Treatment FAQ

what brand of dog flea and tick treatment do veterinarians recommend

by Santa Langosh Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Frontline Plus is our favorite non-prescription topical treatment, and it protects against fleas and a range of tick species. But it requires monthly applications, and it won't fight against parasites like heartworms. For dosing that is suitable for dogs of other weights, see below.Apr 1, 2021

Full Answer

What are the best flea and tick pills for dogs?

  • Tasty chew tab
  • Can be used on young puppies
  • Kills fleas quickly

What is the best flea and tick protection for dogs?

Types of Safe Flea Treatments for Dogs

  • Dog Flea and Tick Collars. Under many circumstances, newer dog flea collars are safe options for flea and tick control (unlike older collars, which were largely ineffective).
  • Topical Flea and Tick Treatments for Dogs. ...
  • Oral Flea and Tick Medications for Dogs. ...

What is the best dog tick medicine?

  • Effective flea control products for dogs are available as topical and oral preventives and collars.
  • The best flea control for dogs is Advantage Multi, which treats and prevents more parasites than other topical products.
  • Before starting your dog or puppy on any flea treatment or prevention, consult your veterinarian.

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What is the best flea and tick tablet for dogs?

  • Afoxolaner
  • Fluralaner
  • Nitenpyram
  • Spinosad

What do vets recommend for fleas and ticks for dogs?

Best Overall Flea Medicine for Dogs Veterinarians recommend Simparica Trio because of its effective protection against ticks and fleas, as well as heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms—all in one convenient monthly chew. It's a small, liver-flavored chewable tablet available by prescription.

What flea medication do vets recommend?

Frontline® Plus for Dogs and Cats A topical version of Frontline®, this formula will repel fleas and other pests at all life stages for a full 30 days. This helps to prevent re-infestation and keep your home clear of fleas for a month at a time.

What do vets prescribe for fleas and ticks?

Isoxazoline Class: Bravecto (fluralaner), NexGard (afoxolaner), Simparica (sarolaner), and Credelio (lotilaner) The isoxazoline class of flea and tick pills for dogs is newer to the market and includes Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica, Simparica Trio, and Credelio.

Is Nexgard better than frontline?

The answer to this question is the inverse of the answer given for fleas, which is to say that both are equally effective at killing ticks, but in this case, Nexgard kills them quicker. Nexgard can eliminate the little bloodsuckers in just eight hours, whereas it takes 24-48 hours for Frontline to work.

Is Bravecto or Nexgard better?

Bravecto kills many types of ticks including the lone star tick for 8 weeks. Nexgard is the only FDA approved option for preventing infections that cause Lyme disease. Both products are safe for dogs when following directions and have been approved by the FDA to treat and prevent flea and tick infestations.

How can I tell if my dog has fleas or ticks?

Excessive itching and licking may indicate a flea infestation. Thoroughly investigate your dog’s skin and coat if you suspect fleas. White spots ca...

Is it better to get a prescription treatment or an over-the-counter one?

Provided you seek out quality and trusted active ingredients, over-the-counter medications provide worthy protection and treatment. There are many...

How do I remove a tick?

If you spot a tick on your dog (or yourself), don’t panic. It’s fairly easy to remove one on your own without having to see a vet. Grab a pair of t...

What is the best spray for dogs to kill fleas?

If you're leery of using synthetic chemicals on or in your dog, try this plant-based spray. It’s formulated with certified natural peppermint and clove essential oils to kills fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs, ticks, and mosquitoes on contact.

How long does it take for a flea and tick treatment to work?

Working for up to 30 days to kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes on contact, this treatment can be used safely on dogs as young as seven weeks. Particularly if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, it's important to make sure that they're protected from fleas and ticks (and the various diseases that they carry).

How long does it take for Bravecto to kill ticks?

Each of Bravecto's prescription-only chews provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks, and starts to kill fleas in just two hours. They control four tick species: black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks.

How long does flea shampoo last?

The shampoo contains an insect growth regulator (IGR) to kill and prevent flea development for up to 28 days, though you may find you need to use it every seven to ten days for the most effectiveness. A little goes a long way, so the bottle should last you for some time.

How to keep fleas away from my dog?

Fleas prefer to live in shaded outdoor areas with sand, leaves, or other debris, so you can help prevent fleas by keeping your grass cut short and keeping your dog from playing in areas where fleas might be hiding. You can also treat your home with diatomaceous earth, which helps to kill adult fleas. 4.

How long does fipronil last on dogs?

After you snap open the tube and apply the formula to your dog’s shoulder blades and back, it’s stored in the oil glands to give long-lasting protection for a full 30 days.

How long does Advantix last?

Doesn't always last full 4 weeks. Not all flea and tick treatments are recommended for puppies, so it’s important to check with your vet first before purchasing one. K9 Advantix can be safely used on dogs as young as seven weeks and the small dog variety is made for dogs that weigh between 4 to 10 pounds.

What is the best flea treatment for dogs?

So, what's the best flea treatment for dogs? 1. Flea and Tick Collars. Believe it or not, prevention can be as simple as putting a collar on your dog.

What is the best chew for fleas?

If your pup is suffering from a flea infestation, try a soft chew that’s similar to a treat. Advantus Soft Chews for Small Dogs and Advantus Soft Chews for Large Dogs are made with imidacloprid, an insect neurotoxin that works to paralyze and kill fleas within one hour of treatment.

What is the best flea collar for a puppy?

The Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Collar is a veterinarian-recommended flea collar that comes in two options. The Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Collar for Large Dogs and the Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Collar for Small Dogs are both safe for puppies and dogs that are 7 weeks and older. These collars will work start killing off any fleas on your dog ...

How long does it take for a flea collar to work?

These collars will work start killing off any fleas on your dog within the first 24 hours. Summer and swimming go hand and hand, so you may be hesitant to get a flea collar if your dog loves to cool off in the water.

How long does it take for K9 Advantix to work?

It easily treats and kills any fleas and ticks that may come your dog's way. K9 Advantix for dogs starts working within 12 hours and will kill all stages of fleas, which will prevent a reinfestation.

Is it safe to keep a dog indoors with fleas?

By Lindsay Schencker. Now more than ever is the time to be proactive about pest prevention. Flea and tick season is at its peak in summertime, so you’ll want to ensure your dog stays safe. It's important to keep in mind that your pet can also be affected by fleas and ticks indoors.

What is the best flea treatment for dogs?

Types of Safe Flea Treatments for Dogs. Veterinarians typically recommend dog flea and tick collars, topical flea and tick treatments , or oral flea and tick medications (sometimes in combination) to fully protect their patients. Here are a few of the safest flea treatments for dogs on the market today and some of their pros and cons.

How to treat fleas and ticks in dogs?

Keep in mind that no two pets are the same. Therefore, a product that’s commonly considered to be safe flea and tick prevention for dogs may be a great option for one animal and a mistake for another. Factors to consider include: 1 Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information. 2 Breed: Coat type may influence your decision. Thicker coats may be difficult for topical treatments. 3 Your pet’s health history: Other medications or supplements that you give, concurrent health conditions, and previous reactions to flea and tick preventatives should be taken into account. For example, neurologic problems have been seen in dogs when high doses of ivermectin (heartworm prevention ingredient) are given in conjunction with spinosad, a flea preventative ingredient. 4 Your pet’s lifestyle: The presence of children and other pets (especially cats) in the household and your pet’s daily activities/exposure to the outdoors are important details. 5 Where you live: Which parasites are common in your area? Is resistance to certain preventatives a concern?

What factors to consider when treating a puppy for fleas?

Factors to consider include: Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information. Breed: Coat type may influence your decision. Thicker coats may be difficult for topical treatments. Your pet’s health history: Other medications or supplements that you give, ...

Does Trifexis work against ticks?

Trifexis employs spinosad and milbemycin oxime to keep dogs protected from heartworms and intestinal parasites as well as fleas, but it does not work against ticks. Your vet will need to prescribe this treatment. Bravecto chews (it also comes as a topical) offer protection from fleas and ticks for 8-12 weeks per dose.

Can flea and tick collars be used on cats?

As is the case with flea and tick collars, if you’re unable to keep your pet away from small children or animals who may come into direct contact with the medication before it has dried or absorbed into your pet’s skin, a topical treatment might not be the ideal solution. If you have cats in your home, you will want to talk to a veterinarian ...

Do tick collars leave traces?

All flea and tick collars tend to leave traces of the chemicals that make them effective around the dog’s environment and on your pet, so this may be a concern with young children who tend to put everything in their mouths. Some dogs have had local skin reactions to the collar that have resolved when it was removed.

Is a flea collar safe for dogs?

Under many circumstances, newer dog flea collars are safe options for flea and tick control (unlike older collars, which were largely ineffective). The Seresto collar is a very popular option right now. It uses flumethrin and imidacloprid to kill fleas at multiple stages of development as well as ticks. The collar’s effectiveness lasts ...

What is the best flea control?

Lotilaner – an ectoparasiticide belonging to the isoxazoline family, with a 1 month duration. Spinosad – made from soil bacteria that is toxic to insects and found in garden insect spray. Lufenuron – controls flea infestations by preventing the hatching of eggs, and prevents the flea shell from developing.

What are the chemicals used to treat fleas?

They’re potent and dangerous enough. They include acaricides that are pesticides poisonous to ticks and mites. Ectoparasiticides are to treat external parasites like fleas, ticks, lice, mites and flies.

How do flea and tick preventatives work?

How Oral Flea And Tick Preventatives Work. When you give your dog isoxazolines, they work systemically. This means they’re absorbed into his blood and they affect the entire body. When fleas and ticks feast on your dog’s blood, they eat the chemicals … and become paralyzed and die.

How long does flea and tick prevention last?

Here’s a reminder of some things to beware of. Duration of prevention. Avoid the longer-lasting 8 to 12 week products. Longer prevention means a more potent product and longer time in your dog’s system.

How long do tick collars last?

The second riskiest category is impregnated flea and tick collars that your dog wears all day and all night for as long as 8 months. So they’re right under your dog’s nose all the time. The absorption of chemicals is through the skin. And unlike oral flea and tick preventives, your dog isn’t supposed to eat these.

What is an amber collar?

Amber is a petrified resin, which is a byproduct of trees. Amber flea collars come from stones of amber. They’re milky in color and craggy, and strung on a thread and fastened with a leather or cloth buckle. Baltic amber (from the Baltic sea) has a particularly high acid content of 8% making it the most used. The acid content in amber combines with static electricity produced from the stones rubbing against your dog’s fur. This is what repels fleas and ticks. Many say that the longer a pet wears an amber collar, the better it works.

How long does it take for a dog to die from fleas?

When a flea or tick draws blood from your dog it’s infected with the chemical and dies. This takes place over several months while your dog wears the collar.

What parasites are OTCs designed to prevent?

Most OTCs are designed to prevent only one or two types of parasites at a time (such as fleas and ticks ) instead of a large number of them: fleas, ticks, ear mites, intestinal worms, and even heartworms.

What is OTC medication?

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications. OTC = "Over-the-Counter". Over-the-Counter preventatives are available without a prescription. The reason some flea/tick topical preventatives are in this category is that they aren’t absorbed into your pet’s body the same way a prescription medication is, hence, no prescription is required.

What are some examples of OTC preventatives?

Examples of OTC preventatives include flea and tick sprays, shampoos, dips, collars, and some “spot-on” treatments. Commonly used over-the-counter preventatives include Frontline and Seresto.

Why is it important to protect your pet from heartworms?

Protecting your pet against heartworm is more important than ever! With climate change on the rise, warmer winters, and an increasing number of pesky bugs around, that means increasing numbers of spreading diseases such as heartworm.

Can you prescribe heartworm medication for cats?

For this reason, the FDA requires a prescription for heartworm preventatives. So, the first step is a quick-but-important heartworm test, and then your vet can prescribe the right medication for your pet. Unfortunately, there is no effective cure for heartworm in cats, which is why prevention is so important!

Can you give a dog heartworm preventative?

Giving your dog or cat a heartworm preventative if they’re already infected won’t solve the problem — in some cases, doing so can actually make things worse and can be fatal for your pet.

Can OTC medications prevent fleas?

This means that many OTC medications may not prevent your cat or dog from a flea or tick infestation. However, in an effort to combat this resistance, many brands are adding ingredients to their formulas, such as Frontline Gold and Frontline Tritak. Although these are still considered pesticides despite these additions.

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