Flea eggs, adult fleas, and tick infestations are gross realities we as pet owners are all going to face. Sorry, but it's true!

If you haven't found a flea or tick on your dog yet, it's only a matter of time. Especially, if you don't have a flea and tick prevention plan in place yet.

Where do you start with a flea and tick prevention plan?

First, learn as much as you can about the terrors that are fleas and ticks. The Dogly Advocates are constantly adding more info here to The Fleas and Ticks Channel on Dogly to help you create your own battle plan against the peskiest enemies your dog may ever face. Dive into everything the Dogly Advocates share and ask them questions. Seriously, they're here for you.

There's a lot to know when it comes to the annoying pests that are fleas and ticks and how to keep them off of your dog. We hear questions all the time like...

• What's the best tick treatment?
• What actually kills fleas?
• Should I use topical treatments on my dog? Or is a tick collar better?
• What about dogs with sensitive skin? Should I be worried about adverse reactions to topical treatments? Or should I just look for natural products with natural ingredients?
• Do essential oils work?
• What about flea shampoo?

All valid and important questions. All answered by the Dogly Advocates here in The Fleas and Ticks Channel.

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Here's what the Dogly Advocates recommend for first steps in flea prevention and tick control

• Know your flea and tick enemy
• Be proactive and consistent with whichever flea and tick treatment you choose
• Consider where you live and how it might affect your dog's exposure to fleas and ticks, especially during prime tick season
• Understand there is no silver bullet when it comes to flea and tick prevention so keep your home and dog as unwelcoming to fleas and ticks as possible

What does that even mean?

The Dogly Advocates get into the details in the step-by-step guides in the Fleas and Ticks Channel, but essentially, you need to know what you're dealing with, proactively and continuously stay on top of keeping fleas and ticks out of your home and off of your dog, understand how your environment can create a hotbed for fleas and ticks, and that there's no one-size-fits-all to the best flea and tick prevention for dogs. Too much? We're here for you.

The truth is, what works for one dog might not work for another. There are so many variables to consider when it comes to keeping your dog safe from fleas and ticks. And with lots of different flea and tick products on the market, how do you know which one is right for your dog?

Go here to see 7 favorite herbal and homeopathic remedies for flea and tick prevention from the Dogly Advocates.

Their recommendations will help you focus on how to prevent fleas and ticks which is much easier than killing fleas and ticks. Trust.

Flea and tick prevention plans do not only include your pets but your yard and home too

A big part of any flea and tick prevention plan is understanding your dog isn't the only one who needs protection. Your yard and home are just as important in the fight against these pests. After all, our dogs spend a lot of time in both places so they need to be as inhospitable to fleas and ticks as possible.

Go here to see how the Dogly Advocates recommend preventing fleas and ticks:

• in your yard
• in your home
• and household tips to keep flea infestations from moving into your house and taking over

And if you ever find a tick on your dog, here's how to rinse the area with chamomile and/or calendula.

Ok, we've got your yard and your home, but what about your dog?

The best products to repel fleas and ticks from your dog

Should you go with a topical flea treatment? Flea collar? Oral medications? Tick shampoo? Tick spray? All the things? There are so many options. And before diving into each, it's important to check and make sure you're supporting your dog's overall health and wellness first.

Why your dog's wellness matters for flea and tick control

Your dog is a whole being. Setting your dog up to have a strong immune system to fight off all types of issues including things like Lyme disease and flea infestations should happen in addition to the right flea and tick treatment for your specific dog and lifestyle.

To start, here are the 7 support pillars to help your dog stay well and safe from fleas, ticks, and heartworm shared by the Dogly Advocates

1. Having a whole dog approach to wellness
2. Looking at food as medicine
3. Understanding more about conventional allopathic medicine
4. Why & how herbal therapy naturally works to protect your dog
5. Immune-boosting foods and herbs for your dog
6. Herbal protocols for flea and tick prevention
7. Homeopathic remedies for heartworm support and prevention

Within each of the seven support pillars, the Dogly Advocates recommend certain products like omega 3s, mushroom supplements, and probiotics to help boost your dog's immune system.

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Now that your dog has a strong immune system, it's important to understand how flea treatments and tick treatments work and their effectiveness

When choosing the best flea and tick treatments for your dog, understanding how they actually work in your dog's system may be the most important factor in deciding which product is right for your dog. There are many things to consider when choosing a flea and tick treatment and the Advocates take you through everything you need to know here.

Including:

• The chemicals used in most flea and tick medications are pesticides
• The way a pesticide kills adult fleas and ticks on your dog (hint: it has to do with your dog's blood becoming a host for the pesticide)
• Potential adverse reactions your dog could have from the chemicals in tick and flea treatments

If you'd rather not risk putting the chemicals in topical treatments, flea collars, and tick collars on your dog, there are lots of natural options for flea treatments and tick treatments.

Go here to see the 3 best flea and tick prevention products the Dogly Advocates recommend

Their flea and tick recommendations include products like:

• EM Collars
• Herbal supplements/food additives
• Herbal tick and flea sprays

And a bonus recommendation on how to use organic coconut oil to repel fleas and ticks.

Remember, nothing is 100% fool-proof so do your research and think about what's realistic for you and your dog.

No matter which type of flea treatment or tick medications you choose, there are a few flea and tick prevention tools every pet parent should have in their house.

3 simple, inexpensive flea and tick protection tools every pet parent should have

The Dogly Advocates explain why and how to use each of these natural flea and tick protection tools here but they are:

1. Flea comb
2. Natural flea and tick shampoos
3. Basic tick remover tool

This is in addition to the regular flea and tick check you should constantly be giving your dog.

Be sure to check your dog's entire body for fleas and ticks every time he or she comes inside from being outside. This is especially important in the spring and summer months, but depending on where you live you may need to check year-round.

How to give your dog a flea and tick check

• Start by looking at your dog's face since ticks tend to like warm, moist areas
• Check under your dog's front legs, in his/her armpits, and around your dog's neck
• Don't forget to check your dog's belly and between your pup's back legs
• Run your fingers through your dog's fur to feel for any bumps that might be ticks
• Check your dog's ears inside and out for any fleas or ticks
• And finally, comb through your dog's fur with a flea comb to remove any fleas or their eggs that might be hiding

If you find a tick on your dog, it's important to remove it as soon as possible. The longer a tick is attached to your dog, the greater the risk of your dog getting sick. Contact your veterinarian for their guidance if a check-up is needed.

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How to remove a tick from your dog

There are many ways to remove a tick but using a basic tick remover tool usually does the job. It's important to avoid squeezing the body of the tick because this can cause the contents of the tick's stomach to be released into your dog's bloodstream and cause an infection.

To remove a tick:

1. Grab the tick as close to the head or mouthparts as possible with the remover tool.
2. Pull straight up in a slow and steady motion. Try not to twist or jerk the tick as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and stay in your dog's skin. If this happens, remove the mouthparts with the tool.
3. Once the tick is removed, clean the bite area and wash your hands.
4. Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or placing it in a sealed bag/container.

Keep an eye on the bite area for the next few weeks to look for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge. If you notice any of these signs, take your dog to your veterinarian.

It can be a good idea to save the tick in a sealed bag or container in case your dog does develop any symptoms so your veterinarian can test it for diseases.

That's the Fleas and Ticks Channel here on Dogly!

Flea and tick prevention is an important part of keeping your dog healthy and happy. If you've gone through each step-by-step guide in the Fleas and Ticks Channel here on Dogly, you now know how to prevent fleas and ticks naturally, help your dog stay safe from fleas, ticks, and heartworm, and find the best flea and tick products for your dog.

Follow the Fleas and Ticks Channel as more advice is added constantly. Fleas and Ticks is just one of many channels here on Dogly. Be sure to check out the other channels like Manners in Training or Home-cooking in Nutrition to learn everything you need to know about your dog's training, nutrition, and overall wellness.

And, as always, you can speak with or work with any of the Advocates on Dogly if you ever need more personalized help. Don't go through stuff alone with your dog, we're here for you!