Prevention or Treatment for Fleas?
 

This is my first time living in Tennessee with a dog and I know I need to be doing something in regards to flea control/prevention...I'm just not sure what! I've been trying to research the different options out there and not sure what the best thing is for us right now. My dog is about 11 months old and doesn't currently have any flea problems. I would like to keep as many chemicals off and out of him as possible, of course, but also don't want to suddenly end up with a flea infestation because I didn't prevent the problem before it started.

He is currently on Interceptor for heartworm and I think I would like to keep him on that for now, rather than switch to a topical flea and heartworm preventative.


I guess what I am really wondering is if it is better to prevent now and avoid problem of fleas or is it better to avoid the chemicals in and on the dog for as long as possible and then just treat the problem if and when it arises.

If I could prevent naturally, that would be ideal, but I know that is always debatable. I know the groomer has now started saying that they need to be on a flea/tick preventative when they come. I'm assuming most groomers are going to require this. I wonder if natural prevention counts....

Anyway, any thoughts on which is the best way to go...and then what brand/type of treatment? I'm so lost and really want to do the best thing for my dog.

Most people are going to want to prevent it from happening. We don't treat unless we see fleas, but then we notice them rather quickly and things don't get out of control.

Frontline Plus and Interceptor are fine together. If you switched to Sentinel for heartworms (Interceptor with a chitin inhibitor to stop fleas from reproducing), then Advantage would be okay. Frontline Plus can work for ticks, but if you wanted to use Advantage and want tick protection, then it would have to be Advantix (which contains permethrin...which some don't like).

One option is holistic, chemical free...you can find it on my home page on my website...I don't use topical flea treatments...I treat my house, yard & pets w/this product...Of course, lots of people do use the spot treatments, etc. and are happy w/them...Just do the research, and then make a decision...All the best to you!
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