Help treat your dog’s fleas & ticks, from home

Starting from $11/month.

  • Unlimited vet visits and follow-ups
  • Prescriptions delivered free to you
  • 100% licensed veterinarians

How to spot and treat fleas and ticks on dogs

Even though dogs can’t talk, their skin can show us when there is an issue.

Flea

If you see a flea, that, of course, is the most likely cause of your dog’s itching. If you don’t see fleas, look for reddish patches on your dog’s skin, bald patches on the dog, red dots on your skin (especially around your ankles, a common spot where fleas bite humans), black specks on the dog’s skin and fur, or pale gums in the dog’s mouth, which is a sign the dog has lost a lot of blood. If you see these, schedule an online visit with a Dutch vet immediately to start treatment.

Flea treatments

Dogs normally scratch once in a while and randomly. Persistent scratching is a sign that something is wrong, and fleas are among the top concerns. Dogs who pick up fleas can undergo flea treatment, which can take several forms.

You might have to add topical medications or give the dog oral medications. You’ll also have to treat your home, and treat every other pet in the home as a possible flea source, too. Wash all bedding (including yours), and contact a pest control company to treat your home and yard.

If your dog does not undergo regular preventive flea treatment, schedule an online vet visit through Dutch to talk about preventive care options to keep future infestations at bay.

Ticks

As a pet parent, it’s important to know about some of the different types of ticks on dogs, what they look like, and where they’re found. Different types of ticks prefer different types of hosts and are found in different areas. Here are some of the most common ticks on dogs:

-Blacklegged Tick
-American Dog Tick
-Lonestar Tick

Signs of ticks

Ticks are relatively small, so you might not notice a tick in your dog’s skin right away. Instead, it’s important to know some of the signs of ticks on dogs so you can search your dog for ticks if they’re acting strange.

If you don’t spot a tick on your dog, you might notice they have a fever, scabs, bumps on their skin, or that their head is shaking. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, you should check them for ticks and take them to the vet.

The easiest way to tell if your dog has ticks is to check for them. Ticks are fairly easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for, and you can remove the tick on your own once you’ve found it.

Tick removal tips and treatments

Removing ticks from dogs is fairly simple, but it’s important to do it right. Here are some tips for removing ticks from your dog:

-Remove ticks immediately with tweezers
-If several ticks are present, take your dog to the vet
-Pull straight upward with steady pressure
-Avoid twisting the tick, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in your dog’s skin
-Avoid crushing the tick to minimize the risk of spreading disease
-Thoroughly clean the area you removed the tick from when you’re finished

If you’re not sure if your dog has ticks, you can schedule an online visit with a Dutch vet to talk about preventive care options to keep future infestations at bay.

If your dog has a tick problem and you need vet care, Dutch is here to help. Dutch can connect you with vets who can video chat with you to offer expert advice and help diagnose your dog.

Which flea & tick medicine is right for your dog?

Answer a few simple questions so our vets can prescribe the best flea & tick medicine for your best friend.

How it works

  • 1. Choose your subscription plan

    Choose an annual or monthly membership plan with Dutch to get started.

  • 2. Online vet visit

    Pick a time and get care from a licensed vet from home.

  • 3. Prescriptions shipped free to you

    We’ll create a treatment plan to help your pet and deliver it direct to you.

  • 4. Ongoing care & follow-ups

    We’ll keep track of how your treatment plan is going & you can follow up as much as needed.

Prescription treatments, delivered to you

Help your dog live a healthier, happier life with expert vet care — wherever you are. With Dutch, you can connect with a licensed veterinarian online anytime and have prescription and over-the-counter medication shipped free to your door.

Get customized treatment plans that combine medication, education, vet-designed behavior modification (if needed), and ongoing care for an array of health issues — starting at just $11/month.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a visit with Dutch like?

When booking a video call with a vet, you'll be asked a few questions about your pet’s health issue. Depending on the issue, you may also be asked to fill out a longer questionnaire about their symptoms and share photographs of them so our veterinarians can better understand what’s going on. You’ll then pick an appointment time that works best for you.

During your video call, one of our licensed veterinarians will talk to you about the symptoms your pet is experiencing, ask you questions, review your pet’s medical history if you’ve provided it, and answer any questions you have. The vet will ask to see your pet and their environment. And they may ask you to perform some simple checks on them if needed.

After your video call, the vet will send you a message with a custom treatment plan to help your pet feel better, including a link to buy any recommended prescription or over-the-counter medications. Place your order and we’ll ship it free.

Who is Dutch for?

Dutch is for dog and cat owners wanting a more cost effective and timely way to handle common pet issues. We eliminate the unnecessary vet visit as well as the stress related to getting your pet to the vet. The Dutch experience is designed to connect you with a vet via video call for general advice and recommended OTC product offerings. In certain states, vets may prescribe medication and therapeutics and our partner pharmacy will ship it right to your door.

What’s included in a Dutch membership?

All Dutch members have unlimited access to U.S.-licensed veterinarians over video chat and messaging for up to 5 pets. In many states, our vets can also prescribe medication for pets. Our vets will create a specialized treatment plan for your pet that can include prescription and/or over-the-counter medications, as well as behavioral modification, diet, and/or enrichment advice. A Dutch membership also includes free standard shipping and free, unlimited follow-ups with our vets through messaging and video calls. In addition, our Annual + Insurance plan includes $10,000 of emergency insurance. The cost of medication is not included in membership.