How Do Remedies for Flea & Tick Work on Cats and Dogs?

 

Fleas and ticks are a year-round problem for many pet owners - they enjoy all seasons and are constantly on the lookout for their next meal.

As these ectoparasites evolve in order to resist our methods of combating them, new products are continually being developed. As responsible pet parents look for the best ways to prevent and kill these pests while keeping the well-being of their four-legged friend in mind, it then becomes a balancing act of sorts. But how exactly do topical drops, collars, sprays, powders, and shampoos control our cats or dogs by controlling fleas and ticks?

Flea & Tick Control Products Types and How They Work

Apart from being a nuisance, fleas and ticks have the potential to spread a wide range of diseases to both animals and humans. To minimize the risk to your pet and your family, use medicated drops, collars, powders, shampoos or sprays to keep your parasites at bay. Remember to only use these items as prescribed, and contact your doctor if your cat or dog has any adverse reactions.

Theme drops:
Liquid medications, sometimes referred to as spot-on treatments, are applied directly to the skin of a cat or dog, usually between the shoulders, at the base of the neck (for cats), or along the entire back from the base of the neck to the tail (for dogs). These products come in the form of vials containing agents that protect your pet for 30 continuous days.




They work by killing fleas and ticks (and sometimes mosquitoes, depending on the product) by depositing chemicals into sebaceous glands where the active ingredient is released and translocates through glands lubricating a cat or dog coat with oil. When applied, the compound translocates quickly across the skin. The pesticide will attack the nervous system of the flea and tick and cause the parasites to lose their ability to feed on your pet.

Some flea and tick drops also contain an insect growth regulator (IGR) to monitor eggs that may have survived during the initial dosage. IGRs hinder the production of eggs from reaching maturity, thus disturbing the normal life cycle. IGRs are also avoiding new infestations.

Flea and tick drops are very easy to use and continue to operate even if your cat or dog is bathed or caught in the shower.

Hints:

• Often select a flea and tick drop that is designed for your pet species.
• Weigh your pet to make sure you buy the right dosage to fit your size.
• Do not combine doses, apply the medication more often than recommended, or mix with other flea and tick products, as this can lead to an overdose.
• Do not bathe your pet 24 hours before or after application for better performance.

Collars, please:

Flea and tick collars are a safe choice for pet owners who have cats or dogs who do not have an established infestation. Like topical formulas, they successfully avoid, but do not necessarily cure, the infestation.
Collars have a longer lasting effectiveness, usually up to 7 or 8 months, and may be worn in addition to a regular pet collar. Flea and tick collars have two functions: repulsion and care. Some collars are only repelled, and others are both repelled and handled.

Repelling collars release a gas that stops fleas and ticks from biting. Treatment collars contain medicines that are absorbed into the sebaceous glands and dispersed with natural oils in the skin of a cat or dog. If you just have a collar that repels, the parasite must bite to kill the pesticide. Treatment collars release ingredients that kill fleas and ticks in touch before they bite.

Be sure to clearly read the packaging of any flea and tick collar you're considering and be sure that all your questions are answered.

The Tips:

• Often pick a flea and tick collar that is designed for your pet species.
• Measure the neck of your pet to ensure that the collar is appropriate for its size.
• Do not combine doses, apply the medication more often than recommended, or mix it with other flea and tick products, as this can result in an overdose.

Oral Tablets:

Usually, oral flea remedies are available only through a veterinarian's prescription, and come in both tablet and chewable types, which your pet ingests as opposed to being added to the body.

Usually, oral insecticides target either flea eggs or adult fleas, but not both, so you can need to pick which part of the lifecycle to target and eradicate. Flea pills, starting in as little as 30 minutes, work really quickly.

There are no oral drugs that kill ticks at present.

Sprays and Powders:

Spray-on as well as powder type flea and tick treatments are applied directly to your pet and then massaged into the fur on the whole body. They can be used more freely than other forms of security, and also come in models that are intended to be used on upholstery, carpets and bedding in your home to protect your pet and your family's entire climate.

Powders and sprays perform well, making them very versatile for cats and dogs at all stages of life. When applying, take sure to safeguard the eyes and ears of your pet.

Shampoo: and shampoo:

Flea and tick shampoos primarily kill, by touch, fleas and ticks that are already on a pet. Wet your pet's hair thoroughly with water to properly use these items, and rub the shampoo onto the coat, ensuring the suds do not get into the eyes or ears. Massage from head to tail until a foamy lather fully covers the coat. Let it stand for a few more minutes or continue massaging. Rinse and dry with towels.

You can repeat most formulations regularly.