Tick Control for Dogs and Cats

Key Takeaways

• Ticks attach to pets during multiple life stages, feeding for several days before detaching and returning for another meal, which gives pets repeated exposure. A single female tick can lay up to 3,000 eggs, making prevention essential.
• Break the infestation cycle by treating every pet with consistent flea and tick control. Monthly spot-ons are popular, but shampoos, dips, sprays, collars and prescription preventives are also effective options.
• Treat the home environment by vacuuming carpets and furniture, washing bedding and using premises sprays, powders or foggers. Re-treat every 2 to 4 weeks until the life cycle is fully broken.
• Prevent reinfestation outdoors by treating yards, kennels, tall grass, shaded area and leaf litter with a yard spray. Apply flea and tick spray to vehicles if pets travel with you.

Managing ticks is easier with a consistent three step plan designed to treat and prevent infestations. Ticks most commonly attach to your pet's head, neck, or paws, feeding on blood for several days before detaching, only to return for another meal during a new stage in their life cycle. This cycle happens three times, giving your pet multiple chances to become a host. A single female tick can lay up to 3,000 eggs, making prevention critical. Tick and flea infestations typically take about three months to fully break the life cycle within your environment. Some medications only target adult parasites, so it is important to follow product label directions carefully for both effectiveness and safety.

Step 1. Your Pet.

Treat each of your pets for existing ticks, larvae and nymphs.

Topical spot-on treatments are easily administered each month and provide protection for up to 30 days.

Other options include flea and tick shampoo, dip, spray, powder, flea and tick dog collars or cat collars, and prescription medications for dogs or cats.

Step 2. Your Home.

Vacuum carpets, baseboards and furniture. Wash or vacuum pet bedding. Premise treatments, designed to treat your home and surroundings are available in several forms. Use a flea and tick spray or carpet powder to treat surfaces and pet bedding. Foggers penetrate into hard-to-reach areas, including those where ticks might crawl. These treatments can be helpful in eliminating larvae as they emerge from eggs. Re-treatment may be necessary every 2 to 4 weeks until the infestation has been controlled.

Step 3. Your Environment.

Treat your outside environment to prevent re-infestation when your pet leaves the home. Use a yard spray to treat your lawn, kennel area, and anywhere that your pet rests. Ticks thrive in tall grass or under brush, shrubbery and leaf debris. Give particular attention to these and other cool, moist areas around your property. If your pet is a travel companion, a flea and tick spray should be used to treat your car.

Whether for horse, livestock or pet, Valley Vet Supply is your one-stop shop for trusted care. Explore our pet category at ValleyVet.com