Welcoming a new four-legged member to the family brings unmatched joy. Their little paws, noses, and cuddles are to die for! They quickly become an inseparable part of your life, and you want to give them the best of everything in the world.
However, many new pet parents are perplexed about the specific requirements for taking care of them. One of these concerns is knowing the right time to start flea and tick treatment for the little friend.
Well, this blog is going to tell you just that. We will cover the fundamental factors to consider before starting flea and tick treatment, and we’ll also discuss some popular treatment options.
Ready with your notepads? Let’s go!
When to Start Flea and Tick Treatment for Puppies
Getting to know the right time to start flea and tick treatment for puppies can be challenging because every treatment option has different suitability requirements. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow; these are:
- The majority of flea and tick treatments are suitable for puppies from 7 or 8 weeks of age and at least 4 lbs of bodyweight. So make sure that your pup matches the age and weight indications of the treatment you are choosing.
- If your puppy is too young for the recommended treatment and you see fleas or ticks on your puppy, remove them manually or consult your vet for a suitable solution.
- You can start flea and tick treatment even if you don’t see fleas or ticks on your young dog with the naked eye. Because there is a possibility of flea eggs on your puppy that can develop into a potential infestation in the future.
- Although fleas and ticks are most active in the warmer months, that doesn’t mean they can’t infect your pup during the colder months. So you should treat them during the winter as well.
Apart from these fundamentals, there are several factors that you need to go over while selecting the right flea and tick treatment for your pooch.
Factors to consider before starting the flea & tick treatment
Take a look at some of the aspects to consider when beginning with flea & tick treatment for your puppy:
- Select the application method that best suits your dog.
- Consider the place you live to know which flea and tick species you need to protect your pup from.
- Pay attention to how often your dog goes outside and what areas they visit.
- Consider the breed, age, and weight of your dog.
- Take note of their medical conditions.
Popular Flea and Tick Treatments for Puppies
This segment talks about some of the most popular flea and tick treatments for dogs available in the market.
Bravecto Chewables
Bravecto is a palatable oral treatment, highly regarded by veterinarians and dog parents for flea and tick infestations. It is preferred for its fast action and long-term protection of 3 months. Bravecto treats and controls American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, lone star ticks, Asian long-horned ticks, and black-legged ticks.
Administration Mode: Oral
Dosage: Every 12 weeks
Active Ingredients: Fluralaner
Recommended for: Puppies 8 weeks of age or older
Simparica Trio
Simparica Trio is a popular oral treatment for flea and tick infestations in dogs. These liver-flavored chewable tablets effectively treat and control the lone star tick, Gulf Coast tick, American dog tick, black-legged tick, and brown dog tick infestations. Along with fleas and ticks, it aids in the prevention of heartworm disease and treats and controls roundworm and hookworm infections.
Administration Mode: Oral
Dosage: Monthly
Active Ingredients: Sarolaner, Moxidectin, and Pyrantel
Recommended for: Dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age
Nexgard Spectra
Nexgard Spectra is an all-round chewable oral treatment for dogs that provides effective protection against flea and tick infestations. The effectiveness of these beef-flavored chewables extends to the prevention of heartworm disease, lungworm, and eyeworm infections.
Administration Mode: Oral
Dosage: Monthly
Active Ingredients: Afoxolaner and Milbemycin Oxime
Recommended for: Puppies from 8 weeks of age and older
Seresto Collar
Seresto Collar is one of the most convenient treatments for protecting your pooch from flea and tick infestations. The collar repels and kills fleas and ticks and also guards against lice. It is water-resistant, remains effective despite exposure to sun, rain, or swimming, and continues to protect for up to 8 months.
Administration Mode: Topical
Usage: 8 months
Active Ingredients: Flumethrin and Imidacloprid
Recommended for: Puppies from 7 weeks of age
Final Words
Well, these were some of the most popular flea and tick treatments available in the market. All these products are highly effective, but they have different compositions, dosage cycles, and protection durations. Thus, it’s recommended that you rely on your vet to select the right flea and tick treatment for your canine companion. Moreover, ensure that your dog matches the weight and age criteria of the treatment suggested by the vet.