How Often To Give Dog Flea And Tick Treatment?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Pet flea sprays can kill fleas, but may need to be re-applied from as often as

every few days, up to every few weeks

.

Do dogs need flea and tick medicine every month?

Yes! Yes!

Keep your pets on flea and tick protection all year round

! It is common today to hear people say “I don't give my pet flea and tick prevention in the winter there is no need, since it is so cold”.

Do I need to give my dog flea and tick medication year round?


We always recommend giving flea and tick protection year round as the weather is unpredictable

. Fleas can live outdoors and can survive in temperatures as low as 33 degrees for up to 5 days (long enough to jump on to your dog or you during your short walk outside and make their way in to your home!).

What months do dogs need flea and tick medicine?

Flea and tick season will start with the onset of spring in

late March to early April

. However, depending on how far south you go, it may end in either November or December according to when the temperatures drop for winter.

How often can I give my dog Frontline?

Treat all your dogs and cats

every month

for optimal flea control. When applied correctly, FRONTLINE PLUS remains active against fleas for at least one month. If you are in a paralysis tick area, apply FRONTLINE PLUS FOR DOGS every 2 weeks to provide paralysis tick control for your dog.

How long is tick season?

Peak tick season typically lasts from

May through August

. With the arrival of the tick nymphs in May and the warm summer weather, there are more out looking for a blood meal during this time. In fact, the warmer temperatures in the summer can actually make ticks more active.

Are ticks active in winter?


The American dog tick and Lone Star ticks are inactive in fall and winter

. The Blacklegged ticks activity decreases only when temperatures start dropping below 35 degrees F. or the ground is covered in snow. They quickly recover when temperatures start warming up.

Does my dog really need flea and tick prevention?

“Ticks and mosquitoes are dangerous to the health of people as well as pets,” says Dr. Jill Lopez, a veterinarian with Merck Animal Health. “For that reason,

flea and tick protection is essential for all dogs and cats that live with you

.”

What kills ticks on dogs instantly?


Eucalyptus oil

: Eucalyptus oil acts as a tick killer as well as tick repellant. Spray a solution of 4 ounces of pure or distilled water with 20 drops of eucalyptus oil on yourself and your pet. Bleach: Bleach contains powerful chemicals that can instantly kill ticks.

How soon can I give my dog another flea treatment?

The known safe answer is to wait the period of time the product is supposed to work,

typically 30 days

, before reapplying. An alternative is to bathe the pet in a detergent shampoo (meant to strip off skin oils) and reapply after 24 hours.

Can you use Frontline twice in a month?

If a pet still has fleas,

many veterinarians will use the product more frequently than once monthly, sometimes as often as once every 2-3 weeks

. However, this process is often considered to be “off label use,” and I would not use the product this way unless first speaking with your pet's veterinarian.

Do ticks fall off after frontline?

By applying FRONTLINE Spot On or FRONTLINE Plus

®

you can ensure that the ticks attaching to your pet will die within 48 hours. The product doesn't repel ticks, so ticks can still attach but

once dead they will normally drop off

, or can be easily removed.

Can I give my dog two doses of Frontline?


The minimum time to wait between two treatments of FRONTLINE HomeGard® is 6 months

. It is not necessary to use FRONTLINE HomeGard® repeatedly, if you are regularly treating your cat or dog with an effective flea and tick treatment such as FRONTLINE® spot-on products.

Can ticks live in your bed?

Can ticks live in a bed?

Ticks love your bed, your sheets, pillows, and blankets

. It is a popular area to attach and feed on their human hosts. Plus, once they attach, they can stay attached to you for days without you even knowing they are there.

Does one tick mean more?

A:

One tick in the house is one too many

. While it's unlikely that you have a tick infestation inside your home, there's a good chance that you've got some living nearby outdoors.

How do you know your dog has ticks?

Dogs with ticks

may have pale gums and be lethargic

. Scabs: There may be a tick embedded in your dog's skin if you find random scabs on your pet's body. Head shaking: Ticks sometimes crawl into a dog's ear canal or latch onto the ear's outer flap, and head shaking may be one indication.

Can ticks live in houses?

Some ticks prefer to set up house inside homes

Although most ticks prefer the great outdoors,

certain species can live and thrive indoors

. The brown dog tick, for example, can cause high levels of infestation in homes, dog kennels, and other structures where dogs are present.

Are ticks out in the rain?


Ticks can desiccate, or dry out, during times of low humidity

. They can even become inactive or enter diapause, a period where they stop developing because of unpropitious environmental conditions, Vredevoe said. Rain protects ticks from such situations, allowing them to seek hosts for longer periods of time.

What temp do ticks go away?

Ticks typically die in weather –

2 degrees to 14 degrees Fahrenheit

. However, that can be affected by the environment, the type of tick, and how deep they burrow. The American dog tick and Lone Star ticks may vanish as the weather changes, but the black-legged tick will hang around longer.

When should I start flea and tick prevention?

As we inch closer to spring, we can expect to see more days where the temperature reaches 4 C and higher. This is the temperature at which ticks become active and bite. Therefore, we recommend starting tick prevention on

March 1

and continuing monthly until November.

Do you have to flea your dog every month?

Treat all the pets in your home regularly (

usually every month but some products vary so check the insert or ask your vet

) with a suitable flea treatment. Regularly wash your pet's bedding on a hot wash to get rid of any flea eggs that might be lurking there.

What is the safest flea and tick prevention for dogs?

If chemical products are necessary for additional flea or tick control, NRDC recommends

s-methoprene or pyriproxyfen

, which are less toxic ingredients—but read the labels carefully because some products use them with other, more harmful pesticides.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.