7 Best Flea and Tick Prevention Products for Your Dog

Key Points

• The most effective dog flea and tick products include Bravecto Chewable Tablets, Simparica Trio Chews, Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Collar, and PetArmor Plus topical solution. 

• Your dog’s age is one of the most important factors when choosing a product to fight external parasites.

• The most common flea and tick prevention products are shampoos, topical solutions, sprays, and oral tablets. 

• Most products protect against fleas and ticks for up to 30 days, but a collar extends that period to several months. 

Knowing the best flea and tick prevention products to protect your beloved pet is essential for a caring dog owner. Factors like your dog's lifestyle, age, and health conditions are important considerations in this decision. This article explores some of the leading flea and tick products, focusing on their advantages, potential side effects, and proper usage.

Large Dog Vet-Recommended Flea Treatment

$47.98 ($12.00 / Count)

by Advantage II 

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11/30/2023 06:17 am GMT

1. Advantage II Flea Prevention for Dogs

Advantage II is a comprehensive solution for flea prevention. It kills adult fleas and eradicates flea larvae and eggs, breaking the flea life cycle. It starts working within 12 hours of application and protects your canine companion for up to 30 days.

While generally safe, some dogs may display symptoms like irritation at the application site, excessive salivation, or transient flaky skin. Seek immediate veterinary care if you notice extreme reactions like seizures or persistent discomfort.

Ensure the correct dosage for your dog's weight. Apply the solution directly to your dog's skin, starting at the shoulder blades and moving down the back in three or four spots. Allow it to dry naturally to maximize effectiveness.

Bundle: Bravecto + Sentinel Spectrum Chew

$208.97

by Bravecto Chew and Sentinel Spectrum

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2. Bravecto Chewable Tablet for Dogs

Bravecto Chewable Tablet offers a high level of convenience with its tasty flavor and 12-week protection against fleas and ticks. It works swiftly, killing fleas within two hours and decimating black-legged ticks within 12 hours. It's an excellent choice for dogs suffering from flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).

Some dogs experience mild side effects like diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and lethargy. In rare cases, seizures occur primarily in dogs with a history of seizure disorder. After administering, watch your dog closely and seek veterinary assistance for any major reactions. Inform your vet before using this product for breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.

Administer the chewable tablet orally according to your dog's weight. A single tablet protects for 12 weeks.

Ultraguard Plus Flea & Tick Dog Collar

$7.91

by Hartz 

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11/30/2023 06:24 am GMT

3. Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Collar 

This Hartz collar is right up your alley if you prize longevity in your flea and tick prevention products. It is one of the most long-lasting options, allowing your dog to remain flea and tick-free for up to seven months. 

It's water-resistant, so the insecticide doesn’t become ineffective if you walk your dog in the rain. The Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Collar comes in two color combos — white and orange/reflective. The white collar fits dogs with necks of up to 15". A larger white collar and the orange/reflective option fit dogs with neck circumferences of up to 22".

Do not put this collar on puppies younger than 12 months, pregnant dogs, and pets sensitive to the active ingredients. Ensure the collar is not too tight since this can cause skin irritation. Immediately contact a veterinarian if your dog shows signs of sensitivity.

4. Simparica Trio Chews

As one of the few products in this line that the FDA approved, Simparica Chewables addresses the needs of dogs older than six months. The product ensures your dog doesn’t pick up fleas and ticks for up to 35 days. Extend that protection period with a flea and tick collar.

Simparica Chewables start killing external parasites within 24 hours. If there were cases of babesiosis or Lyme disease reported in your area, you have reason for worry. Fortunately, this product protects your dog against five types of ticks, including the Gulf Coast one.

This product protects your dog against external and internal parasites. In addition to dealing with the pesky blood-sucking hitchhikers on your dog's back, this medication kills heartworms, tapeworms, and most common roundworm species that take residence inside your dog.

Because it's concentrated, Simparica Trio requires a veterinarian prescription. Many vet clinics sell Simparica.  

5. NexGard Plus

This complex product kills internal and external parasites of dogs. The active ingredients of afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel are effective against even treatment-resistant ticks and fleas. NexGard Plus protects against heartworm disease, as well as roundworms and hookworms.

These chewable tablets are soft and beef-flavored, so most dogs accept them without hiding the pills in peanut butter or some other trick. One dose per month is enough for NexGard to be effective long-term. An alternative to a monthly medication is to fit the dog with a collar for extended protection. 

Another benefit is that it's permissible for puppies as young as eight weeks who weigh at least four pounds. Other concentrated chewables require puppies to be at least six months old.

6. Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

If your veterinarian handles your prevention measures against internal parasites or you already have a treatment schedule, it doesn’t make sense to invest in a product that is both a dewormer and an insecticide. The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar provides up to eight months of protection against ticks and fleas, making it the perfect choice for the warm season. 

While walking your dog in the pouring rain doesn't affect this collar, remove it before going to the beach with your pet or bathing them to avoid losing effectiveness.

This collar also kills lice and sarcoptic mange. Vets usually recommend dips for scabies and mange — baths taken in very concentrated insecticides — so this product circumvents that unpleasant experience. Its active ingredients of imidacloprid and flumethrin put this collar to work in as few as 24 hours. 

7. PetArmor Plus 

Topical solutions are easier to administer than tablets or the time-consuming bathing experience. PetArmor Plus keeps your dog free of fleas, ticks, and lice for at least a month. Your dog’s weight is paramount in this case, as PetArmor has several breed-specific varieties.

Based on consumer ratings, the topical solution's effectiveness depends on the severity of the flea population in your dog's living area. If there is a major infestation in your yard or home, they may show up before the end of the 30-day protection period. Treat your dog's living area when you treat them.

PetArmor Plus is an effective waterproof flea treatment that matches the needs of owners and their companions for the summer. If you enjoy taking your dog to a lake or a pool, there's no need to worry about picking up unwelcome "guests" when using this product.

What to Look for in Dog Flea and Tick Prevention Products

Selecting the right product against external parasites is challenging when you have so many options. Check out the buying guide below to learn about some of the essential aspects you should consider when shopping for a spot-on solution, shampoo, or chewable against fleas, ticks, and even lice. 

Ingredients

The active ingredients of a flea and tick prevention product for dogs vary greatly from one brand to the next. Almost all affect the nervous system of the external parasites, producing paralysis and making it impossible for these parasites to feed on your dog’s blood. 

A few examples of these products' active ingredients are:

• Permethrin

• Fipronil

• Selamectin

• Flumethrin

• Deltamethrin 

How To Use

Not all dogs appreciate bath time. If your pet is one of them, a shampoo isn't a good choice for you and your pup. However, shampoos offer some advantages in the battle against parasites.

The most significant advantage of shampoos is that you kill the external parasites during the bath. Afterward, when rinsing their coat, you remove the insecticide from your dog’s body surface and reduce the risk of them suffering any adverse effects from the treatment.

A spot-on solution is the most convenient way to protect your dog against external parasites. Spot-on solutions are easy to work with and apply, even on dogs with long coats. The ideal application area — the base of your dog’s neck — makes it nearly impossible for the pet to come in contact with the substance. Like with shampoos, the toxicity risk is significantly reduced.

These products may have side effects. Illinois-based veterinarian Dr. Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant states, "Skin reactions to spot-on products can vary from mild tingling sensations to actual chemical burns of the skin in especially sensitive individuals.”

Flea and tick chewables are another option. Your dog’s age, weight, and size dictate your choice of chewable or regular oral tablets. The downside is that few are made for puppies whose systems aren’t yet designed to handle such medications, which may result in liver failure. Most vets recommend spot-on solutions of products for small and young dogs. 

Sprays and powders are becoming less popular — and for a good reason. This method to rid your dog of fleas and ticks leaves the insecticide on their body. While not all dogs lick their bodies, parasites may bite them as the treatment begins working, prompting dogs to gnaw at their coat and skin.

Dips are even less recommended unless your dog has mange and there’s no other way to get rid of it. A 2023 article by Merck Veterinary Manual notes that Amitraz is an effective scabicide but is not approved for use in young animals, whereas lime sulfur is. 

Some collars are effective repellents against fleas and ticks rather than parasite killers. Treat the problem and then fit them with a collar to ensure they don't pick up any more fleas or ticks from the park or other pets. Most flea and tick collars work for between one and three months, eliminating the need for monthly treatments.  

Longevity

Longevity is always a factor when shopping for tick and flea-prevention products. Unfortunately, most treatments do not offer long protection periods, so your dog remains parasite-free for one month or less. Even topical solutions have a limited effect, although they go into your pet’s skin. 

Some insecticides have been around so long that fleas in the outdoor environment have become resistant to them. One example is fipronil, a miracle flea product in the early '90s. Fipronil's effectiveness decreased over time, rendering it incapable of doing its job on many dogs. 

If you want to protect your dog against external parasites for as long as possible, treat them and fit them with an insecticide collar. Ask your vet for recommendations based on your dog’s age, weight, and size. Animals with liver conditions must avoid oral tablets or dips. 

Tick No More

Using dog flea and tick products is not just about protecting your dog from external parasites — it’s also about maintaining your sanity. Nothing ruins a cuddle session more than discovering your dog has brought home unwelcome guests. 

The right flea and tick products let you prevent your dog from becoming itchy and potentially developing dermatitis. You also maintain a flea-free home.

Fleas and ticks are not only aggravating nuisances. These parasites can cause debilitating diseases such as severe anemia, Lyme disease, babesiosis, or tapeworm infections. Yes, fleas carry diseases and serve as hosts for tapeworm larvae. Protecting your dog against fleas, ticks, lice, and mange is a win-win situation for both of you.

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