What Month Do You Give Your Dog Flea and Tick Prevention?
WouterHistorically, the best time to treat your dog with a flea and tick preventative is December through February, when the risk of parasites is at its lowest. However, many pet owners delay flea and tick prevention until March or April. Regardless of when you treat your dog, it is still important to keep an eye out for itching or other symptoms of parasite infestation.
Fleas and ticks are a year-round threat, though they are more prevalent during warmer weather. In fact, fleas are active as early as March in some parts of the U.S. It’s also important to know that they’re active throughout the winter as well. This makes prevention the best strategy.
While summer weather is ideal for fleas and ticks, this is not true in every region. Flea and tick activity peaks in late spring and summer. In Ohio, fleas and ticks are most prevalent in warmer, wetter weather. However, cool, dry winters can provide some relief. For this reason, flea and tick treatments should be applied all year long.
Fleas can survive in temperatures as low as 33 degrees. Therefore, if you’re out for a short walk, you’ll most likely come in contact with fleas. Fleas like crawl spaces and porches, where their eggs are laid. Ticks are also active during late summer and early fall, when temperatures are above 32 degrees.
