It’s that time of year again! The weather is warmer and that means you and your furry friend are spending more time outside. More walks in the woods, adventures in tall grass, or even simply spending time in the backyard…and that means more opportunities for your pet to encounter fleas & ticks. It’s impossible to totally avoid these pests— your pet can be exposed if they spend time outside, but they can also attach to your clothes and be transported into your home if you happen to enter a contaminated area. Don’t worry– there are some things you can do to reduce both you and your furry friends’ risk!
First things first—let’s be clear: fleas & ticks are a year-round problem, so preventatives should be taken year-round as well. If your four-legged friend isn’t on a preventative already, don’t worry! Now is still a great time to start them on one.
We’re here to discuss what flea and tick prevention looks like, how your pet can get fleas/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?
Preventatives, 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 preventatives for fleas and ticks, the types of preventatives we recommend are not an either/or situation. They help protect against both fleas & ticks. Sometimes, they are also combined with other medications like heartworm preventatives as well.
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 are known to prefer the neck area of cats, and the rear and tail area of dogs, so these can be great places to start your inspection.
Ticks also exist all over the United States. Several varieties are rampant in New England/the East Coast, which is why we recommend always being prepared and using a preventative 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 results in itching, scratching, and redness, among other illnesses which can then infect your four-legged friend.
Flea-borne illnesses:
- Tapeworms
- Hair loss
- Bartonellosis
- Plague
Each type of tick species is known to transmit a specific infectious disease like Lyme disease, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Dogs can be vaccinated for Lyme disease, which we highly recommend.
Tick-borne illnesses:
- Lyme Disease
- Tapeworms
- Anaplasmosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Below, we’ll share recommendations that are not only Flea and Tick preventatives, but also Heartworm preventatives as well. Book a consultation with our clinic to update your pup’s vaccination status or learn more about the flea and tick preventatives we carry!
Choosing the Right Medicine for Your Pet
Choosing the right preventative 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 the specific needs and type of medication for your pet.
Different Kinds of Flea and Tick Prevention
With the exception of the Seresto collar, which should be worn daily, generally speaking flea & tick oral and topical preventatives should be used on a recurrent monthly basis. It’s also important to understand the difference between flea & tick preventatives for cats and dogs— some that are good for dogs are not safe for cats.
Collars
This is a fan favorite for many of us here at JM Pet Resort & Veterinary Clinic. 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. If your dog does a lot of swimming, 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
The oral products and collars are generally safe to pair together. While it's generally not necessary for the average furry friend who doesn’t spend a lot of time in the woods, this can be an 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 during a camping trip or outdoor vacation.
Oral/Combo Products
Oral medication comes in the form of a chewable tablet. While they don’t repel the pests, they are still effective in preventing disease. The flea or tick does have to bite to be affected by the preventative, but with the oral products, they will die before they can spread any disease.
Often, these types of deworming/heartworm preventatives are combined with flea and tick preventatives and can be an excellent full-spectrum preventative.
Important Note: Oral flea & tick preventatives should not be given to pets who have had seizures in the past.
We Recommend:
For Flea & Tick: Credelio
For Heartworm: Interceptor & Heartgard (Dogs) NextGard Combo (Cats), which are available through our Veterinary Clinic.
Topicals
Topicals are liquids applied directly to the skin between the shoulder blades or neck. Topical preventatives 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.
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 & tick season?
Fleas and ticks are 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 as we hope, which is why preventatives should be used year round.
Do I Need to Use Flea and Tick Prevention in the Winter?
Yes! Flea and Tick preventatives 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. Preventatives not only help to protect your pet from fleas and ticks but can also help defend against the diseases these parasites carry.
Can My Dog/Cat Swim or Bathe with Flea & Tick Prevention?
Yes, flea and tick preventatives 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, regular 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 Preventatives Safe?
While pets generally tolerate flea and tick preventatives well, they are medications and because of this, side effects are possible. Side effects to watch out for include anxiousness, itchiness, gastrointestinal upset, redness, or skin irritation. We always recommend consulting with your trusted veterinarian before giving your pet a new medication.