How To Prevent Fleas and Ticks on Dogs

Fleas and ticks are some of the most common nuisances for pets, specifically dogs since they spend the most time outdoors. These pests may seem harmless aside from their itchy symptoms, but fleas and ticks can cause health problems for dogs if you don’t treat them immediately. The good news for pet owners is flea and tick infestations are not just treatable — they’re also preventable.

Some of the best ways to prevent fleas and ticks on your dog are to use a flea and tick collar, check your dog often, and use the best flea and tick prevention products all year long. For more tips on how to prevent fleas and ticks on dogs, read the full article below.

How Fleas and Ticks Get On Your Dog

Despite your best efforts, your dog may still contract fleas or ticks since there are so many ways to get them. Whether during walks around the neighborhood, at the veterinarian’s office, playing with other dogs, at the groomer, at boarding kennels, or even in your own backyard, there’s no shortage of places for your pets to pick up fleas and ticks.

Human beings can also pick them up from their pets or in hiking areas where pests are plentiful. These parasites are masters at hiding and can easily latch onto shoes, socks, and pant legs without detection.

Also, homeowners who leave pet food or water outside may unwittingly attract other animals foraging for a meal. These intruders may carry fleas and ticks, which is especially a concern if you have feral cats around your property.

Are Fleas and Ticks Dangerous To Dogs?

Fleas and ticks are much more than just an itchy nuisance. In short, they can be dangerous to your pets if not treated immediately. According to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, fleas can cause tapeworm and skin infections, while ticks can cause anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and more.

To keep your dog from getting these tick-borne diseases and flea infestations, it’s important to prevent fleas and ticks from getting on your dog’s skin in the first place.

How To Prevent Fleas and Ticks

As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure. You don’t have to sit and wait until the next time your pet is attacked. Here are some of the best ways to protect your dogs from fleas and ticks:

1. Tidy Up Your Yard

The first step to successful prevention is cleaning up your yard. To do this, start by keeping your lawn mowed, pruning your trees and shrubs, raking through wooded areas, and removing any piles of leaves as soon as possible. Adult ticks and fleas like to hide in tall grass, bushes, and clutter, so cleaning up will help control fleas in your yard.

Additionally, both of these pests love to feed on wildlife, so I recommend deterring as many unwanted animals away from your property as you can. Animals like raccoons, coyotes, opossums, and skunks may deposit flea and tick eggs that end up hatching and infesting your yard and pets.

Every precaution you take to keep wildlife out of your yard brings you a step closer to getting rid of infestations in and around your home.

2. Use a Flea and Tick Collar

Flea and tick collars are great products for keeping ticks and fleas away from your pet. The best flea collars for dogs release gas or other substances that are toxic to fleas but safe to use on your pet’s skin. The substance soaks into the animal’s fur and skin and repels or kills these pests on contact.

Seresto Flea and Tick Collar

The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar is one of the best tick collars for dogs. Simply place the collar around your dog’s neck and it will periodically release small doses of powerful active ingredients on your dog’s fur to exterminate any ticks and fleas before they have a chance to stay too long on your dog.

The flea collar works for up to eight months and is waterproof. I also recommend using a flea comb regularly (to help spot ticks in addition to combating fleas).

3. Spray a Vinegar Solution on Your Dog

If you want to opt for DIY pest control methods, a vinegar solution may be more your style. To make a vinegar solution, mix one or two parts vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and shake vigorously. Then, spray the solution on your pets, being careful not to get it into your dog’s eyes.

Alternatively, you can also mix in the vinegar and water in a bowl, dip a comb into the solution, and comb your dog’s fur to get the mixture deep into the coat.

This solution doesn’t kill fleas but is shown to be effective in repelling them.

4. Keep Things Clean

A simple yet very effective way to eliminate fleas in your home is to maintain a clean indoor environment. This is especially true for dog beds or any other items that your dog touches often, such as dog furniture and pillows, carpets where the dog likes to lie, and any dog toys.

Vacuum and wash your couches and pet bedding as often as possible to prevent ticks and fleas from infesting your home. Likewise, vacuum your carpet regularly to get rid of fleas in the carpet.

5. Treat for Ticks and Fleas All Year

Ticks and fleas thrive in temperatures between 65°F and 80°F and are bountiful during summer and spring. However, these critters can also survive indoors during the winter or deep inside animal fur.

I recommend practicing preventative treatments for fleas and ticks all year round instead of waiting until flea and tick season to begin the tick treatment. Whether you use over-the-counter topical treatments or prescribed oral tick medications, it’s always a good idea to begin treatment before the symptoms start.

Frontline Plus

Frontline Plus is a topical treatment that protects your dog against ticks, fleas, mites, and chewing lice. The product is easy to apply and works for up to 30 days.

This treatment ensures that your dog can continue playing outside without the risk of picking up fleas and ticks. For more on this method, read our full Frontline Plus flea and tick treatment review.

Advantage II Flea Treatment

Advantage II Flea Treatment is a great alternative for small dogs weighing between three and 10 pounds. This product provides active protection against fleas for up to 30 days, including protection from flea eggs and larvae. Advantage II Flea Treatment is waterproof, so you don’t need to place any limits on your pet.

6. Inspect Your Dog Regularly

Check your dog for fleas and ticks every time you come in from outside, especially during the high tick season. However, before you do this, it’s important to know how to check for ticks.

To check your pets for ticks, run your fingers slowly through your pet’s fur, feeling for any crusty spots, bumps, or lumps. Any of these signs of skin irritation may indicate that your dog has ticks. Pay attention to the face, ears, belly, and legs, where ticks prefer to hide.

It’s also important to know how to tell if your dog has fleas. To check for fleas, run a fine-tooth comb through your pet’s hair and check for tiny specks that seem to be moving. This is what fleas look like. For more on what fleas and flea eggs look like, read our informative guide.

Final Thoughts About Flea and Tick Prevention

Always remember that prevention is your first line of defense against fleas and ticks. Maintaining a clean and well-groomed yard, using flea and tick collars, applying vinegar solutions, and practicing year-round treatment can significantly reduce the risk of flea and tick infestations. Regularly inspecting your dogs and cats for these pests is another crucial step in early detection and treatment.

With the right preventive measures and treatments, you can keep these pests at bay and ensure a healthier, happier environment for everyone — especially your furry friends.