Medications to Treat Ticks and Fleas in Dogs

Dog ticks and fleas are annoying pests that pet owners have to deal with. Fortunately, there are products to prevent or treat ticks and fleas in dogs.

The best way to choose the correct medication for ticks and fleas in dogs is to get the advice of your veterinarian. Your pet’s risk of disease is based on your pets lifestyle, the region in which you live and your pets’ overall health. These factors will influence your veterinarian’s prescription for ticks and fleas medication.

The very best and safest products on the market to treat or prevent ticks and fleas in dogs are prescription products that are only available from your veterinarian or by prescription from your veterinarian. Below we will discuss some features to consider in the different medications that treat ticks and fleas in dogs.

Features to Consider in Medications that Treat Ticks and Fleas in Dogs

• DVM approved or recommended
• Size/dosage
• Effect (do you want more than one effect e.g. fleas/ticks/heartworms)
• Presentation: liquid, shampoo, dip, collars, spot-on, tablets, oral solutions
• Safety
• Efficacy
• Ingredients
• Cost
• Guarantee
• Waterproof
• Frequency of administration

Desirable Features in Medications that Treat Ticks and Fleas in Dogs

The ideal medication to treat ticks and fleas in dogs is products that are easy to give or apply, safe, effective, and available at a reasonable cost. Ticks and fleas medications should be the proper size/dosage for your dog. The medication should cover the problem you are trying to prevent. You may choose a product that does more than one thing e.g. one that prevents ticks, fleas and heartworms. You may also want to consider what type of dog tick and flea medication product is easiest to give e.g. is a pill or topical easier for your dog? Indicate your preference to your veterinarian and they will help you select the best, safest, and most effective product in the presentation style you prefer. It should also come with a guarantee providing the product is given based on veterinarian or manufacturer recommendations. Monthly dosing is the common frequency of most ticks and fleas products for dogs.

Ideal Choice Medications that Treat Ticks and Fleas in Dogs

Choose medications to control ticks and fleas specifically recommended for your dog. Make sure the product is the correct size for the weight of your dog. Some of the top products on the market include:

Flea Control Medications

• Program® – Prevents dog flea infestation by preventing development of the flea eggs. Available in monthly pill and liquid forms for cats and in tablet formulation for dogs. It is often used with Capstar® that kills adult fleas when there is an active infestation.
• Capstar® – Kills adult dog fleas – starts killing adult fleas within 30 minutes). Pill formulation. It is often used with Program® to help prevent fleas and prevent eggs from hatching.
• Advantage® (Prevents and kills dog fleas. Liquid formulation that is applied topically on monthly basis).

Medications to Control Fleas and Ticks

• K9Advantix® – Prevents and kills fleas and ticks on your dog. Topical liquid that is used once monthly. Waterproof.
• Frontline Top Spot® – Prevents and kills fleas and ticks. Topical liquid that is used once monthly.
• Frontline Plus® – Prevents and kills fleas and ticks. Topical liquid that is used once monthly. Waterproof.
• Promeris Duo® – Kills fleas and ticks. Monthly topical liquid.

Medications to Control Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes

• K9Advantix® – Prevents and kills fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Topical liquid that is used once monthly. Waterproof.

Medications to Control Fleas, Ticks and Heartworms

• Revolution® – Prevents heartworm disease, kills fleas and controls ear mites and deer ticks. Formulation is a topical liquid used monthly.

Medications to Control Fleas and Heartworms

• Sentinel® – Prevents heartworm disease, prevents flea infestations and kills roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Available in tablet form given monthly.

Safety Tips for Using Medications that Treat Ticks and Fleas in Dogs

Always read label instructions on any dog flea and tick medication before administering to your pet.

Review age and weight of your pet before application or dosage of any dog flea and tick medication.

Give all dog flea and tick medication medications as directed, for example if your veterinarian recommends year round treatment, follow their instructions.

Dog flea and tick medication products labeled for another animal types should not be given to another pet (NEVER give your cat products labeled for your dog).

We hope this help you select the best flea and tick medication for your dog.