Flea and tick prevention is something every pet owner should think about, but with so much information and prevention products, how do you know what is right for your animals? We are here to tell you what you need to know about flea and tick prevention before you choose products.
What kind of prevention products are available?
For the longest time, the only prevention product was flea and tick collars. Today though, the veterinary world has made advances towards prevention and there are various products available. There are topical medications that can be applied directly to your pet’s skin, collars, sprays, and oral medications. Some products are only available with a prescription from your veterinarian.
Are all these prevention products the same?
With all the prevention products available, one thing to know is that they are not “one size fits all”. Some products are specifically for fleas or ticks, and others are for both. Similarly, some products are for only cats, only dogs, or both. Many products also have a minimum weight or age. This means that you will want to read labels carefully to figure out if the product you are purchasing is safe for your pet. Another thing to check is how long a product is good for. Some topical products may require being reapplied as often as every month, or there are oral medications that can last several months. These are a type of medicine, so be sure to check expiration dates before applying anything to your pet, because an expired product is useless or even potentially dangerous.
What do I do if I’m still not sure what product is best for my pet?
The best thing you can do before purchasing any prevention product is reach out to your veterinarian. They deal with flea and tick questions regularly, so they are going to be able to answer most of your questions and they can help you decide what product is going to be best for your animals.