Adding heartworm and flea prevention for dogs to your to-do list as a pet owner is worth every bit of time and effort you put into it. Not only does it help keep your dog safe but also it saves you the trouble (and expenses) of treating a full-blown infection or infestation.
Dogs living in warmer areas are especially prone to heartworm. As this parasitic infection progresses, its symptoms advance from a soft cough to extreme lethargy and weight loss. Fleas on dogs may not seem as dangerous at first, but if they are not addressed promptly they will cause allergic reactions and contribute to the spread of certain diseases.
Preventatives in Medication Form
The good news is heartworm and flea prevention for dogs has been made easy by the availability of preventative products. While these are chemical-based, most have been tested in clinical studies and are scientifically proven to be effective and safe. For optimum results, however, seek your veterinarian’s advice first.
Your vet will be able to tell you which medication will best suit your dog in terms of weight, age, and the status of their health. For heartworm cases, your dog also needs to test negative for the parasite before a prescription can be issued.
Heartworm preventatives typically come in oral (pills or chewable tablets) or topical form and are given at four to six-week intervals.
Flea preventatives can also be administered topically or orally. Oral versions prevent the reproduction of fleas but fall short when it comes to killing adult fleas. Topical or spot-on medications are more popular, as they not only get the job done but also last about a month. Vet-prescribed flea preventatives should be applied year-round and once a month for best results.
Practical Solutions toward Heartworm and Flea Prevention for Dogs
For an extra layer of protection, also explore ways of controlling the flea and heartworm populations in your home and backyard.
To help get rid of fleas, wash and vacuum your dog’s bedding regularly. Also vacuum your carpeting and upholstery multiple times in a week. Use pesticide-free shampoo whenever you need to give your dog a bath.
Mosquitoes, which transmit heartworms, are drawn to water. So make sure there’s no room for stagnant water in your home.
You may want to work on your yard as well. Keep your lawn trimmed. Plant insect-repelling herbs, such as basil, lemongrass, lavender, sage and mint, along the edges. Scatter cedar chips to make the area even more uninviting to pests.
If you want to step up your flea-destruction game, sprinkle nematodes throughout your yard. Available in dry form, these tiny roundworms feed on flea larvae and eggs. An alternative to pesticides is to carefully spread organic diatomaceous earth on your lawn to dry the bodies of fleas and discourage flea reproduction. However, because this food-grade dust can irritate your eyes and respiratory system, you will need to wear googles or a mask. Do not mistake the food-grade, organic version of DE with the variety used for cleaning pool filters, which contains 70% “crystalline silica” and is therefore dangerous to both you and your pets.
Don’t let heartworms and fleas endanger your dog’s health. There are a lot of easy and effective ways of protecting your pup; it’s just a matter of finding out what preventative solution suits them best. So give heartworm and flea prevention for dogs the attention it deserves. Make it part of your pet care routine.
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