Exploring 6 Most Popular Flea and Tick Treatments for Canines

Fleas and ticks are all over the place and look for a host like your dog’s coat to thrive.

Therefore, protecting your four-legged companion against these parasites is of utmost importance and the best way to ensure this is by using an appropriate flea and tick treatment. In this blog, we’ll enlist some of the effective flea and tick treatments with their specifications so that you can choose the most suitable treatment for your dog.

6 Best Dog Flea and Tick Treatments

Let’s look at the 6 most effective flea & tick treatments that you can consider to keep your pooch free from these parasites. 

Broad Spectrum:

Simparica Trio is a broad-spectrum chewable oral dog treatment that protects against multiple parasites. Along with fleas and five tick species, it protects against roundworms, hookworms, and heartworm disease. Moreover, it also helps prevent Lyme disease in dogs which is transmitted by Deer ticks.

Formulated with three active ingredients (sarolaner, moxidectin, pyrantel), Simparica Trio comes in a tasty flavor that makes it easy to administer and is safe to use on puppies from 8 weeks of age.

Flavored Chew:

Bravecto Chews is a highly palatable, long-lasting treatment that protects against fleas and various ticks for up to 12 weeks. Fluralaner, it’s powerful and active, kills adult fleas, and controls and treats tick infestations. Unlike monthly treatments that require frequent dosing, a single dose of Bravecto Chews works for 3 months and requires fewer doses a year. It is suitable for puppies and dogs from 6 months of age, weighing 4.4 lbs or more.

Effective Topical:

Frontline Plus is a trusted topical formula that protects puppies and dogs against flea and tick infestations for a month. This easy-to-use spot-on formula kills adult fleas and ticks as well as disrupts the flea life cycle by eliminating flea eggs and larvae.

Composed of two active ingredients fipronil and s-methoprene, Frontline Plus is a powerful waterproof topical remedy and is a purrfect choice for your dog’s protection against fleas and ticks, especially for fussy 8 weeks and older puppies and dogs who do not accept oral treatments.

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Gentle Shampoo:

Karbawash Dog Shampoo is a wettable powder shampoo formulation as a dip that provides effective flea and tick control. It is formulated using moderate carbaryl, an effective pesticide that combats flea and tick infestations. 

Best Collar:

Seresto Collar is one of the most popular and effective collars for flea and tick protection. It not only kills fleas and ticks but also repels them and kills adult fleas before they lay eggs. This odorless and convenient collar kills chewing lice too and prevents re-infestations. 

Seresto Collar is water-resistant and works for up to 8 months. It is ideal for 7 weeks and older dogs that refuse to take oral or topical treatment.

Puppy Friendly:

Revolution is widely preferred by vets and pet parents when it comes to puppy-safe treatments and is safe for puppies from 6 weeks of age.  This topical treatment effectively kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. Along with fleas and ticks, Revolution protects dogs against heartworm disease, ear mites, and sarcoptic mange.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Flea & Tick Control

Q1. What to look for in a flea and tick treatment for dogs?

Ans. While choosing a flea and tick treatment, you should look for your dog’s age, breed, weight, mode of administration, and parasite coverage. Consider your dog’s medical history too and sensitivity to a particular treatment or chemical, if there are any. All these considerations play an important role in choosing the right flea and tick treatment for your dog.

Q2. What is the most effective flea treatment for dogs?

Ans. There is no such thing as more or less effective. A lot of products are available in the market that work effectively against fleas. You should choose the one that suits your dog the most. Frontline Plus, Seresto Collar, Simparica Trio, etc. are a few of the popular and effective products that you can go for after consulting with your vet.

Q3. What is the safest flea and tick treatment for dogs?

Ans. The flea and tick treatments mentioned in this article are all safe for use on dogs. If you choose to explore more, always read the product label and consult the vet before administering any treatment to your dog.

Q4. Can I get a flea and tick treatment without a vet’s prescription?

Ans. It depends on the type of treatment that you are opting for. Certain treatments require a vet prescription while over-the-counter medicines can be directly purchased from the pharmacy. No matter what you choose, you should always consult the vet before treating your pet.

Q5. How can I tell if my dog has fleas?

Ans. If you notice your dog constantly scratching, biting, and having small red bites or flea dirt on their skin/coat, they might have caught a flea infestation.

Final Words

Fleas and ticks can cause a host of health problems and therefore, treating them with an effective treatment is extremely essential. Fret not, all the above-mentioned treatments are vet-recommended and popular among pet parents. In addition to these treatments, make sure to check your dog regularly for fleas and ticks and follow preventive measures recommended by your vet for complete parasitic control.