Canine Natural Health : Health
Controlling Fleas & Ticks
Effective methods of eliminating pests from your dog and home
Fleas can diminish your dog's quality of life and introduce a big nuisance into your home. Compare popular flea control aids and read tips for preventing future infestations.
Flea and tick control is one of the biggest challenges faced by dog owners in our country. With each flea laying up to 60 eggs per day, these persistent pests can take up residence not just in your dog's fur, but also throughout your home. In addition to aggravating your pet, they can also burrow into your bedding and furniture and bite you as well.
As soon as you become aware of a flea or tick problem, you should immediately take measures to treat your home and your dog, and then implement preventative strategies to avoid future infestations.
There are several effective flea medications available for over-the-counter purchase. Some of the most popular and trusted brands include:
- Frontline Plus: The most widely used flea treatment, Frontline Plus, effectively combats adult fleas, flea larvae, and flea eggs, as well as several varieties of ticks. Manufactured by Merial, the product is marketed as extremely fast-acting, eradicating all live fleas within 18 hours, yet is safe enough for use near pregnant and nursing mothers. As an added advantage, Frontline Plus is waterproof.
- Advantage: Highly effective in reducing bites, this popular product stops fleas in their tracks within minutes. Somewhat harsher than Frontline, Advantage cannot be used within close vicinity of children. It also does not offer the added benefit of combating ticks.
- Program: Designed to prevent fleas from multiplying, this reproduction control aid does not kill existing adult fleas, so its effect will not be as quickly noticeable as other products. Plus, your dog can always become re-infested with adult fleas next time he ventures out of the house, starting the cycle over again.
- Revolution: This multi-tasking pest control product kills mature fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. It also helps to rid dogs of heartworms, although some dogs have experienced vomiting as a side effect.
- K-9 Advantix: A powerful eradicator of various types of bugs, this waterproof product successfully rids dogs of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
Once you've taken steps to remove the problem, you should consider implementing preventative measures to avoid future outbreaks. Below are some suggestions for deterring fleas and ticks from infesting your dog and your home:
- Regular bathing of your dog and daily combing of his coat will remove any new fleas and keep dirt from accumulating. Fleas and ticks aren't as attracted to a clean, shiny, shampoo-smelling coat.
- Remember that commercial flea or tick control products should not be used on puppies until they're 6-8 weeks old. Until then, you can use natural treatments, such as regular bathing, daily combing, feeding your pup a healthy diet, and using non-chemical indoor flea traps.
- A clean house is not as hospitable to fleas. Vacuum your carpets at least once a week, and regularly launder upholstery, pet bedding, and other textiles to keep your home free of pests.
- Try releasing some nematode worms into the soil around your home. These microscopic parasites feed on flea eggs, providing an all-natural way to control the flea population.
Be sure to visit our trusted friends Drs. Foster & Smith and Only Natural Pet to buy products mentioned here.
We hope you find better living for your dog, natually.
John & Heidi Walsh
Pet lovers for over 20 years.
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