Spot-on treatments like K9 Advantix II, Bravecto spot-on treatment for cats,
and Frontline Plus have become popular among many pet parents.
They're affordable, work well, and kill adult fleas and ticks
as well as stop the life cycle of the younger parasites. But
what are you really protecting against? What are fleas and
ticks? How do they work, where do they live, what do they do,
are they all that scary?
You've asked, and we've answered. Scroll through to find
answers to your top flea and trick questions. If you have a
question that hasn't been answered, leave it in the comments
below. We'll add an answer as soon as possible!
Flea Basics
What Are Fleas?
You've got to
know the enemy before you can defeat it! Learn everything you
could ever want to know about fleas here.
Fleas and Lice: Whatโs the
Difference?
An exploration of the similarities and the
differences between lice and fleas and how both affect your
pet.
How Fleas Jump (And How
High!)
Fleas are some of the most exceptional jumpers on
the planet. Hereโs how they do it.
What Do Fleas Look Like?
How
to recognize a flea in every stage of its life, including when
it is in larval form.
How Flea Collars Work
Learn
how flea collars work and decide if they are right for your
pet.
What Temperature Do Fleas Flourish
In?
Fleas like warm climates, but is there such thing
as too warm for those pests? Find out here.
What is Flea Dirt?
Flea dirt
is flea feces. Find out what it means for your petโs health
here.
What Diseases Do Fleas
Cause?
By not protecting your pet, you are putting both
them and yourself at risk.
Tick Basics
What are Ticks?
Information on
different tick varieties, the tickโs life cycle, how to find a
tick on your pet, and much more.
What Diseases are Caused by
Ticks?
A list of diseases caused by ticks, including
Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
How Ticks Bite
Ticks use their
mouths to transmit dangerous diseases. Learn about the process
here.
What Do Ticks Look Like?
The
differences in appearance between hard ticks, soft ticks, and
several different types of tick species.
What if My Dog Eats a Flea or
Tick?
Find out what could happen to your pet if they
ingest one of the pests that have been bothering them.
Medications, Treatment, and Prevention
Do I Really Need Flea and Tick
Protection?
The short answer is yes! Protect your pet
from fleas and ticks to keep them healthy.
Do I Need to Protect My Pet After
Flea Season?
We recommend you protect your pet
year-round. It will make a difference!
What is Comfortis?
Learn about
Comfortis, an FDA-approved
chewable flea pill for dogs.
Does Cat or Dog Breed Matter When
Choosing a Flea and Tick Product?
While the breed of
your dog or cat doesnโt matter when choosing a treatment, the
size of your pet does.
Will I Overmedicate My Pet if I Mix
Flea Meds?
Read and follow the package instructions for
any and all medications you give your pet.
How Do Flea and Tick Treatments
Work?
Find out how the treatments you use on your pet
actually work.
Dealing with Fleas and Ticks
How Do You Stop a Flea
Infestation?
Advice on how to remove fleas from your
pet, as well as how to de-flea your house and yard.
How to Remove a Tick
A
step-by-step guide for how to remove a tick from your pet.
Which Are More Revolting: Fleas or
Ticks?
Both of these pests are disgusting. Read here to
find out which one is the worst!
What Does a Flea Bite Look
Like?
Learn how to recognize a flea bite on your pet.
How to Check for Fleas
When
in doubt, brush it out! Hereโs how to check to see if your pet
has fleas.
How to Find Fleas and Ticks
An animal's true vampire: fleas and ticks. These small insects
latch onto an animal's skin and feed off of their blood. Many
wild animals live with a flea or tick infestation, but these
blood-sucking creatures aren't only attracted to
non-domesticated animals. Pets are perfect targets for such
little critters. A dog or cat's fur is a warm and safe haven
for fleas and ticks to call home. That is why monthly
preventatives like Vectra
3D are so important. Here's how to find fleas and
ticks on your pets.
First, it's important to know that these insects' diet of blood
can cause numerous health problems for pets. Allergic reactions and anemia can develop from an
infestation, and young puppies and kittens are especially
vulnerable to the effects of blood loss. A tiny insect might
not seem like it can do so much damage, but what it lacks in
size it makes up for in numbers. Fleas and ticks often attach
to animals in groups, and since just one flea can drink 15
times its own body weight in blood, imagine what kind
of damage 100 fleas can
do. This is why it's important to detect fleas and ticks early
on so that treatment can begin to rid your pet of this
nuisance.
How to Detect Fleas
Fleas have a flat body on either side and are slender down the
length of their backs. They measure no more than a few
centimeters long and they look
like dark moving spots to the naked eye. Fleas are
known for the ability to jump great lengths, approximately 13
inches or about 200 times their body length. So, catching a
flea is no easy task. If you are unable to see a flea crawling
through your pet's fur, check for other signs of their
presence. Fleas are often detected by little black specks that they leave on an
animal's fur, which is flea feces. Fleas also lay eggs in an
animal's fur, which look like tiny white balls. An animal's fur
can become dry and irritated by fleas. Hot spots, dry or scabby skin, and hair
loss are all signs of fleas. But one of the easiest ways to
know that a pet has fleas is by their reaction to the symptoms.
Constantly biting or scratching their skin are telling signs
that your pet may have fleas.
How to Detect Ticks
Ticks are much easier to spot than fleas. For one, their bodies
are about three times bigger than a flea's body. They are dark
insects with round, flat bodies and tiny heads. Their legs are
positioned at the front of their bodies so they can burrow
their heads into an animal's skin. This leads to the second
reason that ticks are easier to spot: they don't move around as
much. Ticks can usually be found around the neck, head, ears,
or eyes of an animal. They can often be felt through the fur of
a dog or cat by running your hand across the head or neck of
your pet. Ticks will become larger and a lighter brown as they
fill with blood. Some ticks, such as the deer tick, are lighter
in color. Ticks can carry diseases, which can be deadly for pets.
These diseases can cause loss of appetite, joint pain, or
fever. Ticks, like fleas, will also cause skin irritation. If
your pet experiences any of these symptoms, check for ticks on
the skin.
How to Treat for Fleas and Ticks
Flea and tick medication can be obtained from your vet or an
online certified pet pharmacy to treat and prevent fleas and ticks.
Flea collars can also deter fleas from clinging to your pet.
Another preventative measure that can be taken is using
products such as PetArmor, K9 Advantix, Advantage II for Cats, Advantage Multi for Cats, Nexgard Chewables, or Frontline Plus to kill fleas and
ticks. If your dog or cat already has fleas or ticks, special
shampoos can rid your pet of the insects. When looking for
shampoos, check for brands that will offer the widest range of
protection. A shampoo that will kill fleas, ticks, and eggs is
the best bet for your pet.
Ticks can also be removed
manually from an animal's skin. Using a pair of
tweezers, grab the tick as close to the head as possible and
pull straight up to pull it out. Be sure to not pop the belly
or twist as you pull the tick out. Then, clean the area of the
skin where the tick was.
Fleas and ticks can bite people too, so it is important to
detect and treat them early for the sake of your and your pet's
health.
This information is for informational purposes only and is
not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or
diagnosis, or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to
your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed
veterinarian for accuracy.
Related Products
K9 Advantix
Advantage II for Cats
Frontline Plus
Comfortis