Products to prevent or treat tick and flea infestations are an essential part of dog care. They come in a variety of forms, including tablets, spot-on treatments and collars. But what are ticks and fleas and which product is best suited for your pet? What should you consider when using these products?
The World of Ticks and Fleas: A Brief Overview
Ticks and fleas belong to the group of ectoparasites, because they live on the skin of other living creatures. They feed exclusively on the blood of their host, which includes dogs and even humans. Ticks start feeding in very small form and can grow to a size of one centimeter after feeding. They are often difficult to spot in the thick fur of dogs and cats, but they grow considerably once they are full. Unlike ticks, fleas do not only live on their host, but also in its environment. They are often only a few millimeters in size and difficult to see with the naked eye.
Why is protection against ticks and fleas so important? Ticks and fleas are not only unpleasant, but can also cause serious health problems. The bites of these parasites can lead to painful local reactions, severe itching and in the worst case, transmission of disease. For example, ticks can transmit pathogens responsible for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, heartworm and tick-borne encephalitis. Fleas can transmit tapeworms and calici viruses. Some dogs can even develop allergies to flea saliva, showing severe symptoms even with a mild flea infestation.
People are not immune to flea infestation either. If your dog has fleas, you may soon find the creepy crawlies on yourself too.
Effective protection is therefore crucial. Once your pet is infected with fleas, treatment becomes a lot more complicated. Fleas not only lay eggs on the animal, but also in the environment of the animal. In the worst case, you will have to clean and disinfect your entire house.
Proven Products and Considerations
When choosing the right flea and tick product for prevention, there are various options with different active ingredients and durations of action.
Collars: These provide long-term protection, but should be avoided if the animal frequently roams through wooded areas to prevent them from getting caught on branches or brush.
Spot-on Treatments: These are applied to the dog’s skin, usually at the base of the neck or between the shoulder blades. Make sure the dog does not lick the treated area to avoid possible side effects. Natural alternatives are a good alternative to chemical spot-on treatments. They are chemical-free and contain only plant-based ingredients, including selected plant oils with a high lauric acid content. This composition acts as a repellent against ticks and fleas. Some manufacturers also use insect fat in their natural spot-on treatments for animals.
Sprays: Wear household gloves and spray the coat thoroughly. Massage the spray in well; it usually dries quickly. Do not bathe the animal for the first 48 hours after application to prevent the active ingredients from washing away. Alternatives without chemicals are also available in the form of sprays and support the natural defence against parasites and ticks. They affect the body odour of the dog and thus make it repellent to ticks and other parasites.
Tablets: These can be administered directly or hidden in a treat. Make sure the pet takes the entire tablet without leaving any residue.
Special precautions
It is critical not to use flea and tick products for your dog on cats unless safe use for both species is stated in the product information. Some active ingredients, such as permethrin, can cause serious side effects in cats.
Be particularly careful when treating dogs that are used for herding and driving cattle, such as Australian Shepherds. These breeds may have an abnormality in the MDR1 gene and therefore be intolerant to certain active substances such as avermectin, resulting in serious side effects.
If you have a puppy, consult your veterinarian for advice. Many products are only safe to use after a certain age, but there are also substances that are safe for puppies.
Regardless of the method chosen, it is crucial to prevent these pests from getting a chance to attack your pet. We hope this article helps you make an informed decision.
Conclusion
Make a balanced choice. The choice of a suitable and preventive flea and tick product depends on the active ingredients and the specific needs of your pet. In case of doubt, it is advisable to seek advice from a veterinarian.
