Best Flea Medicine for Dogs
When you are looking for a flea medicine to treat your dog it can be baffling as there are hundreds on the market to choose from.
In this guide, we will take a look at the problems that fleas can cause you and your dog and all the effective ways to rid yourself and your dog of these horrible pests.
Top Rated Flea Medicine for Dogs
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What’s In This Guide
Frontline Plus
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Frontline Plus is one of the most popular products on the market when it comes to flea control for pets. Pet owners trust Frontline simply because it works. Frontline Plus is a spot-on treatment that contains the two active ingredients: Fipronil and S-Methoprene. The Fipronil kills adult fleas and the S-Methoprene kills larvae and eggs.
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This product also offers tick protection which we believe is important for dogs. Because it is a spot-on treatment, most owners should find this product easy enough to apply. The Frontline product is a serum which is easily applied by just snapping off the applicator top. You can expect fast results from this product. Fleas die in just a few hours and ticks will die in twelve hours. The product is long-lasting and should be re-applied after 30 days.
You can purchase the medication in various sized packs containing a different number of doses and it is important to buy the correct dosage for your dog. The Frontline product is sold in four different sizes for dogs from five to 132 pounds in weight. Prices vary slightly as to whether you are buying a pack with 3 or 6 doses and the size of your dog but you can expect to pay less than a dozen dollars for a monthly supply of this product. Click the link here to find the right option for your dog.
PRO
- Kills fleas, flea egg, lice, and ticks
- Safe for dogs over 8 weeks
- Easy application
- Satisfaction Guarantee
CON
- May irritate neck on sensitive dogs
Pet Armor Plus
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pet-Armor-Plus is also a spot-on treatment but it is a considerably cheaper option than Frontline Plus. If you check out the labels you will note that both products include the exact same active ingredients; namely Fipronil and S-Methroprene in exactly the same concentration.
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The only differences between the two products are the unlisted inactive ingredients as well as Frontline Plus being a little easier to open. The Pet Armor applicator has to be cut open with a pair of scissors and the contents can spill—but we think it is well worth the saving. There are differences in the inactive ingredients and the medicine may be a little greasier on your dog’s coat.
Pet Armor was recalled previously in the US but this was due to patent infringements, not product concerns. With exactly the same active ingredients as Frontline Plus this makes a great budget-friendly option. Just like Frontline Plus you can purchase the product in 3 or 6 packs for dogs of different sizes.
PRO
- Kills fleas, flea eggs, ticks and lice within 24 hours
- Breaks the flea cycle
- Lasts up to a month
- Waterproof
CON
- May leave white residue on dark dogs
Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In terms of applying a flea medicine, nothing could be simpler than placing a collar around your dog’s neck. This product costs quite a bit but because it lasts eight months it works out as an inexpensive yet effective option. You won’t need to re-apply every month and the product provides protection from ticks and fleas at all stages of the life cycle. The product will kill fleas within just 24 hours and ticks are killed in around six hours.
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The collar is non-greasy and the chemicals spread throughout your dog’s skin to keep it pest-free. In northern states where you don’t require flea prevention over the cold winter months, this makes an ideal all year round effective product. Put the collar on your dog in early spring and you should be flea-free for the whole year. You can get hold of one of these collars for your dog quickly and easily on Amazon.
PRO
- Long-lasting
- Kills life cycle of fleas and ticks
- Waterproof
- No need to re-apply
CON
- Can cause lethargy and vomiting in some pets
Bayer Advantus Oral Flea Treatment Soft Chews for Dogs
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you suddenly realize your dog has fleas and want to provide him with the most rapid form of relief, then oral medication is a good option. This oral medication is manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Bayer and will get to work on fleas and kill around 96% of them within an hour. They come as chews which most dogs will enjoy and contain the active ingredient Imidacloprid.
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This is a good product to kill adult fleas quickly but it will not deal with future infestations as there is no IGR contained within the product. Once again choose the correct dosage for your dog, the chews are available for dogs of all different sizes and you can choose to buy 7 or 30 chews. Depending on the pack size and the size of your dog, prices vary but one dose can be a very economical option. Click here to view options.
PRO
- Starts working within an hour
- 96% of fleas killed in four hours
- Suitable for dogs with allergies
- No prescription required
- Medication contained within a treat
- Easy to administer
CON
- Treatment may need to be repeated
- Some dogs may not like the treat/li>
- No tick prevention
- Only kills adult fleas
EcoFlea by ColoradoDog
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
EcoFlea by ColoradoDog is an all natural dog flea and tick treatment that keeps fleas and ticks away without the use of chemicals and messy oils. The pills are sold in a nine ounce jar with about 120 treats per jar for around $25. These treats help repel fleas with the use of natural ingredients such as garlic.
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There is a guide on the jar that you should follow according to your dogs weight so that you give them the right amount daily. You can repeat the dose after one day should you need to. EcoFlea by ColoradoDog can be a cost-effective solution to a flea problem.
PRO
- 9oz jar lasts about a month
- Safe for dogs and puppies
- All natural solution to flea problems
CON
- Garlic is one of the natural ingredients
- May not work on with all dogs
- Must be given daily to remain effective
Tips for Protecting Curious Pets Who Like To Wander
Curious pets can get themselves into a variety of hazardous situations. It is important for pet owners to take steps to protect their pets both indoors and outdoors.
Adams Flea And Tick Spray For Cats And Dogs Review
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Seresto Cat Flea Collar
| Updated for 2021Overall Rating: ProsLong-lasting protectionRemoves the need for any other treatmentsKills bugs before they can bite ConsCan cause allergic...
Flea-Related Illnesses Affecting Dogs
Dogs that have fleas can suffer from flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), flea-bite anemia and contract tapeworms. FAD occurs because fleas inject saliva into your dog’s bloodstream when they feed. Many dogs are allergic and produce histamine to compensate. Your dog can scratch and bite, and the condition is very uncomfortable resulting in your dog biting and pulling out clumps of fur.
Infections can also occur when the skin is broken. Flea bite related anemia can occur in small, young, old, or sick dogs. If your dog cannot manufacture new red blood cells at the rate that fleas are removing, then this can lead to severe anemia. Symptoms of anemia include weakness and lethargy, and veterinarian consultation is essential as this condition can prove fatal. Fleas that have bitten wild animals may transmit tapeworms, which are also a serious problem for dogs.
Fleas and Humans
If your dog has fleas, then your home will most likely become infested too, which means that humans in the household may end up suffering from flea bites. Flea bites can cause irritation and allergies in humans.
Infections can occur if itchy bites are scratched and, on rare occasions, allergic reactions may require emergency assistance. Symptoms related to allergic reaction requiring immediate assistance include the lips and tongue swelling and shortness of breath. Fleas can also transmit flea tapeworms, typhus, and plague.
Types of Flea Medicine Overview
There are several methods of administering flea medications to dogs. Let’s take a quick look at the main types of flea medications.
Spot-on Treatments
Your veterinarian will likely recommend a spot-on treatment such as Frontline Plus as a preventative measure for your dog. These easy-to-apply medications are in a liquid or gel form and are applied to the neck of your dog in just a few seconds. The medication then spreads throughout the dog and fleas ultimately die off. Most spot-on treatments incorporate an insect growth regulator (IGR) which will kill flea eggs and kill the life cycle of the flea. The treatments vary in the ingredients they contain and can vary from a couple of dollars to around a dozen.
Oral Medications
You can choose an oral medication for your dog and these come in the form of chews or tablets. If you choose a tablet you will likely need to combine this with a treat. The main benefits of oral medication are that the medicine can be administered very quickly and can start working in less than 30 minutes. These preparations cost a couple of dollars per dose, but you may have to use more than one dose. Oral medications only work on adult fleas so you will need a separate medication to prevent re-infestation.
Avoid Competition
Ants are not only attracted to sweet things. They also feed on seeds and fruit. In fact, they are fond of any food that has a high-fat content. As such, you should store all your food in tightly sealed containers where ants cannot access them. This will leave them with only the food bait option; hence, increasing your chances of eradicating them.
Collars
Perhaps the easiest method of administering a flea medication to a dog is by purchasing a flea collar. Collars can last for around eight months and can be more cost-effective than other options. If you live in a northern state then a collar that provides flea and tick prevention for eight months should last you the whole year if placed on your dog around early spring. It is important to note that flea collars are not a substitute for collars for dogs, in particular, larger dogs that may require more physical control.
Shampoos
Shampoos can kill fleas quickly but they will often not provide long-lasting protection. If your dog has a severe flea infestation, then a bath is a good option to wash away fleas and soothe irritated skin. It is, however, not a quick or easy method and few dogs enjoy baths.
Sprays
Sprays can be used to apply flea medication to dogs and your home but these preparations are rarely completely effective in eradicating fleas.
Helping the Medicine Go Down
Giving your dog a tablet is a quick and easy option in terms of flea medication. The key benefit of administering a flea medication orally is that it is the fastest method to introduce an insecticide into the animal and have it work on fleas. This medication starts working right away and can kill 96% of adult fleas within an hour.
If you suddenly notice fleas on a sensitive dog then this is an ideal method that will get to work straight away before your dog experiences any complications from an allergic reaction. Administering pills to dogs is not always easy though. Often, the pills can be foul-tasting and many dogs have developed the “skill” of consuming a treat while spitting out a tablet. Most pet owners will need to administer a pill to a dog at some point in their lives so check out our quick guide to making it easier.
Tip 1
This perhaps goes without saying but hiding the pill in a tasty morsel of favorite food is usually the way most pet owners go. Simply stuffing a pill in a tasty piece of chicken will often do the trick. If you have a dog that needs to take daily medication then you may want to consider homemade pill pouches or you can purchase pill pouches.
You can make a quick pill pouch by combining one-part peanut butter, one-part milk, and two-parts flour and forming the mixture into pouches. You can store the pouches in the refrigerator or freezer or you can look at buying a specially made product. You can pick up pill pouches for dogs but they can be expensive. A pack of Milk-Bone pill pouches containing approximately 125 pieces will set you back maybe a few dozen dollars.
Tip 2
Now that you have your pill disguised in a treat it is time for the game. Give your dog a treat minus the pill then give him a second treat, also without a pill. Now it is time to introduce the treat with the pill. Put the pill near your dog and move it away, tease your dog a few times until he eats the treat and then follows it with a fourth treat, minus a pill.
Tip 3
For smarter or fussier dogs, you can make the teasing a little more intense, if you pass the “treat” to another dog or a human who then eats the treat. This will make your dog think that if he does not eat his treat then someone else is going to get his food. These methods work far better than trying to pry your dog’s jaw open and forcing a pill into their mouth.
Things to Consider…
Dosage
It is vital to ensure that you use the correct dosage for your dog as they vary so much in size from breed to breed. It is best to go for a lower dosage than one that is too high. Therefore, if you weigh your dog and it is borderline, as far as the weight is concerned, then choose the lower dosage product for a lighter dog to avoid overdosing.
Cat Owners
Cat owners should be aware of the ingredients in dog flea products and the method of application. Be aware that flea medicines designed only for dogs should only be used on dogs. Not all cats and dogs are enemies, in fact, some kitties and dogs adore each other. If your cat is best friends with your dog then take a few cautionary measures when applying spot-on treatments. A spot-on treatment is placed on the neck of the animal specifically so that the animal does not lick away the medication and ingest it.
Many cats insist on grooming their canine companions so you will need to keep kitty away from your dog for several hours so that your dog is medicated effectively and your cat does not become sick by ingesting the medication from your dog’s fur. Cat owners should be very aware of the ingredients used in these flea medicines. A common ingredient used in flea medications for dogs is pyrethrin which while safe for dogs can cause seizures in cats.
Tick Prevention
A major factor to consider with flea medications is that many preparations on the market will kill just fleas. Dogs can be prone to ticks as they take long walks in grassy areas and while ticks are unlikely to infest an animal and cause anemia, tick-borne diseases are life-threatening for animals. Ticks carry a whole host of nasty diseases including Lyme disease which is a major problem in pets and can cause life-changing symptoms in humans. It makes sense to choose a product that has a dual action and will kill ticks as well as fleas.
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
For long-lasting flea prevention, you will need a product that contains IGRs. If you only kill adult fleas then soon enough you will have a problem when flea eggs turn in to larvae and larvae turn in to adult fleas. If you are buying a spot-on treatment, the addition of the word “plus” in the product often indicates that the preparation contains an IGR and will kill fleas at all stages of the life cycle. We have taken a look at some of the best flea medications on the market to keep your dog happy and healthy and flea-free.
The Bottom Line
You know you need a flea treatment but which one? In this article we reviewed all your options; Oral medication, collars, shampoos and sprays. We’ve discussed the pros and cons in an effort to help you make a well-informed decision. In presenting the best option in each category, it is our hope you can make your decision with confidence and you and your pet find speedy relief.