Every year around spring and summer we have to think about our dog and the situations that put him at risk for getting fleas or 
ticks. We go up north a lot and while it hasn’t been a HUGE problem in the past, when he was untreated we have found ticks on him. Part of the reason this happens is because he is a small dog. He’s low to the ground so he is in direct contact with them. I have to be proactive and treat him before he gets the fleas. Bio Spot Flea & Tick Control has a brand new Smart Shield Applicator. We got to give this a try with our dog. In the past we’ve tried a number of different things including flea collars and other topical products. It’s important to know your dogs weight as this is going to effect the dosing and package to buy. Bio Spot Defense Flea & Tick Spot On with the Smart Shield applicator is available in 5 different dog formulas:
- Toy (6-12 pounds)
- Small (13-31 pounds)
- Medium (32-55 pounds)
- Large (56-80 pounds)
- Extra Large (81+ pounds)
It’s also available in 2 different cat formulas (under 5 pounds and over 5 pounds). When we tried out the applicator, I have to admit, the first time I was a little concerned. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work. It’s pretty simple actually. In the package is the plastic applicator shown on the left. It also contains 3 plastic cartridges with the monthly flea and tick dosages. You bend the top of the plastic cartridge, where it’s slightly perforated, and that breaks off leaving the formula to slow once it’s in the applicator. You push down on the applicator as you are applying it and it in turn squeezes out the doseage. There are specific instructions on how to apply it in the package. I was a little concerned since right now our dog’s hair is cut pretty short. Typically he’s more shaggy, but it’s been unseasonably hot here and I don’t want him to over heat while he’s outside, so we cut it pretty short. Because of this I couldn’t really separate the hair to apply between the hair line near the skin. I did the best I could, but most of the formula was visible on her fur. I told the kids not to touch him and it was pretty much dry and not visible anymore after a couple hours. The only concern that I ran in to (other then my insecurities) was that when we got to the end of the cartridge it made a little “pop” noise (you are pushing the applicator down on a plastic cartridge). That scared the dog and he tried to take off. Depending on how well your dog handles that type of thing could be a problem for some. It was small and quick and I was able to calm him and finish up.
Making sure Sparky has the proper treatment is a major concern for me. It’s as important to me as making sure the kids have bug spray and sun screen on. Some might say I am off my rocker, he’s just a dog, but for us he is NOT just a dog, he’s family. We rescued him at a very important time in both his life and our life. This pup needed me (and our family) as much as I needed him. Having found out we couldn’t have anymore kids, we rescued him just a few days later (by chance, we were on the rescue list for the terrier group for over 6 months). He’s our last “baby”. He also loves to be up north where he can swim and roam free.
He’s very happy up north and enjoys everything as much as the kids do. After having the Bio Spot Flea & Tick Control on him for the summer (we are going to apply our last of the 3 month supply in a week) he has not had a single tick from up north, nor has he come in contact or had any fleas. This treatment is a month by month treatment, so you do need to apply every 30 days (or around there). The Bio Spot Smart Shield Applicator (and Bio Spot Flea & Tick Control) is available at PetSmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus, Drs Foster & Smith and other pet specialty retailers nationwide. The one month supply is $9.99 and the three month supply is $24.99. For those that have summer months or do a lot of camping, up north, woods type things, I’d recommend grabbing the 3 months supply right away. If you don’t end up needing it all right away, it can be stored for a time when you need it. It can be applied right when you need it. Bio Spot Defense Flea & Tick Control starts killing fleas and ticks on pets within 15 minutes if application and stops the flea life cycle. This also kills and repels mosquitoes for up to four weeks! Bio Spot Flea & Tick Control with Smart Shield Applicator is certainly what we will keep using for our dog. It worked wonderful and I didn’t have to worry about him contracting anything. We did do a good deep check for ticks before letting him inside, but time and time again, we found nothing. Thank you Bio Spot!!
FTC Disclosure: I received Bio Spot Smart Shield Applicator and Bio Spot Defense Flea & Tick Control to facilitate my review. All views and opinions with regard to the products or company itself are my own and were not influenced, nor reviewed, by the company prior to posting.
About Bobbie
Wow, it sounds like a great product for dogs who are outdoors a lot! We are pet-free here (allergies out the wazoo) but I’ll have to tell my parent’s about it for their dogs. They’ve had a ton of issues with ticks this summer on their farm.
What you said about your dog being a part of your family is beautiful. I feel the same way about my two cats. Their presence in our lives is magnified for me by the fact that I will most likely never be able to have children of my own. I have a whole host of health issues that put me (and any potential child I attempt to bring into this world) at a significant risk for defects, illness, or death, so I’ve made the decision that it probably isn’t a wise decision for me to try. My cats are very much my babies and I really don’t know what I would do without them around.