Fleas give dogs painful, itchy bites. Some dogs are even allergic to fleas! Along with ticks, fleas can also spread disease, so it’s important to take some precautions.
Although we don’t have to worry about Lyme disease here in Arizona, ticks can still carry other diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Canine Ehrlichiosis. And, our moderate climate means that fleas and ticks can survive all year round.
Knowing how to protect your dog from fleas and ticks can help you prevent allergies as well as insect-borne diseases. Here are a few flea and tick prevention tips from the vets at East Valley Animal Hospital.
How to Protect Your Dog from Fleas and Ticks
Practice Active Grooming
Brush and comb your dog every day, actively checking for fleas and ticks.
More Baths
A good shampoo will wash away parasitic insects and their eggs or larvae. Baths also give you a chance to massage your dog’s skin and feel for any little lumps that might be ticks or fleas hiding under their fur.
Wash Bedding and Blankets
The places where your dog sleeps can also harbor fleas. Washing bedding regularly will help keep your pet flea-free and smelling fresher.
Vacuum Carpets
Fleas can hide in rugs and carpets, too. Anywhere you find pet hair, there could be fleas. Vacuum furniture and floors regularly to keep fleas at bay.
Keep Grass Cut Short
If you have a lawn, keep it manicured. Ticks like to hide out in tall grass, waiting for animals to come walking by.
Use Flea and Tick Repellents
Whether you choose a collar, a chewable, or a topical flea and tick repellent, it will help keep your pup pest-free.
Choosing the Best Flea and Tick Prevention for Your Dog
The best way to protect your dog from fleas and ticks is to get a prescription. The vets at East Valley Animal Hospital can prescribe a topical or chewable repellent that’s safe and effective. We’ll take your pet’s habits, preferences, and allergies into consideration to make sure you get the best prevention method for your dog.
Chewables
Pills and chewable tablets for flea and tick prevention must be prescribed by a vet. They work by making your dog’s blood toxic to any fleas or ticks that bite them, but don’t worry—they’re only harmful to insects, not dogs.
Topicals
Applied once a month, topical treatments to repel ticks and fleas also require a prescription. They come with an applicator that you use to squirt a liquid onto the skin of your dog’s neck.
Collars
There’s no prescription needed for a flea and tick collar. If you need a quick solution, or want a little extra protection for a wilderness hike, collars can help. However, we don’t typically recommend flea collars because they don’t provide very good coverage.
Flea and Tick Prevention in Gilbert, Arizona
If your dog needs to get a prescription for flea and tick prevention, come to East Valley Animal Hospital. We’ll examine your dog, discuss their habits and medical history, and ask about any signs of allergies you’ve noticed. Then we’ll prescribe either a topical or chewable treatment for your dog to keep them free of ticks and fleas. And, once you have a prescription, you can shop for flea and tick products in our online pharmacy and save! Call us at 480-892-1577 or make an appointment online today.
Photo by Mitchell Orr on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 06/09/2022.