Treatment FAQ

what is most effective flea treatment

by Ms. Linnie Schowalter DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Best flea treatments for dogs and cats
  • Finding the right treatment. ...
  • Frontline® Flea Spray for Dogs and Cats. ...
  • Frontline® Plus for Dogs and Cats. ...
  • Seresto™ Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs and Cats. ...
  • Capstar® Flea Control for Dogs and Cats. ...
  • Advantage® II for Dogs and Cats. ...
  • Sentry Fiproguard for Cats. ...
  • Effix for Dogs.

What is the safest effective flea medication?

• Black walnut is a very effective flea repellent for dogs when given orally several times a week. It can be purchased in capsules or in liquid form. Give only the minimum effective dose because it can be toxic in higher doses. • A fine-toothed flea comb is essential and should be used daily to catch fleas.

What is the best home remedy for fleas?

  • Fill a plate or a bowl with a mixture of warm water and dish soap.
  • Place it in the rooms or where the fleas are mostly seen.
  • This will serve as a glue which will trap the fleas. This is due to the high viscosity of the soap solution.

What are the best flea remedies?

  • Collect everything that cannot be vacuumed and wash it at the hottest setting of your washer. ...
  • Now vacuum properly. ...
  • Now mix vinegar, water, lemon juice and witch hazel.
  • Fill this liquid mix into the garden sprayer.
  • Spray using a heavy spray.
  • Spray your carpets, furniture, pet bedding, window sills, floors, every nook and corner of your house.

More items...

What is the best poison for fleas?

What’s more, the powder eliminates flea eggs and larvae for up to 1 year.

  • Cost : $5.37
  • Where to buy : at Walmart.com
  • How to use : Sprinkle the flea carpet powder on your carpet to eliminate live fleas that are currently in it.

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What flea treatment do vets recommend for dogs?

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.

What flea treatment actually works?

Best Flea Treatment for Dogs That Actually Work2.1 ​Best Treatment Overall: Frontline Plus.2.2 ​Best Flea Shampoo: Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo.2.3 ​Best Flea Spray: Vet's Best Natural Flea and Tick Spray.2.4 ​Best Flea Collar: Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar.

What is the fastest way to get rid of fleas?

How to get rid of fleas in your homeUse a powerful vacuum on any floors, upholstery, and mattresses. ... Employ a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. ... Wash all bedding, including your pet's, in hot water and detergent.

What kills fleas permanently?

Take a look at some of the effective ways you can get rid of them in your home:Use baking soda. ... Sprinkle salt. ... Lemon spray. ... Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water. ... Use rosemary. ... Hire a steam cleaner. ... Use a powerful vacuum. ... 8 dog cleaning essentials every owner needs.

What is the number one flea killer?

Best Overall: Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray for Pets + Home Other main ingredients include lemongrass, a close relative of citronella, so it is naturally repellent to insects including fleas and ticks2.

Is Vectra better than frontline?

Conclusion. Both Vectra 3D and Frontline are fast-acting, effective against fleas and ticks, and last up to 30 days, making them pretty similar. However, the most significant difference is the active ingredients and how they affect your dog and other pests.

How do you fix a flea infestation?

Thoroughly bathe pets with soap and water, then comb them with a flea comb. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail. Soap will act as a gentle insecticide to kill adult fleas. Talk to your veterinarian about choosing the right flea control product for your pet.

How can I get rid of fleas in my house forever?

How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House Forever Vacuum your carpet. Steam clean your carpet and upholstery. Launder your bedding and curtains. Wash your pets' bedding and toys. Give your pets a flea bath. Use a flea comb on your pets. Get a flea treatment from your vet.More items...

Why does my dog keep getting fleas even after treatment?

Not treating often enough Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.

Can you ever fully get rid of fleas?

It's possible, but it will take a lot of work. It is difficult to rid a pet of fleas completely because fleas were designed by nature to be practically indestructible. But with diligence and patience, you can get rid of fleas from your dogs and cats – and home – forever.

Do fleas ever just go away?

You might be asking yourself will fleas eventually go away? While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.

What is the best product to get rid of fleas on dogs?

Our pick for best oral flea control product for dogs is Simparica TRIO, a chewable tablet that is fast-acting and kills more parasites than any other oral product. Simparica TRIO starts to work within four hours and kills 100% of adult fleas on dogs within eight hours.

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.

Where to apply a dog sanitizer?

Topical Tip: Evenly apply the treatment to two to three spots on the top of their back from their shoulder to the base of their tail, so your dog is unable to reach the formula while it absorbs into the skin.

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.

How to treat fleas in pets?

Every pet in the home must be treated. Thoroughly bathe pets with soap and water, then comb them with a flea comb. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail. Soap will act as a gentle insecticide to kill adult fleas.

How long does it take to get rid of fleas?

Getting rid of fleas is a difficult process due to the long lifecycle of a flea. Moderate to severe infestations will take months to control and require a four-step process for complete elimination:

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 is Frontline Plus?

Frontline Plus is an OTC product that uses fipronil and (S)-methoprene to attack fleas and ticks at every life stage. It also eliminates chewing lice and helps to control sarcoptic mange infestations. While it shouldn’t be ingested, a few surreptitious licks by your dog won’t cause much in the way of problems.

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 ...

Can you give a dog flea and tick preventatives?

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.

Is flea treatment age appropriate?

Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information.

Is flea and tick treatment safe for dogs?

No medication is without the risk of side effects, but leaving parasites untreated is far more dangerous. Your veterinarian can help you pick out the safest and most effective flea and tick treatment based on your dog’s age, lifestyle, health status and other unique characteristics.

How long does it take for Comfortis to kill fleas?

Does not protect against any other parasites. Flea prevention for up to one month in cats and kittens 14 weeks and older can be found in the chewable tablet option called Comfortis. This tablet works very quickly to kill fleas in as few as 30 minutes and can be crushed and mixed in your cat’s wet food if necessary.

What is the best flea collar for cats?

Our top pick is this collar from Bayer, which is effective for a full eight months and offers continuous protection from fleas and ticks. The active ingredients in the collar are released in low concentrations, protecting your cat and killing fleas on contact with the skin. The formulation is odorless and non-greasy, and is also effective against flea eggs and larvae, preventing infestations before they happen.

What does it mean when a cat has fleas?

Cats that have fleas are often very itchy and may have hair loss, skin redness, and even scabs. The hair loss is often most prevalent at the base of the tail but can occur anywhere. Flea dirt, which is the black flea feces, can be seen in the fur.

How long does it take for Bayer Advantage 2 to work?

Bayer Advantage II is one of the go-to flea treatments for cats. It’s a set-and-forget solution, effective against fleas for four weeks and starts working in 12 hours. Simply applying the product to your cat’s neck kills fleas upon contact, without requiring them to bite the skin. It’s also fragrance-free, waterproof and kills larvae and flea eggs as well as adults.

Can flea treatments kill live fleas?

Additionally, some products will kill live fleas while others will only prevent a flea from reproducing, so not all products are appropriate for all your flea needs. Flea treatments can be used as needed if your cat gets fleas and preventatives can be given to help prevent your cat from getting fleas. Due to the potential side effects of flea ...

Can a cat get fleas from a spruce tree?

The Spruce. Fleas are not only a nuisance but they can also transmit serious diseases to your cats. Thankfully, various flea preventatives and treatments are available to help limit your cat’s chances of attracting and harboring these external parasites. However, they aren’t all created equally. Some flea treatments aren’t even effective ...

Is Dawn safe for cats?

3 Dawn Ultra dish detergent is safe for animals, as many people may already know from advertisements that show wildlife being bathed with the soap. It's effective in killing fleas, and also in getting your cat clean. As a bonus, many homes already have a bottle of it under the kitchen sink.

What is the best flea treatment for cats?

If you’re looking for a new flea treatment for your cat, we recommend either Revolution Plus or Advantage II. They’re both equally good, so it’s just a question of whether you need to protect against other parasites (in which case, you should use the Revolution Plus) or if you just want maximum protection against fleas (go with the Advantage II ).

How to deal with fleas on cats?

The most effective way to deal with fleas is to prevent them from ever getting on your cat, and the best way to do that is to never let your cat go outdoors. Once your cat leaves the house, they’ll be exposed to all sorts of parasites, and you’ll be playing catch-up until you can find a way to kill whatever they bring home with them.

What is the ingredient in Frontline?

It has an ingredient called Pyriproxyfen in addition to two other active ingredients, Fipronil and S-methoprene. The latter two make up the formula for regular Frontline, which has long been one of the top flea treatments on the market.

How long does it take for Revolution Plus to kill fleas?

It will start knocking off fleas in as little as 4 hours.

Can you use flea spray on cats?

It’s not suitable for prevention, but it’s great for quickly eliminating an infestation. The idea is to get all the fleas off your cat as quickly as possible (and it’s great at that), and then it’s up to you to make sure that no new bugs hop on.

Can you put flea powder on carpet?

They’re worth using for that purpose, but don’t expect them to do anything for your cat .

Does flea treatment kill adult fleas?

Impact on life cycle: Some treatments only kill adult fleas, while others kill adult fleas and eggs and larvae. The latter will work faster because you may see a brief recurrence of fleas if you use a treatment that only targets adult bugs, as any existing eggs will hatch a few days or weeks after application. In the end, both types will kill all the fleas on your cat, though.

How long does it take for flea treatment to dry?

You’ll also need to be careful not to touch the area where the flea treatment was applied until it is fully dry, which usually takes about an hour after application. In rare cases, some dogs may have mild side effects such as local skin reactions at the site where the medication was applied, which may include hair loss, redness, itching, and scabbing.

How long does a flea collar last?

Some of the modern flea collar products even last as long as 8 months , so you won’t have to remember to administer your dog’s flea treatment on a regular basis – a great plus for many busy families!

Can flea collars be washed away?

Like collars, these medications can be washed away if your pet swims or bathes frequently, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for use and consider an oral flea treatment if your pet is frequently exposed to water.

Can flea collars be used for swimming?

Flea collars also have some drawbacks. Because they rely on medication which spreads from the collar across your pet’s skin, they are not a good option for pets who swim or bathe frequently, as this will wash away the medication and shorten the life of the collar.

Is flea treatment safe for dogs?

The bottom line is that there are many safe and effective flea treatments available for your dog, and that is great news! You have many options to choose from depending on your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.

Is it safe to give a dog flea medicine?

Topical flea treatments are often seen as a safe flea treatment for dogs because many types of this medication are not absorbed systemically, meaning they do not cross the dog’s skin barrier or get absorbed into the blood stream. This can be a safer option for dogs with a history of reactions to certain types of medications.

Can fleas cause anemia in dogs?

But more than that, fleas carry dangerous and potentially fatal diseases and parasites. A flea infestation can be the culprit behind life-threatening cases of anemia and they can also transmit a disease called Bartonellosis. If that weren’t bad enough, they also spread tapeworms, a nasty intestinal parasite. And those fleas on your dog can even bite humans or transmit those diseases to you!

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