Being a dog parent means juggling belly rubs, treat time, and preventative care. With all the things you could be protecting your pup against, it's easy to wonder — does my pup really need flea, tick, and heartworm medicine all year long?
The answer? Absolutely. Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention aren't just to-do list items — it's how you help your dog feel their best every single day.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Why prevention matters
- How flea, tick, and heartworm prevention works
- Tips for choosing the right product for your dog
Why prevention matters
Preventing these parasites is much easier and safer than treating a life-threatening infection or an illness later.
Fleas
Fleas are without a doubt one of the biggest risks to pet parents, as they can infest dogs, cats, and indoor and outdoor spaces in your home. Flea bites can lead to skin irritation, Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD), and spread intestinal parasites to your pets like tapeworms.
Ticks
Ticks, often found in grassy, wooded areas around the United States, can transmit dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever to your fur baby. Even if your pet stays inside most days, they still need vet-quality flea and tick protection for the times where they do roam around the great outdoors (like regular potty breaks and walks around the neighborhood).
Heartworm disease
Heartworms, intestinal parasites spread to dogs by infected mosquitoes, are one of the most dangerous parasites to your pet. Heartworm disease is caused by worms that are transmitted through mosquito bites.
Once inside your dog, heartworm larvae travel to the heart and lungs, where they grow into dangerous adult worms. Dogs infected with heartworm disease may suffer from heart and lung damage, or even death if heartworm treatment is not started.
How prevention works
Preventing fleas, ticks, and heartworms is all about stopping the problem before it starts. These treatments work by either killing the parasites on contact, repelling them before they latch on, or stopping their life cycle so they can’t cause harm.
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention medications protect your dog from pests that can cause serious health problems. Each type of medicine works a little differently, but they all help stop parasites before they can cause harm.
Whether it’s a chewable tablet, a topical liquid, or a collar, each type of prevention is designed to keep your dog safe from pests and the diseases they carry. Most preventatives either kill pests on contact or stop them from growing and spreading inside your dog’s body.
Flea prevention
Flea prevention helps protect your dog from itchy bites and more serious health issues like skin infections and tapeworms. Flea preventatives work by killing fleas on dogs at different stages of their life cycle or by repelling them before they bite.
There are several types of flea prevention products available:
- Chews: Chewable tablets are easy to give and often fight against other parasites at the same time.
- Topical treatments: Applied directly to your dog's skin, these products spread across the body and kill fleas on contact. Many are waterproof and last for up to a month.
- Collars: Flea collars release active ingredients that repel and kill fleas over several months, making them a long-lasting option.
Choosing the right flea preventative depends on your dog's lifestyle, size, and any sensitivities they might have.
Tick prevention
Tick prevention is essential to prevent diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ticks latch onto your dog's skin and feed on their blood, which can transmit infections.
Common tick prevention options include:
- Chews: Oral preventatives work by killing ticks once they bite your dog. Some tablets also fight against fleas and heartworms.
- Topical treatments: These products repel and kill ticks on contact. They're often waterproof and need to be applied monthly.
- Collars: These provide long-lasting protection and are great for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Regular tick checks with a flea comb and using preventatives can greatly reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases.
Wags Advance® is PetFriendly's topical flea and tick protection made for all sizes of dogs. It fights against fleas and ticks for 30 days, and is easily applied monthly.
Cat owners: there are plenty of vet-quality treatments to keep your kitty flea- and tick-free. Paws Plus® is PetFriendly's topical flea and tick protection for cats. It fights all life stages of biting fleas and prevents ticks.
Purrs Advance® is PetFriendly's topical flea protection. It does not fight ticks, however, it is the strongest protection against flea eggs, larvae, and adult fleas on cats.
Heartworm prevention (intestinal parasites)
Heartworm prevention products work by killing heartworm larvae before they mature. The most common options include:
- Chewable tablets: Given monthly, these tablets are easy to give and often protect against other parasites like fleas and intestinal worms.
- Topical treatments: Applied to the skin, these products protect against heartworms and other parasites.
- Injections: Some veterinarians offer heartworm injections that protect dogs for up to six months.
Heartworm prevention requires a prescription and an annual heartworm test from your veterinarian. Year-round heartworm prevention is essential to keep your dog safe, especially in areas where mosquitoes are common.
Choosing the right product for your dog
The best product for your dog depends on their unique needs. Although rare, it's normal for some dogs to have adverse effects from different types of heartworm, flea, and tick prevention.
Age, lifestyle, and breed can play a factor in choosing the right medications for your pet. For example, furry friends who spend a lot of time outside may need stronger tick prevention. Puppies may need special formulations made for their age and size.
Your veterinarian is your dog's wellness wingman — they'll help you find the perfect flea, tick, and heartworm prevention plan. Even if your pup prefers couch naps over outdoor adventures, year-round protection is the key to keeping them safe from sneaky pests.
Team up with your vet to create the ultimate year-round game plan for your pup's flea, tick, and heartworm protection. Consistent prevention helps your dog stay happy, healthy, and ready for whatever comes their way — whether it's a walk in the park or a cozy day at home.