The 5 best flea and tick medicine for dogs in 2021

This article was medically reviewed past Karie Johnson, DVM, veterinarian and co-founder of VIP Vet Visit, a mobile vet service in the s suburbs of Chicago.

Best flea and tick prevention for dogs in 2021: a dog scratching

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  • These are the best flea and tick prevention for dogs in 2021
  • The best topical flea preventive overall
  • The all-time OTC topical flea preventive
  • The best oral flea control product
  • The best flea control product for young puppies
  • The best flea collar
  • What else we considered
  • How we selected products
  • Types of flea control products
  • Can a flea collar harm your domestic dog?
  • What you should know about fleas in dogs
  • What to consider when purchasing flea control products
  • Our sources

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In that location are many safety and effective flea control products for dogs, either bachelor with a veterinarian's prescription or sold over the counter. Many products impale and foreclose other parasites, too, including ticks, heartworms, intestinal parasites, mites, and biting flies.

Choosing a safe and effective flea and tick medicine for dogs can be complicated. At that place are many products available and they're all a little different. My groundwork taught me a lot nearly parasite prevention and the diverse flea command products bachelor today. I spent eight years working every bit a veterinarian assistant in creature hospitals followed by 2 more decades every bit an editor for magazines in the pet and veterinary fields. Over the years, I've treated countless dogs for fleas, including my ain dogs.

For this guide, I used the quick product reference guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council to enquiry products. I selected products based on safety, the number of parasites targeted, products' ease of use, and the minimum age the production tin can exist used. Jump to the end of this guide to read more about our selection criteria. For additional guidance near treating and preventing fleas on dogs, I consulted with two veterinarians.

Earlier choosing a flea preventive for your dog, talk to your veterinarian who can advise you on what type of production might be best depending on your domestic dog's temperament and lifestyle, and what parasites are most prevalent in your location. Learn more virtually how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

These are the best flea and tick prevention for dogs in 2021

Best topical flea preventive overall : Advantage Multi for Dogs, $115.99 at Chewy
With merely one piece of cake monthly application, Advantage Multi for Dogs treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other topical product.

Best OTC topical flea preventive for dogs : Frontline Plus for Dogs, $67.99 at Chewy
Available without a prescription, Frontline Plus for Dogs kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice on contact.

Best oral flea control product for dogs: Simparica TRIO, $153.45 at Chewy
Simparica TRIO treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other oral product, offering a full calendar month of protection with one easy-to-give flavored pill.

Best flea control product for young puppies: Capstar for Dogs, $36.99 at Chewy
Capstar for Dogs is safe for puppies equally young as 4 weeks old and starts killing fleas within thirty minutes.

Best flea collar for dogs: Seresto Flea and Tick Neckband for Dogs, $59.98 at Petco
The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs offers eight months of protection against fleas and ticks in all life stages.

The all-time topical flea preventive overall

Chewy

With just one easy monthly application, Advantage Multi for Dogs treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other topical product.

Pros: Kills and prevents six types of parasites including heartworm, once-monthly treatment, easy to administer, rubber for utilise in puppies 7 weeks and older and weighing at least 3 pounds

Cons: Does not impale ticks, not labeled for employ in puppies younger than 7 weeks or breeding, significant, or nursing dogs

No preventive covers every single parasite that could harm your dog, but Reward Multi for Dogs comes close. Reward Multi is a topical spot-on product that contains the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin to prevent flea infestations by killing developed fleas before they tin lay eggs. It likewise prevents heartworm, mange mites, and three intestinal parasites: roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. As with all medications that prevent heartworm, your dog needs a heartworm test prior starting Advantage Multi and annually thereafter.

Advantage Multi is easy to use: Just apply every 30 days to the dog's skin at the base of operations of the neck between the shoulder blades. The liquid medication is absorbed and dries inside hours. Unlike with some of the other topical preventives, you do non need to wear gloves to utilize Advantage Multi. If you go the production on your easily, only launder with lather and water. For the first xxx minutes afterwards application, go on dogs from licking the awarding site, either on themselves or other treated dogs in the firm. Children should non bear upon the awarding site for two hours after awarding.

Advantage Multi does not forestall ticks. If ticks are a business and you wish to use a topical, consider another product like Frontline Plus for Dogs, Bravecto Topical for Dogs, or K9 Advantix II.

The best OTC topical flea preventive

Chewy

Available without a prescription, Frontline Plus for Dogs kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice on contact.

Pros: Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, all life stages of ticks and chewing lice for ane month; safety for utilize in dogs and puppies at to the lowest degree 8 weeks of age that weigh at least 5 pounds; safe for use in breeding, pregnant and nursing dogs; fleas don't have to bite for information technology to work

Cons: Not recommended for puppies younger than 8 weeks of historic period; does non prevent any parasites other than fleas, ticks, and chewing lice

Frontline Plus is our meridian nonprescription recommendation because it kills ticks and fleas, controls flea infestations, and kills chewing lice, all with one easy application. When used primarily for flea control, each dose of Frontline Plus lasts upward to 3 months. If ticks or biting lice are a business organization, apply information technology monthly.

Frontline Plus been used and trusted by pet owners for more than than two decades. Parasites die on contact — they do not have to seize with teeth your domestic dog for Frontline Plus to work. Its active ingredients, fipronil and S-methoprene, work together to impale parasites and break the flea life cycle. Fipronil kills adult fleas and ticks. South-methoprene prevents flea eggs, larvae, and pupae from developing. Completely breaking the flea life cycle can sometimes take upwards to a month of consequent use, especially if your dog is heavily infested, because flea eggs can be in your dwelling house but not on your dog.

Frontline Plus is easy to use. Squeeze the entire contents of the tube onto 1 spot to your dog'due south skin between the shoulder blades. The liquid medication spreads across your dog's skin, and so is stored in the oil glands. Information technology distributes itself continuously via the pilus follicles.

The best oral flea control production

Chewy

Simparica TRIO treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than whatever other oral production, offering a total month of protection with one easy-to-give flavored pill.

Pros: Protects against more than parasites than any other oral production, once-monthly treatment, safe for dogs and puppies eight weeks of age and older weighing at least 2.viii pounds, piece of cake to administrate alone or in food

Cons: Not labeled for use in puppies younger than 8 weeks or breeding, meaning, or nursing dogs

Our pick for best oral flea control product for dogs is Simparica TRIO, a chewable tablet that is fast-acting and kills more parasites than whatever other oral production. Simparica TRIO starts to work within four hours and kills 100% of adult fleas on dogs within viii hours.

Choosing between an oral or topical flea control product is tough for some dog owners. There are pros and cons to each blazon of production. In some cases, an oral preventive is a better choice. For case, some dogs with sensitive skin can't tolerate a spot-on.

"Oral products take the do good of wide coverage to reach every spot of skin without the chance of the product being washed off," Crumley said. "Rarely, a pet will have mild abdominal upset with any oral production. If that occurs then that pet will do better with ane of the system-captivated topical choices."

The liver-flavored flavored chewable tablets can exist given with or without food once a month. In addition to providing a total month of protection against the near parasites of whatsoever other oral product, Simparica TRIO is also labeled for use in some of the youngest and smallest puppies and dogs.

Simparica TRIO contains three ingredients: sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel. It requires a prescription from your veterinary, as well equally a current negative heartworm test. Simparica TRIO should be used with circumspection in dogs with a history of neurologic disorders such as seizures.

The best flea control product for immature puppies

Chewy

Capstar for Dogs is safe for puppies as young as 4 weeks old and starts killing fleas within 30 minutes.

Pros: Safe for puppies 4 weeks of historic period and older weighing at least 2 pounds, safe for pregnant and nursing dogs, fast-interim handling starts killing adult fleas within 30 minutes, easy to administrate lone or in nutrient, can be used with other flea control products, available without a prescription

Cons: Does not offering long-term protection, does not kill flea larvae or flea eggs, does not prevent any parasites other than fleas

Available without a prescription, Capstar for Dogs is the only flea command product condom for puppies equally young as four weeks and weighing at least two pounds. With other topical and oral flea control product, puppies must be at least 8 weeks old and sometimes older.

Fleas should be eliminated as apace as possible for heavily infested dogs, peculiarly young puppies. The active ingredient in Capstar, nitenpyram, works within 30 minutes and kills greater than 90% of adult fleas on dogs in as niggling as four hours.

Capstar's protection against fleas lasts only 24 hours, but it is rubber to give daily if necessary. This is helpful for immature puppies that might non be old enough to use an oral or spot-on production that offers long-term protection. Owners should follow up with a flea command product that offers a calendar month or more than of protection in one case the puppy is erstwhile enough.

The best flea collar

Chewy

The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs offers eight months of protection against fleas and ticks in all life stages.

A March 2021 investigation past USA Today reported 1,700 animal deaths and other adverse reactions linked to Seresto flea collars. It'southward unknown if the EPA-canonical pesticides used in the collar caused these incidents and this story is all the same developing. Read "Can a flea collar harm your dog?" for more details. Always speak to your veterinary if you have concerns before using a product and merely purchase Seresto collars from authorized retailers.

Pros: 8 months of continuous protection against adult fleas, flea larvae, four species of ticks, chewing lice, and mange mites; lightweight and easy to wear; adjustable for dogs of all sizes; parasites don't have to bite for it to work; prophylactic for puppies 7 weeks of age and older

Cons: Not recommended for puppies younger than 7 weeks of age, children should not play with the collar, adjusting size can be tricky

Flea collars were once prevailing options for flea control, just almost traditional flea collars don't offer the aforementioned level of protection every bit topical and oral preventives. One noteworthy flea collar is the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs, which uses sustained-release technology to provide eight months of continuous protection against adult fleas, flea larvae, four species of ticks, chewing lice, and mange mites.

In full general, topical spot-on preventives and oral preventives are the easiest and most constructive class of flea control for dogs, simply the Seresto collar might be a good option in sure situations.

Lay said that traditional flea and tick collars are generally not very constructive, and she has even seen allergic reactions and other problems with some of them. However, she has found the Seresto collar to be both safe and constructive.

"I personally used a Seresto collar with my domestic dog for years when we lived in Chattanooga—hiking in the mountains and camping ground amongst the ticks," Dr. Lay said. "I often recommend information technology to clients who have pets that don't tolerate topical or oral flea/tick preventives."

The collar is nongreasy, odor-free, lightweight, and adjustable for dogs of all sizes. It can be worn aslope your dog'south regular collar and has a two-stride safe organization to ensure your domestic dog will not be harmed if the collar gets caught on something.

The Seresto Flea and Tick Neckband for Dogs contains imidacloprid and flumethrin, which are released in low concentrations over your dog's skin and coat to kill fleas and ticks on contact — parasites do not demand to bite your canis familiaris for the neckband to piece of work. It kills 100% of fleas inside 24 hours of placing the collar on your domestic dog. The collar is water-resistant and can stay on the dog even during pond or bathing.

What else we considered

Bravecto; k9 advantix; nexgard; revolution; Insider
  • Bravecto Chews for Dogs ($59.49): Unlike most oral preventives, which must be given monthly, 1 dose of prescription-only Bravecto kills fleas for three months and ticks for upwards to two months. Bravetco doesn't impale any parasites other than fleas and ticks. It cannot be used in puppies younger than 6 months old and should exist used with caution in dogs with a history of neurologic disorders such as seizures.
  • Bravecto Topical for Dogs ($52.49): With ane awarding, this topical product kills fleas for iii months and ticks for up to two months. Bravetco doesn't kill whatever other parasites and cannot be used in puppies younger than 6 months sometime. Information technology requires a prescription from your veterinary and should exist used with circumspection in dogs with a history of neurologic disorders such every bit seizures.
  • Comfortis ($105.99): Comfortis is an oral product that kills developed fleas and prevents flea infestations for ane calendar month. Information technology doesn't kill whatsoever parasites other than fleas and cannot be used in puppies younger than 14 weeks old. Comfortis requires a prescription from your veterinarian.
  • Credelio ($21.99): Credelio is an oral product that kills adult fleas and ticks and forbid flea and tick infestations for one month. It doesn't kill whatsoever other parasites and requires a prescription from your veterinarian. Information technology should exist used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures.
  • K9 Advantix Two ($67.98): This is a topical spot-on product that repels and kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, mosquitoes, and lice for one calendar month. It as well repels bitter flies. We gave Frontline Plus for Dogs a slight edge over K9 Advantix II considering it is constructive against fleas, flea larvae, and flea eggs for up to iii months (though if ticks are an issue, monthly application is required). Additionally, you must seek the communication of a veterinarian before using K9 Advantix II for breeding, pregnant, and nursing dogs.
  • NexGard Chewables for Dogs ($62.99): NexGard is an oral product that kills adult fleas and ticks and prevents flea infestations for one month. It requires a prescription from your veterinarian and should exist used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures.
  • Revolution for Dogs ($127.72): Revolution is a monthly topical product that kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. Information technology too prevents heartworm, treats and controls ears mites, and kills American dog tick, simply it does non prevent any intestinal parasites, unlike Reward Multi for Dogs. However, Advantage Multi does not kill ticks. Revolution requires a prescription from your veterinarian and a electric current negative heartworm test.
  • Trifexis ($122.99):Trifexis is a monthly oral production that kills developed fleas, prevents flea infestations and heartworm, and treats and controls hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. We gave Simparica TRIO a slight edge over Trifexis considering it likewise kills ticks, mange mites, and chewing lice — though information technology does not kill whipworms. Trifexis requires a prescription from your veterinarian and a negative heartworm examination and should exist used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures.

How we selected products

We consulted with two veterinarians for advice regarding the treatment and prevention of fleas and other parasites in dogs. Although this information guided us in our production selection, our veterinary experts did non endorse any of the products included in this guide unless explicitly mentioned in direct quotes.

Nosotros also conducted inquiry using the quick product reference guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animate being Parasite Council. This helpful reference, which includes all FDA and EPA-approved parasite control products for small animals, lists each product'due south active ingredients, how the production is used, and which parasites it controls.

Here are the chief attributes nosotros looked for:

Safety and efficacy: But FDA- or EPA-approved products were considered for this guide.

Number of parasites treated: In general, the more parasites a preventive product covers, the higher it was rated. "Parasites cause peel disease merely past their presence and they carry diseases, too," said Crumley. "Pocket-sized puppies can actually go anemic from the amount of blood these parasites steal from their growing bodies."

The exceptions are Capstar, which is the but treatment available for puppies younger than vi weeks and our over-the-counter option, Frontline Plus, which treats fleas, ticks, and lice. Products that treat heartworm always require a prescription.

Ease of use: Products were rated lower if they were more complicated to use than a similar production. For instance, products ranked lower if the pet owner must wear gloves to apply the production or if children and pets need to exist kept away from the treated fauna for a specified amount of fourth dimension.

Minimum age and weight: When comparison similar products, higher ratings went to preventives that can exist used in younger animals (for instance, puppies vii weeks of age instead of 12 weeks of historic period).

Types of flea control products

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Here are the nearly common flea control products for dogs and how they work:

  • Topical preventives: Also chosen spot-on products, topical preventives are bang-up for killing fleas and preventing flea infestations. Every bit they dry out, they spread across the entire body or may be absorbed through the skin into the pet's system, leaving no remainder behind. They are usually applied to the pare in one spot on the back of the neck once a month, although a few last longer than 30 days. "Some dogs with sensitive pare may react to a topical product," Crumley said. "Dogs who swim frequently or are bathed frequently volition lose the benefit of the topical product that stays on the surface of the skin."
  • Oral flea control: Oral flea control products, or "flea pills," are given to your dog by mouth to kill fleas. Some oral flea control products impale fleas for upward to a month or longer; others must be given more frequently to proceed killing fleas, equally oftentimes as once a day.
  • Flea collars: These are worn around the neck, where they deliver flea preventive medication to your dog's pare and coat. Some flea collars evangelize preventive medication for a longer period than topical applications, making them a skillful choice for dog owners who don't desire to take to utilize something every month.
  • Flea shampoos: These kill fleas that are currently on your dog. Nosotros do not recommend flea shampoos in place of other preventives since topical spot-ons and oral products are easier to apply and more effective.
  • Flea spray: These are applied to the peel and coat. We practice not recommend flea sprays since topical spot-ons and oral products are easier to use and more effective.

Can a flea collar harm your dog?

The safety of flea and tick collars has been widely discussed recently, specifically the bestselling Seresto Flea and Tick neckband, which was developed by Bayer and is at present sold by Elanco Creature Health. On March 2, 2021, USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting published a report alleging that the Seresto neckband has been linked to thousands of adverse incidents, including pet deaths and impairment to humans.

In Apr 2021, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a legal petition urging the U.Southward. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cancel the registration of the Seresto flea and tick neckband. A week afterward, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) published an article addressing the controversy well-nigh the collar. According to the AVMA, Seresto's "manufacturer has dedicated the collars as safe and constructive, and veterinary experts say they have seen no crusade for alarm."

Elanco published a statement on its website in response, saying that the media coverage "misleading" and that the company stands by the product. "All data and scientific evaluation used during the product registration procedure and through Elanco's robust pharmacovigilance review supports the production's prophylactic profile and efficacy," the statement reads.

On July 12, the EPA announced that it is seeking public annotate on the petition from the CBD requesting that the EPA cancel the registration of Seresto. Public comments will exist collected for 60 days. "In addition, EPA is reviewing the additional information received by Elanco and Bayer and will apply it to evaluate if the continued registration of these pet collars still meets the legally required standard of no unreasonable adverse on the environment, taking into business relationship the economic, social, and ecology costs and benefits of the use of the pesticide," said Tim Carroll, deputy printing secretary for the EPA. "Upon completing the assay and assessment, EPA may accept further action, if needed."

What pet owners need to know

If you take questions about the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar or any other flea-command product, ask your veterinarian for communication. Regardless of what blazon of flea-command product y'all choose for your dog, the EPA recommends pet owners read the entire label before using the production, follow all directions carefully, and monitor pets after treatment.

There are as well reports of apocryphal Seresto collars on the market place, especially through online retailers. Petco and Petsmart, major suppliers of pet products, told Insider that they purchase Seresto collars directly from the manufacturer, Elanco. It's important to purchase from a reputable website, brick-and-mortar store with a guarantee program, or for the most assurance, directly from your veterinarian. Earlier placing a Seresto collar on your pet, we likewise recommend that pet owners telephone call Elanco product support (800-422-9874) to verify the authenticity of the production's serial number.

If you lot suspect that your pet is having an adverse reaction to a flea collar, immediately remove the collar and phone call your veterinarian. Carroll likewise advises pet owners to contact the National Pesticide Data Center, which is an EPA data-sharing partner with staff who are specially trained to respond to pesticide exposure incidents, too as to report adverse reactions from flea collars and topical treatments on the EPA'south website.

What y'all should know about fleas in dogs

If your dog has fleas, you want to get rid of them as apace as possible. Dogs tin pick up fleas anywhere, including your g, local parks, the groomer, veterinarian clinic, and boarding facilities, merely even dogs that spend a lot of time indoors tin can go fleas if they hitchhike indoors on your clothes or shoes. Dogs that hike, camp, and explore wilderness areas can choice up both fleas and ticks.

What are the health risks to your domestic dog?

Fleas are more than just a nuisance. These parasites tin pose a threat to your dog'southward wellness. A astringent flea infestation tin can seriously harm your dog'due south skin, induce an allergic reaction, or cause them to become bloodless from blood loss. Fleas are also responsible for transmitting parasites similar tapeworms.

"Regardless of where you alive in the country, I promise there's a flea or tick illness out at that place," Lay said. "Fleas and ticks can really brand a pet sick and what's worse, they often carry other bad guys forth with them." These parasites can transmit things like Lyme affliction, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, true cat scratch fever, and even the plague.

How to bank check a canis familiaris for fleas

Signs of fleas in dogs include scratching, skin irritation, and the presence of dark red or blackness specks on your dog's pare, fur, bedding, or piece of furniture. These specks, about the size of grains of blackness pepper, are called "flea dirt" and are flea carrion, or digested blood.

Back when I worked in the veterinary hospital, I learned a handy pull a fast one on to assist notice out if those little specks are regular dirt or flea clay. Scoop some onto a damp newspaper towel. If the newspaper towel turns blood-red, information technology'due south flea clay.

To cheque your dog for fleas or flea dirt, run a flea comb (a small, very fine-toothed rummage) through your dog's coat or part the hair with your fingers to examine the pare. If you find any live or expressionless fleas or flea dirt, your canis familiaris has a flea infestation.

What to consider when purchasing flea control products

Prescription vs. over-the-counter flea prevention and command

Some flea command products are sold over the counter. Other products require your veterinarian to write a prescription. You lot can purchase prescription products directly from your veterinarian or from online pet pharmacies and certain pet supply stores similar Chewy, Petco, and Petsmart.

Prescription flea control products cost more than OTC products because they protect confronting more than parasites, most importantly, deadly heartworms. Dogs must test negative for heartworms earlier starting a heartworm prevention production. Giving a heartworm-positive dog a prevention medication can cause rare only potentially very serious and sometimes fatal complications. You as well want to know if your dog has developed heartworms considering the preventive medication will non kill them — it merely kills the larval stages of the heartworm.

Use parasite preventives year-round.

You might be tempted to only use parasite preventives in leap and summer, but don't underestimate the resilience of fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and abdominal parasites. Veterinarians recommend that all dogs stay on broad-spectrum parasite preventives all 12 months of the year.

Heartworm treatment is long, costly, and dangerous. Dogs with adult heartworms can die even if handling is initiated. This is why veterinarians recommend using a year-round heartworm preventive for all dogs, regardless of what part of the country they live in. Veterinarians also recommend year-round intestinal parasite prevention for all dogs.

Flea shampoos are usually unnecessary.

Decades ago, people might accept just used a flea shampoo containing pesticides to impale fleas, but flea shampoos are no longer the gold standard. Veterinarian-recommended topical and oral flea control products are far more constructive than flea shampoos.

"About flea and tick shampoos are harsh to the skin and but remove the parasites present at the time of the bath," Crumley said. "Most of them are not effective at treating ticks, either. The residual upshot might last 24 or 48 hours at most, and so the nasties will be back."

Lay notes that some pet owners desire to employ flea shampoos instead of veterinarian-approved oral or topical preventives because shampoos price less. Nevertheless, this approach could backfire.

"Too not really preventing and being as effective at breaking the infestation/cycle, they can also sometimes cause additional reactions and allergies," Lay said. "They are not meant to take the place of preventive options, then consult with your veterinarian on when and how to use them."

Be wary of natural flea command products.

Both veterinarians nosotros consulted practise non recommend natural products in place of veterinarian-recommended topical and oral flea control products. While they can deter fleas and ticks, they won't eliminate an infestation.

"If you use them, exist prepared to use them at least daily before your pet goes exterior for the all-time chance of keeping the hitchhikers from latching on," said Crumley.

If you also have cats at abode, avoid natural flea control products containing essential oils equally some of them can be toxic to cats.

Some flea products are dangerous to cats.

If you have cats as well equally dogs, it'southward important to understand that any production labeled for use in merely dogs should never exist used on a true cat. Some ingredients that are well-tolerated past dogs can exist toxic to cats. Any canis familiaris-just flea product can be harmful to cats, merely they are especially sensitive to pyrethrins. If yous're looking for a product that'south safety for felines, read our guide to the best flea control products for cats.

Our sources