Treatment FAQ

what kind of flea and tick treatment is best

by Prof. Ricardo Greenfelder MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Our Picks for the Best Flea and Tick Medicine for Dogs

  1. Bayer K9 Advantix II. Bayer K9 Advantix II is a best bet for flea and tick medicine for dogs. ...
  2. Frontline Plus Dog Flea and Tick Treatment. Another solid choice for topical flea and tick medication is Frontline Plus. ...
  3. NexGard Chewables Flea & Tick Medicine. NexGard is the top rated prescription medication to kill and prevent fleas and ticks. ...
  4. Capstar Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs and Cats. If you’re looking for a one-time use flea pill to end an existing infestation, take a look at Capstar.
  5. Bravecto Chews for Dogs. Bravecto is another prescription-only flea and tick prevention chewable. ...
  6. PetArmor Plus Flea & Tick Prevention for Dogs. If you’re looking for the generic version of a name brand dog flea medicine, PetArmor Plus is the best bet.
  7. Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs. If you’d prefer the convenience and price of a flea collar, a top choice is the Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick ...

  • Best Overall: NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs at Chewy. ...
  • Best Oral: Bravecto Chews for Dogs at Chewy. ...
  • Best Shampoo: Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo at Chewy. ...
  • Best Natural: Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray at Chewy. ...
  • Best for Small Dogs: Sentry Fiproguard Plus for Small Dogs at Chewy. ...
  • Best for Large Dogs: ...
  • Best for Puppies:
May 15, 2022

How to make a homemade Flea and tick repellent?

How To Make homemade flea and tick remedy. 1. Mix dry ingredients first then slowly add to wet as the vinegar and baking soda will react slightly. Put into spray bottle and spray pets down. Be careful not to get in pets eyes. Use Borax throughout the house, sprinkle it on the carpets and let sit for a few hours, then vacuum.

What is the best flea and tick repellent?

  • Features: You don’t need heaps of features, but useful ones. ...
  • Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. ...
  • Customer Ratings: The hundreds of customers using the Flea And Tick Repellent For Dogs before you won’t say wrong, would they? ...

More items...

What is the most effective flea treatment?

  • Easy application. The best flea medicine for dogs will be easy to apply. ...
  • Fast acting. The best flea treatment will also be fast acting; the faster it works, the faster your dog will get relief, and the sooner the problem will be under ...
  • Long lasting. ...
  • Lasting, the best flea treatments for dogs are waterproof. ...
  • Treats other pests, too. ...

What is the best flea tick pill?

Types of Flea and Tick Treatment For Dogs

  • Oral flea treatment for dogs – these are specially formulated flea pills for dogs
  • Liquid flea treatment – whereby the medication is applied directly to the skin.
  • Flea and tick collar – in which the dog collar kills and repels fleas and ticks.

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What is the most effective flea and tick treatment for dogs?

Frontline Plus is our top nonprescription recommendation because it kills ticks and fleas, controls flea infestations, and kills chewing lice, all with one easy application. When used primarily for flea control, each dose of Frontline Plus lasts up to three months.

What flea tick do vets recommend?

Oral medications are some of the most effective flea medications currently available. Nexgard kills fleas and ticks, while Trifexis prevents fleas, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Bravecto also prevents fleas and ticks, and is given only once every 3 months.

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.

Which is better Frontline or Advantage flea and tick?

FRONTLINE Plus and Advantage II are both effective in eliminating fleas in all life stages. Both products feature three-way prevention that lasts up to a month. But when it comes to severe infestations and broad-spectrum protection, FRONTLINE is a better choice between the two.

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.

What is the safest flea and tick medicine for dogs?

If chemical products are necessary for additional flea or tick control, NRDC recommends s-methoprene or pyriproxyfen, which are less toxic ingredients—but read the labels carefully because some products use them with other, more harmful pesticides.

What works better than Frontline Plus?

Advantix are as follows: Advantix kills fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and chewing lice and also repels ticks, fleas, biting flies, and mosquitoes. If you live in an area with lots of mosquitoes or flies, this may be the best choice.

What is the cheapest most effective flea treatment for dogs?

A product manufactured by Merial, Frontline Spray is one of the cheapest yet most effective fleas and tick killer.

Which is safer Frontline or Advantix?

Which product is safer? Both have been shown to be completely safe for dogs, although Frontline is probably safer for pregnant or nursing animals (consult your vet before giving a pregnant dog K9 Advantix). Also, both can potentially cause skin irritation, so be sure to monitor your dog after application.

Do vets recommend Frontline?

Crazy amounts of fleas, and ticks! Our vet has told us that IF we need it at 3 week intervals because our dogs skin is healthy that we can apply at 3 weeks, BUT that's on the advice of our vet who is familiar enough with our dogs to make that call. We absolutely DO recommend this product!

Which is safer Advantage or Frontline?

Some tests have shown that Frontline kills live adult fleas more quickly than Advantage, but only by a few hours. Another consideration when choosing between Frontline Plus and Advantage II for Dogs is your pet's risk of exposure.

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 flea and tick treatment for puppies?

Summary: Capstar is the best choice for flea and tick treatment for puppies. This is because the active ingredient, nitenpyram, is safe for pups as young as 4 weeks of age and as small as 2 pounds of body weight.

How long does a flea spot on last?

They are applied directly to the skin and usually last about 30 days. However, they can cause skin irritation in some pets and are not suited for dogs that are frequently exposed to water.

How to prevent parasites in dogs?

There are many ways to prevent your pet from contracting the parasites, with the most common form of prevention being a flea and tick collar or topical or oral treatment that has a long-lasting effect.

What does effectiveness mean in pesticides?

Effectiveness – by effectiveness, we mean the product needs to successfully kill a larger number of pests in a relatively short time frame. Ideally, the product will be effective against different parasitic life stages. For example, it will kill adult fleas, flea larvae, and flea eggs.

Does Nexgard kill ticks?

Summary: Nexgard is a popular flea and tick treatment that requires a prescription. With afoxolaner as an active ingredient, it kills fleas, paralysis ticks, black-legged ticks, brown ticks, and bush ticks. The treatment comes in the form of a chewable treat and needs to be given monthly.

What is the best spray for fleas and ticks?

Tropiclean Natural Flea and Tick Yard Spray is made of a cocktail of essential oils—clove, lemongrass, cedarwood, and cinnamon oils that naturally kill and repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, spiders, ants, aphids and many other insects. It has a citrus aroma.

What is the best carpet powder for fleas?

A number of carpet powders are available on the market. Adams Flea & Tick Carpet Powder with Linalool and Nylar is affordable. It kills adult fleas, flea eggs and larvae, and ticks on carpets, rugs, and furniture.

What is Nylar for fleas?

Nylar is an Insect Growth Regulator, which means it stops eggs and larvae from growing into adults, effectively breaking the flea life cycle in your home . The botanically-derived insecticide Linalool kills all four stages of the flea life cycle: adults, eggs, larvae, and pupae.

How does Enoz trap and kill fleas work?

Enoz Trap-N-Kill Flea Trap uses infrared heat and light from a bulb to attract fleas. The fleas jump toward the light and fall through a screen onto a sticky pad.

How long does it take for fleas to kill?

Some products produce immediate results with strong pesticides while more natural ones can take up to 30 days to fully eliminate all fleas. Read the package carefully as most products will indicate how quickly they take effect.

How long is a flea pad good for?

A single pad attracts fleas from up to 25 feet away and is good for up to three months or until filled. Refills are sold in an affordable three-pack. Because its made without pesticides, its safe for use around children, pets, and food.

Can you use flea spray on dogs?

Kills fleas in all four life stages. Use directly on pets and around the home. What We Don't Like. Strong scent from essential oils. With a blend of certified essential oils, including clove and peppermint, this spray is safe to use in and around your home—and on your dog, too.

Topical Treatments to Prevent Fleas and Ticks

The instructions tell you to part the hair between your pet’s shoulder blades and apply all of the liquid in one spot. If you have more than one pet, keep them separated until the treatment dries to reduce the risk of one pet licking the treatment off of the other pet.

Collars to Prevent Fleas and Ticks

Very easy. Pick the right size collar, read the directions and put it around your dog’s neck.

Oral Medications to Prevent Fleas and Ticks

Very easy. Unlike topical treatments, you won’t wonder if you applied it correctly. And, unlike collars, you don’t have to worry about it coming loose and getting lost. If your pet is hesitant about eating the pill, it’s easy to sneak it into a favorite treat.

BactroBUG to Prevent Fleas and Ticks

Shake the bottle, start at your pet’s hindquarters and brush back the fur to expose the skin. Gently mist BactroBug all over your pet, from back to front. Then, massage the product deep into the coat.

A Safer Alternative for Complete Flea and Tick Control

Using BactroBug is a non-toxic, eco-friendly way to protect everyone in your family from the health concerns that can be attributed to ticks and fleas. When you order BactroBUG, you can spray your pet, pet beds, play areas, home carpeting and furniture to keep your pets and family members safe without using dangerous toxins.

Flea and tick dangers

Fleas and ticks pose fairly significant risks to your dog’s health. Both types of insects are parasites that feed on dog blood, but the negative effects of each insect are different.

Factors to consider before you buy

When you’re choosing a flea and tick prevention product for your dog, the first question to ask is how it works. Always read the fine print so you know what type of prevention a product offers. Flea and tick formulas typically offer one of the following functions.

Dog flea and tick prevention prices

Dog flea and tick prevention products range in price based on the type and how many applications are included. In general, you can expect to spend between $6 and $60 on a six- to eight-month supply.

What is the best insecticide for fleas?

Spinosad. Spinosad is an insecticide that kills fleas in the adult stage of the life cycle. It works by attacking their nervous system. Spinosad is considered safe and is used in products such as Trifexis and Comfortis (chewable tablets).

How long does flea and tick treatment last for dogs?

Topical or Spot-on treatments have been around for ages. They come in various forms, such as: Topical drops - applied between the shoulders and last for 30 days. Powders and sprays - massaged into the fur on the entire body and can be used freely.

Why are fleas resistant to topicals?

Resistance. Because some topicals have been around for years, parasites are resistant to them. Flea populations in the southeastern United States are robust; they cannot be controlled using products that have been around for decades, such as pyrethroids.

How long does it take for a flea to get out of a dog's fur?

Spotting pests on your pup’s fur means there might be larvae and pupae in your household. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it can take months to get rid of a tick or flea infestation.

How long does it take for a dog to show signs of tick borne illness?

Female fleas lay thousands of eggs in their lifespan. Signs of tick-borne illnesses appear 7-21 days after a bite. By the time your dog shows signs of discomfort, you might have a full-blown infestation. Most pet owners make mistakes while using topical treatments. Luckily for you and your dog — there’s hope.

How are topical treatments classified?

Topical treatments are classified according to which active ingredient they contain.

Is flea and tick treatment effective?

All flea and tick treatments are effective when administered correctly. However, some are more appropriate depending on several factors. Consider this when deciding between pills and topicals.

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 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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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