Answers to Your Pet Health Questions from Dr. Dulake!

Hi Tim,

Thank you for engaging with our "Ask A Vet" initiative last April. We're delighted to share insights from Dr. Michelle Dulake on some of the pressing questions we received. Here's expert advice to help you care for your pets more effectively.

Thank you so much for sharing your question with us! I completely understand the concern of tick preventatives but hopefully I can share some insight.

Frontline contains fipronil, which is effective against ticks and fleas. While generally considered safe when used as directed, some dogs may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions. There have been minimal reports of neurological side effects. Recently, I have seen Frontline be less effective against fleas and ticks than other preventatives.

Seresto collars contain two active ingredients: imidacloprid and flumethrin, which are released in low concentrations over time to provide protection against ticks and fleas. Side effects are rare but can include skin irritation or hair loss at the collar site. This would be my top choice for an external tick preventative. Garlic food supplement is controversial as it can be toxic to dogs in large amounts and cause gastrointestinal upset, anemia, or even organ damage. If you want to try a natural tick repellent, you can try products with cedar oil, citronella, neem oil and rose geranium oil (which can be found in natural pet sprays or shampoos) but they are not as effective as Seresto.

In addition, it is important to perform regular tick checks, especially after outdoor walks and activities so you can remove the ticks before they attach.

Thank you for sharing your question with us! I am happy to hear that Teddy is doing well overall! Choosing a high-quality, whole food based diet is indeed a great way to support his overall health and well-being. I always recommend picking a diet that is AAFCO approved and tested. Royal Canin is a well-respected company that does feeding trials, so if Teddy is doing well on this diet, I would not say you need to change it. You can always add fresh foods onto the diet like carrot, blueberries, and apples to give a mix of fresh food and kibble. Additionally, you can always add in supplements to boost the health of certain organs, such as Probiotics for gut health and continue our Goat Milk Toppers for additional health benefits!