There are several types of flea and tick medications to give your canine the relief that he needs. You administer each kind of treatment differently on its own schedule to effectively kill ticks and fleas--not only on your dog but also in your home. Some medications are useful in conjunction with each other to gain effectiveness quickly.
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Shampoo
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Using flea and tick shampoo will kill ticks and fleas up to seven days each time it is used. It is advisable to look for a brand that also kills flea eggs in order to break the life cycle of the flea. Shampoos will kill the flea eggs up to 30 days after each use. You can also purchase a flea and tick shampoo with extra skin conditioners in it if your pet has dry skin and is scratching.
Carpet Powder
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You can use flea and tick carpet powder on your pet's bedding and the carpet that he walks on. It sinks into the fibers of your furniture also to kill pests that have jumped off your dog and effectively kills them before they jump back onto your pet or family members. These powders usually have a nice clean scent to them and they are easy to apply by just shaking onto the appropriate areas in your home every 30 days.
Sprays
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Sprays for fleas and ticks are applied directly to your dog and for use in places that you would use the carpet powder. Sprays come in a large variety of insecticides with the best available sources that also kill flea larvae. This type of treatment will last from seven to 30 days depending on the product and can be used on an as needed basis. Check the circulars for side-effect and hazardous warnings.
Spot-On
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Spot-on treatments for fleas and ticks are efficient and waterproof. The squeeze tube is applied on your pet's shoulders and down the back to kill fleas, ticks, and larvae for an entire month. Some of these also inhibit mosquitoes from biting your dog, which is the cause of heartworms. The spot-on treatments come in different sizes depending on your dogs weight and each has the same effective ingredients but in a larger amount for larger dogs. Always make sure that you use the correct dosage for your dog's weight. As with any product of this nature, check with your veterinarian to see what is recommended.
Natural Remedies
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All natural homeopathic remedies for ticks and fleas come in four forms. There are liquid drops including herbal ingredients to administer orally in your dog's water or in his food. There are herbal powders and tablets, which you give to your pet orally to kill fleas and ticks internally. An outside yard spray is available to treat the entire yard by mixing its powder form with water and spraying the lawn as well as around plants. An herbal remedy spray is an all-natural substance to spray directly on your dog to control ticks and fleas. Many dog owners prefer the homeopathic ingredients to the harsh insecticides that are included in over-the-counter flea and tick medicines.
Considerations
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All of the above flea and tick remedies can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pet supply store or grocery store at a very reasonable price. The homeopathic remedies can be found at petwoof.com. Your veterinarian can recommend the prescription types of these medications with a different chemical in them, which is extensively tested before releasing to the public. The prescription flea and tick medications are available in pill form as well as the above forms and some even contain your dog's monthly heartworm medication. There have been some reports of sick animals from over-the-counter versions of pet and tick repellents from allergies or misuse, so it is very important to follow the directions on each package of flea and tick medicines and consult your vet in case of an emergency. It is a good idea to test a small area on your pet for allergic reactions before using a product.
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