While you embrace dogs as pets, the parasites they bring along are unwanted mouths to feed. Nutrition meant for your puppy might be usurped by fleas and ticks. And these vermin can make your dog itch and scratch incessantly. These tiny insects inhabit your dog’s coat and act as parasites and pathogens for certain diseases. Do not take any risks with your pet’s health. Here are some products to protect your dogs from fleas and ticks.

1. Flea collar – Seresto Flea and Tick Collar
Dog flea collars are perhaps the simplest and best preventive tools to keep your dog flea- and tick-free. Pets who spend lots of time outdoors, especially in grassy, wooded areas, will surely benefit from this product. Commercially produced collars contain a chemical that slowly but surely spreads across the dog’s coat with the help of their natural body oil. The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar are worth trying. The polymer collar contains an odorless mix of ingredients that offers up to 8 months of protection. The low concentration makes it safe for pets, and its waterproof nature allows you to take your pet swimming with no worries.

2. Topical Treatments – Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Large Breed Dog Treatment
Since your dog’s coat is affected, looking for creams and lotions that you can apply to the skin is a logical step to take. Generally, the medication, also called “spot-on,” is used on the spot between the pet’s shoulder blades. Doing this prevents your puppy from licking the medicine and ingesting it. Frontline is an excellent brand to consider, especially for large breeds of dogs. The chemical Fipronil effectively kills adult fleas and ticks, whereas Methoprene goes after the eggs and larvae. It is waterproof and needs reapplication only after 30 days.

3. Oral treatment – Novartis Capstar tablets
Oral medication is the way to go if your puppy licks itself a lot or you have more than one pet. Chewables or pills have insecticidal chemicals that are transmitted to fleas or ticks when they bite. The chemicals generally work on adults, and that too, not in all stages of the development of the parasite. With topical treatments, a veterinary consultation is a must. Novartis Capstar tablets are a commonly used measure against fleas and ticks. This oral drug is primarily prescribed to dogs with allergies to these parasites. There are two formulae, one for small dogs and another for those above 25 pounds. It is a fast-acting medication that starts ridding fleas within as quickly as 30 minutes after ingestion.

4. Preventive shampoos – Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo
Flea shampoos can be insecticidal or herbal repellents. As the name suggests, they can be used to prevent infestations and remove the parasites already existing on your pet. It is used the same way as regular shampoos, except that you must leave the lather on them for a minimum of 10 minutes. Adams is an excellent brand to purchase. Its effects are supposed to last 28 days, but the product is most effective if used once in 10 days. A warning, however, is that the active ingredient pyrethrin is toxic to cats.