Learning More About Dog Fleas and Ticks
How Can My Dog Get Fleas and Ticks?
Fleas and ticks are outside all the time, so your dog has to come in contact with them, or they come in contact with someone or something where the fleas and ticks are on them.
What Signs Will My Dog Show if They Have Fleas?
Fleas cause extreme itching. You will see your dog itching, scratching, sometimes chewing at themselves, trying to even pull their hair out if it's bad.
Can Indoor Dogs Still Get Fleas and Ticks?
They can. Just because your dog doesn't go outside doesn't mean that things from outside aren't going to be on your shoes or on other animals that come into your house.
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Fleas?
You'll see a lot of chewing and itching, and you’ll see the fleas. Sometimes, it looks like they have dirt all over them. You may also be itchy like your pet.
How Do I Get Rid of Fleas on my Dog?
If your dog has fleas, you need to treat them. Either come to the office so we can give you a pill that'll take care of it, or use something topical that'll kill them.
Will Fleas Go Away On Their Own?
They will not just go away on their own; they'll keep getting worse and lay eggs, which are really hard to get rid of once they're in your house. Talk to your vet to decide on the best preventative and treatment if you do have them. Options include topicals, which are applied to your pet, orals taken monthly, or collars that must be in contact with the skin to work as preventative measures.
Are There Safe Home Remedies for Fleas on My Dog?
Unfortunately, there’s not.
Where Do I Start With Dog Flea and Tick Prevention?
The number one thing to do is to talk to your vet so you can decide what's the best preventative and treatment if your dog does have them.
What Different Types of Flea and Tick Preventative Treatments Are There?
There are topicals, and those are the ones that you take and put on your pet. There are orals, which they can take monthly. Or, there are collars that have to be in contact with the skin to work as a preventative.
Do I Only Need Flea and Tick Prevention During the “Season” in My Area?
Unfortunately, no. It doesn't really get cold enough here to eliminate anything outside. There are many stray animals in New Jersey that carry fleas. Ticks have no problem surviving through the winter.
Are Flea and Tick Preventatives Safe for My Dog to Use?
Of course. The biggest risk is if your pet has neurological issues or if it's something they're going to eat, they could have gastrointestinal issues. You should discuss it with your vet before giving anything to your pet.
What Are the Risks of Not Using Flea and Tick Preventatives?
Flea and tick preventatives keep your pet from getting them and the health risks that come with it. Ticks carry diseases that can affect your pets for life. Fleas, once in your house, are hard to get rid of and can cause issues.
Do Dog Ticks Carry Lyme Disease?
Dog ticks don't carry Lyme disease, but deer ticks do. Deer ticks are about the size of a pencil head, making them hard to spot.
How Long Can a Tick Be on My Dog Before It’s Dangerous?
It takes as little as 24 hours for something to transmit to your pet. This is a huge risk because ticks can transfer infections to you, your kids, your rug, and your pets once they're inside. It's going to be everywhere.
If you have questions on dog fleas and ticks, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (848) 217-5000, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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