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You may have heard that flea and tick prevention are crucial for dogs and cats, but do you know why? Petco is sharing why and how to prioritize pest prevention for your pet.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Keep your dog safe from heartworms! Learn their causes, recognize key symptoms, and get expert prevention strategies to protect your pet from these deadly parasites.
Updated on July 16th, 2026
Learn about effective steps to prevent parasites in dogs hat can cause dog heartworm, Lyme disease and more.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
Read more about the different types of flea treatments and how they work to help eliminate fleas from your pet for their safety and happiness.
Updated on June 19th, 2026

Heartworm disease is a serious condition in pets which is carried by mosquitoes. Treatment is intense, expensive and can produce adverse side effects.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Heartgard plus is a prescription only medication, so you need to get a script from Akita's vet in order to get it. You can call and ask them to write a script for it if she's been seen by the vet within in the last year. Otherwise, you will have to make an appointment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Tri-Heart is generic Heartgard and is just as effective. I am not sure why your vet won't prescribe it for you. You cannot buy any heartworm prevention over the counter so you will need a prescription. I suggest you bring your dog to one of the VETCO vaccine clinics at your local Petco stores (see schedule below). Bring proof of his last negative heartworm test and they can give you a prescription for the Tri-Heart. There is no charge for the exam. Just the cost of the medication. Hope this helps! ( https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/?zip=77469 ) ( https://www.petco.com/shop/SearchDisplay?categoryId=&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&showResultsPage=true&searchSource=Q&pageView=&beginIndex=0&pageSize=48&fromPageValue=search&searchTerm=triheart )
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Handsome boy! Yes, he will need a prescription. Contact your vet; a heart worm test may be required first. Here's some great info on heart worm prevention and why routine testing is recommended: https://d3ft8sckhnqim2.cloudfront.net/images/Think_12_PDFs/Think12Dog_Dos_and_Donts101316.pdf?1476362471 Thanks for asking PetCoach!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
For heat worm prevention, I recommend Heartgard Plus. You can get it via prescription from your vet. As for flea treatment, I recommend Advantage or Revolution. They are monthly spot on treatments and are excellent products. You can also get them from your vet's office. I would find a local vet for your dogs so you can get these medications. Good on you for getting this done!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The heartworm preventatives typically do require a prescription from your veterinarian which may require an exam initially if this is Annie's first time visiting her veterinarian. There are some over the counter flea preventatives such as Advantix and Advantage or Frontline. However, these may not work as well as prescription flea preventatives from a veterinarian. There are no over the counter heartworm preventatives- this does require a prescription with Annie's veterinarian. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025