The 10 Best Flea & Tick Treatments For Dogs
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Picking up fleas and ticks is a pretty common occurrence for dogs, and all that scratching can seriously irritate them and you, but with our list of the best flea and tick treatments for dogs, you can find the perfect option to rid your furry friend of these pesky pests and relieve their itching quickly.
But before you just throw a random option in a cart, there are a few things to consider when shopping for flea and tick treatments. First, decide whether you’d like to use a topical option that’s often applied between the shoulders or an oral option that makes dosing as easy as tossing them a treat.
Know how much your dog weighs because that’s an important factor in getting the correct dosages. If you opt for topical treatments, look for products with fipronil and methoprene as their active ingredients, as both are highly effective in treating fleas and killing flea eggs. Plus, you can always get advice from your veterinarian if you’re just not sure. But chances are, their recommendation is already included in our list of the best flea and tick treatments for dogs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Fleas and ticks are nasty bugs that plague pets and their parents, but if you’ve never dealt with these little bloodsuckers, here are a few things to know.
How Will I Know If My Dog Has Fleas And Ticks?
To check if your dog has fleas or ticks, rub your hands through their fur, making contact with the skin, and feel if there are any bumps and if the skin looks red or irritated. Check for “flea dirt,” black, flaky specks on the skin that are left behind after a flea takes a blood meal—yuck! Fleas are often easiest to spot around the dog’s tail base, while ticks are trickier. They like warm, dark spots such as in the ears, under the joints, and between the toes.
Another sign of fleas and ticks is constant scratching, licking, and chewing. Also, when you see your dog concentrating their efforts on a particular spot, jump in real quick and comb through your pup’s fur to find the offender. Fleas can be easy to spot on lighter color fur or in spots where hair is thinnest.
Are Fleas And Ticks Dangerous For Dogs?
Fleas and ticks may look tiny, but they can irritate and annoy your furry friend. The constant licking and scratching can create sore hotspots and even broken skin. Plus, fleas can cause terrible allergies, while ticks carry diseases like Lyme and Ehrlichiosis. And the longer your dog has fleas, the bigger chance you’ve got for a household infestation that can see fleas nesting and burrowing in blankets, carpets, beds, or linens. Then you’ve got an even bigger problem.
Can Humans Get Fleas From Their Dogs?
Yes, humans can pick up fleas from their dogs, but it’s not as critical for us as it is for our pets. We don’t have fur for fleas and ticks to hide in, so they’re easier to spot when we feel their bite. Though we don’t have fur, we do have hair, so ticks can hide amongst the follicles and even attach to the scalp. Got the heebie jeebies yet?
What If Fleas Are Left Untreated in Dogs?
If fleas are left untreated, they can cause damage that results in severe skin problems. Unencumbered, fleas will keep breeding and hatching in your dog’s fur, getting fat and strong off their blood. Such an infestation will make your dog miserable. Fleas can also cause serious allergies in some dogs, and all the scratching and chewing can lead to painful hotspots and skin infections. Ticks carry a wealth of diseases, most notably Lyme disease, and when your dog is left to be a buffet for these creepy crawlies, they’re at greater risk of catching one. But flea and tick treatments can rid your pup of these irritating invaders and reduce their chance of illness.
To bring a bit of simplicity to your life, we’ve combed through the competitors to bring you this list of the best flea and tick treatments for dogs.
The 10 Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Dogs
#1 – Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Dogs
If fleas and ticks have infested your big furry baby, Frontline Plus is one of your best bets with its waterproof topical treatment. Even if your dog gets wet, the treatment doesn’t wash away or end. This fast-acting and highly effective option kills fleas, ticks, flea eggs, and larvae. Thus, it breaks the flea cycle and provides lasting comfort and relief. And as a bonus, Frontline Plus kills deer ticks responsible for spreading Lyme disease. Additionally, it uses fipronil and methoprene as active ingredients, some of the most effective treatments for treating and preventing fleas and ticks. Application is easy, and this box comes with three treatments for three months of protection.
Pros
Waterproof formula
Kills adult fleas as well as eggs and larvae
Easy application
Cons
Not for small dogs
#2 – PetArmor for Dogs
Another option for protecting large dogs, PetArmor makes our list of the best flea and tick supplements thanks to its fast action. After just one quick and easy application of this waterproof formula, adult fleas, ticks, and chewing lice will meet their end, and that means no more chewing, licking, and scratching for your dog! With the active ingredient fipronil included, it is one of the most effective flea treatments on the market for bigger dogs. Plus, this topical solution kills brown and deer ticks, protecting your dog from tick-borne illness. It’s a long-lasting solution against fleas and ticks.
Pros
Fast acting
Contains fipronil as an active ingredient
Available in a 3-dose pack for 3 months of protection
Cons
For large dogs only
#3 – Hartz UltraGuard Dual Action
If you’re on the hunt for the best flea and tick topical for smaller dogs and puppies, look no more! Hartz Ultra Guard kills fleas, brown ticks, and deer ticks for thirty days and prevents reinfection. It offers rapid relief from irritation and protects the skin from allergies. A fast-action formula your dog will love, these squeeze tubes make application a breeze. And, available in a six-pack option, you can protect your dog for six months.
Pros
Works on dogs of all ages
Prevents re-infestation
One package lasts 6 months
Cons
Not suitable for large dogs
#4 – NEXTSTAR Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs
An obvious choice for our list, Nextstar starts to kill fleas and ticks in just five minutes! And one application kills fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and chewing lice for up to thirty days. One of the best flea and tick treatments for your small dog, its waterproof formula is easy to apply and uses methoprene and fipronil as active ingredients for instant relief from your dog’s constant scratching and chewing. From the makers of Capstar, Nextstar is recommended by vets and doesn’t require a prescription.
Pros
Kills fleas instantly
Easy application
Rids dogs of fleas, flea eggs, ticks, mosquitoes, and chewing lice
Cons
For small dogs only
#5 – CAPSTAR (nitenpyram) Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs
Talk about relief! Capstar starts killing fleas within thirty minutes of dosing. But this highly-effective flea and tick treatment doesn’t involve messy tubes. Capstar is an oral treatment your dog can simply eat. And don’t worry, these tablets are as potent against fleas and ticks as any topical solution, containing nitenpyram as its active ingredient, a powerhouse option for getting rid of fleas. Just one tablet, and you’ll see the dying fleas falling from your dog’s fur. One of the best flea and tick treatments for dogs, it’s suitable for all breeds and requires no prescription.
Pros
Starts killing fleas within 30 minutes
FDA-approved oral formula
No messy application; just feed it to your dog
Cons
May not kill flea eggs
Only lasts 24 – 48 hours
Must be followed up with a monthly preventative
#6 – Advecta Ultra Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs
Advecta Ultra not only kills fleas and ticks but also deters them with this easy-to-apply topical solution. And within twelve hours of application, your dog will find relief from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. This mess-free waterproof formula also kills flea eggs before they hatch, thanks to active ingredients pyriproxyfen & imidacloprid. This combination of protection ensures dogs stay free of fleas and ticks longer.
Pros
Available in 4-month supply
Long-lasting and waterproof
Provides instant comfort
Cons
For small dogs only
#7 – Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment
If your cute little dog is suffering from dreaded fleas and ticks, Frontline provides a perfect option with a whopping 9.8% of fipronil as the active ingredient in their topical flea and tick treatment. To say it works well is an understatement, as it has an almost perfect five-star average on Amazon from more than 36k buyers. A fast and effective favorite, Frontline is recommended by vets and sold in options of 3, 6, or 8 doses.
Pros
Kills fleas and their eggs
Long-lasting and fast-acting
Features 9.8% fipronil as an active ingredient
Cons
Odor can be strong
#8 – PetArmor CAPACTION Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs
If you’re sick of messy topical solutions, try an oral treatment for fleas and ticks. PetArmor Capaction tablets go down easy for fast-acting relief that works within thirty minutes of dosing. This oral solution is safe for pregnant dogs and puppies over four weeks old or more than 2lbs. And because it’s veterinarian recommended, you can feel confident in this choice for ridding your pup of itchy fleas and ticks.
Pros
No messy application, just a quick snack instead
Starts working within 30 minutes
Safe to use with breeding dogs
Cons
Only treats for fleas
Only lasts for 24 – 48 hours
Must be followed up with a monthly preventative
#9 – Flea Away All Natural Supplement for Fleas
An oral option in treating fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, Flea Away contains an all-natural vitamin complex made to FDA human standards and specifically formulated for dogs and cats. These chewable liver-flavored tablets create a safe barrier from pests with no toxic chemicals. It’s suitable for all dogs and safe for pregnant and nursing dogs. And thanks to the included vitamin boost, you’ll notice added benefits such as healthier skin, reduced shedding, stronger joints, and a shinier coat. Be sure to follow dosing instructions, as it takes roughly thirty days to build up flea-killing power. Flea Away is sourced and manufactured in the USA.
Pros
Promotes healthier skin and coats
Easy oral administration, no messy tubes
Safe for all dogs, including pregnant ones
Cons
Takes 30 days to build up power
#10 – SENTRY Fiproguard Plus for Dogs
The Sentry Fiproguard Plus for Dogs is a topical treatment that instantly rids your dog of fleas and ticks and kills eggs and larvae. It uses high-quality ingredients like fipronil and methoprene to kill pests and eliminate the chance of re-infestation. The waterproof formula squeezes easily into your dog’s fur with no mess. And, since Sentry has proven effective on deer ticks, Lyme disease will also be less of a worry.
Pros
Available in 3 or 6-dose packs for multiple weights
Active ingredient fipronil kills fleas fast
Long-lasting and waterproof
Cons
Users report a strong odor
If your dog plays outdoors, then you’ve likely dealt with fleas and ticks before. But you can head off itchy infestations before they start with any of these reputable choices on our list of best flea and tick treatments for dogs. And if your dog is already in the throes of a scratching and chewing nightmare, this list has you covered too. Now, hurry and make your choice, so your meds can arrive before the fleas and ticks drive you both crazy!
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