Fleas and ticks aren’t just a seasonal nuisance—let’s be clear: fleas & ticks are a year-round problem for pets (and people!) in Massachusetts and beyond. Whether you’re walking in the woods, your pup is romping through tall grass, or you’re just outside in the backyard playing, your furry friend can still encounter these parasites. Fleas and ticks can latch onto your pet outdoors, and they can sneakily hitch a ride on your clothes, making their way into your home.
The good news? If your four-legged friend isn’t on one already, don’t worry! Now is always a great time to start them on flea and tick preventives.
This guide will discuss what flea and tick prevention looks like, how your pet can get fleas and ticks, and how to make an informed decision about what kind of medication your furry friend needs so they can live their happiest, healthiest life—and so can you!
What Is Flea and Tick Prevention?
Preventives, from topicals to oral chews, are used to control flea and tick infestations. They can be over-the-counter or prescription-based and are usually obtained from your veterinarian. Generally speaking, while there are individual preventives for fleas and ticks, the types of preventives we recommend are not an either/or situation. They help protect against both fleas & ticks, and even some other parasites as well. Sometimes, they are also combined with other medications like heartworm preventives.
Because fleas and ticks are so small, they can be difficult to identify on your pet (especially if you have a floofy friend at home!) The quickest and most useful way to identify signs of fleas or ticks is a physical examination. This can be done using a flea or tick comb. Typically, fleas prefer the neck area of cats and the rear and tail area of dogs, so these can be great places to start your inspection.
Fleas and Ticks exist all over the United States, with several varieties of ticks being rampant in New England and across the East Coast, so we recommend always being prepared and using a preventive year-round. See PetMD maps for more information about where ticks are found geographically.
What are Fleas?
Fleas are incredibly small insects that are considered parasites because they feed on the blood of animals and people. They’re also known to cause two specific types of problems. The first is discomfort and irritation due to their bites, and the second is that they can carry diseases and illnesses that affect both pets and people—some that are deadly or can cause chronic (lifelong) illnesses. Prevention is the key to avoiding these problems.
What are Ticks?
Ticks, like spiders, scorpions, and mites, fall into the arachnid category. They can also be disease-carrying pests, burrowing into the skin. Similar to fleas, the diseases that ticks carry can be chronic and/or life-threatening. We’ll elaborate on what diseases fleas and ticks carry below.
How Can My Dog Get Fleas or Ticks?
Fleas and ticks can be found worldwide, surviving in multiple climate zones. They can also be carried by different animal hosts, such as foxes, deer, skunks, raccoons, birds, and rodents. Both fleas and ticks can jump—far—meaning a harmless walk in the woods or even down the street can give a flea or tick the opportunity to cross paths with you and your pet.
That’s why flea and tick prevention is so important! Believe us—treating an infestation is a lot more annoying (and costly!) than preventing an infestation from the start!
Illnesses Caused by Fleas and Ticks
When a flea or tick bites the skin, it causes itching, scratching, and redness, among other illnesses, which can then infect your four-legged friend.
Flea-borne illnesses:
- Tapeworms
- Hair loss
- Bartonellosis
- Plague
Tick-borne illnesses:
- Lyme Disease
- Tapeworms
- Anaplasmosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Each type of tick species is known to transmit a specific infectious disease, like Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. More good news: dogs can be vaccinated for Lyme disease, which we highly recommend.
Below, we’ll share recommendations that are not only Flea and Tick preventives but also offer Heartworm and other parasite protection as well. Book an appointment with our clinic to update your pup’s vaccination status or learn more about the flea and tick preventives we carry!
Choosing the Right Medicine for Your Pet
Choosing the right preventive can be overwhelming—but we’re here to help! It’s important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution; all breeds, regardless of age or stage of life, can be affected by fleas and ticks.
We always encourage you to consult your trusted veterinarian to assess your pet's specific needs and type of medication.
Different Kinds of Flea and Tick Prevention
With the exception of the Seresto collar, which should be worn daily, generally speaking, flea and tick oral and topical preventives should be used on a recurrent monthly basis. It’s also important to understand the difference between flea and tick preventives for cats and dogs— some that are good for dogs are not safe for cats.
Oral/Combo Products
Oral medication comes in the form of chewable tablets. While they don’t repel the pests, they are still effective in preventing disease. The difference is that the flea or tick must bite a dog or cat to be affected by the preventive medicine, but with the oral products, they will die before they can spread any disease.
Often, these types of deworming/heartworm preventives are combined with flea and tick preventives and can be an excellent full-spectrum option, which is why our Clinic specifically recommends Credelio Quattro. It's a 6-in-1 powerhouse that protects against fleas, ticks, heartworms, and several other parasites... all in just one monthly tablet!
Important Note: Oral flea and tick preventives should not be given to pets who have had seizures in the past.
We Recommend:
Full-Spectrum Coverage (Flea, Tick, Heartworm, Roundworm, Hookworm, and Tapeworm): Credelio Quattro
Additional Options:
For Flea & Tick: Credelio
For Heartworm: Interceptor & Heartgard (Dogs) NextGard Combo (Cats)
All of these are available through our Veterinary Clinic.
Collars
This is a fan favorite for many of us here at JM Pet Resort & Veterinary Clinic, as an adjunct in addition to an FDA-approved product like Credelio Quattro, Simparica Trio, or Nexgard Plus. The Seresto collar repels ticks and prevents tick-borne illnesses. This is often the top choice for people who walk in the woods frequently in places like Borderland State Park, as your pet can wear it 24/7. If your dog does a lot of swimming, however, you may consider replacing the collar every 6 months rather than every 8 months. If you’re interested in trying the Seresto collar, you can receive a rebate on your purchase when you visit our Veterinary Clinic.
We Recommend: Seresto Collar for Large or Small Dogs and Cats
Oral products and collars are generally safe to pair together. This is an especially great option if you have a hunting dog or one that spends a lot of time outside, or if you want your pet to have extra protection (like during a camping trip or outdoor vacation).
Topicals
Topicals are liquids applied directly to the skin between the shoulder blades or neck. Topical preventives can be a great solution for pets who are picky eaters or have sensitive stomachs. Be mindful not to touch the liquid before it has time to dry, especially if you have small children and other animals that may touch or come into contact with your pet. It's also important to keep your pet dry-- aka, don't schedule any baths or allow them to go for a swim directly after administering the liquid. You don't want to wash it away!
Topicals are routinely a popular choice and have been on the market for the longest time. Once absorbed into the skin, they repel fleas and ticks the same way the Seresto collar does.
Again, we recommend that you consult with a trusted veterinarian to assess the specific needs and type of medication for your pet.
We Recommend: K9 Advantix
Frequently Asked Questions:
When is flea and tick season?
In New England, with our winters becoming milder, fleas and ticks are starting to become active all year long. However, fleas and ticks are generally most active in the spring, summer, and early fall because they thrive in warm, humid environments. If the winter is mild, fleas and ticks may not be as dormant due to the lack of deep freezes, which is why preventives should be used year-round.
Can My Dog/Cat Swim or Bathe with Flea & Tick Prevention?
Yes, flea and tick preventives are water-resistant. If you’re using a topical product, allow the area to dry for two days before bathing or swimming. If you’re using a collar, it can be left on when swimming and bathing. However, regularly submerging in water may decrease the efficacy duration of the collar, and it would need to be changed out sooner, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Are Flea and Tick Preventives Safe?
While pets generally tolerate flea and tick preventives well, they are medications, and side effects are possible. Side effects to watch out for include anxiousness, itchiness, gastrointestinal upset, redness, and/or skin irritation. We always recommend consulting with your trusted veterinarian before giving your pet a new medication.
Do I Need to Use Flea and Tick Prevention in the Winter?
Yes! Flea and Tick preventives should be used year-round. While fleas and ticks tend to be dormant in the wintertime, there is still a possibility that your furry friend could get bitten, especially in southern New England, where we are starting to have milder, wetter winters. Preventives not only help to protect your pet from fleas and ticks but can also help defend against the diseases these parasites carry.