Tick season can be dangerous for both humans and dogs. The season varies from May until August, but your pets could still get ticks even after the mentioned months. Various diseases are inclined to ticks and fleas, like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Canine Bartonellosis. Taking safety measures is understandable, especially if you’re worried about getting a tick-related illness or if your pet would suffer from it. It’s better to wear long sleeves, pants, and socks during the tick season, and you might as well apply an effective insect repellant.
Your dogs or cats are most likely to host these voracious parasites, which means they are prone to diseases connected to ticks and fleas that would be life-threatening. You may turn a blind eye to cases like this and would assume that ticks will vanish on their own, but don’t! Don’t let it go worse; consult your veterinarians for possible treatments your pet might need. For further information, you can visit and read this article from Vetster to learn the myths and truths about treating ticks.
Orally Taken Tick Medications
These types of medications are given to your pets orally. They are often chewable, which makes it easy for paw parents to provide. Oral tick treatments function by rendering your pet’s blood toxic to ticks. Before they have an opportunity to spread any infections, the tick will consume the medication as it begins to feed, ingest it, and then die and fall off.
Below are the medications (prescription needed):
- Nexgard
- Simparica
- Bravecto
All three can be prescribed only and could kill the four types of ticks. Remember that you still need to consult your vets before buying these products. Your vets will prescribe the best medication that your pet needs.
Tick Medications For Cats (ONLY)
Dogs and cats are entirely different animals. Never give a dog medication to your cat as they could get poisoned from components made for dogs alone. If you accidentally gave your cat a drug intended for dogs, take them to your nearest vet. The first thing you must do before buying these products is to consult your doctor. Your veterinarian might have a different prescription, so it’s better to ask them first. Below are medications intended for cats only (must be bought with a prescription):
- Revolution Plus for cats
- Bravecto for cats
These are the medicines without prescription:
- Seresto collar for cats
- Frontline Plus for cats
Skin-based Medications
Topical tick medications are preventatives that make the ticks not need to bite your pet for the treatment to function because it kills and repels ticks. Apply this medicine to areas your pet can’t lick or reach. Before using the topical tick medications, make sure to know if your pet has sensitive skin because the effect could be different than what you expect. Consult your vets also if these medications are suitable for your pets.
Here are some skin-based medications (topical tick medication):
- Frontline Plus
- Vectra 3D
- Bravecto
All three can kill four types of ticks. The only different medication that needs a prescription is Bravecto. Make sure to get your pets a check-up before buying Bravecto. Giving pets with sensitive skin an oral tick medication would be best.
Additional Tick Removal Products
Some tools help in removing ticks. Although they are a bit hassle, especially if your pet is stubborn and impatient. But it would still be good to try and remove the ticks manually. These are the tools you might add to your list to remove ticks in your pets:
- Tick Tweezers
- Tick Keychain Tool
- Tick collar
- Tick Nipper
July is ending, and now we’re slowly entering the month of August, which is still a tick season. Ticks will never go away; that is why a paw parent like you must always check your environment, especially your pets. If you ever brought your dog outdoors, check if they got any ticks or fleas sucking their blood out. You must also be cautious not to get ticks, as these parasites might infest your pets and your body.
Sources:
- Jones, VMD, L. (2022, April 11). Flea and Tick Prevention and Treatment for Cats. Https://Www.Petmd.Com/. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/flea-and-tick-prevention-and-treatment-cats
- Corsillo, L. (2022, March 24). The Very Best Tick Treatments for Dogs. Https://Nymag.Com/. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-tick-treatment-for-dogs.html
