Treatment FAQ

how old should a dog be before you give them tic and flea treatment

by Dr. Rowland Hyatt Jr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

eight weeks

When can I give my Puppy Flea and tick prevention?

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. Flea treatment: According to veterinarian and AKC Family Dog columnist Jeff Grognet, Capstar is safe to give to puppies as young as four weeks old (and a minimum of 2 pounds).

Should I give my dog flea and tick medicine?

First, it is much easier to protect your dog by preventing tick-borne diseases or flea infestations with flea and tick medicine than to treat the disease or infestation after the fact. Due to this, many vets actually recommend that your dog be on some sort of flea and tick prevention program year round.

How long does 3 months tick treatment last in dogs?

3-month topical treatment: This product should only be used in dogs over 6 months of age and over 4.4 pounds. This product is effective against fleas, deer ticks, American dog ticks, and brown ticks for 12 weeks. However, is only effective against the Lone Star tick for 8 weeks.

How often can I use flea treatment on my Puppy?

Flea and Tick Protection for Puppies Product Minimum Age Route Frequency Fleas Trifexis 8 weeks Tablet 1 month X Vectra 3D 7 weeks Topical Monthly X Virbac Long Acting KnockOut Spray 6 months Spray 2 weeks X Virbac Pyrethrin Drip 12 weeks Dip No more than every 7 days X 15 more rows ...

When should I start giving my dog 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.

Do puppies need flea and tick medicine?

Flea and Tick Protection and Prevention If you are adopting a puppy, protection from and prevention of fleas and ticks is very important for both you and your pup. There are many safe and effective products that can prevent or treat flea and tick infestations.

When should you start flea treatment on a puppy?

six to eight weeks oldWhen should I start flea protection? Your vet will help advise you on when to start flea protection, but for most puppies the first treatment can occur once they are six to eight weeks old.

What is the safest flea and tick prevention for puppies?

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.

What flea and tick is best for puppies?

The 7 Best Puppy Flea & Tick MedicinesNexGard Chews for Dogs — Best Overall. ... ZoGuard Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs — Best Value. ... Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs — Premium Option. ... Capstar Flea Oral Treatment for Dogs — Best for Puppies. ... Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Small Dogs.More items...•

Can an 8 week old puppy have flea medicine?

Puppies aged eight weeks and older can often be treated with standard flea control products. There are several different options including spot-ons, tablets and collars. Advantage spot-on is suitable for pets from eight weeks.

Can a 8 week old puppy wear a flea collar?

If you prefer a flea collar, the Seresto collar can be used on puppies at least 7 weeks of age or older. After he is eight weeks old, you can use Activyl, or Frontline Plus, as well as some of the newer oral flea control medications such as NexGard and Trifexis.

How do I get rid of ticks on my 8 week old puppy?

FRONTLINE Tri-Act® FOR DOGS and FRONTLINE Plus® are suitable flea treatments for puppies aged 8 weeks and over – as long as they weigh at least 2 kg. So, it's not just age that can make a difference to the kind of flea treatment you use for your puppy: you should also consider their weight.

How old do puppies have to be to use flea and tick products?

Flea and Tick Protection for Puppies. Most flea and tick products are not safe to use on puppies until they’ve reached at least seven or eight weeks of age (see chart below).

How to prevent fleas and ticks in puppies?

How to Prevent Flea and Tick Infestations. Once your puppy is old enough, it’s important to start using a monthly flea and tick preventive medication to help ensure that your dog won’t be affected by fleas or ticks in the future. Many of the treatments available and are effective for preventing both fleas and ticks.

How long does Seresto work on dogs?

This product may be useful at stopping flea larvae from molting. Seresto is effective against fleas and ticks for up to 8 months and can be used on a dog as young as 7 weeks old. Speak with your veterinarian about this option.

Why is flea and tick prevention important?

Why Flea and Tick Prevention Is Important. In addition to being uncomfortable for your dog, fleas are also the leading cause of tapeworm, a parasite whose larvae is carried by fleas. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and other serious conditions.

How many fleas are there in pets?

Of the flea population, only 5 percent includes adult fleas on pets, Grognet says. The rest are in various stages of the life cycle and can be found outdoors or in your home. Vacuum your carpets (remember to remove the bag afterward) and clean all bedding your pet has used as well as any chairs with padding.

How old is Capstar for puppies?

Flea treatment: According to veterinarian and AKC Family Dog columnist Jeff Grognet, Capstar is safe to give to puppies as young as four weeks old (and a minimum of 2 pounds). This medication is given in a tablet form to treat flea infestations.

How to treat a dog with a tick?

After visiting woody areas or spending a lot of time outdoors, give your dog a tick check, looking him over for any embedded parasites. If you spot a tick on your pet, carefully remove the tick from your dog and contact your vet in case further treatment or testing is necessary.

What to do if my dog has a flea and tick problem?

If you believe your dog has had an adverse reaction to a flea or tick preventive product, call your veterinarian and report the problem right away . Your veterinarian has access to a national reporting center that will inform the EPA. You may also wish to inform the company that manufactured the product.

How long after applying flea and tick preventive?

For the several hours following application of a flea and tick preventive product, keep an eye on your dog for any reactions or sensitivity to the product. This is especially important when using a particular flea and tick product for the first time on your dog. Keep the packaging for the product for at least a day after application ...

Why is it important to keep dogs free of fleas?

Keeping your dog free of infestations not only prevents discomfort, it can also prevent some of the illnesses that can be acquired from these blood sucking parasites.

How long should you keep pesticides after application?

Keep the packaging for the product for at least a day after application so that you have information on the kind of ingredients used, as well as contact information for the company that manufactured the product. Signs of sensitivity to pesticides include: Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Stumbling or incoordination (ataxia)

Do you have to report flea and tick products to the EPA?

All manufacturers are required to report any incidents to the EPA. Contact information should be clearly indicated on the packaging for the product. Working with your veterinarian and carefully reading labels will help you to reduce the incidence of reactions to flea and tick preventive products. Make sure you know your dog’s correct weight and ...

Can you use more than one flea and tick spray?

Do not use more flea and tick product than indicated and do not use more than one product at one time. One flea and tick product (spot-on or spray, etc.) should be all that is necessary to kill or repel fleas and/or ticks for the time period indicated on the package. To prevent accidental contact with topical products during application, ...

When do ticks start to appear in dogs?

In locations with a consistent mild climate, adult tick populations are most active from October to March.

How to know if your dog has fleas and ticks?

The best way to determine if fleas and ticks are active in your area during winter months is to check with your local veterinarian or county extension office. Many areas have variable climates from year to year, so make sure you check each year. If you are not sure, air on the side of keeping your dog safe by continually using a dog flea and tick treatment. Monthly flea and tick medications are safe and effective for your dog. It is worth the additional cost of using a flea and tick medicine as a preventative over winter- it is much better than paying for vet bills if your dog would contract a tick borne disease or to try to rid your house of a flea infestation.

How many eggs do fleas lay?

Let’s start with a general understanding about fleas. A female flea can lay up to 50 white eggs per day, beginning the flea life cycle. An adult flea can land on your dog and lay eggs, which then can fall off as they move, making them land throughout your home and anywhere else your dog hangs out.

How many types of ticks are there in the world?

There are more than 850 species of ticks, which are classified into soft and hard ticks based on their outer body. The most common ticks to affect dogs are hard ticks, although soft ticks are present in the Southwest. For this discussion, we will be discussing the tick life cycle of hard ticks.

What is the life cycle of hard ticks?

For this discussion, we will be discussing the tick life cycle of hard ticks. Female ticks usually breed on a host animal and then drop to the ground to lay eggs, of which she can lay thousands at a time. The eggs than hatch into seed ticks, which are known as the larval stage.

What temperature do fleas like?

Fleas love warm climates. Their optimal growing conditions are between 70 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and as such are often associated with summer months. If you live in an area that is mild year round, you should use a flea preventative year round. That may or may not be the case in areas with more distinct seasons.

How long does a flea larva live?

The larvae eat organic debris to grow for about five to twenty days when they spin a cocoon and move to the next stage, the pupae stage. The pupae stage can last for a few days to more than a year waiting for the right conditions to emerge into an adult flea.

How long does a flea collar last?

Flea collar: Products like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs are able to protect your pooch against these pests for up to seven months. Flea spray: A short-term solution can be to use Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs. This only kills and repels the bugs for up to seven days, but it will stop flea eggs ...

How long does Hartz flea spray last?

Flea drops: Hartz flea drops will protect against bugs, eggs, larvae and reinfestation for up to 30 days at a time. Flea shampoo: Shampoos like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo with Aloe will kill any fleas ...

Does Hartz Ultraguard Plus kill fleas?

Flea shampoo: Shampoos like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo with Aloe will kill any fleas and ticks on your pet, and protect against reinfestation for two weeks. This content is provided by the flea and tick experts at Hartz. We believe in offering safe, effective and affordable parasite prevention for every dog and cat.

Can ticks make dogs sick?

Flea and tick bites can irritate your dog's skin or make him sick, as often these pesky insects carry diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. These pests can be a threat year round, but they're especially problematic in the summer when their populations flourish.

How long does flea medicine stay in dogs system?

If you are looking for an oral monthly preventative, then a fast-acting flea pill that only stays in your dog’s system for a few days is probably not your best bet. On the other hand, if your dog is suffering from flea allergy dermatitis, then a fast-acting flea adulticide is exactly what you need.

What is the best treatment for fleas?

Flea pills are just one option for flea treatment and prevention. Topical applications, flea collars, flea shampoos, and environmental insecticides are also options to help you deal with a flea infestation.

Can I order flea pills for dogs?

Your veterinarian is your best source for discovering which flea pill will be most effective against a resistant flea population. It is possible to order some flea pills for dogs online or from a pet store without a veterinarian, but many of these pills do require a prescription.

Can flea pills be used on dogs?

You’ve probably heard someone in your life mention flea pills for dogs. These pills can be a very effective method for getting rid of fleas on dogs, and there are more options available today than ever before. Here is what you need to know about flea pills to help you choose the best option for your dog.

Can a dog have fleas while pregnant?

Pre-existing medical conditions, your dog’s age, and whether or not she is pregnant can also help determine the right flea product for your dog. In some cases, a fast-acting flea pill that kills fleas within a few hours can be part of a treatment plan for flea allergy dermatitis.

Can fleas be on dogs?

parasites. The flea circus your grandfather told you about was cute. Fleas on your dog are not . If your home feels like it is turning into your very own flea circus, you definitely need to take some action. You’ve probably heard someone in your life mention flea pills for dogs. These pills can be a very effective method for getting rid ...

Do you have to treat your home for fleas?

In most cases of flea infestations, you will also have to treat your home and yard for fleas, along with any other pets in the household, and you will need to stay on top of your flea and tick preventative schedule in order for it to remain effective.

How long does flea and tick prevention last?

Here’s a reminder of some things to beware of. Duration of prevention. Avoid the longer-lasting 8 to 12 week products. Longer prevention means a more potent product and longer time in your dog’s system.

How do flea and tick preventatives work?

How Oral Flea And Tick Preventatives Work. When you give your dog isoxazolines, they work systemically. This means they’re absorbed into his blood and they affect the entire body. When fleas and ticks feast on your dog’s blood, they eat the chemicals … and become paralyzed and die.

What is the best flea control?

Lotilaner – an ectoparasiticide belonging to the isoxazoline family, with a 1 month duration. Spinosad – made from soil bacteria that is toxic to insects and found in garden insect spray. Lufenuron – controls flea infestations by preventing the hatching of eggs, and prevents the flea shell from developing.

How long do tick collars last?

The second riskiest category is impregnated flea and tick collars that your dog wears all day and all night for as long as 8 months. So they’re right under your dog’s nose all the time. The absorption of chemicals is through the skin. And unlike oral flea and tick preventives, your dog isn’t supposed to eat these.

What are the chemicals used to treat fleas?

They’re potent and dangerous enough. They include acaricides that are pesticides poisonous to ticks and mites. Ectoparasiticides are to treat external parasites like fleas, ticks, lice, mites and flies.

How long does it take for a dog to die from fleas?

When a flea or tick draws blood from your dog it’s infected with the chemical and dies. This takes place over several months while your dog wears the collar.

What is the name of the drug that binds to chloride channels inside a flea?

These drugs contain isoxazolines. And they’re usually only available by prescription. Many of these meds contain a class of ingredients called isoxazolines. They’re non-competitive GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor antagonists. This means they bind to chloride channels inside the flea or tick.

How to treat fleas on dog?

Use spot treatment. Use an anti flea spot treatment that only requires you to completely dry one area, usually between your dog's shoulder blades, before application.

Where to put flea treatment on dog?

Move all over your dog's body, paying special attention to areas behind the ears, collar area, tail base, armpits and belly. Make sure your dog is thoroughly dry before applying topical flea treatments.

Can flea medication be used on dogs?

Ensure your dog is dry before applying topical flea medications so the medication is not diluted and to avoid requiring multiple treatments, which can result in toxicity to your dog. When drying your dog thoroughly, be careful to use low to medium heat, so as not to burn or irritate already compromised skin.

Can you use body oil on a dog collar?

The medication on the collar may require body oils to distribute. Since moisture will not impair the collar's functioning, body oil returning in the days after your dogs bath will distribute medication, although some delay in effectiveness may occur. Step. 3. Flea bath.

Can fleas be treated with oral medication?

You can also choose to use a flea treatment such as oral medication that is not affected by your dog's moisture level. Remember fleas are pesky, but treatable, and rarely cause serious complications or disease. Clean your dog's bedding and environment as well to prevent reinfestation.

Can fleas jump on humans?

While bathing his dog Rex, Mike notices some little specks crawling around on his dog, then one of them jumps onto Mike! Fleas! Fortunately, they do not infest humans but they can jump onto a human, and even bite while they are on your skin before moving on to a preferred furry host.

Can dogs get fleas?

Your dog is not going to be very happy about having fleas, they are itchy, pesky, critters. You will probably notice your dog scratching, licking and biting at his coat. The sooner you can get rid of them the better. You may need to completely dry your dog before applying the treatment and if his skin is already irritated from fleas, a thorough drying may be even more irritating, so be prepared to be understanding and gentle with your dog.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9