Best Flea And Tick Prevention For Dogs – Reviews & Ratings!
Fleas and ticks are among the biggest nuisances for dogs - and their owners. Unfortunately, fleas and ticks can easily take over your dog. If your dog goes outside a lot or is in the presence of other dogs with fleas and ticks, his chance of becoming infected by the critters is even higher.
However, flea and tick prevention and control has come a long way in recent years. Your dog no longer has to suffer with the annoying pests, thanks to shampoos, collars, medicines, and more.
But, finding the perfect treatment for your dog can be tricky. With thousands of different types of fleas, some are bound to be resistant to certain medications. So, it may take a bit of trial-and-error, but the flea and tick preventions in this review are excellent products to start with.
Types Of Best Dog Flea And Tick Medicine
There are several forms of best flea and tick treatment for dogs. The best flea and tick control depends on your dog and your preference for treatment. What is the best flea and tick medicine for dogs? The most common types of best flea and tick prevention for dogs includes:
- Spot Control. These medications are placed on your dog, usually between the shoulder blades and running to the tail.
- Shampoos. You can bathe your dog with medicated flea and tick shampoos to prevent and kill pests.
- Collars. Collars provide long-term medication to prevent and kill fleas and ticks.
- Chews. Chewable flea and tick medication can begin to kill pests within a few hours after administering.
- Sprays and Wipes. Flea and tick sprays and wipes can provide short-term solutions to controlling the pests.
- Home Treatment. Home flea and tick treatments can kill the pests and their eggs that come off your dog to prevent re-infestation.
For the purposes of this article, I’ll be focusing on the best flea and tick medication for dogs in the categories of spot control, shampoos, and chewables, which are some of the more common forms.
Reviews of Best Flea And Tick Medicine For Dogs
Capstar is a medication for fleas only, so I wouldn’t recommend it if ticks are present in your area. However, as a flea medication, it’s one of the best oral medications on the market.
Capstar is safe to use on pregnant or nursing dogs, and any dogs over 4 weeks of age. In about 4 hours after administering the chewable tablet, adult fleas will die off. If re-infestation occurs from hatched eggs or growing larvae, you can administer another tablet once per day until your dog is flea-free.
K9 Advantix II is a flea and tick treatment that veterinarians recommend for most dogs because of its effectiveness. The monthly, topical application kills and repels adult fleas, ticks, and mosquitos, as well as all life stages of fleas. Additionally, it provides protection against lice and biting flies, so your dog has prevention against several common pests.
The K9 Advantix II formula will help prevent flea infestations in your home, since it kills fleas within 12 hours of application and continues to work for a month.
Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs is another popular topical treatment. Made with fipronil and (S)-methoprene, it kills adult fleas as well as their eggs and larvae. It also kills adult fleas and one dose protects your dog for up to a month.
Frontline Plus is recommended for dogs 8 weeks and older. And, your dog is able to bathe or swim shortly after using the medication, as its formulated to be waterproof.
TropiClean Opti Neem Flea & Tick Shampoo for Dogs is a popular medicated shampoo safe to use on dogs 12 weeks or older. This formula is 70% organic and its main ingredient for preventing fleas and ticks is neem oil. Neem oil works to actually prevent fleas and ticks from making their home on your dog.
You can also use this in addition to a topical treatment, if you prefer, as its non-soap formula won't wash away the medication. TropiClean Opti Neem shampoo will also relieve itching and burning from insect bites and soothe your dog's skin with oatmeal.
Richard's Organics provides a popular flea and tick shampoo save for dogs over 12 weeks of age. The natural formula is free of sulfate and paraben, so you don't have to worry about harsh chemicals affecting your dog's coat and skin.
This shampoo also uses no artificial colors or scents, and instead uses essential oils that are great for use on dogs. Peppermint oil helps deter pests naturally, coconut oil soothes the coat and skin, and clove, cedar, and cinnamon oils can help prevent and treat fleas, ticks, and mosquitos.
What Is The Best Dog Flea And Tick Prevention?
The best dog flea and tick prevention method depends on your dog and the area you live. With 2200 different flea species, not all will react to the same treatment. Additionally, your dog’s skin may have a reaction to certain flea and tick medications.
The best methods of prevention protect against adult fleas and ticks and their eggs and larvae. In doing so, your dog will be better protected against re-infestation if the eggs hatch.
Also, consider the types of pests in your area. If ticks are a big concern, a medication labeled as “broad spectrum” can help kill a number of pest species and prevent them from infesting your dog. This video explains more about fleas and ticks and how they work:
Final Thoughts
Flea and tick prevention is an important part of caring for your dog. In addition to being a nuisance, the pests can pose some serious health risks to your dog and family members if not treated properly. Although it may take some time to find what is the best flea and tick prevention for dogs, it's essential that you do so.
Flea and tick medications come in a number of forms, from home treatment to collars and shampoos. For large infestations, you may consider talking to your vet about combining treatments for maximum effectiveness. The treatments in this review are great products to start with if you're looking for the best flea and tick medicine for your dog.
More Dog Flea and Tick Prevention
- Brand Name - Flea Away
- Size - 100 tablets
- Form - tablets
- Feature - All-natural flea repellant for dogs and cats
- Brand Name - NexGard
- Size - 3 tablets
- Form - tablets
- Feature - Kills adult fleas
- Brand Name - Sentinel Spectrum
- Size - 6 treatments
- Form - treatments
- Feature - Sentinel Spectrum is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease
- Brand Name -
- Size - 6 treatments
- Form - tablets
- Feature - Monthly Simparica Trio prevents heartworm disease
- Brand Name - Revolution
- Size - 6 treatments
- Form - topical solution
- Feature - Revolution is formulated to kill adult fleas and prevents flea eggs
- Brand Name - Sentinel
- Size - 6 treatments
- Form - treatments
- Feature - Sentinel Flavor Tabs are formulated for dogs and puppies
- Brand Name - Trifexis
- Size - 6 treatments
- Form - treatments
- Feature - Trifexis prevents heartworm disease
SAVE TO YOUR MEMOS!
Images credits: Amazon.com , Chewy.com, Photo Stocks.
Another thing to consider is that the healthier the dog the less likely they are to get fleas at all! Regular vacuuming, washing of your dogs bed and shampoo’s will also limit the chance of getting fleas.