Capstar Oral Flea Treatment For Dogs And Cats
If youre looking for a one-time use flea pill to end an existing infestation, take a look at Capstar. Its a fast acting oral tablet that starts working with 30 minutes, and can be purchased without a prescription. Capstar is effective as an acute measure to kill fleas, but is not a substitute for ongoing monthly preventative medicine.
Key Features:
- Works for both dogs and cats
Pros:
- Starts working 30 minutes after taking the tablet
- Does not require a prescription from a veterinarian
- Suitable for all dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens 2 pounds of body weight or greater over 4 weeks of age
Cons:
- Does not prevent against ticks or mosquitos
- Is not an ongoing preventative medication. Works to kill an existing infestation of fleas, but does not provide ongoing protection after 24 hours.
Dog And Cat Flea And Tick Collars
Tetrachlorvinphos and -MethopreneFor: Dogs and cats
Application method: Chewable tabletTreatment frequency: 30 daysAge limit: Comfortis dogs and cats 14 weeks or older Trifexis for dogs 8 weeks or olderHow it works: Attacks the adult fleas nervous system, causing rapid death. Oral systemic sold by prescription only. Milbemycin in Trifexis also kills heartworm larvae and some intestinal parasites.
Golden Retriever Diet And Nutrition
To keep your Golden Retriever happy, healthy and to give them a full and active life, you have to provide them with the right nutrition.
This next group of articles covers a Golden Retrievers diet and nutritional needs, discussing what to feed them, how often and how you can make sure your Golden gets all the nutrition they need.
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Flea Medicine Reviews: Top 10 Best Treatments For Dogs
For the safest, fastest, and most effective monthly flea treatment, look no further than Frontline Plus for dogs.
Product Features
- Flea and tick treatment
- 30-day protection
This brand has been a vet favorite for over 20 years, which is no surprise, considering how fast-acting and effective it is. This topical treatment typically starts killing fleas within four hours of application and can eradicate all the fleas on your dog within 12 hours. However, the formula does give off quite a strong chemical smell immediately after application.
The formula uses fipronil to eradicate current fleas and -methoprene to prevent future generations from taking hold by eradicating eggs and larvae. Both of these chemicals are EPA approved for dog flea treatment.
Frontline also comes with a special applicator, which makes it easy to apply the medicine to your dogs skin without potentially dangerous messes and spills. Simply peel off the protective seal and applyno need for scissors!
The quality of this product, combined with its brand recognition, does mean that it is a bit on the expensive side. But the peace of mind may be worth the extra expense to many pet owners. The medication also comes in a variety of different dosages for different-sized dogs.
Pros
When dealing with an infestation that needs swift action, Advantus Soft Chew Flea Treatment is an excellent choice.
Product Features
- Works for fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes
- 24-hour protection
Pros
Product Features
Pros
Product Features
What To Look For In A Good Flea Shampoo
A good flea shampoo will contain pyrethrins as an active ingredient, as it is this ingredient that actually kills the fleas. Now that you know how to kill fleas, you know that a good flea shampoo matters.
Pyrethrins come from the chrysanthemum flower and are a potent insecticide, causing dysfunction in the fleas nervous system and their eventual death. They are not as toxic as synthetic pyrethroids as theyre broken down naturally by your dogs stomach acid.
Ideally, you should buy a shampoo that:
- Kills adult fleas, larvae and eggs so as to completely halt the flea lifecycle
- If you only kill adult fleas, then you will need to keep repeating the process as the eggs already laid will simply continue to hatch, thus producing more fleas
- Aside from its ability to kill fleas, a good dog shampoo will also provide other benefits, such as moisturization of the skin and coat, odor neutralization and effective cleansing of dirt and debris
- It should also smell pleasant and not leave any nasty build-up behind either
- To ensure its as gentle and safe as possible for your dog to use, you should look for a shampoo that contains mostly natural ingredients, without any soaps, detergents, parabens or other irritating chemicals.
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How Can You Tell If Your Dog Has Fleas
Fleas and ticks are tiny, so you need to visually inspect your pet regularly to find them, especially after youve been for a walk or to the kennel or dog park.
While you may see visible signs that your dog has fleas or ticks, such as scratching, they also tend to hide in areas where your pet cant reach.
This includes the top of the head, underside of the tail, in the folds of the neck and chest, and even between the paw pads.
If you do find ticks on your dog, be sure to keep a close eye on them for any warning symptoms of a potentially fatal disease. This can include limping, lethargy, swelling, or joint pain.
Frontline Flea Spray For Dogs And Cats
Frontline® sprays do not contain the potentially toxic insecticides found in many pet store sprays, and this one is a one-stop-shop for any household that has both cats and dogs. It is also safe to use if you have kittens or puppies in your property, and is water-resistant so it is still effective even if you like in an area with a high rainfall.
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The Best Flea And Tick Shampoo
Shampoos can provide dogs with instant relief from infestation. However, as shampoos have limited effects, they should only be used as a first step to get pests under control before moving on to preventative medication.
They are also a good choice for nursing dogs who cant risk passing on chemicals to their unborn pups.
Here are some of the best flea and tick shampoos for dogs:
1. Richards Organics Flea & Tick Shampoo
- It kills ticks and fleas and repels mosquitoes
- Sulfate and paraben-free formulation
- Works for up to four weeks
- Safe to use on dogs that have sensitive or flaky skin
2. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor
- It kills fleas, ticks, flea eggs, flea larvae, and lice
- Provides 28 days of control
- Safe for puppies
- It contains soothing aloe, coconut extract, and oatmeal
3. TropiClean Natural Flea and Tick Dog Shampoo
- It helps to repel adult fleas, ticks, larvae, and eggs for up to seven days
- Contains no insecticides
- A natural blend of clove, lemongrass, cedarwood, cinnamon, and sesame oils
- Does not wash away topical flea prevention products
- Safe for puppies from twelve weeks
4. Vets Best Flea and Tick Advanced Strength Dog Shampoo
- Extra-strength flea and tick shampoo
- Blend of natural oils and plant-based ingredients
- Safe for puppies from twelve weeks
5. Natural Chemistry Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal
How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Puppies 2 Or 3 Weeks Old
If you are lucky enough to have a little baby puppy at home you might want to ask yourself this question. Puppies are like candy to fleas, and you want to protect them as soon as possible. When the puppy is newborn, its soft skin and baby fur provides the perfect place for these parasites to populate.
Unfortunately, puppies that are only a few weeks old cannot be treated the same way as older dogs, because of the strong contents of flea preventions. The undeveloped bodies of puppies simply cannot handle the side effects of the treatments. So how do you prevent or get rid of the fleas?
There are several steps to ensure that your baby pup does not get populated by fleas:
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What To Look For When Purchasing Flea And Tick Medicine
Active Ingredients
Because youre purchasing a medicine, its important to consider the active ingredients in the product before making a purchase. There are varying opinions about which ingredients are the most effective. Some of the most popular and effective active ingredients in flea and tick medicine are:
- Afoxolaner
- Nitenpyram
- Spinosad
Beyond varying reputations for effectiveness, certain ingredients can also affect your dog differently. If your dog has an allergy to one type of medicine or is more at risk of developing its severe side effects, opt for a treatment with a different active ingredient.
Potential Toxins
Some common active ingredients, especially those in flea collars and some topical applications, are considered toxic and can be harmful to children, pregnant women, and other animals. Discuss different options with your vet to make sure all members of the family are safe. Some classes of drugs and ingredients to be aware of are:
- permethrin and pyrethrins
- tetrachlorvinphos, carbaryl, and propoxur
- fipronil, permethrin, pyrethrins, or imidacloprid
- Isoxazoline
Potential Side Effects
Most flea and tick medicines are considered safe by the FDA and have only mild side effects, but as mentioned above, some flea and tick medicines, especially certain types of topical preventative treatments, can cause serious side effects like seizures. These are rare, but something you should be aware of, especially if your dog is already prone to seizures or if they are older.
Want More Info On Flea And Tick Control
Dog flea and tick prevention is just the first step in the ongoing worry we pet owners have about keeping these pests at bay. We hope weve given you some tips to prevent them from infesting your home.
But if you need more information about how to kill fleas once youve reached that point, be sure to read our article on getting rid of fleas on your pets and in your home.
You can also read our review of Frontline vs Advantage to get a better handle on which of these popular flea prevention products may be a better fit for your family.
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Fastest Acting Product: Credelio
Like the other products in this list, Credeliois highly effective against fleas and ticks, yet it works a little faster than other products in its class.
Product features:
- Starts killing fleas within 4 hours and kills 99% within 8 hours for 35 days
- Kills and prevents ticks for up to 30 days
- Comes in a beef-flavored chewable tablet
Credelio is the last isoxazoline on this list with an active ingredient known as lotilaner. It kills and prevents ticks for a full 30 days, but lasts a little longer for flea protection at 35 days. Credelio starts working within 4 hours of administration and can reach peak concentrations in your dogs body as soon as 6 hours after ingestion! This is important because ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses after just 6 to 8 hours from the time of the initial tick bite.
Pros:
- Works slightly faster than other products on this list
- Can be used in puppies as early as 8 weeks of age
- Has a tasty flavor compared to other preventive products
Cons:
- Only available through your veterinarian or with a prescription
- May be contraindicated in dogs with a history of seizures
- Not labeled for use in puppies weighing less than 4 pounds
How Often Should You Buy Flea And Tick Meds
Flea and ticks arent seasonal they can invade your dog anytime. This means youll need to give your dog flea treatment year-round, especially during the summer because this is the time when fleas and ticks numbers double.
When it comes to frequency, it all depends on the treatment options you opt for. Tablets, flea collars, sprays, and topical treatments all work in varied ways and for different periods . However, if you are completely unsure how to go about this, speak to a vet.
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Buying Guide For Best Dog Heartworm Medications
If you get a mosquito bite, it can cause anything from an itchy bump to a dangerous disease like West Nile virus. The same goes for dogs. Sometimes, a mosquito bite causes a mild skin reaction in a dog, but other times it can cause heartworm. Giving your dog heartworm medication protects your pet from this deadly disease.
How does heartworm occur in dogs? It starts with a bite from a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae. The larvae travel via the bloodstream near the dogs heart and lungs, where they mature into adult worms. In turn, the dog may suffer organ damage, lung disease, and even heart failure. Its important to kill the larvae before they mature by giving the dog a monthly heartworm medication.
Weve put together this buying guide with some of the key information you need to understand regarding heartworm medications for dogs so you can make the right choice. Weve highlighted some of our top picks, too.
Signs That Your Golden Has Fleas Or Ticks
The first sign is usually your Golden Retriever scratching itself a lot more, which could lead to red patches on its skin. Look for small red flea bites, especially around the neck, under the legs , and its belly. You may even see flea dirt or the fleas crawling around in the fur.
They can be hard to spot as they are so small, and they may leave your dog once theyve fed, but if your dog is itchy, one of the most common reasons is fleas.
Ticks can be hard to spot as they burrow into the skin, and they might be mistaken for skin tags. Visually inspect your dog and run your hands over its body after being outside. A tick will feel a small hard lump. They vary in size from 0.04 inches to 0.40 inches as they engorge with blood and look like tiny spiders with an egg-shaped body.
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The Best Flea Treatments For Cats And Dogs
Our veterinarians share their recommendations for products when dealing with and preventing pests.
Fleas are tiny parasites that enjoy feasting on warm-blooded animals like cats and dogs. Unfortunately, if you see one flea, the odds are good that there are thousands more lurking in their fura female can lay up to 50 eggs per day. “Fleas are the most common external parasite for cats and dogs,” says Dr. Carly Fox, an emergency and critical care staff doctor at New York City’s Animal Medical Center. “Fleas can make your animals very uncomfortable.” What’s more, they can also be the cause of serious disease in our pets: Animals that ingest a flea, such as a cat when she is cleaning her fur, could become infected with a tapeworm. Tapeworms steal vital nutrients from our pets, and can prove life-threatening to young and elderly animals.
For dogs, most veterinarians recommend NexGard, K9 Advantix II, or Frontline Plus. For cats, most veterinarians recommend Frontline Plus, Revolution, Advantage II, or Seresto collars. Some flea treatments can be applied every seven days, while others must have 30 days between applications. The treatment plan that your veterinarian recommends will depend on your pet, the infestation, and your lifestyle .
What Causes Fatty Tumors In Dogs
The main reason dogs get lipomas is because of toxin overload. The body naturally moves toxin out of the body as quickly as possible. But in todays world, there are more toxins than ever! This means that toxins can build up in the body. When they do the response of some dogs bodies is to contain the toxins in a lipoma. The reason lipomas are so close to the skin is because the body is trying to push the toxin out through the skin.
The body collects toxins together and walls them off in a tumor. This is really quite a clever system that the body has come up with. It helps to protect the liver and kidneys for overloading with the work of detoxification. While also keeping the toxins safely locked away.
Your dog comes into contact with toxins every day! Vaccines, pharmaceuticals, cleaners, lawn treatments, pesticides, heavy metals, flea and tick medications, fluoride and chlorine in the water, the list is endless! Even plastics, carpets, shampoos, toxins are everywhere.
What you feed your dog can also play a roll in the formation of lipomas. Believe it or not, some dog foods contain toxins. Im not talking about salmonella or E.coli either. Im talking about pesticides and herbicides that make their way into your dogs food bowl. Many of the grains, legumes, and carb sources for dog foods are heavily treated with chemicals. These make their way into your dogs food too.
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