The Dreaded Season…
The Dreaded Season…
The snow has melted, the sun shining. That only means one thing, more time outside, YAY!! But for our furry four-legged friends that could mean they are at risk for some unwanted guests. You guessed it…. The dreaded season of FLEAS AND TICKS! Yuck!
How do they harm your pet?
FLEAS:
Fleas crawl all over your dog’s skin, biting them as they go. They not only carry parasites they can also carry dangerous bacteria. They can cause your dog to become anemic which can turn into a very serious condition, especially in puppies. Fleas can cause irritation to your dog’s skin, which can cause redness and itching. Here are the top health problems from Fleas.
TICKS:
Ticks like to find a nice warm cozy spot to embed themselves in your dog’s skin, once imbedded they begin sucking their blood. They are intercellular parasites that can carry and transmit bacteria to your dog. Ticks carry a very serious bacterial infection called Lyme disease. Find out more about ticks here.
Here, in Vermont those unwanted friends are coming out and stronger than ever. It’s time to think about flea and tick prevention. I bet you typed it into google and are completely overwhelmed by the number of different products available.
Which do you choose? Which one is better? Are they safe?
We strongly recommend not just buying whatever is on the shelves, or online generally that stuff is not the safest for you pet. We have done extensive research of our own and found two companies we really love. Both have products we trust and bonus they are clean ingredients.
Wondercide offers several options for your fur baby which of course makes life so much easier. You can choose from the spray, collar, spot treatment and shampoo. We would recommend picking up a couple options such as the spray and a collar. Please make sure you read the directions on use of each product BEFORE using them. Wondercide also offers an outdoor spray for your yard which can be extremely helpful.
Earth Animal also offers many options. Collars, spot treatment and internal powder. Again, picking a couple options is a good idea, always better to be prepared than not.
Essential oils are a great very all-natural option as well. Be cautious with the brand you use, cheaper oils bought over the counter tend to not be as pure and clean. Our favorite brands of essential oils are Plant Therapy and Revive. There are a ton of brands out there, these are just the ones we are most comfortable using on ourselves and pets.
These specific oils make for a great flea and tick repellent. Citronella, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Tea Tree and Rosemary. Dilute a few drops of your chosen oil or oils into a spray bottle and dilute with 300-400ml of water, spray onto your dog’s coat daily during flea and tick season. NEVER use undiluted oils on dogs, it can be TOXIC to them.
Make sure when using any new products on your dog you always watch for skin irritation, if that occurs STOP using the product.
Check your dog daily for fleas and ticks during peak season. Or anytime your dog is in tall grass or a wooded area.
If you find ticks on your dog, it’s important to contact your vet and have the tick tested. To better know what next steps should be taken for your dog.
Helpful Links:
Check out this page for tons of great info on ticks in Vermont.
Treating your dog for fleas is just the first step in eliminating them. It’s extremely important to keep your home vacuumed daily, including all cloth furniture. Wash all bedding weekly that includes yours and the dogs. Wash plush toys, collars, leashes weekly. Vacuum your vehicles. Anything else your dog encounters should be treated or cleaned to prevent reinfestation of fleas. Fleas are very tricky to get rid of, so always be on the lookout for more. Re-treat as needed.
WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND THIS IS NOT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE we just want to help you get through the dreaded season of Fleas and ticks.
