Why Flea and Tick Prevention Is Essential for Dogs
Fleas and ticks aren’t just a nuisance—they can be dangerous. These tiny pests can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and tapeworms. A single bite can lead to allergic reactions, infections, and chronic discomfort for your dog.
And once fleas enter your home? It's a full-blown infestation that can take months (and hundreds of dollars) to eliminate. Preventing tick bites and dogs lyme disease can be tricky, but with the right information and resources, you can stay ahead of Lyme disease or any severe illness.
When Is Flea and/or Tick Season?
Flea and tick activity ramps up in spring and summer, but don’t be fooled—they can survive in warmer climates all year long. If you live in a humid or temperate region, year-round prevention is a must.
Read "7 Places to Look For Ticks On Your Dog"
Be Prepared To Find Ticks on Your Dog
Ticks are most active in the warmer months, but lately it has been throughout spring, summer, and fall. Although this may vary slightly depending on where you live. Ticks can live in grass, leaves, wooded areas and tall brush, while they wait to attach themselves to a host. When your dog is out playing in the yard, they often seize the opportunity to jump on and feed off Fido, making your dog sick.
So where do ticks hide on canines? After a tick attaches to your dog, it begins feeding off your dog’s blood. Therefore the area where a tick has attached itself may become red and irritated.
Veterinarians recommend that the best defense is a good offense – and that you thoroughly check your dog for ticks as soon as you return from outside. Carefully run your hands all over your dog to search for small bumps. Use your fingers to feel for bumps or irregularities on their skin, paying close attention to areas like the ears, between the toes, under the collar, and around the tail.
You don’t have to take your dog to the vet if you find a tick on them – as long as you know how to safely remove the whole tick from your pet's skin, including the head, with fine-point tweezers or a specially designed tick removal hook.
If the tick has been attached for about 48 hours, it can transmit a disease, such as Lyme disease, or cause types of infections, so that’s why you should check your dog and yourself as soon as you get inside. Be sure to watch your dog for changes in behavior – lack of appetite, low energy, joint pain – and if the dog shows signs of being ill, make an appointment with your veterinarian. This risk can happen even if they are vaccinated for Lyme disease.
The Best Flea and Tick Prevention Options for Dogs
1. Topical Treatments (Spot-On)
These are liquid medications applied between your puppy or dog’s body or shoulder blades. They work by killing fleas, ticks, and even mosquito larvae on contact.
Popular Brands:
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Frontline Plus
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K9 Advantix II
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Revolution Plus (also covers heartworms)
✅ Pros: Easy to use, long-lasting (30 days/four weeks), waterproof
❌ Cons: Can be greasy, may cause irritation in sensitive dogs
2. Oral Flea and Tick Medications
Given in chewable tablet form, oral medications work from the inside out to kill pests when they bite.
Top Choices:
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NexGard
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Simparica Trio
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Bravecto (lasts up to 12 weeks)
✅ Pros: No mess, fast-acting, great for dogs who swim and a dog's lifestyle who is more active outdoors
❌ Cons: Prescription required, may cause GI upset
3. Flea and Tick Collars
Modern collars like Seresto offer up to 8 months of protection by slowly releasing active ingredients over time.
✅ Pros: Long-lasting, low-maintenance, cost-effective
❌ Cons: May not work well on pets with thick fur, not ideal for water-loving dogs. Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of some dog flea and tick collars, particularly the Seresto brand, after reported incidents linked to a high number of pet injuries and deaths.
4. Flea Treatments and Sprays
Perfect for immediate relief during infestations. Use flea shampoo to kill adult fleas and ticks on contact, and follow up with a preventative treatment.
✅ Pros: Instant results, affordable
❌ Cons: Doesn’t provide long-term protection
Natural Flea and Tick Preventing Tick Bites (For Pet Parents Who Prefer Clean and Green)
If you want to avoid harsh chemicals or have a sensitive puppy, these natural options can help:
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Apple Cider Vinegar Spray: Mix with water and spray on your dog’s coat as natural insect repellents. Fleas hate the smell and taste. Tick bites are less likely to occur on your dog's skin with these preventive measures.
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Coconut Oil: Acts as a flea repellant and leaves the coat shiny.
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Essential Oils: Like cedarwood, lemongrass, or eucalyptus—but always check with your vet, as some oils can be toxic to dogs.
PRIDE+GROOM's line of shampoos and dry grooming products are made with the finest essential oils, known to be a natural bug and pest deterrent. Choose from the various coat specific options.
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The Tick Mitt: A gentle deer tick removing glove for people and pets. Enjoy outdoor moments with your family and pets, worry-free from ticks. This handy item offers chemical-free tick removal mitts to protect people and pets, helping to prevent Lyme disease. (Works best for unattached ticks).
⚠️ Note: Natural methods may not be strong enough on their own in high-risk areas.
Don’t Forget the Home + Yard
Flea and tick prevention doesn’t stop at your dog. If they’ve been bitten, your home may already be infested.
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Vacuum daily (carpets, furniture, cracks)
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Wash all bedding in hot water weekly
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Use flea sprays or foggers made for indoor use
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Treat your lawn with pet-safe pesticides or nematodes
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Keep grass trimmed so your dog can avoid high grass, and remove leaf litter
Talk to Your Vet First
Every dog is different. Factors like age, weight, breed, allergies, and location matter. Your vet can help you choose a safe and effective flea and tick prevention plan customized for your pup. They can also teach you how to do a proper tick check on your pets.
Common Signs Your Dog(s) May Have Fleas or Ticks
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Most dogs start with excessive scratching or biting at skin
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Red, irritated skin or hot spots on or near the tick bites
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Visible fleas, flea dirt, or ticks on the skin
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Hair loss, especially around the tail or neck with tick exposure
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Scabs or small bumps
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Restlessness or discomfort
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Extremely swollen joints
If you spot a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out slowly. There's a science to safely remove ticks. Do not burn, smother, or use petroleum jelly on the tick. Avoid squeezing or twisting the tick, as this can release its saliva into the bloodstream. Don’t twist!
Lyme Disease From Tick Exposure
Lyme disease in canines is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, primarily black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. It can cause a range of symptoms including lameness, fever, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes. While many infected dogs show no signs, Lyme disease can lead to serious complications like kidney damage if left untreated. Fortunately, it's treatable with antibiotics, and prevention is key to minimizing risk
Symptoms of Lyme Disease and Tick Borne Diseases:
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Lameness: This is a common symptom, often shifting from one leg to another.
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Fever: A general sign of dogs infected, indicating the body is fighting off the bacteria.
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Lethargy: Dogs may seem unusually tired and less active than usual.
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Swollen lymph nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes are another sign of the body's immune response.
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Loss of appetite: Some dogs may eat less or refuse food altogether resulting in weakness and weight loss.
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Joint pain and stiffness: Affected dogs may be reluctant to move or jump due to discomfort.
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In severe cases: Kidney damage, nervous system issues, and heart problems can develop impending on their overall health.
✅ Quick Checklist for Dog Flea & Tick Prevention
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Choose a vet-approved preventative
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Treat your home and yard
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Bathe your dog regularly
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Inspect your dog after walks or hikes and try to avoid wooded and brushy areas
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Wash bedding and vacuum weekly
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Consider year-round protection
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Make sure your dog is up to date on their core vaccines
A New Annual Shot Could Replace Monthly Flea and Tick Treatments
Dogs across the U.S. could soon get longer-lasting protection against pesky parasites thanks to a new treatment approved by federal regulators recently.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to Bravecto Quantum, the first-ever flea and tick preventative that can protect dogs for up to 12 months with a single injection. The treatment is approved for dogs and puppies 6 months and older.
The new shot is an alternative to treatments that usually need to be given every month or every few months. "Fluralaner, the active ingredient in Bravecto Quantum, can be an important part of parasite control depending on where pet owners live in the country," said Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director of toxicology at ASPCA Poison Control, in an email to ABC News. "A long-term flea and tick preventative can be a useful option for dog owners who live in areas where year-round protection is necessary, or for those who might not be able or remember to administer treatment on a monthly or quarterly basis."
The injectable vaccine treatment must be administered by a licensed veterinarian, who will determine whether an 8- or 12-month protection period is appropriate based on local tick species. Veterinarians will also monitor for potential side effects.
While the drug belongs to a commonly used and safe class of medications called isoxazolines, some dogs may experience neurologic side effects, including muscle tremors and seizures.
"As someone who spends a great deal of time outdoors with my dog, I see the convenience of a long-lasting, 12-month flea and tick preventative like Bravecto Quantum," she said in a statement. "However, it's important to recognize that no single treatment is right for every dog, and all medications come with potential risks."
The new treatment is manufactured by Intervet, Inc., based in Rahway, New Jersey.
Pet owners interested in the new treatment option should consult their veterinarians to determine if it's appropriate for their dogs, particularly those with a history of neurological issues.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until It’s a Problem
Fleas and ticks don’t just go away—they multiply. Fast. Prevention is always easier (and cheaper) than treatment. Whether you go the prescription route, prefer natural options, or use a combination, keeping your dog protected means keeping them happy, healthy, and itch-free. We hope you learned some practical tips for effective flea and tick prevention to keep your pets safe and healthy.
WHO IS PRIDE+GROOM?
PRIDE+GROOM was born because a group of New York City dog lovers wanted the same level of grooming products for their dogs that they themselves enjoyed. They looked (hard) but nothing was up to snuff. Or sniff. Like so many, we love our families and take pride in our homes, and we consider our pets to be integral parts of those entities. That said, we could not find an effective way to coif them that was on par with the way we tended to our children, our homes, or ourselves. These beloved pets are allowed on the furniture and in our beds, and yet even when fresh from the groomer, we knew they did not smell or feel as good as they could.
With the development of our coat-specific shampoos, conditioner and deodorizing spray, we think we found just the way to say thanks for being the best and the sweetest MVP of the house. Skin and coat health is very important to us.
PRIDE+GROOM is the first dog grooming brand launched under a beauty platform, with formulas made in a clean beauty and scent lab. We know beauty is not only skin deep. We did a ton of research to create the entire line. Each product is formulated with its own unique blend of essential oils sourced from around the world.
IN DOG WE TRUST
Shop our entire line: www.prideandgroom.com
