Not too many years ago, it was just assumed that if you had a dog, that the dog would have fleas. After all, fleas have been a menace to mammals for centuries, and they continue to be to this very day. If your dog is an important member of your family, you’ll want to do all you can to keep her free from fleas, and that means finding the best flea treatments for dogs. Make no mistake; fleas are more than just a nuisance to dogs. A serious flea infestation can lead to all kinds of health problems for your beloved pet, so take some time now to find out about the best flea treatments for dogs.

Flea Collars

For many years, it was assumed that flea collars were the best flea treatment for dogs. While collars can certainly help, they are not the most effective means of helping your dog to avoid fleas. Collars can, and do provide a minimal level of protection against fleas, but if you’re serious about keeping your dog flea-free, this isn’t the only method that you should use. You may want to keep a flea collar or two around, if you plan on taking your dog out in the woods, as the extra support collars can provide in these scenarios does help, but suffice it to say that collars are not the best flea treatment for dogs.

Powders

Flea powders have been around almost as long as flea collars. Applying flea powder, while effective, is not the most convenient method of fighting fleas. Since your dog’s entire body has to be covered with the powder, it can be a very messy situation to deal with. Any time your dog shakes or scratches, you’ll probably see plumes of the powder shaking off into the air. Yes, flea powders kill and repel fleas, but they are not the easiest to use flea treatment for dogs.

Spot-On Treatments

Spot on flea treatments have come a long way in recent years. These products are typically applied to a small area of your dog’s coat. Once the oil-based medication reaches your dog’s skin, the topical treatment goes to work – killing fleas and ticks and preventing future outbreaks. Of all the methods discussed in this article, the spot-on treatments, like Frontline, are the best flea treatment for dog solutions. They are affordable, effective and easy to apply.

Keep these different methods of flea control in mind. While no  one solution will be the best choice for everyone, spot-on flea and tick medications are widely considered the best flea treatment for dogs. And remember, it’s your responsibility to keep your dog healthy and happy. By keeping the fleas away, you’ll be taking a big step toward having a happy, healthy pet. And your dog is sure to appreciate the extra love you show by keeping her free from fleas and ticks. The best flea treatment for dogs is prevention, so do what you can to keep your dog flea-free for life.

If you have a dog, it’s almost inevitable that sooner or later, you’ll find a tick or two on him/her. While ticks are very common, they are certainly a pest that we don’t want to infest our beloved pets. After all, you love your dog, and there’s no way that you want a parasitic, bloodsucker taking up residence on your pet. Not only are ticks painful for dogs to endure, but they can also transmit some very serious diseases, like Lyme Disease. So it only makes sense that every responsible pet owner should learn how to remove dog ticks.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Before You Start

If you notice that your dog has ticks, whatever you do, resist the urge to try to pull the ticks out. Muscling ticks loose is a no-win proposition. You see, ticks have curved teeth that lodge into your dog’s skin. If you simply pull the tick loose, those teeth stay embedded in the dog, and can lead to itching and even infection. So don’t get desperate and try to squeeze ticks loose.

Another thing to avoid is the old method of burning ticks loose. As amazing as it sounds, some people think that flames are the only method to remove dog ticks successfully. Needless to say, this approach is dangerous and should not be attempted by any responsible pet owner.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Step #1

To avoid the teeth getting lodged into your pet’s skin, you must stun the tick first. There are several methods to doing this, but the easiest and most affordable is by using rubbing alcohol. Simply spray the tick with alcohol and the bug will become stunned.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Step #2

Carefully pull the tick loose, after it is stunned. Don’t squeeze too hard and squash the ticks, as their blood is poisonous. You may want to don surgical gloves prior to pulling ticks loose, just in case you accidentally squash one. You can also use tweezers; just be careful.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Step #3

Place the removed ticks into a small container with alcohol in it. This will kill the ticks and prevent them from latching on to another dog or person. You may want to keep one tick in the solution, in case your veterinarian wants to see one.

How to Remove Dog Ticks – Step #4

Use a veterinarian approved antibiotic to clean and disinfect the wounds where the ticks were latched on. You want to minimize the risk of infection, so this step should not be skipped.

Preventative Measures

While it’s important for all of us dog owners to know how to remove dog ticks, prevention is a much better alternative. Discuss your options with a trusted vet, to see how to avoid tick infestations in the future. You may want to invest in a topical solution, like Frontline to prevent tick and flea outbreaks on your dog.

Order Frontline For Dogs Today!

See larger image Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for 45- to 88-Pound Dogs and Puppies, 6 Month (Misc.) List Price: $100.00 USD New From: $55.50 In Stock Used from: $57.45 In Stock