Having dogs in our homes not only keeps intruders away but also provides us with loyal companions. Therefore, we should always ensure that our pets are comfortable and protected from fleas and ticks. Check out 10 key tips on how to protect our pets from an infestation below!
1. Spot-on Treatments
Topical treatments such as Frontline Plus and Advantage II are extremely effective in both eliminating pests and preventing reinfestations by keeping them away. With this type of procedure, apply a small amount of the oily fluid directly on the pet‘s skin. Ensure that this fluid is correct based on the size of your pet. This treatment is effective as it is waterproof and kills almost all fleas and ticks within 12 hours of application. Topical medications are easy to use and kill fleas at all life stages!
2. Inspect Your Pets
When your pet comes home after a fun day playing in the fields, you should make sure that you run through their fur to check for any fleas or ticks. By doing so, you can determine whether or not your garden is infested with biting bugs to eliminate them as necessary. If you come across ticks on your pet fur, remove it immediately and carefully. If you discover a flea infestation on your pet after some fun outdoors, take a flea trap and place it on the ground near the source.
3. Use Shampoos
You should make use of medicated shampoos when bathing your pet. Advantage Treatment Shampoo kills fleas and ticks on contact for up to 12 weeks to keep your pet itch-free. If your pet has been infested for a while, they may experience irritated dry and flaky skin. In this case, try using Sentry Oatmeal Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs which includes oatmeal as a moisturizing ingredient to soothe the skin. Allow the shampoo to rest on your pet‘s skin for about half an hour before rinsing. These shampoos help clear off the ticks and fleas on your pet. However, they should be used more often at least in a two-week range as they do not provide a long-lasting solution.
4. Oral Medications
After a topical treatment application, you typically want to keep your treated pet away from children so the medication doesn’t rub off on them. Oral medications such as Capstar Flea Control and Sentry CapGuard are an efficient way to get rid of ticks and fleas especially if your kids constantly play with your pets. They work by getting into the bloodstream to poison the pests’ food supply. Oral medications pose no harm if you get into contact with your pet after administration. They help interfere with the insects’ life cycle thereby contributing to preventing them from developing.
5. Flea & Tick Collars
Fitting your pet with ticks and flea collars is another sure way to get rid of the pests on your pet‘s skin. The Seresto Flea Collars are among the top-selling flea collars on the market for their fast-acting effectiveness. When putting on the collar, make sure that it is in contact with the pet‘s skin so that it is easier to transfer chemicals to the fur and skin. Always make sure that the collar isn’t too tight on the pet‘s neck and check to ensure that your furry friend is comfortable.
6. Flea & Tick Dips
Products such as Virbac Pyrethrin Dip and Zodiac Flea & Tick Dip for Dogs & Cats are effective in eliminating fleas and ticks on your animal companions. Using this method, a chemical to eliminate fleas and ticks is dissolved in water and applied to the pet‘s fur using a sponge. This solution should not be rinsed immediately for effective results. Dips are not also appropriate for young or pregnant pets so make sure to consult a veterinarian before any application.
7. Powders
Flea and tick powders like Zodiac Flea & Tick Powder for Dogs & Cats are an effective and dry alternative to sticky topical pest control sprays. These particles both repel and kill fleas and ticks on your pet‘s skin. Be sure to handle powders with caution and read safety labels as they are harmful if they fall into contact with unprotected body parts. Before buying these powders, you should make sure that they are specified for use both to get rid of ticks and fleas. You should also ensure that they are correct for use based on the size of your pet.
8. Household Sprays
To get rid of both adult and larvae of ticks and fleas, spray your pet with effective flea and tick control sprays like Frontline Spray and put efficient foggers to use like the Advantage Household Fogger. You should make sure that you consult with your veterinarian to ensure that you get the right advice on using these sprays as they can be toxic.
9. Maintain a Clean House
Insects love to hide in dark and neglected areas. You should, therefore, make sure that your house is totally cleaned up and your car thoroughly vacuumed to get rid of any pests hiding in each nook and cranny. Also, keep your pet‘s bedding tidy and clean to avoid having breeding places in your house.
10. Trim the Lawn
This is a measure to control pest at the exterior of your home so as to keep your pet safe when it goes for a play in the yard. Make sure that you cut all tall shrubs, grass, and lawn in your compound. Check for the breeding areas of these pests and use home & yard treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Be careful when handling these chemicals and inform your neighbors as they can be toxic to all living creatures.
