As the temperatures begin to rise here in the Pacific Northwest, so does the possibility of finding unwanted pests, like fleas and ticks, on your pets or around your home and property. There are many products available on the market, some preventative, some treatment and some control products that can work together to form a complete treatment program. A complete treatment program includes shampoos, sprays and powders to eradicate pests from both the pet and the home or property to ensure effectiveness. Here we’ll break down some preventative options you will find at your local Wilco store.
Fleas
When it comes to flea treatment, pet owners often begin treatment once they begin noticing fleas on their pets. Ideally, it’s a good idea to treat for fleas and put a stop to the entire flea life cycle, before an infestation occurs with a complete treatment program. Fleas feed on pets in the adult flea stage and can cause your pet to be very uncomfortable. Flea bites can cause Flea Allergy Dermatitis, Bartonellosis and even Anemia, so treatment should be done early on to keep from getting to these unhealthy conditions.
Ticks
Your pet can be exposed to ticks almost anywhere, normally outdoors, but also inside. If you take your pet camping, hunting, to the dog park, or anywhere outdoors, pay special attention to your pet and keep an eye out for ticks. While ticks don’t jump around like fleas do, they can be dangerous, transmitting disease to your pet in as fast as three hours! The most common tick-borne illnesses include Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Cytauxzoonosis. Another important reason to keep an eye out for ticks is because ticks can feed on pets in all tick life stages from larva to nymph and adults.
Getting Rid of Fleas & Ticks
If you notice dark brown, narrow-bodied fleas (often jumping around) on your pet, start by checking your pet with a flea comb. Adult fleas tend to make their home near the base of your pet’s tail and on their belly. They can also be found around the ears too. Once you’ve combed your pet removing as many fleas as possible, follow with a good, thorough clean of your home by vacuuming. Do not empty your vacuum in the house, instead empty it outside ensuring the fleas do not end up back inside the home.
Physical removal of ticks should be done using tweezers to grab the tick as closely to your pet’s skin as possible and pulling it straight out. Take extra care not to crush the tick or twist it as the head can remain in your pet if not careful. It is not recommended to use a lit match or other methods commonly suggested like petroleum jelly. After the tick is removed, dispose of it by dropping it in some rubbing alcohol or flush down the toilet.
Once you’ve done an initial removal of fleas or ticks from your pet and cleaned the home, it’s a good idea to give your pet a bath using a flea and tick pet treatment shampoo. Follow that up with a preventative product, either a monthly topical product like Advantage II for cats or dogs or K9 Advantix II for dogs only, or a longer-lasting solution like the Seresto Collar for either dogs or cats. Advantage II, K9 Advantix II and Seresto collars are all a part of a complete treatment program.
Preventative Options
Seresto Collars have many perks. They are available for both dogs or cats and are easy to apply as a simple collar on your pet. They are non-greasy, odorless and continuously release the ingredients for killing fleas and ticks through contact with your pet’s coat and skin for 8 months. If you decide to use a Seresto collar, be sure to apply it after you’ve given your pet a bath and they are nice and dry. Seresto collars are water-resistant and are still effective if your pet takes a dip in the water or is exposed to rain or sunlight. It is not recommended that your pet swim or bathe more than 1x per month or the control duration will begin to decrease on the collar.
Advantage II is a monthly preventative topical option for both dogs or cats and is applied at the base of the pet’s skull area. It kills fleas in all life stages and lice on dogs as well. Advantage II is waterproof and kills fleas through contact. They do not have to bite your pet to die.
Advantage, II Extra Large Dog, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Advantage II for Large Dogs, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Advantage II for Medium Dogs, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Advantage II for Small Dogs, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Advantage II for Small Cats, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Advantage II for Large Cats, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
K9 Advantix II is a preventative product for use ONLY on dogs. It should not be used on cats. K9 Advantix II kills all life stages of fleas within 12 hours and quickly kills ticks within 10 minutes of application. This option requires once a month application and helps to prevent fleas on a treated dog from infesting your home. Similar to Advantage II, K9 Advantix II kills fleas and ticks through contact and the pest does not need to bite your pet to die.
K9 Advantix II, for Extra Large Dogs, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
K9 Advantix II for Medium Dogs, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
K9 Advantix II for Small Dogs, 4 pack
Not available online.
{{storeQuantity}} in stock in {{wg.store.city}}
Limited stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Out of stock in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Not carried in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Cannot be sold in {{wg.store.city}} Check nearby stores
Which preventative product will work best for you and your pet?
Here is a quick comparison for your review:
