Along with warmer weather, spring brings ticks and fleas, which can expose your pets to flea infestations and flea related problems like flea allergy dermatitis and tick-borne illnesses and diseases. Monthly treatment is important as it’s easier and less expensive to protect your pets from infestations and disease than it is to treat them after a diagnosis. Treating a flea infestation can be costly and a burden to renters and homeowners, while tick-borne diseases can cause your pet pain, weight loss and other serious side effects.
With topical and oral treatments, dips, collars and shampoos, it can be difficult to decide which treatment to use. What’s the difference between them, and which treatment is best for your pet? We’re here to help you make that determination.
By far fleas are the most common nuisance for pets and pet owners. To maximize your flea treatment plan you want to know the four lifecycle stages of the flea: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The fleas you see on your pet only make up a small percentage of the total flea population present. Flea eggs and larva may be in your carpet, upholstery and pet bedding. The pupa is the transition stage between larva and adult. The pupa forms inside a cocoon spoon by the larva. After several weeks the pupa becomes an adult flea. Now here’s the flea’s secret weapon of survival. The adult flea may remain in the cocoon for up to 5 months, but when stimulated by a passing animal the adult can emerge within seconds. Vacant homes and apartments can come alive with these fleas when new pets are introduced. When selecting a flea treatment you want a product that kills all life stages of the flea and you may need to treat all areas of your home where your pet has access. When researching products it helps to know these terms. Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) is common terminology you will see on products that kill all life stages of fleas and adulticide is the term for the active ingredients that start to kill the adult flea on contact
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are applied directly to your pet’s skin and are absorbed into the skin and become part of the gland system that produces body oils. These oils work to distribute the medicine over the pet’s body over the course of a month. If you don’t have any pets that go outside you might choose a product that just kills fleas (all life stages). If you have any pets that go outside you should consider a product that kills both fleas and ticks. Topicals are usually waterproof, which is great if you plan on bathing your pet during the course of treatment.
For dogs, products like Advantage II, K9 Advantix II, and Frontline kill fleas, but K9 Advantix II and Frontline Plus also kill ticks. K9 Advantix II kills and repels fleas, ticks and mosquitos. Never use K9 Advantix II on cats.
For cats, Frontline and Advantage II kill and protect against fleas, while Frontline Plus also kills ticks. Both of these products are waterproof.
Oral Tablets
Oral tablets such as CAPSTAR® are intended for pets that need fast flea relief. They start killing fleas within 30 minutes and may work for up to 24 hours. They are not intended as a long term treatment.
Dips
Flea and tick dips are treatments diluted with water and applied to your dog much like a bath—either poured on the body or with a sponge, and allowed to air dry before it is rinsed off. This type of treatment can prevent fleas and ticks for up to 35 days. Be sure to avoid getting the product in your pet’s mouth or eyes.
Collars
Typical flea collars repel fleas and ticks by dispersing a chemical all over your pet’s body. While they provide some protection and are usually inexpensive, your pet may find them irritating and they usually carry a strong odor. Fortunately a new improved flea collar was recently introduced call Seresto. The Seresto collar kills adult fleas and larva and it kills and repels ticks. Its slow release technology is effective for up to 8 months which makes it a good economical choice. The collar is odorless and water-resistant.
Shampoos
Flea and tick shampoos generally kill adult fleas and ticks on contact and the treatment will last for 5 to 14 days depending on the brand.
Home Treatments
Areas of the home can be spot treated with powders and sprays and foggers can be used for whole home treatment. Some professional pest control company’s offer home flea treatments.
Be sure to first consult your veterinarian before deciding on any flea or tick treatment and always use any flea and tick product according to its instructions
For more information on flea and tick treatments for dogs, click here; for cats, click here. At Petsway, we’re here to help find your pet’s way to health and happiness!