What is the safest flea and tick treatment for dogs? Let’s Explore

What to Consider When Picking the Safest Flea Treatment for Dogs

Keep in mind that no two pets are the same. Therefore, a product that’s commonly considered to be safe flea and tick prevention for dogs may be a great option for one animal and a mistake for another. Factors to consider include:

  • Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information.
  • Breed: Coat type may influence your decision. Thicker coats may be difficult for topical treatments.
  • Your pet’s health history: Other medications or supplements that you give, concurrent health conditions, and previous reactions to flea and tick preventatives should be taken into account. For example, neurologic problems have been seen in dogs when high doses of ivermectin (heartworm prevention ingredient) are given in conjunction with spinosad, a flea preventative ingredient.
  • Your pet’s lifestyle: The presence of children and other pets (especially cats) in the household and your pet’s daily activities/exposure to the outdoors are important details.
  • Where you live: Which parasites are common in your area? Is resistance to certain preventatives a concern?
  • Your veterinarian will take these details into account and help you decide which flea and tick preventative is best for your dog.

    Many of the safest and most effective options require a veterinarian’s prescription, so it makes sense to have this discussion sooner rather than later.

    #1 Definitely Not Safe – Oral Flea And Tick Preventatives

    These are the worst offenders and most dangerous to use on your dog. They’re taken orally, usually as a tasty chew for your dog. These drugs contain isoxazolines. And they’re usually only available by prescription.

    Many of these meds contain a class of ingredients called isoxazolines. They’re non-competitive GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor antagonists. This means they bind to chloride channels inside the flea or tick. In plainer English, they block nerve signals … which paralyzes and kills the bugs.

    PetArmor Plus Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs

    PetArmor Plus for dogs is a powerful insect repellent that protects your BFF from pesky insects. This easy-to-use topical solution kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice for up to 30 days—protecting your dog for a whole month.

    Biting insects are harmful to you as well as posing a risk to your dogs health. They can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other diseases that you dont want in your home.

    Its similar to a spray, as it kills mites such as sarcoptic mange and deer ticks. It also destroys deer tick, dog tick, American dog tick, and lone star tick nymphs. Its an ideal solution to your problem.

    Flea & Tick Products that ACTUALLY WORK!! Safest options for my pets

    AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.

    After you’ve welcomed a new puppy into your home, it’s important to ensure you’re setting your puppy up for a long and happy life. Flea and tick protection for puppies is a critical part of that. Add flea and tick puppy prevention to your checklist, along with required and recommended vaccinations for your puppy, the socialization process, and initiating a regimen of quality preventive care, including heartworm preventatives.