Do dogs need flea and tick medicine every month in the UK?
Marquise Howe
2025-08-02 06:56:28
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The standard practice in the UK at present is to advise that customers take a preventative approach, treating their pets every couple of months even if they don’t have fleas. Defra and the veterinary profession need to take responsibility for development of a sustainable alternative, but an obvious first step is to stop treating animals for fleas if they don’t have fleas. After all, we don’t treat our children against nits if they don’t have them. Promoting prophylactic, monthly treatment is simply profiteering. Why do I need to apply chemicals to them if they don’t actually have fleas?! I never did this to my children – I only treated them for nits when they had nits, not monthly to prevent them. Rather than blanket use, we strongly encourage vets and owners to take a risk-based approach to prescribing or recommending these medicines, reflecting an animal’s exposure to parasites. Owners should speak with their vet about their animal’s needs and how to responsibly use and dispose of these medicines to minimise environmental contamination.
Kelsie Harvey
2025-08-02 04:21:51
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You want your dog to be receiving flea treatment once every month while worm treatment is something that needs looking at every two to three months, or even more. However, whether your dog is a social butterfly or maybe more of a home pup, your vet will have recommendations on what the best course of action is depending on their lifestyle. Puppies benefit from receiving flea treatment from around 8 weeks and will require repeated application. The frequency will depend on the product and amount of fleas your puppy is experiencing. This can all be discussed and verified with your vet during your flea and worm treatment appointment. To find out exactly how long you will need to wait, it is best to consult your vet as the treatment plan your dog is on may have an impact on the needed waiting time.
Diana Bradtke
2025-08-02 02:37:04
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All dogs and cats will need some parasite treatments throughout their lives regardless of whether they are indoors or not. But all pets, regardless of whether they go outdoors, are likely to need flea and worm treatments at some point. Pests can enter your house through other pets and even humans via our clothes or shoes. How often your pet needs to be treated will vary depending on their lifestyle and who they live with - that’s why it’s best to speak to your vet about a tailored treatment routine for your furry friend to keep them protected. If your pet is at risk of catching fleas, ticks or worms, they will need regular treatment to keep them at bay – just treating them once is unlikely to be enough. However, how frequently you need to treat them depends on your individual pet’s risks and the product you’re using. Parasites do not disappear during the colder season. Cold weather slows down parasites, but it doesn't eliminate them entirely. Fleas, ticks and worms can affect your furry friend all year round, with fleas in particular loving our centrally heated homes which is why it’s important to protect them all year.
Clementine Mann
2025-08-02 02:19:11
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Once every month, you should treat your pet for fleas, and every two to three months, or even more frequently, for worms. Depending on your pet's lifestyle, talk to your vet about the best course of action. The flea treatments we advise kill existing fleas quickly and protect your dog for 4 weeks. Every month they should be treated with spot-on treatment and checked to make sure there are no signs of fleas. Give us a call to arrange for a vet visit and discuss the best prescriptions for your dog and their breed, as well as how to apply and use the treatment on a regular basis. The flea treatment products you use should be recommended by our vets and suited to your dog’s breed, size and weight. To determine the appropriate level of flea treatment for your dog, we will collaborate with you to conduct a risk assessment based on your pet's lifestyle and behaviour.
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