Keep Your Dog Tick and Flea Free this Summer

There are so many flea and tick medications on the market today that it just boggles the mind. Which ones really work and which ones may even be harmful to your pet? And the prices on some of these medications are through the roof! So what's a caring and concerned pet owner to do? I have used a simple and relatively less expensive way to keep my dog's flea and tick free. This easy regime will probably work for you too.

We all know that ticks and fleas are unhealthy and that it's imperative to keep these pests off of our dogs. If a household has more than one pet, the problem compounds. I have five adult Australian Shepherds and it's a challenge to keep these pests off of my dogs! But it can be done successfully.

Fleas and ticks are known as external parasites. They can transmit dangerous diseases and also cause blood loss. It is important to know that early treatments for the prevention of flea and tick infestations are critical in keeping the pest population from developing into a major problem. Severe flea and tick infestations, especially in the home, are difficult to treat effectively.

Whenever you use a flea or tick medication it's imperative that you read the instructions carefully. Some products (especially the newer ones to the market) can be harmful to pets if they're used improperly or in the wrong combination. It's also very important that if you see your dog having any kind of adverse reaction to the medication, to discontinue it and contact your veterinarian.

The best way to treat your four-legged friend for these pests is by treating both the dog and his environment and also your house (if he's allowed to come into the house). This way, the fleas, eggs and ticks won't have a safe haven to live and breed. You should treat your dog, his environment and your house at the same time. For treatment I use a combination of flea and tick drops, Sevin Dust (5%), flea and tick spray, foggers and a dog shampoo.

To start your flea and tick treatment, first bathe your dog with a dog shampoo. There are many different kinds to choose from on the market, including moisturizing shampoos and flea and tick shampoos. After he is clean and dry, you can apply his flea and tick drops. The most common drops are Frontline, Advantage, and Hartz (Hartz is the least expensive). Be sure to buy the medication appropriate for your dog's weight. Read the instructions carefully! Some drops instruct you to just squeeze the medicine between the shoulder blades, while others tell you to start at the shoulder blades and continue to the base of the tail. In any case, make sure that you apply the medication on the dog's skin, and not just on his fur.

Next, wash all of your dog's beddings and vacuum your house. (Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag). Use a hand held flea and tick house spray to spray in the corners, closets, on baseboards, and throw rugs. Foggers won't penetrate these places. Depending on the size of your house and the number of rooms, buy enough foggers to treat the entire home. You should place one fogger in each room and close the door. Be sure to follow the directions!

Your dogs outside environment, including runs and the yard where he occupies should be sprayed with a yard and kennel flea and tick spray. Make sure that the "rest areas" are kept clean. I like to use the 7Dust about once a week as it is effective and not very expensive. You can make an easy homemade "shaker" jar to dispense the dust onto both the dog and all of his indoor and outdoor beddings. Simply find a clean glass jar with a lid. Take a nail and hammer holes into the lid. Fill the glass jar with the Sevin Dust and screw on the lid. You can shake the dust on your dog and his bedding about once a week or when needed.

I hope these tips were helpful for you in solving the summer flea and tick invasion. Remember, prevention is a lot easier than trying to combat an ongoing infestation. Your dog will thank you in return by staying happy, healthy and bug-free!