Fleas and ticks are pests that can cause great pain and discomfort to your pets. Fleas prefer warm and humid conditions of late summer and early fall, but they can also survive in cooler conditions. On the other hand, ticks prefer early spring and late fall to infest.
Symptoms of flea and tick infestations
Symptoms in cats
Fleas and ticks can be found around a cat’s neck or head area, and the signs include:
- Itchy or irritated skin
- Presence of fleas or ticks on the skin surface
- Constant scratching
- Red patches on the skin
- Chewing and licking of the skin
- Scabs or flakes on the skin
- Hair loss
- Tapeworms
- Pale lips and gums
- Flea dirt or flea eggs in the cat’s fur
Symptoms in dogs
Fleas and ticks can be found on a dog’s abdominal area and at the base of the tail and head, and the symptoms include:
- Flea dirt or flea eggs in a dog’s coat
- Allergic dermatitis
- Excessive scratching
- Licking and biting of the skin
- Hair loss
- Scabs
- Tapeworms
- Pale gums
Symptoms in rabbits
Fleas and ticks can be found along the spine or around the neck of a rabbit’s fur, and they can lead to the following signs:
- Nibbling and biting of the skin
- Constant scratching
- Red bumps on the skin and flaky skin
- Anemia and weakness
- Hair loss
- Flea dirt on the fur
Symptoms in birds
- Skin irritation
- Restlessness and lethargy
- Blood loss that leads to anemia
- Loss of appetite
- Emaciation
- Reduced egg production
- Broken or chewed-looking feathers
- Red patches on the skin
- Ulceration around the eyes
- Fluffed-up or sick appearance
Based on the symptoms and their severity, a veterinarian can determine the right flea and tick treatment for your pet. Read on to know more about the treatment options to get rid of these pests.
Flea and tick treatments for dogs
Fleas and ticks are blood-sucking parasites that are difficult to get rid of. To help you and relieve your pet of the pain and discomfort, there are many flea and tick treatment options that can be used. But before going ahead, do consult a vet. Here are some of them:
- Spot-on treatments
Depending on the symptoms, you can opt for Over-the-Counter (OTC) spot-on medication that the veterinarian may prescribe or you can get from a pet store. These can be effective for flea and tick treatment to a large extent, and these medications also protect your pet from these pests for a month. That being said, you should read all the labels very carefully before application and ask the vet about what changes to make in your pet’s lifestyle while using these medicines. - Oral medications
Oral medications are also an integral part of flea and tick treatment. You can give these pills to your dog once a month, and they are effective in killing both ticks and fleas, disrupting the flea’s life cycle, and preventing infestation. They are also easy to administer as they come with a dropper, and the medication can be given in the diluted or concentrated form. You need to ensure that children and cats stay away from your canine friend for some time after they’re given the medicines. - Shampoos
Medicated shampoos are also effective flea and tick treatment methods, and you can consult a veterinarian about the required number of baths to give your dog during the peak tick season. These shampoos can be used twice a month and are safe for your dog, as they don’t linger on the skin surface and kill ticks very quickly. Not to mention, they’re not very expensive. - Tick dips
Another effective flea and tick treatment method, tick dips are concentrated chemicals that need to be diluted with the prescribed amount of water and applied on the dog’s coat. Read the instructions very carefully before usage, and remember not to wash or bathe your pet after application. In addition, avoid using this treatment on young pups under four months old and on pregnant or lactating dogs. You can ask your vet for other treatment options in such cases. - Tick collars
Tick collars are also good options to get rid of fleas and ticks, but these can only prevent ticks from attaching to your pet around the neck and head area. The tick collar should come in contact with the dog’s skin so that the medication is transferred to the coat and skin, but ensure that it isn’t very tight as it can cause suffocation and discomfort. Also, you must cut off the extra length of the collar to prevent chewing. After putting the collar on, observe your dog closely for any unusual signs, and ensure that you read the instructions carefully or consult a vet before usage. - Powders
Tick powders can kill and repel ticks, but ensure that you choose a powder meant only for dogs and designed to kill fleas and ticks. It should also specify the age of dogs it can be used for. Additionally, be very careful with the application as the powder can cause irritation if inhaled. Gently sprinkle it in small quantities and keep it away from your pet’s face and eyes during application. Tick powders can be used around the year and once a week during the peak seasons, and you can also buy powders to use in the spots where your dog sleeps or sits. - Tick sprays
Flea and tick treatment methods also include tick sprays that kill the parasites quickly and disrupt their growth cycle. You can use them while venturing into wooded areas with your pet, but be careful with the application. Also, keep them away from your dog’s eyes or mouth and from other pets as well. - Keep the environment clean
A clean environment reduces the proliferation of fleas and ticks and protects your pet from them. So, consider cleaning the carpets, trimming the bushes, and fumigating the areas that your pet regularly comes in contact with. That being said, be careful while fumigating as the harmful chemicals can suffocate your pets. - Check your dog
Check your dog’s armpits, toes, insides of the ears, and the neck region regularly for ticks, and remove any ticks you find immediately and carefully. Also, don’t allow the canine to stay out for too long during the peak tick season.
Flea and tick treatments for cats
Some common flea and tick treatment for cats are:
- Spot-on treatments
There are many spot-on treatments that are effective in treating flea and ticks in felines. You can consult a veterinarian for effective OTC options that will kill the fleas and ticks and disrupt their life cycle to relieve your pet of the discomfort and pain. - Cat combs
Cat combs are fine-toothed metal combs that you can use to comb your cat’s fur several times a day. Run a cat comb over your feline’s whole body to skim fleas and their eggs and provide relief from itching. After using these combs, you can dip them into a solution of hot water and detergent to kill the fleas. - Shampoos, powders, and sprays
Medicated shampoos, powders, and sprays can be used on your cat’s fur to prevent flea and tick infestations. They are available both at pet stores and online, but read the label carefully before you buy a product. You can consult a vet before usage. - Flea collars
Flea collars with flumethrin and imidacloprid should be used for effective flea and tick treatment. However, some cats experience irritation or sudden hair loss when they wear these, so get a veterinarian’s advice before using them. Remember that the collar shouldn’t be very tight or loose to prevent discomfort and ensure effective treatment. - Medications
Many oral medications are available for flea and tick treatment in cats. Nitenpyram (Capstar®) is an effective medicine to treat fleas and ticks and kills fleas in merely 30 minutes. Spinosad (Comfortis®) is another fast-acting pill that kills fleas on felines in 4 hours and protects them for a month. - Keep your home clean
Keeping your feline’s environment clean is the most important step to get rid of fleas and ticks. So, keep the carpets, couches, and comforters vacuumed and clean. You can use chemical sprays in the vacuum to kill the parasites in your house, and you can opt for a pest control treatment if you find any infestation.
Flea and tick treatments for rabbits
Some common flea and tick treatment for rabbits are:
- Vaccinations
Fleas are rarely found in rabbits, but fleas transmit the myxoma virus that can cause myxomatosis, so get your rabbit vaccinated against myxomatosis. - Flea combs
Flea combs work well for rabbits as well. Just comb your rabbit’s fur often and dip the comb in a mixture of hot water and liquid dish wash to kill the fleas on it. - Medications
Since rabbits are sensitive animals, they have to be given mild doses. Small doses of Advantage, Program, and Revolution can be given after consulting a veterinarian. Apply the medications very carefully, since they can cause stomach issues and even prove fatal if licked. Apply it on the back of the neck, and if you more than one rabbit, keep them separate while using the medicines.
Flea and tick treatments for birds
Flea and tick treatment in birds can be done in the following ways:
- Maintain a clean and healthy environment
Keeping your feathery friend’s surroundings clean can protect it from many diseases and control ectoparasites. So, check your birds daily and remove droppings twice a day. There are many chemicals available to kill ectoparasites, but always check with a vet before using them. Also, concrete floors are ideal for chickens, but if you keep them on sand, spray the sand with Malasol 1% to protect them against soft ticks. Additionally, keep your lawn mowed as tall grasses are home for these pests. - Powders or sprays
Permethrin is effective and one of the best flea and tick treatment options. It is available as dips, sprays, and powders, but be cautious after using it, as it lingers for long on the pet’s body and may require a withdrawal period. - Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (FGDE)
FGDE is an organic flea and tick treatment for chickens, and you can use it directly on chickens and in their coop as well. However, avoid exposing their eyes and nostrils while using it and ensure to use a mask yourself. - Organic sprays and repellents
Several organic sprays and repellents can be used to keep fleas and ticks at bay. Mix 8 oz of distilled water, 5 drops of lavender oil, and 10 drops of citronella oil and shake it well. Spray this solution on the feet and legs of the chicken and avoid their eyes and nostrils. You can store and use it regularly. - Tick tubes
These are great for flea and tick treatment in birds. They are Permethrin-soaked cotton balls stuffed in tubes that you can scatter in and around your yard. Animals like rodents and squirrels that carry these ticks will take these tick tubes home and help kill the pests themselves. These tubes are available in pet stores, but wear gloves and maintain extreme caution while handling Permethrin. - Garlic
Garlic helps ward off fleas and ticks, so you can add garlic powder to the chicken feed, but ensure not to add more than 3%. You can also add some cloves to your birds’ water. - Dried herbs
Dried herbs also come in handy while treating fleas and ticks in birds, and they help you get rid of mites and lice as well. Sprinkle some herbs in the coop or nesting boxes for the best results.
Pets need regular care, just like babies, if you want them to be happy and healthy, so watch out for the symptoms discussed here and consult a vet before adopting a flea and tick treatment method to relieve your pets of pain and discomfort.
