My dog and all canine visitors are kept on flea preventative year round. However, due to this year's hot & humid weather in So. Cal, more than one vet has stated that they're seeing a huge caseload of infestation because All Topical applications are ineffective right now, even Comfortis is less effective than last year, and Trifexis is still one of the best. Of course, there are many other preventative treatments that pet parents use, but especially in extreme weather where fleas are rampant, it seems negligent to do nothing (i.e. not even use a flea comb after each walk with some solution - some who favor holistic methods may use spray bottle to spritz a mix of apple cider vinegar and water while grooming)
If you discuss nicely, the pet parents you want to be connected to will not be offended. Lots of dogs are sensitive to allergies, and flea bites definitely cause more allergies, and fleas will bite both dogs and humans. Plus true dog lovers don't want their dog to be part of that cycle, passing between dogs and homes where they'd like their pet to stay.
Addition: If you see fleas have hitched a ride on a pup, there are a couple options that I'd suggest.
- Using a flea comb, remove them. It's advisable to have a small
container filled with some water
(and maybe soap) nearby and paper
towel to rise and blot dry in
between strokes.
- Dawn blue dish soap lathered in cool/tepid water bath (which is
usually a good solution unless the
dog has extremely sensitive skin &
allergy conditions- if applicable,
the pet parent needs to provide
(bring or reimburse later) their
medicated shampoo.
And if you see live fleas have found it into your home, you have to act fast. These tips come straight from a vet: Everything (dog beds, blankets, throw rugs, linens, etc) must laundered in Hot soapy water - warm will not suffice.
Vacuum daily, take the vacuum outside to remove the bag, and throw it out immediately. If you try to remove inside or re-use the same bag and keep it around, fleas could hatch.
Investing the time and energy to quickly address it can save you from having to resort to more drastic chemical methods later.
Regarding ticks, since they very tough,so tick preventatives for dogs are really harsh. Before doing so, I'd advocate really considering the risks (how often is the dog prone to getting a tick, can it be monitored some other way such as staying away from tall grasses where ticks flourish near coyote&rabbit trails, checking after each walk, and removal if needed) and researching. At two different times on walks, I spotted/my dog showed me a tick jumped him but hadn't burrowed, I threw caution to the wind and removed with my bare hands. I took him to the vet, paid for specific blood tests 30 days later to ensure no disease ... (more)