75 degrees and are most active at this temperature. As temperatures drop and hover near 50 degrees, fleas can cocoon and stay that way for months. No flea in any stage of development can survive freezing temperatures.
What states don’t have fleas?
While fleas may be found anywhere in the country, they are found in greater numbers in areas where higher humidity and warmer temperatures exist. Luckily, Montana is one of the top five states where fleas are NOT found.
Where do fleas bite dogs the most?
The basis for a flea bite allergy is actually the flea saliva which enters a dog’s body as a flea takes a blood meal. Although dogs can become itchy anywhere on their bodies, the most commonly affected areas include the hind legs, the groin, and the skin on the back between a dog’s ribcage and tail.
Can a dog get fleas from grass?
To put it quite simply, yes, your dog can get fleas from the grass. Fleas jump onto an animal to feed on their blood and then as soon as they have fed tend to jump right back off, which is how they end up in your grass to start with. There is no doubt that trying to get rid of a flea infestation can be a royal pain.
How did my indoor dog get fleas?
Dogs often get infested with fleas through contact with other animals or contact with fleas in the environment. The strong back legs of this insect enable it to jump from host to host or from the surrounding environment onto the host. (Fleas do not have wings, so they cannot fly.)
How do I prevent my dog from getting ticks?
2. Practice Prevention. Many pet owners use spot-on flea and tick treatments on their pets. When they come home, run a flea comb or brush through your pet’s coat before going inside, reducing the number of pests it carries.
How can I prevent my dog from getting ticks?
- Check your pets for ticks daily, especially after they spend time outdoors.
- If you find a tick on your pet, remove it right away.
- Reduce tick habitat in your yard.