Treatment FAQ

when to start flea and tick treatment for dogs

by Prof. Dino D'Amore Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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We recommend that you deworm your dog or cat according to the following regime:

  • start treatment at 2 weeks
  • continue every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age (that means you must deworm your puppy or kitten at 2, 4, 6, 8,10 and 12 weeks)
  • continue deworming pet for life every 3 months

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.

Full Answer

When can I give my Puppy Flea and tick prevention?

What age is safe for tick and flea treatment? In general, it is not safe to use flea or tick medication on puppies younger than seven or eight weeks old. However, there are options that are safe for even very small puppies. One such option is a tablet that works only for 24 hours, but it …

What age can you give a dog tick medicine?

Feb 22, 2021 · For dog owners and their pooch, fleas are easy to contract and can be tricky to eradicate. … So, which one is the best flea and tick treatment for dogs? … The treatment starts to work within 12 hours of application and can be applied …

How to get rid of fleas and ticks on puppies?

Mar 15, 2021 · 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. Grognet also points out that some...

When is Flea-and-tick season?

Feb 12, 2018 · Comfortis Oral Flea & Tick for Dogs. Summary: Using spinosad as an active ingredient, Comfortis kills fleas and flea eggs and begins working within 30 minutes. It is prescription available and is administered monthly as it can prevent fleas up for up to 30 days. The minimum pet age for Comfortis is 14 weeks.

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What month do you give fleas and ticks?

December through February are arguably the lowest risk months for parasites, so many pet-parents will forgo coverage in those months, and start flea and tick prevention again in March or April when the weather begins to warm.

How often should you give your dog flea and tick?

Pet flea sprays can kill fleas, but may need to be re-applied from as often as every few days, up to every few weeks.

When should you start flea treatment on a puppy?

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. The exact age will depend on the type of flea treatment chosen and the weight of your puppy.

Should Dogs Take flea and tick year round?

If you are unsure, or cannot dedicate the time necessary to monitoring these many variables, it is recommended that you keep your dog on a flea and tick prevention program year round. It is always better to be on the safe side and keep your dog protected from potential diseases and associated problems.Oct 24, 2016

Do dogs need flea treatment every month?

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.

Do dogs need monthly flea treatment?

You should de-flea and worm your pet once a month. Not only will this prevent them from experiencing the side effects of either condition, but it'll allow your pet to be completely protected and free from suffering.

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. It kills fleas within 24 hours and is effective for up to four weeks.

Do I need to give my dog flea and tick medication 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. Because ticks and fleas can carry diseases that could harm your dog, it's best to keep them protected all year long.

Can a 8 week old puppy wear a flea collar?

If puppies are roughhousing with each other, they may bite the collar, getting a mouthful of harmful chemicals. Most animal health specialists recommend not using a flea collar on puppies younger than 8 weeks old.

How long is tick season?

Peak tick season typically lasts from May through August. With the arrival of the tick nymphs in May and the warm summer weather, there are more ticks out looking for a blood meal during this time. In fact, the warmer temperatures in the summer can actually make ticks more active.Aug 17, 2021

Are ticks active in winter?

Adult Blacklegged (deer) ticks are most active in the fall and can stay active through winter if the temperatures are above freezing.Dec 16, 2021

Should I give my dog NexGard year round?

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. Ball.Oct 12, 2014

When to Treat For Fleas in The Heat

For instance, if you live in some parts of the Southern United States, you will be dealing with the ideal conditions for fleas: between 65 and 80 d...

When to Treat For Fleas in The Rain

If you live in a cold and wet climate, both K9 Advantix II and Frontline Plus are waterproof, meaning they can keep your pet flea-free even during...

When to Treat For Fleas in The Cold

Ok, so you live somewhere that can be downright freezing. There’s only a high flea threat during a few months of the year. When should you begin to...

Southern and East Coast Ticks

However, that isn’t even the most crowded tick area in the United States. For that you have to head to the South and the East Coast, where you will...

What is the best flea and tick medicine for dogs?

For the best flea and tick medication for dogs, several spot on medicines that kill fleas also kill ticks, including K9 Advantix II, Frontline Plus, and PetArmor. In hot areas where there are large numbers of both fleas and ticks, these spot on treatments seem to be the best bet to protect your pet from all those pests out there.

How often should I apply K9 Advantix II to my dog?

Both need to be applied to your pet only once a month and kill existing fleas while also regulating flea growth. K9 Advantix II also kills and repels mosquitoes, which are found in high numbers in hot areas of the country as well.

What temperature should I use for fleas in the heat?

For instance, if you live in some parts of the Southern United States, you will be dealing with the ideal conditions for fleas: between 65 and 80 degrees and 70 to 85 percent humidity. In this case, it may be easiest to use spot on flea and tick treatments like K9 Advantix II, Advantage Multi for Cats, ...

How long does it take for fleas to die after a spot on?

Some of these treatments begin working within 30 minutes and render all fleas dead within four hours.

How long does a flea collar last?

Perhaps the easiest way to provide non-stop protection for your pet is to use a long-lasting flea collar, like Seresto, which releases flea and tick repelling chemicals for 8 months. You can place the collar on your pet, and they'll be protected for months.

What is a low flea alert?

Much like retiring grandparents, fleas are attracted to the warmer climates. If your area’s average temperature is below 40 degrees, we classify that as a “Low Flea Alert.”. If your area’s average temperature is between 40 and 64 degrees, that’s a “Moderate Flea Alert.”.

What are the different types of ticks?

For that you have to head to the South and the East Coast, where you will find four different types of ticks: the brown dog tick, American dog tick, deer tick, and the Lone Star tick.

When do ticks and fleas become active?

fleas. ticks. Although fleas and ticks pose a threat to pets year-round, these pests become most active during the warmer months, starting as early as March in some areas of the United States. Find your state on the map shown here to learn where and when your pets are most at risk for fleas and ticks.

How many species of fleas are there in dogs?

There are more than 200 species of fleas affecting dogs, and these can also transmit disease and cause tapeworm infections and anemia. Some dogs are very sensitive to fleabites and suffer from serious allergic reactions of itchy, red, and scabby skin and even hair loss.

What diseases do ticks transmit?

The Merck Veterinary Manual says, “Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that attach themselves to animals and people. Once attached to a host, ticks feed voraciously. As they feed, ticks can transmit a large number of diseases.” These include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and ehrlichiosis (a bacterial infection.) Ticks also cause skin wounds that may lead to bacterial infections and can also cause anemia.

Why is my yard less attractive to ticks?

The Centers for Disease Control recommends clearing tall grass and brush from your yard to make it less attractive to ticks. The geographic distribution of ticks is broadening as a result of climate change, deforestation, and the changing migration patterns of deer, birds, and rodents.

Can ticks be found in woods?

Bottom Line on Flea & Tick Season. When temperatures rise, flea eggs are safe to hatch outside, and ticks can thrive in woods and tall grasses. This is also the time of year that you and your dog are more likely to spend hiking and walking and enjoying nature.

Can fleas fly on dogs?

Fleas require blood from an animal host to be able to live and reproduce. They don’t have wings, so they can’t fly. However, they are serious jumpers with the ability to jump 100 to 200 times their size.

Do blacklegged ticks live in dogs?

Since deer are the main host of the Blacklegged tick and are active in fall and early winter months, this type of tick survives on the warm body of its host – until it drops off and attaches itself to your dog.

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.

Types of Flea Control Products

The pet market offers various flea control products, and each has its pros and cons. Here are the different types of anti-flea products:

Best Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs

Summary: K9 Advantix II is a powerful topical treatment that can be used to kill fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, lice, and even biting flies at all stages of their life. The treatment starts to work within 12 hours of application and can be applied monthly. It is safe for dogs 7 weeks old or above.

Best Oral Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs

Summary: Capstar is an over-the-counter, oral medication with nitenpyram as an active ingredient. It needs to be administered daily, usually with food, and is effective for up to 24 hours. Capstar is safe to use in dogs 4 weeks or older.

Best Flea Collars for Dogs

Before reviewing the top three flea collars for dogs, we should note the controversy surrounding this product.

Best Flea & Tick Shampoos for Dogs

Summary: The Adams Plus Shampoo contains an insect growth regulator (IGR) and is excellent for managing ongoing flea infestations but does not work as a preventative. It also contains aloe, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal, thus providing skin nourishment.

Best Flea Control Products for Puppies

Summary: Capstar is the best choice for flea and tick treatment for puppies. This is because the active ingredient, nitenpyram, is safe for pups as young as 4 weeks of age and as small as 2 pounds of body weight.

How We Selected the Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Dogs

To compile this list, we have reviewed dozens of different products. These are the main factors we considered when selecting the best flea and tick treatments for dogs:

What Types of Flea and Tick Treatment and Prevention Are There?

Now that you know what to consider when buying your dog a flea and tick treatment, here are the types of treatments and prevention that you can buy for your dog. The best one for your pooch might take a while to find, but with some effort, you’ll soon have the best solution for your situation.

Final Thoughts

Our reviews covered the best flea and tick treatment and prevention for dogs to help you and your favorite hound avoid pest infestations. There is a wide range of options, including the best overall option, the Seresto Flea & Tick Collar, with its 8-month long protection.

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