Fleas and ticks
Fleas are the most common reason a dog scratches, chews at the base of the tail, or has tiny dark specks in the coat. Ticks show up after walks in grass and woods.
What to try first
- Treat every dog and cat in the house on the same day, not just the one scratching.
- Wash bedding hot and vacuum daily for two weeks. Most of the flea life cycle is in the home, not on the dog.
- Run a flea comb over the rump and belly daily and drop what you find in soapy water.
- Put the next dose date in your calendar so protection never lapses.
Be careful with
- Weigh your dog and buy the matching weight band. Too little doesn't work, too much isn't safe.
- Never use a dog flea product on a cat.
- No bath 48 hours before or after a spot-on treatment.
- Keep children and other pets off the application spot until it's dry.
See a vet if
- Pale gums or unusual tiredness, especially in a puppy.
- Raw, weeping or smelly skin.
- A tick you can't remove whole, or a rash spreading from the bite.
- The dog is under 8 weeks old or under 5 lbs.
Products that help
