Flea and Tick Treatments Delivery or Pickup

One of the main reasons to give your dogs and cats flea and tick medication is to prevent them from getting a variety of diseases. Some animals are quite sensitive to flea bites and may scratch until they cause open wounds that will need treatment. Common diseases include:

Each brand of flea and tick treatment requires a different way to administer the medication. Dogs often find chewable forms of medicine easy to eat. Cats may need a spray, powder, topical ointment or drops, or a flea and tick collar. It's very important to follow the directions on the packaging, heed your veterinarian's advice on proper dosage and medication, and never give canine medication to cats and vice versa.

Common brands of flea and tick treatments have undergone rigorous testing. When you give your dog or cat the right medication for their age, weight, and species, the medication is generally safe for your pets. However, if your dog or cat rubs his new flea collar on the couch or carpet, your family can be exposed to the chemicals in the collar. Oral medications may be a safer way to control fleas and ticks. Consult with your vet and let them know if you have any concerns about the safety of the product and always buy a name brand.

If you do see a tick on your pet and it's already latched onto the skin of your dog and cat, it's important to remove it quickly. You can add a TangleFoot Tick Twister to your Instacart order if the store has one. Just follow the directions on the package to safely remove the tick. Make sure and kill the tick after removal and wipe the bite area with rubbing alcohol.

Another effective way to remove a tick is with a pair of good tweezers. Put some rubbing alcohol in a jar, put latex gloves on, and grab a pair of tweezers that you've sanitized with the rubbing alcohol. Grab the head and mouthparts of the tick, not the body, and firmly pull the tick upward until it's free from your dog or cat's skin. Drop the tick in the jar with rubbing alcohol to kill it and dispose of it properly.

Clean the bite area and tweezers with rubbing alcohol, remove the gloves and throw them away, and then thoroughly wash your hands. Monitor your pet for any signs of lethargy, swollen lymph glands, loss of appetite, or joint pain. If you do notice any of these signs or symptoms, take your dog or cat to the vet right away.

If the store doesn't have your preferred brand or type of medication, your Instacart shopper will notify you and ask if you'd like a replacement item. If you don't want a replacement, you'll get a refund.

Save time and money and make your day a bit easier by having Instacart deliver your flea and tick treatments and medications to your home. Or, if you prefer, an Instacart shopper can gather your flea and tick treatments from a store that Instacart partners with and have them available for curbside pickup.