When it comes to flea and tick medications, there are three
types of options out there. Some, like Nexgard, take care of fleas and ticks.
Others, like Advantage Multi,
work on fleas and various worms. Learn the differences so
you’ll be able to quickly eradicate a parasite infestation on
your pup.
1. Topical Flea and Tick Medication for Dogs
Topical flea and tick medication,
like shampoos, powders, and spot-on treatments, eliminate fleas
with varying degrees of success. Flea powders last up to one
week, while shampoos kill fleas for about one day. Both only
eliminate adult fleas and are best used when combined with
pills or other treatment options.
Topical spot-on treatments are
most effective, destroying adult
fleas, larvae, and eggs, and other parasites, and lasting
about 30 days.
Topical treatments for dogs should never be used on cats unless
the medication specifically indicates.
Popular Flea and Tick Topical Treatments for Dogs
Include
Advantage II
- Eliminates flea infestations
at all stages of the growth cycle
- Effective against lice, but does not kill off ticks
- Administered monthly, lasts up to 30 days
- The waterproof one hour after application
- Minimum pet age: 7 weeks
- Ingredients include: Pyriproxyfen
Frontline Plus
- Kills ticks, chewing lice,
and fleas at all stages of growth
- Eliminates fleas in up to 12 hours
- Used monthly, effective for 30 days
- Waterproof
- Minimum pet age: 8 weeks
- Ingredients include: Fipronil, S-methoprene
K9 Advantix II
- Effective against ticks,
lice, biting flies, mosquitoes, and fleas at all stages
- Begins working within 12 hours
- Applied monthly, lasting up to 30 days
- Minimum pet age: 7 weeks
- Ingredients include: Imidacloprid, Permethrin, Pyriproxyfen
Revolution for Dogs
- Kills fleas, ticks, and heartworm!
- Treats and controls the spread of ear mites and sarcoptic
mange
- Applied monthly, lasting up to 30 days
- Quick-drying and non-greasy
- Ingredients include: Selamectin
2. Flea Pills for Dogs
Flea pills for dogs typically
guarantee the most successful in fighting off parasites, but
there are a few points to consider when choosing this
treatment. Some orally administered drugs will require a
prescription from your vet and can come with side effects. And
oral pills typically target either flea eggs or adult fleas,
but not both, so you may have to pick up several drugs to
eradicate the infestation. Currently, there are no oral
medications that destroy ticks.
Flea pills are the fastest way to eliminate these pests, with
some treatments killing off infestations within four hours. If
your dog doesn’t like swallowing capsules, look for oral
medications available in chewable tablets.
Popular Flea Pills for Dogs Include
Capstar Flea
Killer
- Kills off flea infestations within 6 hours
- Administered daily, effective for 24 hours
- Minimum pet age: 4 weeks
- Ingredients include: Nitenpyram
- Sold over the counter
Comfortis
- Chewable, beef-flavored tablets
- Kills fleas and flea eggs
- Begins working within 30 minutes
- Administered monthly, prevents fleas for up to 30 days
- Minimum pet age: 14 weeks
- Ingredients include: Spinosad
- Prescription required
3. Flea and Tick Dog Collars
Flea and tick collars are most
often used to prevent parasites from taking up residence on
your pet. While preventative dog collars are most effective,
some varieties of collars can also treat infestations by
eliminating pests and their eggs via chemicals released into
your dog’s skin. Look for the word “kill” on the package to
ensure that the collar will treat an infestation, not just
prevent it.
Flea and tick collars can last up to eight months and are ideal
for treating tick problems. Because collars are fastened around
the neck, they are more concentrated around the face and neck
area, where ticks more often inhabit.
Flea and tick collars are especially useful when you are in the
process of eliminating a pest infestation as they will help
prevent a new outbreak, and most of
them can be combined with other treatment options.
(Talk to your vet before
combining a Seresto flea collar
with any other medications.)
Popular Dog Collars that Eliminate Fleas and Ticks
Include
Seresto 8 Month Flea and Tick
Collar
- Eliminates fleas and ticks
- Prevents and treats pests for up to 8 months
- Available in small and large sizes
- Minimum pet age: 7 weeks
- Ingredients include: Flumethrin, Imidacloprid
Does Breed Matter for Flea and Tick Products?
If you are in the market to kill or prevent pesky fleas and
ticks from bothering your pet, there are a few things to keep
in mind while perusing the product isle. First and foremost,
never give a cat a dog flea and tick medication or vice versa.
Species matters.
What surprisingly doesn’t matter when choosing a treatment option? Breed. As long as
you stick to buying separate products for cats and dogs, the
heritage of your pet will not play a part in their specific
treatment option. However, depending on your course of flea and
tick prevention (shampoos, collars, spot-on treatments, or
orals like Sentinel Flavor
Tabs), physical factors such as hair length and skin
sensitivity can come into play. For example, dogs with long
hair often require a flea and tick comb in order to thoroughly
check your pet’s mane for infestation.
Note: for other kinds of medication (not flea and tick), like
Ivermectin found in Heartgard, breed does matter. Certain
breeds like collies may have serious sensitivities to certain
drugs. Your vet will know this, however, and not prescribe them
to your dog. When in doubt ask your vet if a medication is safe
for your pet's heritage, but for flea and tick medication,
breed does not matter.
Size does matter
Once you decide on a product, it is incredibly important to pay
attention to the varying dosage levels based on the size of
your pet. Smaller cats and dogs often require a smaller dose
than larger animals for equal effectiveness (and safety). The
correct dosage by weight is clearly marked on the box. Do not
confuse age with size. Many flea and tick products cannot be
used until your kitten or puppy is 8 weeks or older. Always
read those labels! When flea and tick products are taken as
recommended they are generally safe and very effective.
This information is for informational purposes only and is not
meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or
diagnosis, or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to
your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed
veterinarian for accuracy.
