There’s nothing better than a holiday, and it’s even better if the whole family can go including your pet. We all know that we need a towel, sunglasses and a hat, but what does your dog need before going on a summer holiday?
It is important to ensure your dog is up to date with their flea, tick and worm treatment all year round. Depending on where you travel within Australia, ticks can cause paralysis or transmit harmful and potentially fatal diseases to dogs. Fleas and ticks rely on warm, humid conditions to complete their life cycle and are therefore, the most active in the warmer, wetter months. Wildlife hosts of ticks (eg. bandicoots, possums, amongst others) are also more active in these months, so your pet’s exposure to these parasites increases.
Flea and tick prevention is critical for these times of year and to ensure your pet is safe on your summer holiday.
Which treatment is best for my dog?
Ensure you choose a preventative that protects against a complete range of parasites and is recommended by vets. NexGard Spectra is a great option for summer holidays as it offers the most complete protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm and intestinal worms, all in one tasty chew. It is also unaffected if your pet gets wet, so if you dog is enjoying a swim on your summer holiday it won’t affect the efficacy of the treatment. Following administration, fleas are killed within 6-8 hours. NexGard Spectra is suitable for puppies from 8 weeks of age and weighing at least 2 kg and is recommended by vets.
Product Recommendation
Now that you know your dog is protected, how do you encourage them to swim?
Most dogs know how to swim, but not all, so it shouldn’t be ‘assumed knowledge’. You can swim with your dog initially to build up their confidence.
- Consider a floatation device around the water if your pet is not confident
- Throw a ball or Frisbee into the water if your pet loves to play fetch
- Always supervise your dog. Just like with children, accidents can occur so it is vital to watch your dog when they are in the water.
- Aim to swim in areas with a ramp or steps to help your pet get out of the water
