3 TYPES OF FLEAS

Here are 3 types of flea and tick medications compared so you can make a decision. With all of the different flea and tick medications out there, from topical and collars to flea pills, choosing can be a bit overwhelming. 

FLEA PILLS FOR DOGS

Flea pills for dogs typically guarantee the most success in fighting off parasites, but there are a few points to consider when choosing this treatment. Some orally administered drugs will require a prescription from your vet and can come with side effects. And oral pills typically target either flea eggs or adult fleas, but not both, so you may have to pick up several drugs to eradicate the infestation. Currently, there are no oral medications that destroy ticks.

Popular Flea Pills for Dogs Include

Capstar Flea Killer

• Kills off flea infestations within 6 hours
• Minimum pet age: 4 weeks
• Administered daily, effective for 24 hours
• Sold over the counter
• Ingredients include: Nitenpyram

Comfortis

• Chewable, beef-flavored tablets
• Begins working within 30 minutes
• Kills fleas and flea eggs
• Administered monthly, prevents fleas for up to 30 days
• Ingredients include: Spinosad
• Minimum pet age: 14 weeks
• Prescription required

FLEA AND TICK DOG COLLARS

Flea and tick collars are most often used to prevent parasites from taking up residence on your pet. While preventative dog collars are most effective, some varieties of collars can also treat infestations by eliminating pests and their eggs via chemicals released into your dog’s skin. Look for the word “kill” on the package to ensure that the collar will treat an infestation, not just prevent it.

Flea and tick collars can last up to eight months and are ideal for treating tick problems. Because collars are fastened around the neck, they are more concentrated around the face and neck area, where ticks more often inhabit.

Popular Dog Collars that Eliminate Fleas and Ticks Include

Seresto 8 Month Flea and Tick Collar

• Eliminates fleas and ticks
• Available in small and large sizes
• Prevents and treats pests for up to 8 months
• Ingredients include: Flumethrin, Imidacloprid
• Minimum pet age: 7 weeks

TOPICAL FLEA AND TICK MEDICATION FOR DOGS

Topical flea and tick medication, like shampoos, powders, and spot-on treatments, eliminate fleas with varying degrees of success. Flea powders last up to one week, while shampoos kill fleas for about one day. Both only eliminate adult fleas and are best used when combined with pills or other treatment options.

Topical spot-on treatments are most effective, destroying adult fleas, larvae, and eggs and other parasites, and lasting about 30 days.

Popular Flea and Tick Topical Treatments for Dogs Include

Advantage II

• Eliminates flea infestations at all stages of the growth cycle
• Effective against lice, but does not kill off ticks
• Administered monthly, lasts up to 30 days
• The waterproof one hour after application
• Minimum pet age: 7 weeks
• Ingredients include: Pyriproxyfen

Frontline Plus

• Kills ticks, chewing lice, and fleas at all stages of growth
• Eliminates fleas in up to 12 hours
• Used monthly, effective for 30 days
• Waterproof
• Minimum pet age: 8 weeks
• Ingredients include: Fipronil, S-methoprene

K9 Advantix II

• Effective against ticks, lice, biting flies, mosquitoes, and fleas at all stages
• Begins working within 12 hours
• Applied monthly, lasting up to 30 days
• Minimum pet age: 7 weeks
• Ingredients include: Imidacloprid, Permethrin, Pyripoxyfen

Photo Credit: Brian Kilgore/Flickr