Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs
Fleas and Ticks: More Than a Nuisance
By Debra Primovic, DVM
Fleas and ticks are common in many parts of the United States and can be found almost everywhere. These annoying pests can irritate, infest, and spread disease to dogs (as well as other pets in the household), causing them to itch, get skin infections, and potentially acquire life-threatening diseases. As a veterinarian, I really see pet owners struggle with what they should do to protect their dog.
What to Know About Fleas and Ticks
Fleas are small, external parasites that live by consuming blood from their host, which can be your dog. Adult fleas are known to consume 10 to 15 times their body weight in blood per day. They can infect your dog by jumping on them or on a human’s shoes when they are outdoors, then hitching a ride inside to reproduce in your home and on your dog.
The flea life cycle is somewhat complex and fast, with one single flea potentially yielding 1,000 fleas in as little as three weeks. It is easy to quickly get a full-blown infestation. Once you have an infestation, eliminating fleas from your home can be a frustrating and costly process. It is much better to prevent fleas in the first place with a good flea prevention product.
Ticks are another type of external parasite that live on the blood of mammals. While attached and feeding, they can spread a variety of diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, as well as others. It is possible for dogs to bring ticks into the home where they can attach to human hosts as well.
How to Choose Flea and Tick Medication
Both over-the-counter brands and prescription products are available. In general, the most effective products are by prescription. Most veterinarians sell products at their hospital or provide access to a reputable online pharmacy. A prescription from your veterinarian generally requires an active patient-doctor relationship with your pet being seen within the prior year.
There are many active ingredients on the market that work in different ways to kill or interrupt the life cycle of these pests. Specific recommendations for flea and tick medications depend on the age, breed, size, coat, exposure to water, ease of medicating and overall health history of your dog. As you choose a flea and tick medication for your dog, you will want to consider the form and product duration.
Flea and tick medication products are available in a variety of formulations including spot-on (topical) products, oral chews, sprays, powders, dips, shampoos and collars. Some products are easier for pet owners to administer than others.
- Oral chews are often flavored, palatable, and a common choice for dogs with long hair or thick coats where a topical application is more difficult to apply.
- Topical spot-on products are a great choice for dogs with short hair or those that won’t take oral products easily. It is critical to place the product as directed, which is most commonly along the back where your dog can’t reach to lick.
- Collars are also a great option for dogs and cats. While not all collars treat both fleas and ticks, some can be a cost-effective solution. Collars can also provide long-lasting protection; some will last up to eight months.
The duration of the products varies, and they do wear off over time. Each use or application can be effective for one, three or eight months. For example, products such as Nexgard® are good for one month, Bravecto® three months, and the Seresto® collar is effective for up to eight months. A tip I share with clients is to use a reminder system, such as an alert on your phone, to help you remember when it’s time for another dose.
Age matters. Some flea and tick products are approved for dogs as young as eight weeks, while others are not approved for use until six months of age.
Some products are not waterproof and require your dog stay dry or not be bathed for a period of time. This is important to consider for dogs frequently bathed or those that spend time in or near the water.
Some dogs with health problems may have product precautions. Dogs with skin infections may do better with an oral product rather than a topical application. Dogs with a history of seizures may be sensitive to some active ingredients, making a more careful selection necessary.
As you choose a flea and tick medication, it is also important to consider your pet’s travel potential. Pets that travel to areas where flea and ticks are prevalent can be at greater risk and should be protected.
Some products have a guarantee when purchased through a veterinarian and used as directed. Your veterinarian is a great resource in helping you choose the best product for your dog.
Lastly, price is a consideration. In general, many of the monthly products are slightly more expensive than the three-month treatments or eight-month collar. There are new products on the market, such as Simparica Trio®, that treat heartworm disease along with fleas and ticks, which can make it more cost effective and convenient.
Buying products in a 6- or 12-month supply also saves you money. Sometimes you can get one or two doses free by buying in a higher volume. Also, many manufacturers provide a rebate on products when purchased at the veterinary hospital. Check with your vet to see if there is a rebate on your product and submit it promptly along with your receipt (rebates have expiration dates). Some of these rebates can be substantial giving you anywhere from 10% to 40% of the cost back in your pocket.
Product Safety
It is important to only use flea and products that are approved for your dog’s age and size. Never use a dog flea product on a cat unless you have specific approval and direction from your veterinarian! Some products are extremely toxics to cats, especially those with permethrin or pyrethroid as active ingredients. Some dogs can also be sensitive to certain ingredients, so products should only be used as prescribed.
Final Thoughts on Flea and Tick Prevention
When I graduated from veterinary school, it was recommended to use most flea and tick medications during the summer months and go off in the winter. For example, a common recommendation was to start prevention in March and stop in November. This has changed.
In most parts of the country, flea and tick medications are now recommended year-round. This will depend, in part, on the type of parasites found in your specific location and weather trends. Some parasites can die during cold weather, but sustained cold is required otherwise some can easily survive winter conditions. Also, if fleas get into your home, they easily live year-round in these moderate conditions.
Ask your vet about flea and tick product recommendations that are best suited for your dog.
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Our Top 3 Flea & Tick Medications for Dogs
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NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs, 10.1-24 lbs
NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs, 10.1-24 lbs. are vet-recommended and FDA-approved to kill adult fleas fast before they have a chance to lay eggs.
- Also FDA-approved to help prevent Lyme infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.
- Each fast-acting chew provides safe and effective protection, killing fleas and ticks for a full month.
- Available for dogs from 4 lbs - 121 lbs. Save 5% with autoship.
- Prescription item.
NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs, 10.1-24 lbs. are vet-recommended and FDA-approved to kill adult fleas fast before they have a chance to lay eggs.
- Also FDA-approved to help prevent Lyme infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.
- Each fast-acting chew provides safe and effective protection, killing fleas and ticks for a full month.
- Available for dogs from 4 lbs - 121 lbs. Save 5% with autoship.
- Prescription item.
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Bravecto Soft Chews for Dogs, 9.9-22 lbs
Bravecto provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks and may terminate Lone Star ticks for up to 8 weeks, and kills 98.7% within 24 hours.
- These chews terminate adult fleas, help treat and prevent flea infestations and help treat and control tick infestations.
- Each chew is flavored, so your dog will actually look forward to taking his medication.
- Available for dogs from 4 lbs - 123 lbs.
- Prescription Item.
Bravecto provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks and may terminate Lone Star ticks for up to 8 weeks, and kills 98.7% within 24 hours.
- These chews terminate adult fleas, help treat and prevent flea infestations and help treat and control tick infestations.
- Each chew is flavored, so your dog will actually look forward to taking his medication.
- Available for dogs from 4 lbs - 123 lbs.
- Prescription Item.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs, 11.1-22.0 lbs
Simparica Trio is the first and only product that combines sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel in each treatment to help prevent heartworm disease, kill fleas before they can lay eggs, kill 5 types of ticks, treat and prevent flea infestations and treat and control roundworms and hookworms.
- Every purchase comes with 6 treatments.
- Each monthly chewable tablet has a palatable liver flavor and can be taken with or without food!
- Available for dogs from 2.8 lbs - 132.0 lbs.
- Prescription Item. Save 5% with autoship.
Simparica Trio is the first and only product that combines sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel in each treatment to help prevent heartworm disease, kill fleas before they can lay eggs, kill 5 types of ticks, treat and prevent flea infestations and treat and control roundworms and hookworms.
- Every purchase comes with 6 treatments.
- Each monthly chewable tablet has a palatable liver flavor and can be taken with or without food!
- Available for dogs from 2.8 lbs - 132.0 lbs.
- Prescription Item. Save 5% with autoship.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs, 10.1-24 lbs
NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs, 10.1-24 lbs. are vet-recommended and FDA-approved to kill adult fleas fast before they have a chance to lay eggs.
- Also FDA-approved to help prevent Lyme infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.
- Each fast-acting chew provides safe and effective protection, killing fleas and ticks for a full month.
- Available for dogs from 4 lbs - 121 lbs. Save 5% with autoship.
- Prescription item.
NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs, 10.1-24 lbs. are vet-recommended and FDA-approved to kill adult fleas fast before they have a chance to lay eggs.
- Also FDA-approved to help prevent Lyme infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.
- Each fast-acting chew provides safe and effective protection, killing fleas and ticks for a full month.
- Available for dogs from 4 lbs - 121 lbs. Save 5% with autoship.
- Prescription item.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
Bravecto Soft Chews for Dogs, 9.9-22 lbs
Bravecto provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks and may terminate Lone Star ticks for up to 8 weeks, and kills 98.7% within 24 hours.
- These chews terminate adult fleas, help treat and prevent flea infestations and help treat and control tick infestations.
- Each chew is flavored, so your dog will actually look forward to taking his medication.
- Available for dogs from 4 lbs - 123 lbs.
- Prescription Item.
Bravecto provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks and may terminate Lone Star ticks for up to 8 weeks, and kills 98.7% within 24 hours.
- These chews terminate adult fleas, help treat and prevent flea infestations and help treat and control tick infestations.
- Each chew is flavored, so your dog will actually look forward to taking his medication.
- Available for dogs from 4 lbs - 123 lbs.
- Prescription Item.
List Price
Your Price
You Save
Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs, 11.1-22.0 lbs
Simparica Trio is the first and only product that combines sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel in each treatment to help prevent heartworm disease, kill fleas before they can lay eggs, kill 5 types of ticks, treat and prevent flea infestations and treat and control roundworms and hookworms.
- Every purchase comes with 6 treatments.
- Each monthly chewable tablet has a palatable liver flavor and can be taken with or without food!
- Available for dogs from 2.8 lbs - 132.0 lbs.
- Prescription Item. Save 5% with autoship.
Simparica Trio is the first and only product that combines sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel in each treatment to help prevent heartworm disease, kill fleas before they can lay eggs, kill 5 types of ticks, treat and prevent flea infestations and treat and control roundworms and hookworms.
- Every purchase comes with 6 treatments.
- Each monthly chewable tablet has a palatable liver flavor and can be taken with or without food!
- Available for dogs from 2.8 lbs - 132.0 lbs.
- Prescription Item. Save 5% with autoship.
List Price
Your Price
You Save