| This article was medically reviewed by Karie Johnson, DVM, veterinarian and co-founder of VIP Vet Visit, a mobile vet service in the south suburbs of Chicago. Show
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When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Choosing flea and tick medicine for dogs can be complicated. There are many pills and topical treatments available, and they're all a little different. The good news is there are many safe, effective flea and tick medications, either available with a veterinarian's prescription or sold over the counter. Many of these products kill and prevent other parasites, including ticks, heartworms, intestinal parasites, mites, and biting flies. For this guide to the best flea and tick prevention for dogs, we used the quick product reference guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council to research different treatments. Products were selected based on safety, the number of parasites targeted, ease of use, and the minimum age for use. Read more about our selection criteria and expertise at the end of this guide. For additional guidance about fleas and dogs, we spoke with two veterinarians. Before choosing a flea medicine for your dog, talk to your veterinarian who can advise you on what type of product might be best depending on your dog's temperament and lifestyle and what parasites are most prevalent in your location. Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products. Best topical flea preventive overall: Advantage Multi for Dogs, $121.79 at Chewy Best OTC topical flea preventive for dogs: Frontline Plus for Dogs, $59.03 at Chewy Best oral flea control product for dogs: Simparica TRIO, $163.53 at Petco Best flea control product for young puppies: Capstar for Dogs, $36.99 at Chewy Best flea collar for dogs: Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs, $62.98 at Chewy Best flea shampoo for dogs: Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies, $9.65 at Chewy
$121.79 from Chewy $121.79 from Walmart PetRx $121.79 from Petco 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, safe for use in puppies 7 weeks and older and weighing at least 3 pounds Cons:Kills and prevents six types of parasites including heartworm, once-monthly treatment, easy to administer, safe for use in puppies 7 weeks and older and weighing at least 3 pounds
No preventive covers every single parasite that could harm your dog, but Advantage Multi for Dogs comes close. Advantage Multi is a topical spot-on product that contains the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin to prevent flea infestations by killing adult fleas before they can lay eggs. It also 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 to 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 the neck between the shoulder blades. The liquid medication is absorbed and dries within hours. Unlike with some other topical preventives, you do not need to wear gloves to apply Advantage Multi. If you get the product on your hands, simply wash with soap and water. For a half-hour after application, keep dogs from licking the application site, either on themselves or other treated dogs. Children should not touch the application site for two hours after application. Advantage Multi does not prevent ticks. If ticks are a concern, consider Frontline Plus for Dogs, Bravecto Topical for Dogs, or K9 Advantix II. Best OTC topical flea preventiveChewy$81.99 $71.99 from Chewy $81.99 $71.99 from Amazon $81.99 $71.99 from Walmart 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 one month; safe for use in dogs and puppies at least 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 it to work Cons:Not recommended for puppies younger than 8 weeks of age; does not prevent any parasites other than fleas, ticks, and chewing lice
Frontline Plus is our top 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 up to three months. If ticks or biting lice are a concern, apply it monthly. Frontline Plus has been used and trusted by pet owners for more than two decades. Parasites die on contact — they do not have to bite your dog for the treatment to work. Its active ingredients, fipronil and S-methoprene, work together to kill parasites and break the flea life cycle. Fipronil kills adult fleas and ticks while S-methoprene prevents flea eggs, larvae, and pupae from developing. Completely breaking the flea life cycle can sometimes take up to a month of consistent use, especially if your dog is heavily infested because flea eggs can be in your home but not on your dog. Frontline Plus is easy to use. Squeeze the entire contents of the tube onto one spot to your dog's skin between the shoulder blades. The liquid medication spreads across your dog's skin and gets stored in the oil glands. It distributes itself continuously via the hair follicles. Best oral flea control productChewy$163.53 from Chewy $163.53 from Petco Simparica TRIO treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other oral product, offering a full month of protection with one easy-to-give flavored pill. Pros:Protects against more parasites than any other oral product, once-monthly dog flea treatment, safe for dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older weighing at least 2.8 pounds, easy to administer alone or in food Cons: Not labeled for use in puppies younger than 8 weeks or breeding, pregnant, or nursing dogs
Our pick for the best oral flea prevention and control product for dogs is Simparica TRIO, a chewable tablet that is fast-acting and kills more parasites than any other oral product. It starts to work within four hours and kills 100% of adult fleas on dogs within eight hours. Choosing between an oral or topical flea control product is tough for some dog owners. There are pros and cons to each type of product. In some cases, an oral preventive is a better choice. For instance, some dogs with sensitive skin can't tolerate spot-on treatments. "Oral products have the benefit of broad coverage to reach every spot of skin without the chance of the product being washed off," Crumley said. "Rarely, a pet will have mild intestinal upset with any oral product. If that occurs then that pet will do better with one of the system-absorbed topical choices." The liver-flavored chewable tablets can be given with or without food once a month. In addition to providing a full month of protection against the most parasites of any 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 veterinarian, as well as a current negative heartworm test. It should be used with caution in dogs with a history of neurologic disorders such as seizures. Best flea control product for young puppiesChewy$40.99 $36.99 from Chewy $40.99 $36.99 from Amazon $51.99 $36.99 from Petco 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 age and older weighing at least 2 pounds, safe for pregnant and nursing dogs, fast-acting treatment starts killing adult fleas within 30 minutes, easy to administer alone or in food, can be used with other flea control products, available without a prescription Cons:Does not offer long-term protection, does not kill flea larvae or flea eggs, does not prevent any parasites other than fleas
Fleas should be eliminated as quickly as possible for heavily infested dogs, especially young puppies. Available without a prescription, Capstar for Dogs is the only flea control product safe for puppies as young as 4 weeks and weighing at least 2 pounds. With other topical and oral flea control products, puppies must be at least 8 weeks old and sometimes older. The active ingredient in Capstar, nitenpyram, works within 30 minutes and kills greater than 90% of adult fleas on dogs in as little as four hours. Its protection against fleas lasts only 24 hours, but it is safe to give daily if necessary. This is helpful for young puppies that might not be old enough to use an oral or spot-on product that offers long-term protection. Owners should follow up with a flea control product that offers a month or more of protection once the puppy is old enough. Best flea collarChewy$62.98 from Chewy $69.99 $62.98 from Petco $69.99 $62.99 from Petsmart 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 by USA Today reported 1,700 animal deaths and other adverse reactions linked to Seresto flea collars. It's unknown if the EPA-approved pesticides used in the collar caused these incidents and this story is still developing. Read "Can a flea collar harm your dog?" for more details. Always speak to your veterinarian if you have concerns before using a product and only 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; safe 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, but most traditional flea collars don't offer the same level of protection as topical and oral dog flea medicine. 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 general, topical spot-on preventives and oral preventives are the easiest and most effective form of flea control for dogs, but the Seresto collar might be a good option in certain situations. Dr. Kelley Lay, a relief veterinarian based in Nashville, Tennessee, said that traditional flea and tick collars are generally not very effective, and she has even seen allergic reactions and other issues with some of them. However, she has found the Seresto collar to be both safe and effective. "I personally used a Seresto collar with my dog for years when we lived in Chattanooga—hiking in the mountains and camping amongst the ticks," Lay said. "I often recommend it 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 alongside your dog's regular collar and has a two-step safety system to ensure your dog will not be harmed if the collar gets caught on something. The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar 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 need to bite your dog for the collar to work. It kills 100% of fleas within 24 hours of placing the collar on your dog. The collar is water-resistant and can stay on the dog even during swimming or bathing. Best flea shampoo for dogsChewy$9.99 from Chewy $9.99 from Petco $29.99 from Amazon Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo kills fleas, ticks, and flea eggs and larvae for up to 10 days while soothing dry, irritated skin. Pros: Kills adult fleas, ticks, flea eggs, and flea larvae for up to 10 days; safe for dogs at least 12 weeks of age; soothes dry, irritated skin Con: Not labeled for use in puppies under 12 weeks of age or debilitated, medicated, aged, nursing, or pregnant dogs
Our top pick for best flea shampoo for dogs is Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal for Dogs and Puppies. In addition to killing fleas, ticks, and flea eggs and larvae for up to 10 days, this shampoo soothes skin that has become dry and irritated from flea bites and constant scratching. The shampoo contains permethrin, a synthetic pesticide commonly included in flea and tick shampoos. It also contains piperonyl butoxide to enhance permethrin's effectiveness. Natural oatmeal is added to help heal irritated and itchy skin, and the shampoo has a pleasant ginger scent. Flea shampoos can be used as a complement to prescription flea control medications, but they should not be considered the first or best line of defense against fleas. Veterinarian-prescribed, year-round flea prevention remains the gold standard of flea protection. "They are not meant to take the place of preventive options, so consult with your veterinarian on when and how to use them," Lay said. Despite their claims of residual flea-killing activity, flea shampoos generally provide little flea protection after the bath. Also, they do not break the flea life cycle, leaving dogs susceptible to repeated flea infestations. Some flea shampoo ingredients can irritate the skin, beyond the irritation already present from the flea bites. –JoAnna Pendergrass What else we consideredChewy/Insider
How we selected productsWe 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 selection of flea and tick treatments, our veterinary experts did not endorse any of the products included in this guide unless explicitly quoted. We also conducted research using the quick product reference guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council. This helpful reference includes all FDA and EPA-approved parasite control products for small animals, listing each product's active ingredients, how the product is used, and which parasites it controls. Here are the main attributes we looked for:Safety and efficacy: Only 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 skin disease just by their presence and they carry diseases, too," said Crumley. "Small puppies can actually become anemic from the amount of blood these parasites steal from their growing bodies." The exceptions are Capstar, which is the only treatment available for puppies younger than 6 weeks, and our over-the-counter pick, 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 product. For instance, products ranked lower if the pet owner must wear gloves to apply the treatment or if children and pets need to be kept away from the treated animal for a specified amount of time. Minimum age and weight: When comparing similar products, higher ratings went to preventives that can be used in younger animals. Types of flea control productsTatomm/Getty ImagesHere are the most common flea and tick medications for dogs and how they work:
Can a flea collar harm your dog?In March 2021, USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting published a report alleging that the Seresto flea collar, sold by Elanco Animal Health, has been linked to thousands of adverse incidents in pets and humans. The number of pet deaths allegedly linked to the collar has increased from 1,700 to 2,500 since the report's release. Elanco responded by publishing a statement defending the collar's safety and efficacy. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) published an article addressing the collar's controversy and reiterating Elanco's defense. In addition, the Pet Poison Hotline released a statement affirming the collar's safety, according to data reviewed by veterinary toxicologists. In April 2021, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a legal petition urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cancel Seresto's registration. The EPA is currently reviewing whether the reported adverse events were caused by the collar. In a July 2022 update, the AVMA reported that Elanco defended the collar's safety and efficacy during a June 2022 congressional subcommittee hearing. It urged the EPA "not to cancel Seresto's EPA registration prior to completing its evaluation of the updated data." What pet owners need to knowThe EPA recommends pet owners read the entire label before using the flea control product and follow all directions carefully. Your veterinarian can provide additional guidance on safely using the Seresto collar or other flea control products. To protect against counterfeit Seresto collars, purchase from a reputable pet product website, brick-and-mortar store with a guarantee program, or your veterinarian. Chewy, Petco, and Petsmart told Insider they purchase Seresto collars directly from Elanco. Call Elanco product support (800-422-9874) to verify product authenticity. If your pet has an adverse reaction, immediately remove the collar and call your veterinarian. Tim Carroll, deputy press secretary for the EPA, also advises pet owners to contact the National Pesticide Information Center and report adverse reactions on the EPA's website. What you should know about fleas in dogsIf your dog has fleas, you want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Dogs can pick up fleas anywhere, including your yard, local parks, the groomer, veterinary clinic, and boarding facilities, but even dogs that spend a lot of time indoors can get fleas if they hitchhike indoors on your clothes or shoes. Dogs that hike, camp, and explore wilderness areas can pick up both fleas and ticks. What are the health risks to your dog?Fleas are more than just a nuisance. These parasites can pose a threat to your dog's health. A severe flea infestation can seriously damage your dog's skin, induce an allergic reaction, or cause them to become anemic from blood loss. Fleas are also responsible for transmitting parasites like tapeworms. "Regardless of where you live in the country, I promise there's flea or tick disease out there," Lay said. "Fleas and ticks can really make a pet sick and what's worse, they often carry other bad guys along with them." These parasites can transmit things like tick-borne illnesses (Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever), cat scratch fever, and even the plague. How to check a dog for fleasSigns of fleas in dogs include scratching, skin irritation, and the presence of dark red or black specks on your dog's skin, fur, bedding, or furniture. These specks, about the size of grains of black pepper, are called "flea dirt" and are flea feces, or digested blood. Back when I worked in the veterinary hospital, I learned a handy trick to help find out if those little specks are regular dirt or flea dirt. Scoop some onto a damp paper towel. If the paper towel turns red, it's flea dirt. To check your dog for fleas or flea dirt, run a flea comb (a small, very fine-toothed comb) through your dog's coat or part the hair with your fingers to examine the skin. If you find any live or dead fleas or flea dirt, your dog has a flea infestation. What to consider when purchasing dog flea and tick productsPrescription vs. over-the-counter flea prevention and controlSome flea control products are sold over the counter. Other products require your veterinarian to write a prescription. You can purchase prescription products directly from your veterinarian or from online pet pharmacies and certain pet supply stores like Chewy, Petco, and Petsmart. Prescription flea control products cost more than OTC products because they protect against more parasites, most importantly, deadly heartworms. Dogs must test negative for heartworms before starting a heartworm prevention product. Giving a heartworm-positive dog a prevention medication can cause rare but potentially very serious and sometimes fatal complications. You also want to know if your dog has adult heartworms because the preventive medication will not kill them — it only kills the larval stages of the heartworm. Use parasite preventives year-round.You might be tempted to only use parasite preventives in spring and summer, but don't underestimate the resilience of fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and intestinal 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 treatment 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. Be wary of natural flea control products.Both veterinarians we consulted do not 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, be prepared to apply them at least daily before your pet goes outside for the best chance of keeping the hitchhikers from latching on," said Crumley. If you also have cats at home, avoid natural flea control products containing essential oils as some of them can be toxic to cats. Some flea products are dangerous to cats.If you have cats as well as dogs, it's important to understand that any product labeled for use in only dogs should never be used on a cat. Some ingredients that are well-tolerated by dogs can be toxic to cats. Any dog-only flea product can be harmful to cats, but they are especially sensitive to pyrethrins. If you're looking for a product that's safe for felines, read our guide to the best flea control products for cats. Our sources
Jackie Brown Freelance Writer Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet industry. Her expertise includes dog and cat health, care, nutrition, feeding, grooming, behavior, and training. Jackie writes regularly for pet and veterinary industry media, including Dogster and Catster magazines, The Spruce Pets, Great Pet Care and All About Cats. She is a contributing writer for "National Geographic's Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness" and author of the book "It's Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases." She is contributing editor of Dogster and Catster magazines, and the former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101, and the Popular Cats Series. Jackie earned her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to starting her career in publishing, she spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals where she assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds, and one memorable lion cub. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and miniature poodle Jäger, who she grooms at home. Jackie can be reached at jackiebrownwriter.wordpress.com. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read lessJoAnna Pendergrass, DVM Freelance Contributor JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM, is a veterinarian and founder of JPen Communications, a medical communications company that specializes in pet owner education. Her expertise extends across many areas of veterinary medicine, including preventive pet care, nutrition, and common (and not-so-common) dog and cat diseases. Dr. Pendergrass earned her veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, then completed a research fellowship at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Center. During this fellowship, she decided to combine her love of science and writing by becoming a medical writer. After working at medical communications agencies for several years, Dr. Pendergrass transitioned to freelancing. She currently writes for several veterinary publications, including Great Pet Care, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, and All About Cats. She has previously written for PetMD, Pet Coach, dvm360, and American Veterinarian. Dr. Pendergrass can be reached at http://www.jpencmc.com. Read more Read lessSign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services — delivered weekly to your inbox. LoadingSomething is loading. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. More... Close iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification. What is the safest oral flea and tick treatment for dogs?NexGard Flea and Tick Chewables are one of the best oral flea treatments for dogs. They are easy to give and offer protection against both fleas and ticks. NexGard is also available in a beef-flavored chewable, making it a good choice for picky eaters.
What flea and tick medicine is causing seizures?Neurological Problems
This class of drugs includes Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard, and Simparica. These medications can lower the seizure threshold in the dog, which causes a dog who has seizures to have more seizures or a dog who has never had a seizure before start having seizures.
What is the best flea and tick medicine for dogs 2022?NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs is our top pick because of its effective, fast-acting main ingredient, low-maintenance dosage, and chewable formula. Your pup will like NexGard as much as you do because each month he'll get his medicine as a tasty beef-flavored treat.
What's the safest flea and tick medicine for dogs?Bravecto Chew for Dogs
Bravecto Chew is also effective in killing adult fleas, so it can help reduce the risk of your dog getting flea bite dermatitis. If you're looking for a safe and effective flea and tick treatment for your dog, Bravecto Chew is the way to go.
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What flea and tick medicine is killing dogs
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