Fleas and ticks around your Jack Russell Terrier are a situation you cannot avoid, and it is possible your Jack Russell Terrier can end up with fleas or ticks simply by stepping out to potty.
I have been raising a Jack Russell Terrier for the past 3 years now, and I know this is a common concern among JRT owners.
Hence, I wanted to cover this topic in this discussion.
Starting with the most basic question.
Do Jack Russell Terrier’s Get Ticks?
Yes, Jack Russell Terrier’s get ticks. Jack Russell Terrier’s can get ticks outdoors in tall grass, under trees, and many other places. Ticks fall from trees and hide in tall grass. Your Jack Russell being outdoors exposes them to the possibility of getting a tick.
Now, we haven’t even touched on fleas yet.
I wanted this to be a combined discussion about ticks and fleas because I consider them annoying and bothersome pests that do nothing but harm and cause irritation towards our loving Jack Russell Terriers.
That is what the rest of this brief discussion will be about.
Preventing, treating, and recognizing fleas or ticks with your Jack Russell Terrier in addition to my recommended products for the treatment and my overall recommended best practices.
Here is a quick overview of this discussion:
- Do Jack Russell Terrier’s Get Ticks?
- How To Get Rid of Fleas On Your Jack Russell Terrier
- My Recommendations When Dealing With Fleas and Ticks For Your Jack Russell
- Best Flea and Tick Treatments To Consider For A Jack Russell Terrier
- Flea and Ticks Won’t Harm Your Jack Russell When Recognized and Treated
Do Jack Russell Terrier’s Get Ticks?
So here is the deal when it comes to ticks.
I am sure most of you are aware that your Jack Russell Terrier is exposed to ticks every day they walk outside.
Ticks do not actually jump from trees but can potentially fall from trees.
Ticks like to avoid sunlight and are often in the dark, moist areas such as tall grass or even shrubs and bushes.
For any of you raising a Jack Russell Terrier, I am sure you know that bushes are no barrier for a JRT.
They will run under, inside of, or around anything.
Meaning, your grass, bushes, and everything surrounding it can potentially have ticks that could eventually get to your Jack Russell.
The good news is that ticks often refrain from biting or attaching to a host for several hours after they fall onto your dog or even you.
Meaning, one of the first and most simple things you can do is inspect your dog if you believe your Jack Russell may have been in a “tick hot zone” or somewhere you think they had a high likelihood of a tick getting to them.
Now that we have the tick question out of the way, I want to move into the bulk of this discussion, which revolves around discussing fleas.
Fleas are a more common issue with Jack Russell Terriers or all dogs for that matter, so I wanted to be sure to save most of the discussion for this topic.
Time to dive into it.
How To Get Rid of Fleas On Your Jack Russell Terrier
Fleas are essentially everywhere outside and, as disgusting as it sounds, are often indoors as well.
Often found in carpet, rugs, dog beds, or other cozy spots to burrow themselves into.
Clearly, this makes it easy for fleas to become a potential problem for your Jack Russell Terrier.
The good news is that fleas are not necessarily jumping from dog to dog-like many beliefs.
Fleas can remain inactive or as larvae for weeks before hatching eggs, making it possible to treat the problem before it becomes an irritating or more bothersome issue for your Jack Russell Terrier.
My Recommendations When Dealing With Fleas and Ticks For Your Jack Russell
Now comes the recommendations you can use to effectively deal with ticks, treat them and even prevent them in the first place.
I have broken my recommendations down into 3 primary tips I want to layout for you and your Jack Russell Terrier.
1.) Ensure Proper Grooming and Hygiene Is A Must
Proper grooming, regular brushing, and a bath every now and then can go a long way.
First, it helps keep your Jack Russell’s coat clean and allows you to glance and check over your Jack Russell for any potential issues, ticks, and even fleas.
Not to mention, with a good brushing once per day or even a few times a week, you get the opportunity to comb out loose and dead hair.
While grooming alone does not ensure you are a flea-free Jack Russell, but it does help and allows you to do a quick spot-check of your JR’s fur.
2.) Use Flea and Tick Preventatives
One of your best action plans is to use a flea and tick preventatives to get the job done.
Using flea and tick preventatives can be beneficial if you are okay with spending a few dollars.
Preventatives are going to kill fleas and ticks.
Flea and tick treatment for your Jack Russell will kill fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks.
This is also going to help avoid the worst-case scenarios such as Lyme disease, which is caused by unnoticed ticks that have begun their burrow on a host.
3.) Trust and Utilize Your Local Vet For Advice
The last piece of advice I can share with you is to do the most obvious.
Talk to your vet and trust their recommendations if you believe you are dealing with a Jack Russell Terrier with flea or ticks.
Sometimes it is worth one drive and a few bucks to get a problem such as a flea and ticks cleared up right away.
Sometimes, the preventatives and other solutions to the issue will get the job done.
Sometimes, it is better to allow a professional to help.
If you are not comfortable handling the flea or ticks, your vet can undoubtedly help you in this situation, so do not hesitate to make the call.
On the flip side, if you are comfortable using preventatives, you likely want to know my recommendations for the brands you can use and trust.
I want to touch on that before wrapping up this discussion.
Best Flea and Tick Treatments To Consider For A Jack Russell Terrier
Now that you are aware that fleas are a real potential, you probably want to know my recommendations for preventatives or medications.
Directly below, I have detailed my two “go-to” flea option you can utilize.
Best Flea Preventative For Jack Russell Terriers- Frontline Plus
Frontline plus would be the #1 rated flea and tick preventative I would use and have personally used in the past for both of my dogs.
It’s a brand that is trusted, and most vet clinics carry this brand.
Additionally, it is not overly expensive, easy to measure, and has been around for a long time.
Here is a quick overview of the pros and benefits of Frontline Plus.
- Waterproof
- Kills adult fleas plus flea eggs and larvae to stop existing infestations and prevent new infestations.
- Kills fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks. (This flea and tick treatment kills ticks, including those that may transmit Lyme disease)
- Trusted Dog Flea/Tick Preventative
- Long Lasting- 3 Doses = 3 Months
You can check out this brand of FrontLine here (Link to Amazon)
Flea and Ticks Won’t Harm Your Jack Russell When Recognized and Treated
Fleas and even ticks are one of those pesky, annoying, and, yes, potentially damaging parasites that can end up finding their way onto your Jack Russell Terrier.
The good news is that this has been an issue with dogs around the world for decades.
Plenty of good resources, vets, and even preventative measures can be taken to help remedy the problem.
Perhaps you end up spending some unwanted money and deal with cleaning the house or sterilizing some items in the home.
In the end, your Jack Russell will be okay.
Be paying attention and looking for early signs of fleas and ticks, you can prevent and treat them promptly.
When left untreated, you can have further health concerns and discomfort for your Jack Russell Terrier.
Luna and I wish you the best of luck with your Jack Russell Terriers and hope you remain flea and tick-free.
Has Your Jack Russell Terrier Ever Had Flea or Ticks?
Has your Jack Russell Terrier ever had to deal with flea or ticks?
What is your go-to treatment or medication, and what further advice and recommendations can you provide the community?
Be sure to share those thoughts, stories, and concerns by dropping a comment below.
As always, Luna and I appreciate you stopping by and reading today, and we will see you again next time.