What are the best flea and tick drops for dogs?

Ticks are dangerous because they carry infectious diseases, and animals can pick up parasites not only in the wild but also while strolling along city park paths or running along the side of a city street. Tick and flea activity in Russia continues from April to mid-October, and during this time, owners continue to fight parasites to protect their pets' health.

The risk of becoming infected with ticks and fleas decreases in rainy weather and hot summer heat; fewer of them breed in sandy, dry soils in spruce and pine forests.

Modern means for protecting dogs from fleas and ticks

Modern insecticidal preparations are designed to protect pets, in particular dogs, from ectoparasites. They differ in the method of application:

• sprays;
• collars,
• drops on the withers;
• aerosols;
• shampoos;
• pills;
• lotions.

Based on their chemical composition, insectoacaricides are divided into monocomponent, containing one active ingredient, and those made from two or more active components. Their effect on the canine body differentiates them. for intestinal and contact purposesThese include medications that prevent piroplasmosis and repellents. Tick and flea repellents can be long-acting or immediate-release.

Conditions for choosing a remedy

The owner when choosing drops from ticks and fleas for dogs is guided by the principles:

• The toxicity of the drug is important when treating older animals, nursing and pregnant bitches, and small puppies under one year old; the least harmful agents are chosen for them;
• take into account the pet's coat, its length, and the thickness of the coating; the size of the animal plays an important role - the larger it is, the more product will be needed;
• The possibility of combining several treatment methods plays a role; veterinarians advise using two different groups at the same time;
• Pay attention to the expiration date of the drug, as it is important not to miss the time for changing the collar or treating with drops.

Well-known names of insecticidal preparations

Very popular in modern dog breeding spray product, but often dog breeders choose to apply drops to the animal’s withers.

Flea and tick drops for adult pets

Hartz Ultra Guard is the most popular among dog owners worldwide. This renowned line includes:

• for general use;
• used for animals heavily infested with parasites;
• Pets that live outdoors and are exposed to danger every minute are treated.

All products of this brand effective for a month, and the next ones are used after this period. These are strong medications and are not recommended for use on weakened or sick pets, nor for puppies under one year old. Three bottles of the medication will last for three months, and this course costs 460 rubles.

Stronghold flea and tick drops are an effective treatment for dogs. Adult fleas and ticks are destroyed, their eggs are prevented from developing, and even scabies mites are susceptible. Clinical trials of the product were conducted in veterinary clinics, and the results showed a gentle effect on dogs.

The product is applied by drip method applied along the ridge After a short time, the medication is absorbed, and the dog can be bathed. Puppies receive the tick medication starting at six months of age. A single application of the medication, delivered in a pipette, costs from 100 rubles, but the price may vary depending on the pet's size.

Bayer Advocate products have gained recognition not only for protecting pets from ticks and fleas, but also for treating ear mites, sarcoptosis, siphonopterosis, and demodicosis. Furthermore, the product prevents heartworm larvae and nematode worms from being applied to the dog's coat. Each pipette costs 120 rubles.

Frontline drops protect your pet for 8 weeks The product provides protection against fleas and ticks for four weeks. Do not bathe your dog for two days before treatment, nor for two days after. The medication costs one hundred rubles per dropper. It is recommended for use on adult dogs only.

A product containing the active ingredients imidacloprid and permethrin is called Advantix drops. It is designed to repel blood-sucking parasites. If the owner has treated their dog with this product, it is recommended not to bathe the dog for 7 days. The price is approximately 100 rubles per dropper.

Bars, a modern domestic flea and tick repellent, is a domestically developed product. Its effectiveness is no different from imported repellents. In addition to ticks, the product protects pets from worms thanks to its components praziquantel and ivermectin. It is approved for use on young puppies aged 60 days or older. a pipette costs 60-75 rubles.

Flea control for use on puppies

Almost all brands produce a special line of products for small puppies; there are preparations intended for pets aged 30 days and older.

Celandine flea drops are used to treat puppies aged two months and older. The ingredients are carefully selected to prevent poisoning for dogs that lick their puppies. The product costs 75 rubles per dropper.

Advantage drops are based on the component imidacloprid. They are used to protect small pets from fleas. weigh up to 4 kg, and adult dogs nursing their young. If the mother is treated, all nursing offspring will be protected from lice and fleas. A dropper costs 125 rubles.

Dana flea drops are used on puppies aged 10 weeks and older. In addition to applying the drops along the entire spine, it is recommended to rub the drops into the skin to prevent the pet from licking them off. The active ingredient in the product is diazinon. Pets should not be bathed for three days before and after using the drops. The price per dropper is 100 rubles.

Division of protective equipment into three categories

Belonging to a group depends on the type of effect on the dog's body:

• insect repellents that prevent insects from attaching to fur or body;
• Repellents do not kill parasites, ticks can easily be found on the fur, they are removed, but there is no bite;
• Insectoacaricides that kill ticks and fleas.

Most active ingredients, included in the composition of the drugs:

• Fipronil is a component of French products, collars, and domestic Bars sprays. It is a strong insecticide, so it is not used to treat young, sick, and fragile animals;
• Permethin is not only an insecticide but also an acaricide. This duality has earned it a high ranking, and it is used in many products, including the domestic Bars brand. Its toxicity prevents its use on puppies and weakened dogs.
• Neostomesan is considered an old and time-tested ingredient. Until recently, this single ingredient was used in the manufacture of almost all repellents. The substance is produced in ampoules that are dissolved in water for treatment and is classified as highly toxic;
• Various essential oils are used as short-term treatments to protect the dog only before and after going outside. The effect is very weak, but the positive aspects include complete non-toxicity.

Various forms of application

Collars

They represent special tapes, which are treated with acaricides or repellents. These substances are constantly transferred to the animal's fur and skin. Each collar comes with instructions describing the duration of action, the treatment procedure, the maximum effective period, interactions with other substances, and the product's effect on humans.

Tightly fitted collars It is not recommended for pets living together, as unsuspecting puppies may bite their companion's collar and become poisoned during play. For the same reason, collars are not used in households where pets frequently play with children.

Pills

Tablets have appeared on the Russian market relatively recently. Manufacturers claim the drug's effectiveness lasts from four weeks (Nexgard) to 12 weeks (Bravecto). The tablets act on arthropods by blocking their vital receptors, stimulating neurons, and paralyzing the parasites. These tablets are not used in puppies under two months of age, or when they reach 2 kg in weight. Female dogs may use both tablets during pregnancy and lactation.

Anti-tick sprays

Processing all dog skin and hairIf the coat is long, only the hair roots and skin are treated. Sprays come in long-lasting and short-lasting varieties, which are used before each time the dog goes outside. Apply the product carefully, avoiding the dog's eyes, nose, and mouth. The effect of the product usually begins within 20–25 minutes.

Disadvantages include the fact that pets readily lick the sprayed substance off their skin and fur. Large animals require a fairly large volume of the product. Some sprays are toxic and should be applied outdoors, wearing gloves.

Anti-tick drops for dogs

The principle of action is based on the penetration of acaricides or repellents through the sebaceous glands into the pet's skinRepellent substances are released and continuously distributed throughout the skin. Before using the product, read the instructions and observe the safety precautions.

The dog's withers are usually the site of application. For very large dogs, the product is also applied to the sacrum. Increased oiliness is observed at the site of application, which disappears within 2 days.

Benefits of drops

This remedy is considered universal from parasites on dog skin:

• repel all insects, ticks, lice and fleas with high efficiency;
• relatively safe for the animal;
• very easy to use;
• the dog is reliably treated for a period of up to several weeks;
• A properly selected product does not cause allergic reactions.

When choosing flea and tick drops, pay particular attention to the puppy's age and breed. Nursing dogs should not use the drops at all.

Modern medicines use innovative developments of the latest generations of insecticides: phenothrin, imidacloprid, methopreneThese ingredients are low-toxic but effective against parasites. However, their use must be strictly as directed, otherwise the dog may experience various adverse reactions.

Side effects

These reactions may occur in some cases, such as when an animal licks the repellent and it gets into the digestive system, or when a small dog is treated with exceeded amount of fundsIn such situations the following is observed:

• the pet secretes a large amount of saliva, it foams, in this case you should give the dog a lot to drink;
• Allergic reactions in various forms may occur in pets that are sensitive to certain components of the drug or in the event of a significant excess of the prescribed dose;
• In extremely rare situations, hair loss may occur at the site of application of the anti-tick product;
• the dog's muscles may tremble;
• Tears are constantly flowing from the eyes.

Whether or not to use flea and tick repellents is a personal choice for each individual owner. However, it's important to remember that until a tick bites an animal, it doesn't transmit an infectious disease. Therefore, it's logical to prevent danger the occurrence of a serious illness, so that pets do not suffer even more later.