Flea & Tick Prevention for Cocker Spaniels: A Safe & Effective 4 Step Plan

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Nothing is more frustrating than finding a flea or tick on your beloved cocker spaniel. In addition to driving your cocker spaniel crazy, fleas and ticks can carry dangerous parasites and threaten the health of your beloved pup.

Why Many Cocker Spaniel Parents Are Turning To Safer, Natural Flea & Tick Control Methods

Many pet parents are expressing concerns about using pesticide/chemical-based bug repellants. In August of 2021, the FDA again warned dog and cat owners about the possible adverse effects of chemical flea repellants, including seizures, muscle tremors, and ataxia. While the FDA states that the majority of pets on these medications show no side effects, a growing number of pet parents, including members of this 40,000+ member Facebook community, beg to differ.

In addition to safety concerns, chemical-based pesticides have an inherent flaw: fleas and ticks can adapt over time and become immune to the effects. This is why so many people have to rotate brands of traditional flea control products.

Chemical-based pesticides, however, can be very effective for most dogs and can potentially prevent infestations better than natural methods. Ultimately, the choice is up to you and your veterinarian.

Even if you use pesticide-based flea control products, you might also consider adding natural flea/tick repellants, which can be used alongside traditional flea products to boost their effectiveness.

4 Step Strategy for Safe & Effective Natural Flea & Tick Prevention for Your Cocker Spaniel

Natural prevention methods can work for your cocker spaniel, if you can be diligent about these 4 areas:

#1 – Protect your cocker spaniel from the inside out

Using nutrition and a natural supplement like this brewer’s yeast and garlic supplement, you can make your cocker spaniel’s body inhospitable to fleas. Most dogs find the chews very tasty and think they’re getting a treat.

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#2 – Protect your cocker spaniel from the outside in

Natural pet-safe essential oil sprays (many available on Amazon) can be applied to your cocker spaniel’s fur and bedding to help prevent bugs from making a home on these surfaces. These products contain essential oils that repel fleas and ticks. Some products, such as the one pictured below, also include a plant-based compound that kills fleas and their eggs.

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#3 – Don’t forget about your yard and home!

A complete natural pest control program cannot ignore your dog’s environment. Even if you rid your dog of fleas, they will keep infesting your dog if the eggs exist in your home or yard. Our favorite natural method of killing fleas in and around your home is by using diatomaceous earth, available on Amazon or at most hardware stores. Unlike pesticides, DE kills pests mechanically anytime they touch the powder, which is harmless for pets and humans.

Another option is using a natural yard spray. Wondercide is a popular brand. These work similarly to the pet spray above.

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#4 – Check your cocker spaniel daily for fleas and ticks

During the warmer months, make sure to check and inspect your cocker spaniel daily for fleas and ticks, especially if they spend a significant amount of time outdoors. Often, a sign of fleas will be flea dirt, the waste product that fleas leave behind in your dog’s fur. A flea comb is a simple tool that will help you discover these pests on your cocker spaniel.

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It should be noted that if your dog is already infested with fleas, you’re going to need to first rid them of the bugs before a natural flea repellant strategy can be effective.

More Frequently Asked Questions About Flea & Tick Control Products for Cocker Spaniels

1. What’s better for my cocker spaniel, natural or traditional pesticide-based flea & tick products?

Ultimately, this is a question only you and your vet can answer. In our personal opinion, natural methods are less effective, but also less prone to dangerous side effects. Pesticide-based products can also be easier to administer, but the downsides are possible side effects, some of which seem to be increasing.

2. What are the most common side effects of flea & tick medications for cocker spaniels?

According to the FDA, the most common reported side effects for Isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions, including muscle tremors, ataxia (coordination & balance problems), & seizures in some dogs and cats.

3. What’s the best natural flea & tick preventative for cocker spaniels?

As detailed in the article above, we recommend a 4-prong approach:

(1) Use a natural brewer’s yeast + garlic supplement

(2) Use a natural flea & tick spray on your pet daily during warm months

(3) Treat your yard using a natural product such as diatomaceous earth or Wondercide

(4) Check your cocker spaniel daily (during warmer months) for fleas and ticks.

4. Is Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica, Seresto, and K9 Advantix II Safe for Cocker Spaniels?

Ultimately, this is a question only you and your veterinarian can answer. According to the available FDA adverse reaction data, most pets do fine on these medications. However, adverse reactions appear to be increasing, or are possibly just now being reported more accurately (some estimates are that only 1% of adverse reactions are ever reported to the FDA.) According to data compiled by Dr. W Jean Dodds and Jon P Kimball, approximately 60,909 pet deaths have been reported to the FDA from flea, tick, and heartworm medications (data up through April of 2021). Additionally, 15,77,958 total adverse reactions have been reported as well. 

Data (USA) from the FDA of reported adverse reactions & deaths after administering flea, tick, and heartworm treatments – updated April 17th, 2021 Source
Brand	Active drug ingredient	Date released	Adverse reactions	Deaths (including euthanasia)
Bravecto	fluralaner	2014	43,602	1,533
Bravetco plus	fluralaner+moxidectin	2019-2020	77,459	4,753
Comfortis	spinosad	2012	1,62,354	4.816
Trifexis	spinosad+milbemycin+oxime	2011	2,00,941	6,662
Credelio	lotilaner	2018	3,302	95
Revolution	selamectin	2000	19,552	1,980
Revolution plus	selamectin+sarolaner	2019	31,605	2,346
Nexgard	afoxolaner	2013	36,340	1,086
Nexgard Spectra	afoxolaner+milbemycin+oxime	2014	1,90,802	5,998
Simparica	sarolaner	2016	14,153	432
Simparica trio	sarolaner+moxidectin+pyrantel+pamoate	2020	1,40,646	6,717
Heartgard, Ivomec	ivermectin	1996	94,798	4,103
Heartgard Plus, Triheart	ivermectin+pyrantel+pamoate	2003	1,05,139	5,332
Iverhart Max	ivermectin+pyrantel+pamoate+praziquanel	2018	1,29,815	6,207
Interceptor	milbemyxin+oxime	2013	1,54,190	3,911
Interceptor Plus, Milbemax	milbemyxin+oxime+praziquantel	2,01,02,015	1,72,860	4,938
Totals:			15,77,958	60,909

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.

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