Best Flea and Tick Medicines for Dogs: Symptoms, Prevention & Reviews!
Does your dog have started itching a lot more than usual? Does your dog’s skin have problems like swollen, inflamed, and red skin? If yes, then there are high chances that your beloved pet is suffering from fleas and ticks infection. Don’t get worried; it’s pretty common in dogs to have these diseases. When your pup loves playing outdoors, it’s obvious to get these tick infections or flea-related diseases. It’s your duty to make sure that they’re protected from fleas and ticks. Unfortunately, if your dog is suffering from this, don’t panic! There are many Best Flea and Tick Medicines for Dogs available in the market.
If you feel that your dog has the above symptoms, it’s time to check whether your dog has ticks and flea problems or not. You have to act quickly because ticks may look small, but they can lay eggs in your dog’s fur, and in a few days, they can turn into a lot. They also make your dog scratch more than usual, and later this may develop into rashes. If not pay attention to these symptoms, later it can make your pet severely ill to conditions like Lyme disease and anemia.
In this blog, we’re going to tell you about some of the best flea and tick prevention products for dogs and how to prevent them. From pills and chews to ointments and shampoos, we’ve included the most effective options on the market today.
Table of Contents
5 Best Flea and Tick Meds for Dogs of the year!
With so many different options, it sometimes becomes overwhelming and confusing. Look at the below list and select the product as per your dog’s liking. After the list, we’ve also explained how to recognize whether your dog has flea and ticks and how to prevent it. So, let’s start with the list:
1. Frontline Plus Dog Flea and Tick Treatment
Key Features:
- Stops flea infestations
- Decimates adult fleas, ticks, flea eggs, and flea larvae
- Active ingredients: fipronil and (S)-methoprene
- Prevents all flea stages (eggs, larvae, pupae) from developing
- Exterminates ticks that may transmit diseases
- Provides waterproof effectiveness
- Once per month application that lasts for 30 days
Made with two effective ingredients, fipronil and (S)-methoprene, this is FRONTLINE Plus medicine. It will help you rid your pet of fleas and ticks and also prevent further infestations.
Two active ingredients kill both fleas and ticks, flea eggs, and larvae for 30 days per application. Also, after 24 hours, medicine becomes waterproof. Available for every size and weight of a dog, this is an effective flea and tick meds for dogs.
NOTE:
- Does not prevent mosquitos
- Should not be used around cats
2. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo
Key Features:
- Sensitive skin formula
- Pleasant, fresh scent
- It contains aloe, lanolin, coconut extract, and oatmeal
- Contains an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR)
- Prevent flea development for up to 28 days
Keep your dog clean and happy with the Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo. This cleaning shampoo has a sensitive skin formula that contains deep conditioners to remove loose dandruff, dirt, and scales. It not only cleans your dog but also kills all the fleas and ticks.
It has ingredients like oatmeal, coconut extract, lanolin, and aloe, which are gentle on your pup’s skin. And this shampoo smells really good! This product contains an insect growth regulator (IGR), which effectively kills and prevents flea development for up to 28 days. Pretty awesome, right?
NOTE:
Only use Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo on dog’s ages above 12 weeks. The product has pyrethrin, which can be harmful to cats. Don’t forget to store it in a cool area.
3. Capstar Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs and Cats
Key Features:
- Fast-acting flea treatment
- Administered as an oral tablet
- Active ingredient: nitenpyram
- Kills 90% of fleas in 4 hours
- Works for both dogs and cats
Are you looking for one-time flea treatment for your beloved dog? If yes, then buy the Capstar Oral Flea Treatment. It is a one-time use flea pill to end an existing infestation.
This tablet starts working in just 30 minutes! Also, you don’t need a prescription from a vet to give this oral tablet to your pet. The best thing is that this medicine is suitable for all dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens 2 pounds of body weight or greater over four weeks of age.
Dosing
- Cats and dogs from 2 to 25 pounds: 11.4 mg
- Dogs from 25.1 – 125 pounds: 57 mg
NOTE:
It will kill an existing infestation of fleas; however, it does not provide ongoing protection after 24 hours.
4. Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Pet & Home Spray
Key Features:
- Made With Plant-Based Ingredients
- Use Indoors or Outdoors
- Proven Effective Formulas
- Use Directly on Dogs
- Non-Staining Formulas
Don’t want to use chemical-based products on your pet? Try this natural plant-based spray! It is a certified product that has natural peppermint and clove essential oils. It will kill fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs, ticks, and even mosquitoes.
Whenever your dog is going to play outside, all you need to do is spray this product on them. Don’t forget their armpits and in between their toes, as these two places are hiding spots of parasites. This flea medication for dogs has a non-staining formula which means you can use it indoors and out.
5. K9 Advantix II Flea and Tick Prevention for Small Dogs
Key Features:
- No Biting Required
- Once a Month Application
- Easy to apply
- Has Effective Ingredients
- Year around care
Some dogs don’t like oral pills, and it is pretty difficult to give them any type of medication. If this happens with your dog, it’s time to buy K9 Advantix II Flea and Tick. It is veterinarian-recommended dog flea and tick prevention medicine that is completely safe for small dogs and puppies.
This medication starts working to kill fleas within 12 hours and kills all the fleas and ticks. It works for 30 days and becomes waterproof after 24 hours.
NOTE:
Don’t apply K9 Advantix II on dogs weighing less than 4 lbs. Also, this is not made for cats, so never apply this to your kittens.
Signs That Your Dog Has Fleas or Ticks
How to recognize whether your puppy has a flea and tick problem or not? Here are some of the symptoms:
For Ticks:
Check your dog’s coat and skin, if you notice any small, hard bumps, the chances are that will be a tick. Also, if your dog has been itching again and again and biting at a particular spot. Other than these signs like skin irritation, lethargy, loss of appetite, and fever are some of the common symptoms of Tick infection.
For Fleas:
Similar to the tick problem, fleas also cause extreme itching. If you notice “flea dirt” (a dark residue left by fleas) on your dog’s coat, there are high chances that your dog has a flea infection.
How To Protect Your Dogs From Fleas and Ticks?
In addition to selecting a good flea medicine, you should also follow some things to prevent your dog from getting fleas and ticks. Here are some ways:
- Make sure to wash your dog’s bed on a regular basis.
- Also, clean or vacuum your rugs and carpets once a week.
- You should always regularly inspect your dog. If that’s not possible, do it whenever your dog has been outside. Fleas and ticks like to inhabit these areas.
- Always clean your dog, whenever he goes hiking or walking through tall grasses or small shrubs.
- Brush your dog’s coat at least once a week.
- Keep your outdoor areas, yard, and patio clean and well maintained. If there is overgrown grass, cut or trimmed it down.
- If possible, put something like mulch at the perimeter of your yard. This will reduce the chances of fleas coming into your yard.
NOTE:
If you particularly live in an area where fleas and ticks are pretty common, it’s better to consult a vet. They’ll give your dog proper medication and the best dog flea treatment, and he’ll remain fleas and tick-free.
There are so many different types of medicine, and each medicine is slightly different. Some may work on your pet; some may not! So make the decision wisely. Consider your dog’s size, weight, age, and breed while buying the medicine.
Another thing that you have to keep in mind is in which form your dog will take the meds. Some dogs are really picky, and as soon as they smell the medicine, they refuse to take it. For this situation, you have to disguise it either in their food or treats.
Keep Your Pup Healthy & Happy!
To be on the safer side, it is always best to consult your vet before making the final decision. They’ll guide you to pick the Best Flea and Tick Medicines for Dogs.
So this is all about the Best Flea and Tick Medicines for Dogs. I hope you find this blog helpful. Please share it with your friends and family who are also facing any pet health-related problems.
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