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Flea And Tick Prevention and The Top Medications to Use
Pesky pests can infiltrate your home through your pets. Read this guide to learn the top medications for flea and tick prevention.
Hiring an exterminator can cost anywhere between $75 and $400. And that cost can almost double if the first treatment couldn't completely eradicate the parasites.
If you have pets, you have a much greater chance of getting a flea infestation when fleas cling to your pet's coat. So if you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for exterminators, how can you manage this risk?
Having a solid flea and tick prevention routine is crucial to avoid pests taking over your home. So keep reading and find out the top products you can use on your pet to combat this problem.
What is Flea and Tick Prevention?
The prevention of ticks and fleas is carried out with the aid of a range of products that control the pest infestations on your pet. This, in turn, prevents a greater infestation from taking hold within your home.
If you have a dog or cat, they can pick up fleas while roaming at night or on your daily walks. By treating infestations on your pets, you can control them before they get out of hand and affect everyone in the house.
Flea and tick prevention is essential for a couple of reasons. First, your pet will be in discomfort, and their skin can get irritated from the bites the parasites inflict. In addition, these bites can sometimes cause allergic reactions in their hosts. Secondly, ticks and fleas can transmit diseases that can result in people or pets getting ill.
When Can you Use Tick and Flea Products?
You need to consider certain factors before you can administer any tick or flea products to your pet. Giving the wrong medication can be ineffective or even harmful to your furry friend. Things to take into consideration are:
The Age of Your Pet: Most flea and tick prevention medication can't be administered to puppies or kittens younger than 7 to 8 weeks old, and aged pets may be more sensitive and have adverse reactions.
Any Other Medication: Other pet medicine like dewormers or prescribed medications can cause adverse drug reactions, so consult your vet before purchasing any tick or flea treatment products.
Overall Pet Health: Consider your pet's allergens, such as sensitive skin or allergies to certain foods, where manufacturers can flavor the prevention medicine.
The Weight of Your Pet: Your pet's weight calculates the dosage, so you want to know this ahead of time so you can administer the correct amount, as too much medication can be toxic.
If Rapid Relief Is Needed: A flea infestation can cause severe irritation to your pet, so you may need to purchase a flea-killing treatment in conjunction with the preventative medication.
Your Budget: Flea and tick prevention medicine comes in a range of costs, from less expensive "flea collar" options to expensive topical sprays, so your budget will be a significant contributing factor.
How to Spot Types of Ticks, Fleas, and Parasites
If you're a new pet owner, you might not know the early signs of a pest infestation on your pet until it's too late. Here are some signs that you need to level up your pest prevention routine:
Fleas on Dogs
Examine your dog's coat closely and look out for dark specks in the fur, which could indicate flea droppings, or white specks, which could be eggs. Other signs are hot spots and scabs on the skin, as well as excessive scratching and licking.
Fleas on Cats
For cats, you want to use a flea comb which is made explicitly for removing fleas from the coat. Keep an eye out for droppings and eggs, but also watch for moving spots - those are fleas! Again, other symptoms are scratching and hair loss.
Top Medications on the Market: Dogs & Puppies
Now that you've done some homework and figured out which flea and tick prevention treatment you want, let's review some of the top medications on the market today.
Best Preventative Against Eggs: Revolution for Dogs
Revolution for Dogs controls both ticks and fleas. It protects your dog against adult fleas as well as their eggs. This medication is also effective against ticks, mites, and heartworm.
Best Flea Control For Puppies: Vectra 3D® for Dogs and Puppies
Vectra 3D® for Dogs and Puppies protects your furry friend from 14 different parasites, such as sand flies, deer ticks, fleas, louse, and mites. It's available in 0.8 mL, 1.6 mL, 3.6 mL, 4.7 mL, and 8.0 mL sizes.
Best Flea Control for Dogs: Advantage II for Dogs
Advantage II for Dogs is great overall flea control, treating both adult and immature stages of fleas. This medicine is available in 0.4 mL, 1.0 mL, 2.5 mL, and 4.0 mL sizes.
Best Rapid Relief Product: Capstar
Capstar comes in tablet form and can be administered as often as once daily. In addition, this tablet kills all live fleas within half an hour to an hour, providing your pet with instant relief.
Best Chewable Tick and Flea Control: Bravecto Chews for Dogs
Bravecto is administered every 12 weeks, and the dog's weight calculates the dosage. This chewable controls both ticks and fleas and can be administered every eight weeks in case of potential exposure to lone-star ticks.
Top Medications on the Market: Cats & Kittens
Like dogs, cats and kittens have their own specific flea and tick prevention medication. Let's review the top choices below.
Best Preventative Against Eggs: Revolution Plus for Cats
Revolution Plus for Cats protects against ticks, fleas, mites, and worms. In addition, it protects your cat against both adult fleas and their eggs. This medication is applied topically once a month.
Best Flea Control For Kittens: Advantage Multi for Cats and Kittens
Advantage Multi for Cats and Kittens protects your furry friend from 5 different parasites, such as ear mites, fleas, and three kinds of worms. Apply entire contents following the label recommendation for the appropriate band size of the cat.
Best Flea Control for Cats: Frontline Gold for Cats
Frontline Gold for Cats is great overall flea control, treating both adult and immature stages of fleas. Use the entire contents in one spot on the cat's skin.
Best Rapid Relief Product: Capstar (Cats)
This medication comes in tablet form and can be administered as often as once per day. In addition, this tablet kills all live fleas within half an hour to an hour, providing your cat with instant relief.
Best Tick and Flea Collar: Seresto for Cats
This collar controls both ticks and fleas on your cat. It's essential to follow the label instructions when applying the collar to the ca for best results.
Leave The Mess To Us
Whichever flea and tick prevention treatment you choose, always make sure also to consult your family vet. They may be able to recommend one based on your pet's individual needs. Also, note when the medicine needs to be repeated so you don't lapse any treatments.
While you handle pest infestations, let us take the messy job of cleaning up after your pet. Visit our site to see our membership options. Choose from a one-time service, twice a week, or only once a month. We have you covered.