It’s here! Warmer weather has arrived; are you ready to head outside with your canine companion? We are partnering with Merck Animal Health to provide some key tips and tricks to help you protect your Doodle from fleas and ticks this season.
Fleas and ticks can be present throughout most of the year, especially in states like sunny California. Typically, they’re most active during the warmer seasons – spring, summer, and early fall. Fleas and ticks are tiny pests but can pose big problems for your Doodle – and your family – if not managed properly.
Navigating peak flea and tick season with your Doodle requires a proactive approach to protect both yourself and your dog. Check out some of our best tips and tricks to help you conquer flea and tick season this year!
Understanding Fleas and Ticks
On their best day, fleas and ticks are annoying. Fleas, in particular, can be very difficult to eradicate from indoor spaces once your pet carries the insects into your home; many times, professional extermination is necessary.
Even outdoors, however, fleas and ticks are bad news for you and your dog. Without a host (you or your pet) fleas can live for up to around two weeks. If the pest has found a warm-blooded host to snack on, he can live for up to a year!
Similarly, a tick can live up to three years depending upon the type of tick and the host. On average, any tick will have a lifespan of two years.
Both fleas and ticks prefer warm, moist areas with nooks and crannies in which they can hide. This isn’t limited to forests – the pests adore your leaf piles, long grass, and even your crawlspaces.
In many cases, it’s okay to leave wildlife alone. After all, the outdoors is their home! Fleas and ticks, however, are a different story. They’re true pests that carry disease to their hosts and must be eliminated for your health and the health of your pet.
Fleas, Ticks, and Disease
As mentioned, fleas and ticks carry disease to humans and to animals. This, of course, includes you and your Doodle.
Ticks spread disease that can be harmful – even fatal – to humans and their dogs. These diseases include:
- Lyme disease. Left untreated, this disease can cause excruciating joint pain and mobility issues along with a host of other symptoms.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, like Lyme disease, can be fatal if left untreated. The disease can cause hemorrhaging and can lead to amputation as well.
- Colorado tick fever. This is a virus primarily spread by infected ticks in the western United States. Fever, body aches, lethargy, vomiting, and abdominal pain are common symptoms.
- Anaplasmosis. Another of the fatal tick-borne illnesses, anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection spread by the arachnids.
As with fleas, there are many more diseases spread by ticks. The four mentioned are the most commonly diagnosed.
Prevention is Key
As you may have inferred, keeping your dog free of ticks and fleas is critical to the health of your pet and your family. Thankfully, there are quite a few ways the pests can be managed.
To begin, we’re going to take a look at your furry friend – how do you keep fleas and ticks away from your precious pup?
BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) Chews Flea and Tick Medication
Oral flea and tick medication is perhaps the most effective preventive measure you can take against fleas and ticks. In part, this is because just one chewable can keep your pup protected for months!
BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) Chews flea and tick medication is prescribed by your vet and administered orally. Just one chew will protect your dog for up to 12 weeks*. Plus, one chew lasts nearly 3X longer than one dose of monthly products.
A marked advantage of oral medications is “compliance;” in short, you’re less likely to forget to administer or reapply the treatment. BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) Chews is our recommendation. It’s fast-acting, safe, and an easy treatment.
Controlling Fleas and Ticks with Environmental Management
It makes no difference whether you live in a home with a large yard, a farm, a condo, or a camper. When nature calls, your dog must answer… outside.
Frequent trips outdoors, of course, increase the probability that fleas and ticks will find your pup. For that reason, it’s important to manage the environment in which your dog plays.
Natural or commercial repellents in your yard can be helpful. Commercial treatments are available from home and garden shops, but it’s important to choose a pet- and child-friendly option. You’ll also need to reapply or replace the treatment regularly, so set an alert on your calendar!
Do you have a green thumb? Naturally pest-resistant plants can be beautiful additions to your garden or yard, and some are very easy to care for! Several options include:
- Mint (this is best planted in a container as it spreads very easily)
- Marigolds
- Lavender
- Catnip
- Rosemary
Keep your lawn mowed! If you have a natural area in your yard, it’s best to keep your pets away.
Controlling Fleas and Ticks Through Pet Care
Monitoring your pet is an important part of flea and tick management. As you brush, pet, or otherwise love your pup, inspect her for bites or infestation. Before you even notice the signs of fleas or ticks we recommend starting a preventative treatment like BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) Chews.
Otherwise, regular maintenance of your pet’s fur and skin will help you detect and deter pests like fleas and ticks.
Flea and Tick Mitigation in Your Home
In the event that fleas or ticks take up residence in your home, you may find yourself seeking solutions. In rare cases, an exterminator is necessary. In less serious instances, you can rid your home of fleas yourself.
Bug “bombs” can be helpful in eradicating the pests, but if you have family members who suffer from respiratory issues you may want to find an alternative.
Frequent vacuuming is essential to keeping your home pest-free. Please be sure to check and empty the vacuum bag.
Should you find fleas or ticks in your home, remember to wash clothing, bedding, and toys that have been impacted by the insects.
Conclusion: Navigating Flea & Tick Season With Your Doodle
In the unfortunate event that your dog, your yard, or your home becomes infested with fleas or ticks, it’s important to treat the issue as soon as you possibly can. Prioritize the control of flea and ticks before they become problematic through maintenance of your yard and the interior of your home. Then, keep your dog safe all summer with the use of a flea and tick treatment like BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) Chews. Ask your veterinarian today! For full product and safety information, visit us.bravecto.com.
Disclaimer: This blog post is sponsored by Merck Animal Health. However, the article remains truthful and reflects the author’s genuine experiences. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional advice before acting on any information provided. Merck Animal Health values transparency and honesty in all collaborations.
*BRAVECTO (fluralaner) Chews for Dogs kills fleas, prevents flea infestations, and kills ticks (black-legged tick, American dog tick, brown dog tick, and Asian longhorned tick) for 12 weeks. BRAVECTO Chews also kills lone star ticks for 8 weeks.
BRAVECTO (fluralaner) Chews for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, anorexia and pruritus. In some cases, adverse events have been reported following use in breeding females. BRAVECTO Chews has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks’ duration in puppies less than 6 months of age. BRAVECTO Chews is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. Fluralaner is a member of the isoxazoline class. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders.
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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