To learn about fleas and recommended repellents, jump to Fleas.
Please note: AllShihTzu is reader-supported. Some links below are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission on products through these, at no extra cost to you.
Overview:
What to Know About Heartworm Prevention:
Heartworm prevention does not actually stop the transmission of the larvae, but rather kills that larvae before it can grow into adult worms. Though there are supposed holistic prevention methods, there is no proof that any of them work and some are dangerous. The only true protection is via medications that contain anti-parasitic drugs.
But, many heartworm products can cause adverse reactions, some more than others. A dog may have an allergic reaction which may include nasal or eye, discharge, skin reactions such as hives or rash, itchiness, and/or hair loss. A dog may also have an adverse reaction, which can be quite serious and includes breathing issues, depression, excessive drooling, decreased appetite, vomiting, confusion, vision issues, seizures, irregular heartbeat, coma, and even death.
To decrease the risk of adverse reactions, there are several things you can do:
Overview
Tick Prevention:
The most important thing to note is that it is a tradeoff. If you want to offer nearly 100% protection, that will only be found with chemicals pesticides, but those have the risk of adverse reactions, some which can be quite serious. And if you want to offer safer, all-natural products, they work to some degree, but it's not 100%. So, as a pet parent, you'll have to make the choice.
This said, we personally recommend the all-natural approach, as long as your Shih Tzu is not at high risk and you take steps to keep them away from areas with a heavy tick presence and/or check them for ticks every day. For this, we like 3 Moms Organics TickWise All-Natural Spray which works to repel ticks and other insects (like mosquitoes, thus helping to prevent heartworm larvae transmission); it works via a blend of cedarwood, geranium, citronella, peppermint rosemary, and lemongrass. Note that these are natural oils, but over-spraying can cause some skin irritation, so keep it at a light spray.
For prevention - Cedarwood oil is a known natural flea repellent, and this can be a good choice if you want to avoid chemicals. We like Natural Cedar Oil Insect Repellent by Cedercide.
You May Also Like: