When Should You Give Your Dog Flea and Tick Medicine

Flea and tick medicine is a crucial part of dog care, especially during peak seasons.

In the United States, the peak flea and tick season typically starts in April and ends in September, with the highest activity in June, July, and August.

If you live in an area with high humidity and rainfall, flea and tick season may be longer, lasting from March to October.

It's best to start giving your dog flea and tick medicine in the spring, when the weather starts to warm up and fleas and ticks become more active.

Dogs can pick up fleas and ticks every month of the year, regardless of the season, because these insects can thrive in our homes. They can enter homes on pets, people's clothes, and even on their own.

Dogs that spend more time outdoors are at a higher risk of picking up ticks, as they are more likely to come into contact with these insects. This is especially true for dogs that enjoy spending time in wooded or grassy areas.

Fleas and ticks can also be brought into the home by visiting pets or people who have been outdoors. This is why it's essential to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of an infestation.

Here are some common ways dogs get fleas and ticks:

It's also worth noting that dogs are the perfect host for fleas and ticks, providing them with food and a place to lay eggs. If left unchecked, an infestation can quickly become serious.

Fleas and ticks can infest your dog and home within just a few weeks if not prevented or treated. This is why it's crucial to take measures to reduce the risk of an infestation. Our veterinarians can help you develop a flea and tick prevention program that suits your needs and lifestyle.

Fleas and ticks transmit a variety of diseases to dogs and humans, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and skin irritation and infection. If your dog is not on a preventative or adulticide, it's possible for dog and home to develop a serious infestation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many state public health departments maintain detailed tracking information on these pests.

If this caught your attention, see: Dog Flea Home Remedy

To prevent flea and tick infestations, consider the following:

Remember, prevention is always better than treatment. Lapses in prevention can lead to drug-resistant fleas and ticks on your pet, and the cost of eradicating flea infestations from your home can be quite high.

Recommended read: Natural Flea and Tick Dog

Preventing dog and home infestation is crucial to keep your furry friend and family safe from the harm caused by fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks can infest your dog and home within just a few weeks if not prevented or treated.

To prevent infestation, it's essential to understand how fleas and ticks spread. Your dog is both the home and food source for fleas and ticks, and once a flea or tick gets on your dog, it will remain there until it's killed by a flea product or dies naturally.

The key to preventing infestation is to use a flea and tick prevention program that suits your needs and lifestyle. Our veterinarians can help you develop a plan that includes the right products and treatments to keep your dog and home safe.

Additional reading: How to Keep Ticks off a Dog?

Here are some essential tips to prevent dog and home infestation:

By following these tips and working with your veterinarian, you can prevent dog and home infestation and keep your furry friend and family safe from the harm caused by fleas and ticks.

For cat owners, the idea of heartworm preventatives might seem unnecessary, but the truth is that prevention is key. For cats, there is no treatment for heartworm, making prevention the only viable option.

Preventing your cat from becoming infected with heartworm is better for their health and less expensive than treating the disease itself.

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal infection in pets, with few early signs of infection.

Related reading: Cat Fleas

The approximate monthly cost of tick treatments can vary significantly depending on the brand and length of protection provided.

The cost of a single unit can range from a few dollars to over $10, with some treatments costing as much as $15 per dose.

Some tick treatments may offer a longer period of protection, which can help spread out the cost over several months.

For example, a treatment that lasts for 3 months might cost around $5 per dose, making it a more affordable option in the long run.

However, if you need a treatment that lasts for the entire year, be prepared to pay a premium price, which can be upwards of $10 per dose.

To identify if your dog needs flea and tick medicine, look for signs of flea infestation, such as flea dirt, eggs, or actual fleas on their coat.

Flea dirt, which is actually the flea's feces, can be found on your dog's fur, especially around the neck, tail, and belly areas.

You can also check for flea eggs, which are white, oval-shaped, and about the size of a grain of salt.

Flea eggs are often found in the same areas as flea dirt, and can be more difficult to spot.

Take a look at this: Dog Flea Droppings

Ticks are typically found attached to your dog's skin, and can be identified by their distinctive round or oval shape.

Adult ticks are usually about the size of a pea or a small bean, and can be brown, gray, or black in color.

If you notice any of these signs, it's time to take action and give your dog flea and tick medicine.

If you're looking for a safe and effective flea and tick treatment for your dog, there are several options available.

Oral tablets and chews are a great choice for both prevention and treatment of fleas, and are safe for both your dog and your family.

Spot-on flea treatments are another option, but their effectiveness and spectrum of use can vary.

Medicated shampoos can be helpful in treating secondary skin infections caused by flea infestation.

For puppies, it's essential to start them on age and weight-appropriate tick and flea control to protect them against these pesky skin parasites.

Worth a look: Are Dog Flea Collars Safe

Preventing and treating your pet with these medications also protects you from any effects of these parasites.

Flea and tick preventions can also have intestinal parasite prevention, which is ideal.

To choose the right medication for your puppy, consider the following:

Examples of common types of prescription prevention for puppies include:

Your veterinarian can help you choose the best flea and tick treatment for your puppy based on their individual needs and situation.

Typically, flea and tick treatment for puppies can be started in pups that are 6 to 8 weeks old. However, some products can't be started until 6 months of age.

Some flea and tick preventions also have intestinal parasite prevention, which is an added benefit for new puppies and their human companions. It's essential to start your puppy on an age and weight appropriate tick and flea control to protect them against these pesky skin parasites as well as the diseases they might transmit.

When choosing a flea and tick prevention, consider your puppy's age, weight, and lifestyle. Certain dog breeds can have drug sensitivities, so it's crucial to discuss this with your vet.

Winter is a great time to snuggle up with your furry friend, but it's also a time when fleas and ticks can still pose a risk. Fleas can survive outdoor temperatures as low as 33 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fleas can easily find their way into your home and onto your pet during the winter. Female fleas lay up to 50 eggs per day, which can take up to a year to become adult fleas.

Ticks are most active during the late summer and early fall, but some species remain active year round, including the Southwestern black-legged tick. This tick species tends to remain active during the winter, putting your dog at risk for getting them.

Deer ticks, in particular, remain active during the winter months and begin feeding after the first frost. They can survive temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gulf Coast Ticks are a species native to the southern United States that are active in temperatures as low as 39 degrees. They're especially dangerous as infection can lead to paralysis.

It's essential to keep your pet on year-round prevention for fleas and ticks, even during the winter months. This will help prevent the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

On a similar theme: Does My Dog Need Flea and Tick Medicine in Winter

Lyme disease is the most common tick-transmitted disease in the world. It can affect dogs, most domesticated animals, and humans.

Ticks can transmit Lyme disease to dogs, among other tick-borne illnesses. This is why it's crucial to protect your pet from ticks year-round.

Deer ticks, in particular, remain active during the winter months and actually begin feeding after the first frost. This means your pet can still get Lyme disease even during the colder months.

In Loudoun County, we see a lot of ticks on both pets and humans. This summer, we treated three dogs with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which is another deadly disease carried by ticks.

Applying flea and tick preventatives can help protect your human family as well. Flea bites can cause skin irritation in humans, while Lyme-carrying ticks that are brought in from the outdoors by your pets can easily hop off and attach to the humans in your household.

The cost of treating Lyme disease can be extremely expensive, and it's often less expensive to prevent it in the first place.

A fresh viewpoint: Can a Dog Flea Live on a Human

Typically, many preventative veterinary products for puppies can be started in pups that are 6 to 8 weeks old. This is a common age range for starting flea and tick treatment.

However, some products, such as Bravecto, can't be started until 6 months of age. This is because they have different metabolisms and process medication differently than adult dogs.

Working with your vet to find the right flea and tick product for your puppy is an important step in your pet's preventative care. They can help you choose a product that is safe and effective for your puppy.

Here are some common types of prescription prevention for puppies:

Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution and consult with your vet before starting any treatment. They can help you make an informed decision and ensure your puppy receives the best care possible.