Dog flea, tick and deworming schedule: how often and when

A dog flea, tick and deworming schedule isn't one fixed list of dates. Puppies are dewormed every 2 weeks at first and then monthly; adult dogs need deworming at least four times a year, and flea and tick prevention monthly or every few months depending on the product. Your dog's age, where you live, the season and how much time your dog spends outdoors set the frequency. On this page you'll find the schedule by age, the parasites that matter most, and what to tell your vet. Your vet decides which product to use.

Dog parasite schedule by age

"High risk" covers dogs that often go into nature, woods or farmland, spend a lot of time with other dogs, eat raw meat or offal, hunt, or live with small children or someone with a weak immune system.

Internal parasites

Internal parasites live in the gut, and some live in the heart or lungs. Many cause no signs at all, which is why prevention is regular rather than waiting for symptoms.

• Roundworms: Very common in puppies; they can pass from the mother before birth and through milk. That's why puppy deworming starts at 2 weeks. They can infect people, especially children.
• Tapeworms: Picked up by swallowing fleas or eating raw offal. Some species cause serious cyst disease in people.
• Giardia: A single-celled parasite spread through contaminated water and feces that causes diarrhea. Routine dewormers don't always clear it, so tell your vet if diarrhea continues.
• Heartworm: Spread by mosquitoes and present in many warm regions. Prevention is usually monthly through mosquito season; your vet will advise based on where you live.

External parasites: fleas, ticks and sand flies

• Fleas: Besides itching and skin problems, they carry tapeworms. The flea you see is the tip of the problem; eggs live in carpets and dog beds.
• Ticks: Most active in spring and summer, but present year-round in mild climates. They carry blood diseases such as babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and Lyme disease.
• Sand flies: In Mediterranean regions they spread leishmaniasis to dogs. If you live in or travel to these areas, your vet may recommend a repellent collar or spot-on.

After walks, check the places ticks like most: behind the ears, the neck, armpits, belly and between the toes. Don't crush a tick with bare hands; if you're not sure how to remove it, ask your vet.

How to remove a tick

The sooner a tick comes off, the lower the risk of disease. If you're unsure, take your dog to the vet; if you're doing it yourself:

1. Use a tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers. Don't pull with your fingers or crush it.
2. Grip the tick by the head, as close to the skin as possible. Don't squeeze the body; squeezing can push its contents back into your dog.
3. Pull straight up with slow, steady pressure. Don't jerk or twist hard.
4. Clean the area and wash your hands. Seal the tick in a container or tape; you can flush it.
5. Watch the spot for a few days. Tell your vet if redness spreads or your dog becomes tired, feverish or loses appetite.

Don't use alcohol, oil or a flame to make the tick let go; these can hurt your dog and make the tick release more saliva.

How the seasons change things

• Spring and summer: Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and sand flies are at their most active. Don't leave gaps in flea and tick prevention.
• Autumn: In a mild autumn, ticks stay active; wait until cold weather has really arrived before stopping.
• Winter: In cold climates the outdoor risk drops, but fleas can keep going indoors. Deworming continues regardless of season.

What to tell your vet

To build the schedule together, tell your vet:

• How long your dog spends outdoors each day and where you walk
• Whether you visit woods, farmland, the coast or other countries
• What your dog eats (raw diet, offal, hunting)
• Whether children, older people or other pets live with you

Never use a product bought for another animal. Permethrin, found in some dog products, is very dangerous for cats. If you also have a cat, tell your vet and keep the cat away from your dog for a while after treatment.

After treatment

• With spot-on products, don't bathe your dog for a day or two so the application site can dry.
• If you notice itching, redness, vomiting, drooling or trembling, call your vet and keep the product packaging at hand.
• If your dog vomits a tablet, check with your vet before giving another one.

In SarPet

• Log each treatment; you'll get a reminder before the next one is due.
• The life timeline alerts you as flea and tick season approaches.
• When planning vaccine days, look at the puppy vaccine schedule as well; deworming comes before the shot. If you've just brought a puppy home, the puppy first vet visit checklist lists the questions to ask at the first appointment.

Frequently asked questions

I don't see any parasites on my dog. Is prevention still needed?

Yes. Most internal parasites can't be seen and cause no signs, which is exactly why prevention is regular.

Can I stop flea and tick treatment in winter?

In cold climates, some vets are fine with a winter break. In mild climates, or if you've seen fleas at home, year-round prevention is recommended.

Can deworming and vaccines happen on the same day?

Many clinics prefer to deworm a few days before the vaccine. Your vet may decide the same day is fine.