7 Most Effective Flea Medicines for Dogs in 2022

Does your dog always seem to be itching? One possible explanation is there are fleas or ticks’ infestation. Aside from being a health risk, these insects may be highly irritating to your pet.

This guide will cover the top flea and tick treatments for canines in 2022. We’ll also cover how to take these medications and what to look for while shopping for them. This article will help you keep your dog healthy and parasite-free.

Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Treatment 5 to 22 lbs (Best Quality)

Due to its fast-acting active component, low-maintenance dose, and chewable form, Frontline Plus Soft Chew is our top choice. Because you will give Frontline Plus monthly application and it tastes like beef, your dog will look forward to his dose as much as you do.

It kills some tick species like Lone Star, American dog, black-legged, and brown dog types before they can lay eggs. This is because the key ingredient, afoxolaner, gets into the bloodstream when it is taken by mouth.

Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Dogs (Small Dog, 5-22 Pounds, 3 Doses)

The Food and Drug Administration has also cleared Frontline Plus for use in Lyme disease prevention. These chews are harmless around children and other animals, and your dog may get wet just after eating them. Frontline Plus Soft Chews are safe for pups as young as eight weeks old, provided they weigh at least four pounds.

Pros

  • A chewable, oral form
  • Safe for humans, other animals, and children
  • Fight fleas on dogs effectively
  • The recommended option for sensitive skin

Cons

  • This item requires a doctor’s prescription,
  • Pricey. Even though it costs a lot, this product is our top pick because the formula is safe to use at home and easy to give.

Advantus (Imidacloprid) 30-Count Chewable Tablets (Most Practical)

An oral chew is an excellent solution for dogs with thick or long coats (like collies and Shih Tzus), where topical applications might be difficult to apply properly. For up to 12 weeks, each Bravecto chew (available by prescription only) protects against flea bites and tick infestation. Best of all, it begins killing fleas within two hours.

All four kinds of ticks—black-legged, American dog, brown dog, and Lone Star—are kept under control. However, you may need to give your pet a chew every eight weeks if Lone Star ticks are a problem in your area.

Advantus (Imidacloprid) 30-Count Chewable Flea Treatment for Large Dogs between 23-110 Pounds, 37.5mg

However, your dog will still need to be bitten by a parasite before the chewing will be effective. This item is also available only with a doctor’s prescription. Talk to your vet about vaccinating your dog against Lyme disease if it is common where you live.

Pros

  • A chewable, oral form
  • Provides coverage for up to 12 weeks
  • It reduces flea populations rapidly.

Cons

  • It doesn’t work with ticks on contact
  • It’s not a favorite among picky canines.

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo (Most Effective for Infestations)

Adams has a dog shampoo that cleans your dog thoroughly and eliminates fleas and ticks. You and your dog’s skin will appreciate the soothing ingredients like aloe, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal in the shampoo’s recipe. You just need a small amount, so the bottle should last for quite some time.

Shampoos with insect growth regulators (IGRs) are advertised as effective against Seresto flea for up to 28 days. However, the shampoo is “good for current infestation but will not be an effective preventative,” says Dr. Melissa Hall, a Dutch veterinary specialist and board-certified veterinary dermatologist.

Therefore, it is recommended to be used in conjunction with another treatment, or else it will need to be applied frequently.

Pros

  • A gentle, hydrating formula
  • Positively enticing aroma
  • As of right now, it’s effective against active infestations.
  • No skin irritation found in dogs
  • Great as prevention products

Cons

  • Pyrethrin, included in the shampoo, is potentially hazardous to cats.

Read also: 8 Best Dog Shampoos for Optimal Hygiene

Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray (Best Topical Solution)

Wondercide spray’s major active components are lemongrass and cedarwood oil, both of which naturally repels a wide range of insect pests.

You may use this flea spray on your dog or spray it around the house to eliminate fleas and deer ticks on the furniture and carpet. It comes in different scents, but the peppermint one is not a good choice because it contains essential oils that are harmful to dogs and cats.

Parasites love to hide in warm, dark places, like your dog’s armpits and between its toes, so ensure you hit both of these areas well while spraying. You may need to reapply the product to your pet often because it is unknown if it works even after it has worn off.

Pros

  • Formula based primarily on plants
  • Not to be used around pets or in the home.
  • It has a pleasant aroma.

Cons

  • Not all animals feel comfortable with a spray nozzle.
  • The peppermint-flavored variety is not recommended.

Sentry Fiproguard Plus (Best for Small Breeds)

A flea and tick preventative treatment, even a topical one, will not need to be applied to the same extent to a tiny dog. Dogs weighing between 4 and 22 pounds may use this Sentry model.

It kills fleas, flea larvae and eggs, and ticks on contact.

Cut the tube opening with scissors. Then, you should apply it to the dog’s back once a month. Your dog cannot remove it by licking, and it is okay for your dog to get wet after a few days.

Pros

  • Interrupts the flea life cycle
  • After drying, it is watertight.
  • It costs less than alternatives.

Cons

  • Not safe for cats
  • It does not produce results as quickly as other products.

Frontline Plus Flea & Tick 45 to 88 lbs (Best for Big Dog Breeds)

The fipronil in this topical flea and tick treatment eliminates the pests themselves, while the (S)-methoprene eliminates the flea eggs and larvae.

In only 30 seconds, you may snap open the tube and apply the mixture to your dog’s shoulder, back, and body, where it will be absorbed into the oil glands and remain effective for the next 30 days.

After the first 48 hours, your dog should be dry, and it’s safe for use around kids and other pets. Many veterinarians endorse Frontline, which has been on the market for almost two decades. Dogs weighing 45 to 88 pounds will benefit from the huge size.

Pros

  • They are waterproof after 24 hours.
  • Kills fleas at every stage of development.
  • Openable tubes with snap closures

Cons

  • It leaves a greasy mark on the dog’s hair.
  • It does not produce results as quickly as alternative therapies.
  • Not safe for cats.

Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea and Tick Prevention (Safest for Puppies)

Not all flea and tick medications are suitable for pups, so it’s vital to check with your doctor first before buying one. The small dog formulation of K9 Advantix is designed for dogs weighing 4 to 10 pounds, so it may be administered safely to puppies as early as seven weeks old.

The therapy employs a trifecta of substances—an adulticidal flea chemical, a repellent, and an insect growth regulator—to eliminate the pest problem from its earliest stages through its last phases.

Your dog doesn’t have to be bit by fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes for the topical to be effective; it works for 30 days and kills on contact. Twelve hours after application, it begins destroying fleas. Do not use this on cats, as it may cause allergic reactions.

Pros

  • Safe for pups of all ages.
  • Upon contact, insects die instantly.
  • The optimal effect starts in 12 hours.

Cons

  • Doesn’t always last all four weeks.
  • Not safe for cats.

What To Look For When Buying Flea Medicine For Dogs?

Oral vs. Topical

Topical treatments, flea pills, shampoos, collars, and flea combs are a few of the many options available for warding off fleas and ticks.

Oral medications are better if your dog regularly gets wet, which may eliminate topical treatments, but they are typically costlier than topicals. Topical formulae are liquids applied to the back of your dog’s neck. Most shampoos need reapplication many times a month.

Even though the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) still says, it’s okay to use. However, we do not recommend using it with flea and tick collars right now because there have been reports of health problems related to their use.

Safe Ingredients

Insecticides are a common ingredient in flea and tick treatments because they are effective against insects. Researching the active compounds in a flea/tick prevention solution is vital for determining what insects it kills, whether it is safe to use around children and other animals, and if it may create adverse reactions in your pet. When in doubt about what components will be safest for your dog, consult with your doctor.

Dr. Hall says his favorite class of active ingredients for flea prevention is the isoxazolines, which may be found in products like Credelio® and NexGard® and NexGard® Tri, as well as Bravecto® and Sarolaner in Simparica® and Simparica Tri®.

Effectiveness

The duration of protection against fleas and ticks varies depending on the product. While some may last for months without requiring reapplication, some need weekly or more frequent applications, especially for Rocky Mountain disease on your dog.

This will determine how frequently you need to apply the treatment and how much money you’ll spend on flea and tick treatments annually.

FAQ

How can you know if your dog is infested with fleas?

A few unmistakable symptoms indicate your dog may be infested with fleas. When a dog starts scratching more than normal, especially in the flank or the area just above the tail, it’s a good idea to look for these tiny insects in its fur. If you divide your pet’s fur, you’ll often find “flea dirt,” which appears like small black specks or even black beetles that may jump away.

How to keep my dog free from fleas?

In addition to using a flea and tick prevention product, there are several measures you can take to protect your dog from fleas. For example, if you keep your grass mowed short and restrict your dog from playing in places where fleas could be hiding, you can reduce the likelihood of flea infestations.

Fleas love to reside in shady outdoor areas with sand, leaves, or other waste. Diatomaceous earth may also be used to kill adult fleas at home.

Can flea medicine be used in puppies?

Flea treatment is safest and most effective when given to pups after they have been weaned, usually between 7 to 8 weeks of age. Make sure the flea medications you use are safe for your puppy by checking the label’s age range. Your veterinarian may also suggest a course of therapy that is ideal for your puppy.

Read also: 7 Best Dewormer for Puppies and Adults

Final Thoughts

The Frontline Plus is our top selection since it kills fleas effectively and tastes as good as your dog’s favorite treat.

However, use Adams Plus Flea Shampoos if you think your dog has a flea infestation. It is a topical treatment you can use with flea collars to prevent infestation (you have to apply it often). 

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