Dog Flea and Tick - The Best Ways to Prevent Fleas and Ticks on Your Dog

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: Modern Vet Care

How does my dog get fleas and ticks?

Your dog can get fleas or ticks from anywhere, really, but especially by being outside. They live in tall grasses and parks, so anytime your dog goes outside, they could be exposed to fleas or ticks.

Dr. Emily Ehmann
Modern Vet Care

Can fleas and ticks spread from my dog to my home and family?

Yes. Fleas can jump on humans and bite us, and ticks can crawl into the environment and onto humans and bite and feed on humans as well.

Can my dog get fleas and ticks if they are primarily an indoor dog?

That's a good question. Yes, your dog can still get fleas and ticks even if they stay indoors most of the time. Most humans will be outside in those environments and can bring fleas and ticks inside and expose their pets. Fleas and ticks can come in on your clothes.

What health problems can fleas and ticks cause in my dog?

Fleas and ticks can cause a multitude of health problems with your dog. Fleas, in particular, can cause itching, allergies or allergic reactions, and they can also transmit intestinal parasites to your dog. Ticks can spread many tickborne diseases to your dog, such as Lyme disease or anaplasmosis, which can cause infection and complications for your dog.

How effective are flea and tick medications?

There are many flea and tick medications on the market now, and newer products are especially very effective at killing fleas and ticks and preventing fleas and ticks from getting on your dog. I recommend that dogs are on flea and tick medications, of which some are monthly, all year round.

What is the difference between over-the-counter and prescription flea and tick medications?

There's a difference in the medication that would be in those products. The ones that are prescribed by your veterinarian have been tested and are vet-recommended. Those are the ones that I would recommend using on your dog so that there aren't any complications and you're using the most effective medication out there.

What different types of flea and tick preventative treatments are there?

There are a few different types of flea and tick medications ranging from chewable tablets, which are sometimes monthly, to topical medications that you would apply to your dog's skin. There are also some collars that your dog would wear around the neck.

What will my veterinarian recommend for flea and tick treatment?

We have chewable products here in our hospital. There's NexGard, a monthly chewable for fleas and ticks. There's also some Simparica Trio, which is also a monthly chewable, and we have a liquid for fleas called Revolution. So there's a whole host of medications out there, and based on your conversation with your veterinarian and your dog's exposure, they would recommend a particular product that works best for you and your dog.

How can I identify fleas on my dog?

If there are fleas on your dog, your dog will likely be scratching a lot, potentially be very uncomfortable, and just itching excessively. You can comb through your dog's fur. We have little flea cones; if you comb through their fur, you may see the live flea, but they are very small and sometimes hard to find. More often than not, you will find what's called flea dirt, which is black dirt throughout the skin.

How can I identify ticks on my dog?

To look for ticks on your dog, especially if they've been out hiking or in the woods or tall grass, you should definitely comb through your dog's fur and look at the skin closely and through all the fur. Ticks are a little bit bigger than the fleas, so you would potentially see them crawl around on the fur, or they might have latched on and could be feeding from your dog. You may see an engorged tick if they've latched on.

What should I do if I see fleas or ticks on my dog?

If you see ticks and they are just going around, you can remove them. If they've latched on, you can part the fur and then, with some tweezers, grab the tick at the base and pull straight up. You want to remove the full tick from your dog. With fleas, you can bathe them, but the best thing to do would be to call your veterinarian as soon as possible so that we can get some flea and tick medications and preventatives on board as soon as possible.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (718) 267-7251, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083161540802, https://www.instagram.com/modernvetcare

Dog Flea and Tick - FAQs

Dr. Emily Ehmann
Modern Vet Care

What diseases are associated with fleas and ticks?

There are a few different diseases associated with both fleas and ticks. Fleas, in particular, can transmit intestinal parasites to your dog. Ticks can also transmit a few different types of tick-borne diseases, of which the most common are Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, which can cause complications and disease in your dog.

Where would my dog get fleas and ticks?

The dog can get fleas and ticks from outside, especially in heavily wooded areas, so when you're out hiking, even at the park, we see lots of fleas and ticks in tall grass. So just by walking around, they can be exposed to fleas and ticks. Even in New York City's city environment, we see many pets with fleas and ticks.

Is a short-haired dog more susceptible to getting fleas and ticks?

Not necessarily. We see fleas and ticks in all types of dogs, regardless of their coat length.

Can my dog still get fleas and ticks in the winter?

Yes, that's a question I get very commonly. While some fleas and ticks can go dormant in the winter, they must be exposed to certain conditions, and they often do not go completely dormant. So there are still active fleas and ticks even in the winter.

What factors can increase my dog's risk of getting fleas and ticks?

Any dog going outside can be exposed to fleas and ticks, but dogs that go hiking a lot or often go to the park can be exposed to fleas and ticks.