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One of the most important parts of caring for our canine companions as pet parents is to look for the best tick preventatives to keep them safe from potential parasites. Many dog flea and tick treatments can also help prevent heartworm infection and treat lice. There are many effective and safe medications in various forms, including chewable tablets, collars, topical spot-ons, and shampoos.
In this article, we discuss the best parasite prevention for dogs and where you can get them so you can choose the best product based on your dog’s needs and symptoms.
Types of Parasites
Before we can discuss the best treatments available online, it’s important that we first learn about the most common kinds of parasites that dogs are likely to encounter. We also share the right preventative treatment for them.
Fleas
These are small, wingless, external parasites that feed on dogs, cats, and other birds and mammals that often remain hidden inside their fur because of their dark color. While flea bites aren’t too painful, they can result in excessive itching and even allergies in some dogs. Flea prevention and treatment options include the following:
- Topical treatments
- Oral medications
- Flea collars
- Flea shampoos
Ticks
Much like fleas, these are external parasites but become enlarged when they feed on the blood of our pets. However, they can be more dangerous since they can spread Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever which is transmitted through their bite. Different types of ticks can be found around grassy vegetation or wooden areas but can also be found in dens, nests, and shaded areas; if you go out with your dog, it’s best to stay away from tall grass.
Tick prevention and tick products for treatment include
- Topical treatments
- Oral medications
- Tick collars
Hookworms
These internal parasites typically measure between 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters long and are split between dog worms and cat worms. Worm treatments include the following:
- Monthly preventatives
- Fecal testing
- Regular dewormings
- Using products with active ingredients such as Moxidectin, Fenbendazole, Milbemycin oxime, and more
Whipworms
Known for their whip-like appearance, these worms are parasites that reside inside the colon and cecum of cats and dogs. There are a few options for the medication and treatment of whipworms, which include:
- Monthly preventatives
- Fecal testing
- Regular dewormings
- Minimizing exposure around contaminated environments
- Using products with active ingredients such as moxidectin, Milbemycin, Fenbendazole, and more
Tapeworms
Many species of tapeworms can affect cats and dogs, which primarily reside inside the intestinal tract and have a life cycle that involves an intermediate host such as lice, fleas, rodents, and the end host. Ways to treat this parasite include medications such as fenbendazole, epsiprantel, and praziquantel.
Roundworms
Also known as Ascarids, roundworms are among the most common parasites found inside our pets. When it comes to treatment and prevention, you can look into the following options:
- Monthly preventatives
- Fecal testing
- Regular dewormings
- Using products with active ingredients such as Eprinomectin, Emodepside, Selamectin, fenbendazole, and more
Heartworms
Heartworms can be transmitted through a mosquito bite which makes them prevalent throughout the world, especially in regions with mosquito habitats as well as temperatures that allow for the development of larvae. Heartworm prevention and treatment include oral preventatives administered monthly. The best heartworm preventative will contain milbemycin oxime, moxidectin, selamectin, doramectin, and ivermectin, all of which are macrocyclic lactones.
Ear Mites
These are tiny external parasites that often infest the ears of cats and dogs. Infections will often lead to otitis externa, ear discharge, and secondary infections involving yeast and bacteria. Ear mite prevention includes the following:
- Preventing contact with infected animals
- Routine grooming and ear cleaning
- Treating all the animals inside the house
- Using products with active ingredients such as Ivermectin, Milbemycin, and Fipronil
Natural Remedies for Parasite Prevention
Looking into natural remedies for your dog’s parasite prevention can be a great addition to your routine since they might offer some form of relief. However, it’s best to use them under the guidance of your veterinarian. Here are a few natural remedies for you to consider:
- Diatomaceous Earth
- Herbal sprays or flea collars
- Good hygiene practices
- Garlic
- Brewers yeast
- Regular grooming
How to Choose the Best Parasite Prevention for Your Dog
When looking for the right product for parasite protection over your dog, you must consider your pup’s age since this will affect the efficacy of each product and the frequency and amount of treatment needed for your dog.
- Flea treatment in puppies should occur between 6 to 8 weeks old, depending on the kind of treatment you have as well as the weight of your pooch. This can be done through a monthly topical or chewable tablet that can be applied between the shoulder blades.
- Intestinal worms can be treated starting from 2 weeks old and should be done every 2 weeks until they turn 3 months old and then monthly until they turn 6 months old.
- Dogs over 6 months old will need a flea and worming product that can be sustained until adulthood. The frequency of treatment will also depend on which product you choose and your dog’s lifestyle.
Best Parasite Prevention for Dogs
Apart from terminating flea eggs and adult fleas, you’ll want to choose a solution that will target all kinds of parasites to ensure that your pup is protected from every threat it may face.
1. Simparica TRIO for Dogs
Highlights:
- Specifically made for dogs 8 weeks of age and older
- The first product to combine pyrantel, moxidectin, and sarolaner to prevent heartworm disease
- Quickly kills fleas before they lay eggs and kills 5 types of ticks for treatment and prevention
- Treats and controls hookworms and roundworms
- A chewable tablet with a palatable liver flavor that can be taken monthly with or without food
If you’re looking for the best type of product for your dog, then look no further than Simparica TRIO for Dogs, a fast-acting chewable tablet that kills a wide range of parasites — more than any other oral product. Working in as quickly as 4 hours, it kills 100% of all adult fleas in as fast as 8 hours, ensuring that there’s no room for flea infestations on your dog’s body. These liver-flavored tablets can be given with or without food once every month but will need a vet’s prescription along with a negative heartworm test.
2. Advantage Multi Topical Solution
Highlights:
- An easy-to-use topical solution that fights adult fleas, and controls infestation
- Treats common intestinal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms
- Topical spot-on treatments that contain active ingredients such as moxidectin and imidacloprid
- Helps to prevent heartworm disease and controls sarcoptic mange
- A convenient treatment that only requires a monthly application
Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Dogs is a broad-spectrum treatment prescribed by veterinarians to give dogs a convenient monthly application for ease of use. It helps to alleviate the symptoms that our canine companions suffer from as a result of annoying parasites. This topical preventative goes on your dog’s skin and can be applied every 30 days; it is then absorbed in the skin and will dry in just a few hours.
3. Elanco Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs
Highlights:
- A convenient collar that provides premium tick and flea protection for puppies and adult dogs
- With a long-lasting formula that works to repel and kill fleas for 8 months in every collar
- A fast-acting collar that works within 24 hours
- Offers an easy-to-use, hassle-free, and non-greasy tick and flea solution
- Repels and kills fleas on contact, so pests don’t have to bite your dog for this collar to become effective
With the Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs, you can make your dog’s comfort and health a priority since it works to fight fleas and ticks for 8 months non-stop. This adjustable collar isn’t just great for tick protection but is also adjustable for most puppies and dogs over 7 weeks old while offering effective flea control. While flea collars can’t provide the same level of protection as topical and oral treatments, this option is among the best in the market.
4. Wondercide Peppermint Home & Pet Flea & Tick Spray
Highlights:
- With a relaxing peppermint scent which helps to boost mood and helps to repel and kill ticks, fleas, and mosquitos naturally
- A holistic and vet-approved way to keep your dog safe as effectively as pills, drops, and chewables
- Strong enough to kill pests on skin and fur but is safe enough for use throughout the home since it doesn’t come with harsh chemicals
- Uses a 3-in-1 formula that can be used on flooring, dog kennels, cat condos, bedding, furniture, and carpet
- Offers cruelty-free protection from nature and is proudly made in the US
Derived from essential oils, the Wondercide Peppermint Home Dog & Cat Flea & Tick Spray helps protect your best friend from ticks, fleas, and mosquitos without any harsh chemicals. The usual commercial products will often pump chemicals into a dog’s bloodstream, this option comes up with another approach, using high-quality and pure essential oils which pests can’t tolerate but will keep your dog healthy. Its fresh peppermint scent can act as a mood booster and is safe for use around cats and dogs several times a week without any worries.
5. Sentry HC WormX Plus 7-Way Dewormer
Highlights:
- Treats a wide range of worms including hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
- Comes in a convenient chewable tablet that’s tasty and easy to give to dogs, even picky eaters
- Works on current infestations while helping to prevent new outbreaks to protect prone pups
- Works best on medium to large dogs that weigh over 25 pounds
- Comes with veterinary-grade active ingredients and can be used without a prescription
Now you can protect the whole family from internal parasites with the Sentry HC WormX Plus 7 Way Medium & Large Dog De-Wormer, a broad spectrum de-wormer that keeps roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms out of your canine companion’s body. Using veterinary-grade ingredients without the need for a prescription, it can be used to treat current infestations while preventing new ones. These tasty and chewable tablets are super easy to give and can offer 30 days of protection for your pooch.
Conclusion
Pet owners looking for the best way to protect their furry friend from a wide range of pests should seriously consider the preventive medications outlined above. However, an important consideration to keep in mind is whether they need a veterinarian’s prescription or not. OTC products can be bought from your local store but it’s always a good idea to speak to your vet.
Sources
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