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ToggleLast Updated on June 22, 2023 by Dogs Vets
Top 6 flea and tick prevention products for dogs – In 2022 (Reviews)
Maintain the health and happiness of your canine companion.
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It’s especially vital to protect your dog against fleas and ticks if he or she spends a lot of time outside, as they can transmit diseases to humans (and the various diseases that they carry).
The use of flea and tick control treatments is vital not only for the comfort and health of your dog, but it can also reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness for you and your family members.
‘When I’m looking for efficient flea prevention, one of the most crucial features that I’m seeking for is a flea-killing product that kills fleas in a very short period of time.
Dr. Melissa Hall, a Dutch vet specialist and board-certified veterinary dermatologist, explains that “we aim to eradicate the fleas before they can take numerous blood meals and before they start multiplying and laying eggs.”
For flea allergic dogs, this will assist to avoid the irritation associated with flea bites, as well as reducing the flea load in the environment, hence minimizing the likelihood of re-infestation.
When it comes to keeping your dog healthy, there are numerous things to consider, ranging from pills and chews to ointments and shampoos.
These treatments differ in terms of delivery mechanism and application frequency, so you’ll want to think about what’s best for your pet as well as your own schedule before choosing one.
It’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian about the unique needs of your dog, which will depend on his medical history as well as the pests that exist in your area.
No matter the tick prevention product you use, you should always check your dog for ticks after he has spent time in the great outdoors.
What are the Best Flea and Tick Prevention Products to Use with Your Dog?
Fleas and ticks are dangerous for your dog, and you should use the best flea treatment for dogs and tick treatment for dogs to protect your dog from these parasites.
Fleas are a common problem with dogs, especially in warm climates.
These parasites live on the skin of your dog and can cause an itchy skin condition called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).
Fleas can also transmit a number of diseases to your pet including tapeworms, heartworms, Lyme disease, and even Ehrlichia Canis. Ticks are also a common problem in warm climates.
Ticks carry Lyme disease as well as other diseases that affect humans such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Top flea prevention products include: Frontline Plus, Advantage Multi-Spot On Dog Treatment
Top flea treatment for dogs
The most commonly used flea treatment for dogs is called the dip. You put the dip on your dog, and then you wait for it to dry. With a little luck, the fleas will crawl off of your dog and die.
The most commonly used tick treatment for dogs is a topical treatment called Frontline Plus.
You put Frontline Plus on your dog, and then you wait for it to dry. With a little luck, the fleas
How to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Fleas or Ticks in the First Place?
Fleas and ticks are the most common parasites that your dog can get. They are both hard to get rid of, but there are some preventative measures that you can take to keep them at bay.
Fleas and ticks thrive in warm, moist areas. If you have a damp basement or a yard with a pond or pool, your dog is more likely to contract these parasites. So, it’s important to keep your home and yard dry and clean at all times.
You should also use a flea collar on your dog regularly so that they don’t contract the parasite from other animals outside. You can also purchase flea treatment for your home.
What is the best type of flea and tick control for dogs?
There are many different types of flea and tick control for dogs. Some of the most popular include topical preventative, flea and tick collars, flea and tick powders, oral preventative, and an IGR (insect growth regulator).
Ticks can be found on dogs in almost any environment. They typically prefer to live on the ground or in a warm spot.
Fleas are typically found more commonly on dogs that have access to humid environments like bathrooms or outdoor areas.
The best type of flea prevention for your dog is topical preventative because it can protect your dog from both ticks and fleas while they are not being treated with the other types of prevention mentioned above.
The Benefits of Using a Dog Safe Flea & Tick Product
There are many different ways to get rid of ticks on your dog. Some of these methods include using a tick collar, using a flea and tick product, or using a combination of both.
The most common way to remove ticks from your dog is by using a flea and tick product.
These products are safe for pets and use natural ingredients that work towards eliminating the ticks from your pet.
The most effective flea and tick collars for dogs
However, while tick collars have certain uses, particularly for repelling ticks, spot-on and oral treatments are often preferred for their ability to deliver a fast death.
While spot-ones are acceptable in some situations, Dr. Woodnutt cautions that they are less effective in dogs who swim or are bathed on a regular basis.
As Dr. Woodnutt explains, “They also frequently include imidacloprid, a pesticide that is suspected of being responsible for bee decline.
There is some risk that it may wash into rivers and seas, or even spread on grass if your dog rolls around,” he adds.
Continue reading to learn about the top tick and flea prevention products available on the market today.
#1. Our Best Overall: NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs
What We Like
- Chewable formula
- Safe to use around other pets and children
- Effective against ticks and fleas
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
NexGard will appeal to your dog just as much as it does to you, as each month he will receive his medication in the form of a delightful beef-flavored reward.
Following that, the active ingredient afoxolaner kills fleas and ticks, including the Lone Star, black-legged, American dog, and brown dog kinds.
NexGard for dogs 24 60 lbs is also FDA-approved to help prevent Lyme disease-causing infections.
Apart from its effectiveness, another advantage of the medicine being supplied via your pet’s bloodstream is that your dog can immediately get wet, and it is safe for puppies as young as eight weeks. It is only accessible on prescription.
#2. Bravecto Chews for Dogs [Best Oral]
What We Like
- Chewable formula
- Provides protection for up to 12 weeks
- Kills fleas quickly
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t kill ticks on contact
- Not all dogs like the taste
Oral chews are especially beneficial for breeds with dense or long coats (such as collies and Shih Tzus), where topicals are more difficult to apply correctly.
Each of Bravecto’s prescription-only chewable gives up to 12 weeks of flea and tick protection and begins killing fleas within two hours.
They are responsible for the eradication of four tick species: black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks.
If you reside in an area where Lone Star ticks are a problem, you may wish to give your pet a chew every eight weeks.
The one disadvantage of chews is that they do not destroy parasites on contact; your dog must first be bitten.
Additionally, this product requires a prescription. If Lyme disease is prevalent in your area, you should speak with your veterinarian regarding vaccination for your dog.
#3. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo [Best Shampoo]
What We Like
- Gentle, nourishing formula
- Pleasant scent
- Good for current infestations
What We Don’t Like
- The formula is toxic to cats
- Needs to be reapplied frequently
With this dog shampoo from Adams, you can kill fleas and ticks while still keeping your dog squeaky clean. With aloe, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal in the composition, it’s soothing on both you and your pup’s skin – and it smells great, too.
Because a little goes a long way, the bottle should last quite a while.
The shampoo contains an insect growth regulator (IGR) that, according to the makers, kills and prevents flea development for up to 28 days.
However, Dr. Hall notes that the shampoo is “useful for present infestations but will not be preventative.
” It works best when used in conjunction with another treatment; otherwise, this product must be reapplied regularly.
A Cautionary Note: The shampoo contains pyrethrin, which is hazardous to cats.
#4. Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray for Pets + Home [Best Natural]
- Mostly plant-based formula
- Can be used on pets or household surfaces
- Smells good
- Must be reapplied frequently
- Some pets are afraid of spray nozzle
- Avoid the peppermint scent version
If you prefer to use natural substances, the primary active ingredients in Wondercide spray are lemongrass and cedarwood oil, which are naturally repellent to a range of insect pests.
This spray can be used on your dog directly or as a room spray to eliminate fleas and ticks on furniture and carpet.
It comes in a variety of smells, but we do not recommend the peppermint aroma due to the toxicity of peppermint essential oils to dogs and cats.
When spraying your dog, take care not to miss their armpits or the space between their toes, two parasites’ favourite hiding places.
However, it is unknown whether this treatment has residual effectiveness, which means you would need to reapply it to your pet frequently.
#5. Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Large Dogs Treatment
What We Like
- Waterproof after 24 hours
- Kills fleas at all life stages
- Snap-open tubes
- Leaves greasy spot on dog’s fur
Not safe for cats
- Doesn’t work as fast as some other treatments
This topical flea and tick treatment comprise fipronil, which is effective against adult fleas and ticks, as well as (S)-methoprene, which is effective against flea eggs and larvae.
After you snap open the container and apply the mixture to your dog’s shoulder blades and back, it is kept in the oil glands for a complete 30 days of protection.
Your dog should remain dry for at least 48 hours, but once that time period has passed, it is waterproof and safe to be around small children and other pets.
Frontline has been around for almost two decades and is recommended by a large number of veterinarians. The large size is recommended for dogs weighing 45 to 88 pounds.
#6. Seresto Tick & Flea Collar for Large Dogs
Seresto flea and tick collars for dogs are a great way to protect your pet from fleas and ticks. They work by killing the fleas and ticks on your dog, which then prevents them from biting your pet.
The 8-Month Flea & Tick Collar for Large Dogs is a great option for large dogs who need protection from fleas, ticks, and other parasites.
The collar works by killing the fleas and ticks on your dog within 8 hours of application. This means that you will only have to apply it once every month in order to keep your large dog safe.
What We Like
- Within 24 hours of initial treatment, begins repelling and killing fleas
- Additionally, a flea and tick collar for large dogs aids in the treatment and control of sarcoptic
- Mange and eliminates lice
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is the NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs, which is as tasty as your dog’s favorite treat and works well to kill fleas quickly.
But if you need a topical treatment that doesn’t require a prescription, consider the Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo, which can help you deal with an infestation but may require frequent application.
Consider the following when purchasing an insect repellent or tick preventative product:
The manner of delivery
Flea and tick prevention solutions are available in a variety of forms, including topicals, oral tablets, shampoos, and collars, all of which are becoming popular.
Topical formulae are applied to the back of your dog’s neck, whilst oral tablets are designed to be swallowed.
Oral meds are preferable if your dog is frequently wet, as this can wash away topical treatments.
However, oral medications are typically more expensive than topical treatments. Shampoos need to be reapplied multiple times per month on average, according to the manufacturer.
Despite the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency continues to authorize their usage, we are not suggesting any flea and tick control collars at this time owing to reports of health risks related to these products.
Ingredients that are active
The majority of flea and tick prevention treatments contain some form of insecticide that kills the pests in question.
The active compounds in a flea/tick prevention product should be researched to see what types of insects they kill if they are safe to use around children and other animals and whether they are likely to produce bad reactions in your pet.
Always consult your veterinarian when in question about which ingredients will be most effective for your dog’s specific needs.
“When we talk about flea prevention ingredients, we want to make sure that the active component is safe for the pet and has low side effects, that it is effective, and that it has a long duration of activity.
In particular, I enjoy the isoxazolines, which include Lotilaner (found in Credelio®), NexGard®, Fluralaner and Sarolaner (found in Simparica®) and Simparica Trio® (found in Simparica® and Simparica Trio®), among others “Dr. Hall expresses himself.
Longevity
Flea and tick products are effective for varying durations of time depending on the formulation.
Some require reapplication every week or more frequently, while others may last for several months.
The frequency with which you must re-administer the treatment, as well as the amount of money you will spend on flea and tick treatments each year, will be determined by this factor, among other things.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is the best way to know whether your dog has fleas?
There are a number of telltale indicators that your dog may be infected with fleas.
Whether you notice that your dog is scratching more than normal, particularly at the flanks or above the tail, you should examine its coat to see if any of these tiny bugs have taken up residence there.
If you do find any, you should remove them immediately. If you part your pet’s fur, you’ll often be able to see “flea dirt,” which appears as tiny black specks, or even black bugs that may jump away if you don’t act quickly.
What measures can you take to keep your dog from getting fleas?
In addition to administering a flea and tick prevention treatment to your dog, there are a few more measures you may take to lessen the likelihood of your dog contracting fleas.
Due to the fact that fleas like to live in shady outdoor places that contain sand, leaves, or other debris, you may assist avoid flea infestations by keeping your grass mowed short and preventing your dog from playing in areas where fleas might be hiding.
You can also use diatomaceous earth to treat your home, which will aid in the killing of adult fleas.
Most flea treatments are safe to use on pups, according to the manufacturer.
As a general rule, pups should not be treated for fleas until they have been weaned, which is normally around seven or eight weeks of age.
It’s critical to double-check the age range on the flea treatment you’re using to determine whether or not it’s safe to use on your dog.
Your veterinarian will also be able to make recommendations regarding the best care for your young dog.
Facts Check:
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