Although very few tick bites result in disease, both dogs and cats bitten by ticks can become infected with a tick-borne disease such as Lyme disease. The sooner a tick that has attached itself to an animal is removed, the less risk there is of transmission from the tick.
There are various preventive measures tick repellent for dogs and cats who stay in tick areas. Even when using tick repellent, it is a good idea to check your animal often, as there is a good chance that you will discover the tick before it attaches.
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Different types of preventive tick products for dogs
There are four types of tick preventative for dogs:
Staining fluid
Works after 1 week and lasts for 5–8 months (depending on product). Not to be used on puppies younger than 7 weeks.
Agent applied to the coat takes full effect after 2–3 days and provides effect for approx. 4 weeks. Should not be used on puppies younger than 2–8 weeks (depending on product).
Chewable tablet
Immediate effect. The effect lasts for 8–12 weeks depending on the type of tick.
There are 2 variants of preventive tick treatment for cats:
Agents applied to the coat are most common for cats. Full effect after approx. 2 days and effective for 3–5 weeks. Should not be used on kittens younger than 8 weeks.
Necklace
Works within 2 days and provides an effect for 8 months. Should not be used for kittens younger than 10 weeks.
It is important not to use dog tick repellent on cats. Read the packaging carefully to see which animal the tick repellent is intended for.
Injection
Bravecto injection is an effective and long-lasting tick repellent that can be a good option for dog owners who want simple and reliable protection. The injection provides up to 12 months of effectiveness against ticks and fleas with a single treatment. This makes it ideal for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors or for owners who want to minimize the need for frequent applications of other tick repellents.
Note that these types of tick repellants are all prescription-only.
Contact us if you have any questions about tick repellent. We can help you find the right type of tick repellent that is suitable for your dog and/or cat. This will make the choice optimal.
You can read more about tick bites on our pages. Click here to read more about tick bites.