Ticks and fleas are dogs’ worst enemy. Your pet’s soft and warm fur provides an ideal environment for these parasites to live and multiply. From infections to anemia, they can bring serious health hazards to your pet. So it’s better to get rid of them as soon as you can. Thankfully, there are many products designed to protect your furry friend against these tick and flea infestations. Here are a few notable mentions.

1. Flea combs
Combs are the first and foremost solution for fleas and ticks. These are more of a remedy than prevention, specially designed to remove fleas and their eggs from a dog’s fur. Flea combs have closely aligned teeth that trap the pests. However, they can only remove a certain amount of fleas rather than treating the whole infestation. Still, this is a great flea removing method to start with before trying other remedies. Flea combs are pretty affordable as well.

2. Shampoos
A shampoo kills ticks and fleas and gets your canine clean and fluffy. It creates a lather that smothers the pests, leaving the dog’s fur smelling fresh. Any pet-friendly shampoo will do the trick. They contain an insect growth regulator, which can kill the fleas and prevent them from coming back for some time. The shampoo is also the best remedy to kill existing pests before moving to preventive measures.

3. Essential oils
Essential oils, such as citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary, are excellent remedies for ticks and fleas in dogs. These oils have a strong fragrance, making them toxic to pests. However, sometimes, they can be harmful to your dog, too. So remember to dilute the oil before spraying it on your pet’s coat. The oils will not only keep away the infestation but also make the fur fragrant and shiny. Check if your little pooch is allergic before trying this method.

4. Flea collars
A flea collar is an ingenious way to keep ticks and fleas away. These collars provide constant protection without having to spray or rub chemicals on your pet. They’re treated with medications that slowly release a flea and tick repelling odor. The collars are also less messy than oils and sprays and are easily available in the market. You can even make one at home with lavender oil and vodka.

5. Tablets
Flea prevention treatments don’t have to be topical always. A variety of oral tablets are available in the market to keep dogs safe from the infestation of ticks and fleas. These tablets are poisonous to insects but not to mammals. The benefit of such pills is that they’re both remedial and preventive. They’re also a lot cleaner than the topical application and show immediate results.