How to Protect Your French Bulldog From Flea and Tick Infestation?

The ancestry of the French Bulldog is still a point of debate among historians, but most dog experts believe that English Bulldogs that were small in size were sent to France during the 19th century. This was due to the rising popularity of these toy sized dogs in France. Here, they were mixed with other dog breeds to make small bulldogs which came to be known as the French Bulldog. They eventually made their way back to England and from England to other parts of the world. These Bulldogs were very popular with French people and later gained popularity in other countries too. Although the British were not happy with the name "French" given to a dog that was originally from England, the name "French Bulldog" remained.

One of the most common problems that French Bulldogs face is ticks and fleas. Apart from being carriers of other diseases, ticks and fleas can also cause skin disorders and other ailments. There are various ways in which tick and flea problems can be controlled. One of them is by using special shampoos or sprays. These shampoos have been specifically manufactured to get rid of fleas and ticks from your dog's body. Start applying them from the head to toe, so that fleas do not run towards hard to reach areas. Also be careful not to drip it in your pet's eyes or mouth as they contain toxic ingredients and can cause problems if ingested. After thoroughly applying shampoo on your pet, rinse properly with water, taking care not to leave any skin folds unwashed. Sprays also work in similar ways and are applied to your pet and left to dry. Some of the newer sprays have insect growing regulators or IGRs, these help in to reduce the flea problem as they do not allow flea eggs to hatch or grow.

Apart from sprays and powders, flea collars are also very useful. These collars come with flea and tick repellent chemicals which do not allow fleas to stick to the body of your pet and can be brought from a pet store. Another method of controlling fleas and ticks is by giving topical medications to your pet. You can apply these medications to your pet's body and they contain ingredients that not only kill fleas and ticks, but also repel them. Their effectiveness doesn't get reduced even if the dog is bathed or washed. Some of the well-known topical medications include K9Advantix, Frontline Top Spot, and Frontline Plus.

Oral medications can also be used for fleas and ticks. These are generally preferred by owners who don't want to give topical medications to their dogs. Some of these products also help in eliminating roundworms and whipworms from the body. Even though there are very few side effects, some dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and a lack of appetite, in which case it is important to see your veterinarian.

Regular bathing and brushing can help to control ticks and fleas on your pet. However, if the problem persists, try medications or sprays. It is always recommended that you consult your vet to determine which medication would best suit your pet.