Hartz 4 in 1 Flea & Tick ...........?

Question

....I just bought the Hartz 4 in 1 for fleas and the directions say to apply on the dog's back between the shoulder blades and move along the dog's back to the base of the tail. It doesn't say anything about rubbing it in, or putting it anywhere else. I checked the website but I couldn't find any answers. Have you ever used this & is this the way to apply it? Seems kinda useless if it's just going down the spine of their back & nowhere else??? Thanks!

It gets into their bloodstream??? That sounds harmful!

So I should check with my vet instead? I have heard that during the cold months they won't have to be treated because fleas are not active. Is this true?

Answer 1

Actually hartz is not a good product to use, it did once cause liver damage in dogs. I recommend K9Advantix, it repels fleas, ticks, and mosquito's it is also applied in between the shoulder blades but you do not go down the back. Fleas can still get on the animal but when they bite they will die, do not rub in it soaks into the skin and goes through the blood stream. If your dog has or had fleas you or your vet needs to check the pets stool for tapeworms. Tape worms look like little white grains of rice. When the dog bites it's self to relieve itchiness it can in jest a flea, which causes flea larvae to form creating the tape worm it is highly important to get this treated if your dog has them. You can check your self to make sure if he/she does then you can call the vet and let them know that your dog has tapeworms you need the pill to kill them, that way it prevents an office call. Back to the K9Advantix you can get that from your vet also or order much cheaper on-line at PetEdge.com, or go to the web site and request a free catalog then you can order by mail and also see other great savings on allot of items, Good Luck any more questions feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 2

It's not the getting into the bloodstream that's the problem - all flea spot-ons do this, with the exception of Frontline and Advantage (they don't treat any internal parasites so they don't need to). Generall medication needs to get into the bloodstream to work!

It's the chemical in Hartz that is dangerous, not its mode of action. It's not just Hartz, it's most products sold in pet stores. Pet stores aren't licensed to sell the proper chemicals for flea treatment - anything you find in store is just going to be a basic pesticide that you can't expect to work.

Take the Hartz back to see if you can get your money back - and while you're at it, ask the people at the pet store if they're aware of the nature f the flea products they sell!

Get some proper treatment, like Frontline, Advantage or Revolution from a vets. These are safe and they work. If you're still not keen on the whole 'into the bloodstream' thing, remember Frontline stays on the skin.

Chalice

Answer 3

Be very careful. In fact, I wouldn't even use the Hartz 4 in 1. It has been known to kill dogs or make them extremely ill. Sadly, one of my dogs once became ill from the 4 in 1 flea and tick medication.
I highly recommend frontline. Yes, it costs more, but it works better than Hartz (in my experience, Hartz doesn't actually do anything, that's why it is so cheap). Frontline can be applied once every 2 months. No, you do not need to rub it in, just apply between the shoulder blades and above the tail. Finally, yes, you should treat your dogs during the winter since it is possible that they could still become infested with fleas and especially ticks.
Good luck!!

Answer 4

It doesn't get into their bloodstream, it is spread through their body through oils in their skin. That is why it recommended not to put it on if you washed your dog 48 hours before you put it on or 48 hours after you put it on.

In all honesty, Hartz is one of the worst flea products out there. I work at Petco and I hear it all the time from people how it didn't work or their dog had a allergic reaction to it. The best products by far are Frontline Plus or K9 Advantix. However, they are not cheap - but you do get what you pay for.

If you can't afford those, try Bio-Spot. Though it isn't nearly as good as Frontline or K9 Advantix, it does contain the ingredient S-Methroprene which is a flea growth inhibitor that is also found in Frontline Plus.

Answer 5

You need to check with your vet, or do a good search on the net instead of relying on answers here. You will always get some doofus who "thinks" they know what they are talking about, giving you advice.

I do not know if it gets into the blood, but I think not as it is applied to the skin, and not ingested in any shape. Most fleas need to drink water, so they travel along the top of the dogs body to the eyes and drink in the fluids. That is why you place it starting at the shoulders, to prevent them from going to the head. Same theory with the flea collars.

As to the winter months, fleas are still active, just not outside. They can be active inside your home and their eggs can hatch later.

Answer 6

You put it on as directed. I am sort of leery of Hartz because it has caused some dogs serious problems. Of course a lot of people use it and it is fine. I personally use Frontline and have had good luck with it but you have to get it at the vets (or online) and it does cost more than the Hartz.

BTW, Hartz and Sargents have class action lawsuits against them because they have caused so many seizures and other bad side effects, even death.

Answer 7

Please be very cautious using the Hartz brand of any product on your dog. I am going to assume since you are verifying the directions for use, this is the first time you are using it.

The insecticide they use has been proven to be toxic to many dogs and cats. Toxicity ranges from sickness to death.

What kind of dog is it? And what age? Was this product sold by the weight of the dog? Vet products are sold by weight of the animal to be dosed.

If you have a small dog or puppy or older dog, please don't use this product until the first of the week, so if your dog does have a reaction, you can get him to the vet quickly.

Reactions can include, lethargy, refusing to eat/drink, nausea/vomiting, seizures, difficulty breathing, etc.

I have never used Hartz for a dog, but did once many years ago for my cats. Made 5 cats sick, had to take 5 cats to the vet for treatment, and still had to fight fleas on 5 cats. I will only use the products sold by vets now.

Answer 8

The way that stuff works is by being absorbed thru the skin. The chemicals get into the dog's system, he becomes toxic to fleas - each one that bites him dies. You are putting it on his back where he can't chew or lick it until it's gone in. After 24 hours you can wash him, take him swimming, anything, because the stuff is inside him.
I highly recommend going to the vet & paying more to get Advantage or Frontline. These work better & longer than Hartz.
And bear in mind that if you put a flea collar on him, or use the drops more than once in 3 or 4 weeks, he can OD of poison.

Answer 9

Hartz is not a good brand, and it does get absorbed into the bloodstream making it one of the more toxic brands. Use Advantage or Frontline--they are extremely safe, do not get absorbed, and are designed to spread evenly over the pet when applied correctly.

Answer 10

Josie,

I am not sure about any of this stuff. . . That's for sure, but according to all the answers I read, there are not a lot of fans of that product. . . After reading all of that, I feel sorry for any dog that has ever used that. I am also selling any stock that may be related to that company.

Sounds like you have a lot of people here who know more than I ever will about dogs.

Hope you are doing well. Hope you had a great weekend!