Does My Dog Really Need Flea and Tick Prevention Year-Round? A Veterinarian Weighs In
Just like humans, dogs need preventative care to stay healthy and happy. As part of their overall health plan, your veterinarian will likely recommend year-round medication to protect your pup from fleas and ticks.
Many pet parents wonder whether these preventatives are really necessary, either because of the ongoing costs, the hassle of needing to remember to give the treatment and order refills, the potential side effects, or misconceptions about these pests.
But veterinarians say the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Here’s why year-round flea and tick prevention should be part of your dog’s standard routine.
Why Fleas and Ticks Are Bad News
Fleas and ticks are parasites that survive by latching onto unsuspecting hosts and feeding on their blood.
Dogs often get ticks while they’re out exploring areas with tall grass, trees, and shrubs, where the bugs hold out their front legs and wait for an animal to brush past. They can get fleas from their outdoor adventures, too, as well as kennels, dog parks, and direct contact with wildlife. Both pests often hide beneath dense fur or tuck into easy-to-miss spots like the armpits and between the toes.
The most common—and obvious—problems fleas and ticks cause are discomfort, itchiness, skin irritation, abscesses, and hair loss, says Dr. Mandi Shearhart, a veterinarian with Best Friends Animal Society. However, these bugs also carry diseases that can cause serious illnesses and even death, she notes. These include:
Ticks
Anaplasmosis
Babesiosis
Lyme disease
Ehrlichiosis
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Tick paralysis
Fleas
Tapeworms
Anemia
Skin infections
Many of these diseases can spread from animals to humans, so protecting your pet also means protecting yourself and your family.
The Importance of Consistent Preventative Treatment
Flea and tick preventatives are available in several forms, including chewable tablets, topicals, and collars. Each product works a little differently, but most are designed to repel fleas and ticks before they bite—or kill them quickly if they do.
Regardless of their specific mechanism, these medicines all work best when they’re used consistently.
"Skipping doses of preventatives puts your pets at risk for contracting serious diseases from fleas and ticks, as well as putting your home at risk of a flea infestation if even one flea makes it into your home," says Shearhart.
Debunking Common Myths About Flea and Tick Prevention
Some pet owners mistakenly believe flea and tick prevention is only necessary during the summer, or for pets that spend a lot of time outside. But fleas can live inside, and ticks can come out of hibernation on warm days in the middle of winter, says Shearhart. And pups that spend most of their time indoors can still get fleas and ticks from humans and other animals entering the home.
“One adult flea can easily come into a home unseen and lay thousands of tiny eggs,” says Shearhart. “Ticks are very good at catching a ride on both people and pets, and a single tick is enough to transmit a deadly disease.”
Some pet owners also assume fleas and ticks are just a normal part of life for dogs, not realizing there are a variety of safe and effective products available to protect against these pests, says Shearhart.
"Not all products are right for every pet, and it is very important that pet owners discuss different options with their veterinarian to find out what is going to work best for them," she adds.
Cost vs. Consequences
The cost of flea and tick medication varies by product, frequency, and your pup's size. Since your dog needs year-round protection, these costs can add up. But repeat veterinary visits—or worse, hospitalization for serious illnesses—will likely be much more expensive in the long run, says Shearhart.
While each pet has its own individual risk factors, year-round flea and tick prevention should be a key part of any dog’s wellness regimen, she adds. “Like many conditions, it is much easier and more effective to prevent infestation than to treat one after there is already a problem.”
Talk to Your Vet
Parasites don’t care how cute or well-behaved your pup is—they just want a warm body to feed on.
If you recently adopted a dog, make an appointment to talk to your veterinarian about flea and tick medication, as well as other essential preventatives. Together, you can go over all the different products that are available, so you can find the flea and tick preventative that’s best for your pet.
“Monthly flea and tick prevention, as well as monthly heartworm prevention, will go a long way in keeping pets healthy and giving pet parents peace of mind,” says Shearhart.
