What To Consider When Choosing Flea and Tick Medication For Your Pet

When you realize your four-legged friend is suffering with fleas or ticks, you may be tempted to rush out and buy the first medication you find on the shelves. But it’s important to take a moment to consider your options first.

It is important to remember that there are dozens of different products on the market, not all of which will be suitable for your pet. Making the wrong choice could mean wasting your money, or worse still, endangering the health of your pet.

Keep reading to find out what you should be taking into account when buying flea medications for your cat or dog. And perhaps, if you’re reading this before anything has happened, you’ll be inspired to talk to your vet about preventative medication for your furry friend.

How To Determine If Your Pet Has Fleas or Ticks

The first and most important step is to make sure fleas or ticks are actually the issue. Flea and tick treatments contain potent medications which could be harmful to your pet if applied unnecessarily. Here is what you should look out for:

• Fleas: Flea saliva causes an allergic reaction in many cats and dogs. If your pet has been bitten, they may appear extremely uncomfortable and scratch excessively. Red bumps around your pet’s belly, groin or legs can also indicate fleas. Severe infestations can lead to hair loss and lesions on the skin.

• Ticks: When ticks feed, they become large enough to feel on your pet’s skin. To check for ticks, run your hands across your dog or cat’s body to look for tell-tale bumps. Be sure to check the whole body, but pay particular attention to the areas that have brushed against grasses and other plants. If a tick is feeding on your pet, they may show signs of fatigue and lethargy.

How To Choose the Right Medication

Here are our top tips for choosing the right flea and tick treatment:

1. Quick and reliable – Pick a product that can be applied quickly and is endorsed by experts as being reliable.

1. Kills pests during all stages of life – Read the packaging to make sure you chosen product kills fleas in all stages of their lifecycle. Some treatments kill adult fleas effectively but do nothing to get rid of eggs. Talk your vet if you have questions.

1. Easy to apply – Easy application isn’t everything, but it is important. This is especially true if your cat or dog is likely to have a hard time keeping still while you apply the treatment or if you’re busy and a treatment that takes a long time is less likely to happen on schedule.

1. Safe for you and your pet – If you or your pet suffer from sensitive skin, choose a natural product that is less likely to cause irritation. Also make sure that you choose a product designed specifically for your pet; some treatments are appropriate for dogs but would harm cats, and vice versa.

1. Matches your pet’s preference – Finally, think about your pet and what type of treatment they would prefer. Oral medications are often the best for fussy pets, as they can be hidden in food or treats. If your pet enjoys being bathed, you may prefer a shampoo treatment instead.

Types Of Treatment

The main types of flea and tick treatment are:

• Topical (spot treatments, dips and shampoos): Relatively easy to administer if your pet is tolerant. May cause minor reactions in pets with sensitive skin.
• Orals: Quick and easy, especially if your pet will eat anything you put in front of them. Can be added to food or treats. Most suitable for pets that are not picky eaters.
• Collars: Easy application that causes minimal stress to your pet. Can sometimes cause irritation.

Potential Side Effects and Warnings

Pets must not ingest topical flea or tick treatments, as they are usually toxic. For this reason you should take care not to let your pet chew on a medicated collar.

Any medicated product has the potential to cause side-effects, so make sure you read the label thoroughly. Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure which treatment is best for your pet.