Summer is finally upon us and while we may enjoy heading to the beach and unleashing our wild sides, the season isn't all that great for our furry friends. If you have a dog at home then you know exactly what we're talking about. For your pets, summer season equals tick and flea season. Yikes! What's even worse is that the constant itching can make them more prone to serious diseases like Lyme disease.
"Once your dog has them, they can take over the entire home," says veterinarian, Dr. Danielle Bernal while talking about your dog having fleas and ticks. "About 70 percent of dogs that are itchy and scratching have fleas, so it's really abundant—protection is key." “Tick bites can lead to expensive vet bills and a situation where your pet is really unwell,” says Dr. Bernal.
Here are some methods that will help keep your dog safe:
Collars: "Collars are really popular for tick prevention specifically," says Dr. Bernal. "Ticks are everywhere—even the dog park—and what stimulates them is the carbon dioxide from your dog’s breath. So the collars work to neutralize that and repel ticks over a period of time." This works really great because it won't burden your dog either while also keeping it safe from ticks and fleas.
Spot Treatment: "Spot treatments have been the most popular option for the last 10 years," says Dr. Bernal. She also added that even though there are a number of spot treatment options out there, you need to invest in one that doesn't just get rid of ticks and fleas but also prevents further infections from occurring. This way your dog's safety is guaranteed.
Tablets: This is the easiest way for you to ensure that your best buddy stays in the best shape and it truly is the best option for people who don't have the time to constantly keep their dog's health in check. Plus, if you're a forgetful person, this is like a godsend for you. "As pet parents, one of the challenges we have is remembering to do things, so I've seen a lot of success with the 3-month tablet," the doctor says. "If you stay active with the 3-month treatments, it's just four times a year, and you get consistent protection so it's my go-to." "Ticks are hard because many spot treatments only protect against ticks for about 2 weeks out of the 4 — but with the tablet, you're covered for up to 3 months." So, all you have to do is give your dog one tablet and he'll be tick and flea free for three months! Isn't that great?
Well, now that you know what options you have, pick one that works best for you and your dog. Stay tuned for more updates.
