Why use Heartgard flea and tick for dogs? Simple reasons to protect your dog from pests.

Okay, so keeping my dog, Max, safe from creepy crawlies is always on my mind. We live in an area where ticks are just awful in the summer, and fleas? Nobody wants those indoor vampires.

Getting Started with Prevention

First thing I did was chat with my vet. You know, just a regular check-up visit. I brought up my worries about heartworm, ticks, and fleas. It's a lot to think about. The vet checked Max over, asked about his lifestyle – lots of running in tall grass, unfortunately for tick prevention!

They recommended a couple of things for total protection. One of the things was Heartgard Plus. I remember the name because it came in a little chewable treat form. The vet explained it was mainly for heartworm and some other wormy things, which are super important to prevent. They also suggested a different product specifically for the fleas and ticks, because Heartgard doesn't really handle those majorly.

Giving the Monthly Chew

So, now it's part of our monthly routine. Giving the Heartgard chew is pretty straightforward, thankfully.

• Step 1: Mark the Calendar. Seriously, I put a reminder on my phone and mark my paper calendar. Once a month, same day. Easy to forget otherwise!
• Step 2: Get the Treat Ready. The Heartgard chews come in individual foil packs. I just tear one open. It looks and smells kinda like a little piece of beef jerky.
• Step 3: Call Max! He knows the sound of that little foil pack now, or maybe he just knows it's treat time around that day. He comes running.
• Step 4: The Hand-Off. I just hold it out for him. Honestly, Max isn't picky. He gobbles it right down like it's the best treat ever. No need to hide it in cheese or peanut butter, though I know some folks have to do that with their dogs.
• Step 5: Quick Check. I always watch him for a minute just to make sure he actually swallowed it and didn't somehow spit it out behind the couch. He never has, but you know. Peace of mind.

Thoughts on the Process

It's become super simple. Takes maybe 30 seconds each month. Max loves the taste, which is a huge bonus. No struggling, no mess. We use a separate thing for the fleas and ticks, a collar actually, but giving the Heartgard chew itself is incredibly easy.

Knowing he's protected against heartworm makes me feel much better. It’s just one part of keeping him healthy, along with his flea and tick prevention, but it’s an easy part to manage. Just gotta remember to do it every month!