Flea & Tick Control for Dogs and Cats in the UAE: What Pet Owners and Veterinary Teams Need to Know

Living in the UAE means thinking differently about parasite control.

In countries with cold winters, flea and tick activity may be strongly seasonal. In Dubai, the warm climate means external parasites can remain a concern throughout the year, making regular parasite prevention and routine checks an important part of pet healthcare. Local veterinary sources report seeing ticks and tick-related disease in dogs in Dubai, while fleas also remain a recognised parasite risk.

For veterinary teams, this makes owner education particularly important: parasite control is not simply about dealing with a flea or tick once it has been found. It is about understanding the animal's individual exposure risk and using an appropriate, consistent control strategy.

Why ticks deserve particular attention in Dubai

Ticks are more than an unpleasant parasite attached to a pet's skin. Like fleas, they feed on their host, but an important concern is their ability to transmit infectious agents.

Ticks are vectors of a range of pathogens affecting companion animals, and tick-borne diseases are an established veterinary concern. In Dubai specifically, veterinary clinics report treating tick-related conditions and advise year-round awareness because ticks can remain active in the UAE climate.

Dogs that spend time outdoors, visit parks, gardens or desert areas, interact with other animals, or have travelled may have increased opportunities for exposure.

Check your dog regularly

Regular physical checks are a simple addition to a wider parasite-control programme, particularly after outdoor activity.

Run your hands slowly over the dog's body and pay particular attention to areas where ticks can be harder to notice, such as around the ears, neck and collar area, between the toes, under the legs and around the groin.

If a tick is found and you are unsure how to remove it correctly, or your dog subsequently appears unwell, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Fleas shouldn't be overlooked

Although ticks are a particularly relevant concern for dogs in Dubai, fleas still matter.

Fleas can cause irritation and skin lesions, and some animals develop flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), where exposure to flea bites triggers an allergic skin reaction. Fleas are also capable of transmitting pathogens and parasites.

A flea problem can also extend beyond the pet itself. Effective management may therefore need to consider both the animal and its environment rather than simply removing the adult fleas that can be seen.

Shampoo, spray or longer-term preventative?

There is no single approach that is appropriate for every animal.

The choice of parasite-control product should take into account factors such as:

• whether the pet is a dog or cat;
• age and weight;
• whether fleas, ticks or both are the concern;
• current infestation versus ongoing prevention;
• lifestyle and exposure risk;
• other parasite-control products already being used; and
• the animal's skin and general health.

Veterinary advice is particularly valuable when building a long-term parasite-control programme.

Where does the Kyron Labs Ultrum® range fit?

For veterinary practices and pet owners looking for topical flea and tick control, The Veterinary Group currently supplies three products from the Kyron Ultrum® range in the UAE: Ultrum® Original Shampoo, Ultrum® Plus Shampoo and Ultrum® Ultimate Spray.

They are not interchangeable, and their species indications and formulations differ.

Ultrum® Original Shampoo for dogs and cats

Ultrum® Original is an insecticidal flea and tick shampoo designed for dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens. Its formulation contains pyrethrum 0.11%, piperonyl butoxide 1.1%, liquid lanolin 2%, coconut oil derivatives 2.5% and conditioners 10.3% in a gentle shampoo base.

Ultrum® Plus Shampoo for dogs

Ultrum® Plus is a flea and tick shampoo formulated specifically for dogs and puppies.

It contains permethrin 1%, esbiothrin 0.1%, piperonyl butoxide 1.1% and evening primrose oil 2%, together with lanolin, coconut oil derivatives and conditioners.

Ultrum® Ultimate for  longer-acting topical spray for dogs

For dogs requiring a longer-acting topical option, Ultrum® Ultimate is a spray rather than a shampoo.

Its active ingredients are permethrin 3%, es-bioallethrin 0.4%, pyriproxyfen 0.3% and piperonyl butoxide 2% in a quick-drying base. It kills 100% of fleas within 24 hours, and gives more than three weeks' protection against fleas, controls flea eggs and larvae for more than three months and is also effective against ticks. It is indicated for dogs from seven weeks of age.

Unlike Original and Plus, Ultimate is applied directly to the dry coat and allowed to dry naturally. Use approximately 2 mL/kg body weight.

Choosing between the three

A useful way for veterinary teams to explain the range is:

Parasite control is about more than treating what you can see

Finding and killing an adult flea or tick addresses the immediate parasite, but effective control requires a broader approach.

For UAE pet owners, that means maintaining appropriate parasite protection throughout the year, checking pets regularly and discussing the most suitable programme with a veterinarian based on the animal's lifestyle and exposure risk.

For veterinary teams, it also means helping owners understand that species matters. A product intended for dogs should never automatically be assumed suitable for cats.

The Ultrum® range provides different topical options for different circumstances, from a flea and tick shampoo suitable for dogs and cats with Ultrum® Original, to dog-specific Ultrum® Plus Shampoo and the longer-acting Ultrum® Ultimate Spray.