Uh oh. Your dog is scratching himself more than usual. It could be nothing. It could be a fairly unremarkable temporary itchy spot. Maybe it’s a little rash or something else you should look at. But what if it’s fleas?
Pet owners dread a flea infestation and the cleaning and baths that come with ridding a home of the pests. It’s a lot easier to prevent fleas from hitching a ride across your threshold in the first place. That’s where flea collars come in; they are one popular tool you can use to stop fleas in their tracks.
Flea and tick collars are a thing of the past
Flea and tick collars were once the only way to prevent and kill flea and ticks from invading your dog. However, with so many reports of deaths and other issues associated with even the most popular flea collars, we can no longer recommend these are an option for any pet.
Are flea and tick collars safe?
In our opinion, the answer is a resounding NO! For more, please watch this recent CNBC segment on deaths associated with the use of Seresto, one of the most popular flea and tick collars. Note that Seresto is also made from one of the largest animal health companies in the world, Elanco.
So, if no collar what should we do instead?
Your dog probably needs some sort of flea prevention. There are a few ways to protect your pet, including oral and topical prescription medications.
First and foremost, talk with your vet before using any flea and tick medication or other treatment on your dog. With so many dogs and humans being harmed from over-the-counter options, this is an area that is best left to the experts. Remember – talk with your vet!
Thanks for reading!