Dog Oral Flea & Tick ControlOral Pill (Program , Capstar , Sentinel ) These products prevent flea eggs from hatching when administered orally to pets once a month at mealtime. Dogs are fed Program in tablet form, whereas cats are fed a liquid suspension mixed with their food. Different tablet sizes and suspension doses are prescribed according to the weight of the animal. When an adult female flea bites a Program treated dog or cat, the flea ingests the active ingredient (lufenuron) which then passes into her eggs and prevents them from hatching. A companion product, Sentinel™, contains both the flea control ingredient and heartworm medication all in one dosage. See Walmart's Flea and Tick chart to find which flea and tick product is best for your pet. Show
This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to educate about the world's species.. If you’re serious about protecting your dog from fleas, ticks, and Lyme
disease you need to take a few steps. •Chewable tablet for preventing flea & tick infestation in dogs •Also works on heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms •Comes in 5 different dosages depending on weight Check Chewy
Check Amazon Top Picks for the Best Flea and Tick Treatments: Ranked#1 Best Overall: TRIFEXIS Chewable Tablet for DogsTrifexis rightfully takes its place as top-of-the-line flea and tick prevention because of its easy administration and outstanding coverage. Not only does Trifexis prevent against flea and tick infestations from the inside out but also protects against heartworm infection. Additionally, Trifexis may even treat infections of hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms — nasty intestinal parasites — in adult canines. This multi-purpose medication comes in a beef-flavored, chewable tablet, straightforwardly given as a treat to pups once a month. Doses come in five different weight ranges so, as puppies grow their weight range will vary until they remain consistent in weight. After reaching adulthood, most dogs tend to remain the same weight making it easy to determine the correct dosage. The medication is on the pricey side but not much more than other chewable and topical flea and tick medications of lesser efficacy. Also, you will need a prescription from a veterinarian in order to purchase it. While an excellent choice for prevention, some owners are not completely sold on the idea of oral medications presenting certain chemicals into their pet’s systems. Certain adverse side effects and even allergic reactions have been reported so it is necessary to consult with a veterinarian prior to beginning your dog on Trifexis, especially if your pet is on other medications. It is also recommended that all dogs already on or beginning the prevention receive a heartworm test at least once yearly to ensure they are free from heartworms and will not experience damage caused if positive for the disease. Pros and Cons of TRIFEXIS Chewable Tablet for Dogs
#1 Best Overall: TRIFEXIS Chewable Tablet for Dogs
Trifexis Chewable Tablet for Dogs •Chewable tablet for preventing flea & tick infestation in dogs •Also works on heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms •Comes in 5 different dosages depending on weight Check Chewy 2. The Top Flea and Tick Prevention Collar For Dogs: Hartz UltraGuard ProMax Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & PuppiesWhen it comes to the best flea and tick medicated collar for canines, our top choice is Hartz Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies. You simply put the collar on your dog and you’re good to go. No messy applications, no daily medicine. This patented collar is designed with your dog’s comfort in mind. It’s soft and flexible to the touch. It features two buckles for secure hold, yet it’s easy to apply and to remove. Its active ingredients, Deltamethrin and (S)-Methoprene, protect your dog from fleas and ticks for up to six months. And since they come in packs of two, your best friend will be free from these pests for a full year. Pros and Cons of Hartz UltraGuard ProMax Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies
Best Flea & Tick for Dogs & Puppies
Hartz Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies
Check Amazon 3. The Best Topical Flea And Tick Prevention For Dogs: Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot TreatmentIf you want the most effective topical flea and tick medicine for dogs A-Z Animals recommends Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs. Frontline Plus provides the most comprehensive flea and tick prevention among topical products in the marketplace today. With a decades-long track record of high performance and safety we have no problem recommending Frontless Plus. Frontline Plus is waterproof and lasts for a full 30 days. With two main active ingredients (fipronil and (S)methoprene). Frontline Plus kills both adult fleas and ticks as well as eggs and larvae. The solution simply needs to be applied to your dog at the neck and along their back once every few weeks to be effective. The only issue with Frontline Plus is some dog owners may be sensitive to the smell after application. Also, though it claims to be waterproof, it’s possible that the efficacy will diminish if your pet is exposed immediately or regularly to water. If you have a dog that likes to swim often we recommend the chewable or collar options listed above. As a reminder: there are different products for the size of your dog.
Pros and Cons of Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment
The Best Topical Flea And Tick Prevention For Dogs
How to Choose the Best Flea and Tick PreventionNowadays there seems to be a daunting number of options for flea and tick medication, which may make choosing for the first time or switching products difficult. Some easy ways to narrow down the search include form of application, efficacy, cost, breed, and overall temperament of your dog. Form of ApplicationThe aforementioned brands give some insight as to the forms of flea and tick prevention: topical, chewable, and collars. The seemingly easiest form is as a chewable treat, a tasty treat to feed your dog occasionally and forget about in the meantime as it works from the inside out. However, some owners do not entirely love the idea of their pets ingesting chemicals for long term usage. Also, many dogs can be picky about the flavor and be unwilling to take the medication as a treat, posing an issue for owners having to force the chewable or hide it in various other foods. However, chewable forms of flea and tick medication are thought to be the most effective, as they will not wash off and can last longer than a month. Chewable medications may be expensive and do have to be given on a regular schedule, either on a monthly or every-several-months basis. It is important to consult a veterinarian when giving your dog any form of oral medication simultaneously with other medications. On the other hand, if chewable flea and tick prevention is not an option for your pet due to particular aversions or negative effects, topical medications are thought to be the second most effective form, as they are absorbed into your pet’s system to last longer and work better. Topicals can be more affordable than chewables and research has proven them to work well. On the downside, if your pet has longer fur it may be more difficult to apply without shaving a small patch of fur. Topical medication may also have an odor and is not necessarily ideal for getting on human skin. Flea collars, another popular option, are good for long-term usage without chemical ingestion or absorption into your pet’s bloodstream. They are highly effective and affordable with easy application to your pet’s neck. However, irritation around the collar may occur, especially if worn with another collar or if your pet is allergic to one or more ingredients in the collar. Again, fur length may also deter efficacy of a flea and tick collar. Lastly, effectiveness of the collar decreases over time worn, so it is necessary to still remain cautious when getting to the end of the collar’s dated period. Our Criteria for Choosing the Best Canine Flea and Tick PreventionAs a pet owner, I understand the need to choose the best products for my animals to ensure their overall health, well-being, and happiness. Adventuring outside is of utmost importance for me and my dog, so it is necessary that I keep him on flea and tick prevention to block potential discomfort or disease. Personally, I chose chewable medication for him based on his excitement for treats, long fur, and sensitive skin. When looking into products for this article, our choices depended on consumer reviews, complaints, veterinary advice, and research into ingredients. Ultimately, our top picks are ones we deem to be the safest, most reliable, effective, affordable, and practical. The Different Types of Flea And Tick Prevention: Pros and ConsThe answer to the best flea and tick product for your dog may vary based on your preference and your dog’s unique traits. Please consult the pros and cons list below before deciding which type of flea and tick prevention method is best for you. Chewable
Collar
Topical
Up Next…Now that you’ve covered the bases of preventing against fleas and ticks, you may want to check out some of our related articles for your canine pals!
About the Author Judie SigdelMy passion is writing about animals. I’ve published articles on pet parrots, birds, and small animal care and reviews about pet food and products. I have an ever-evolving aviary and menagerie that has included cockatiels, parakeets, conures, European starlings, a chukar partridge, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I’m also the author of Faith without Labels: a Guide to Eclectic Spirituality. The Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Dogs: Reviewed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)What is the most effective flea and tick treatment for dogs? TRIFEXIS Chewable Tablet for Dogs are easy to administer since they’re beef-flavored, chewable tablets that you give your dog just once a month.. Plus, they provide protection against heartworm infection and may provide protection against hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infection. Are flea and tick treatments safe for dogs? Flea and tick treatments are generally safe for dogs, though not every treatment is right for every dog. Your veterinarian will let you know which product is best for your pup based on a number of criterion, including whether it is on other medication. Can you get flea and tick medication without a vet prescription? Trifexis requires a prescription from a veterinarian. You do not need a prescription for the Hartz Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs & Puppies or for Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment. Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. What is the best chewable flea and tick medicine for dogs?Best Overall: NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs
NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs is our top pick because of its effective, fast-acting main ingredient, low-maintenance dosage, and chewable formula. Your pup will like NexGard as much as you do because each month he'll get his medicine as a tasty beef-flavored treat.
Are chewable flea and tick better than topical?A study published in Veterinary Parasitology seems to back up the veterinarians and flea product makers. The ninety-day study found that topicals were 88.4 percent effective, while oral treatments were 99.9 percent effective.
Do chewable flea and tick for dogs work?After ingestion, some oral flea, like Trifexis, preventatives begin to kill fleas in at little as 30 minutes and kill 100% of fleas within 24 hours. Fluralaner, afoxolaner, spinosad, milbemycin oxime, praziquantel, and sarolaner are among the many common ingredients found in oral flea and tick preventatives.
What is the best vet recommended flea and tick prevention for dogs?Simparica is a traditional veterinary-prescribed medicine for fleas and ticks. It is in the form of a chewable tablet that you can administer every month as it provides long-lasting protection from pest infestation. This product is effective in combating flea allergy dermatitis in pets.
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