Flea and tick infestations are one of the most common challenges faced by dog parents. The pesky parasites attack our fur balls and subject them to discomfort and several vector-borne diseases. Therefore, dog parents must use effective flea and tick preventives to keep their canine companions protected from the harmful organisms. If you’re new to dog parenthood and don’t know much about the appropriate flea and tick preventives, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we will shed light on the top 7 vet-recommended flea and tick preventives for dogs to help you make your preferred choice.
Let’s get started!
Top Vet-Recommended Flea and Tick Preventives for Dogs
Here are some of the top flea and tick preventives for dogs according to veterinarians.
- NexGard
NexGard comes in the form of highly palatable beef-flavored chews formulated for monthly administration. It is indicated for the treatment of adult fleas and ticks and the prevention of flea infestations in dogs. The treatment aids in the control of tick infestations caused by black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, longhorned ticks, and brown dog ticks for one month. It also helps prevent Lyme disease by directly killing black-legged ticks.
Product Form: Oral Chews
Available Packs: 3 Doses, 6 Doses, 12 Doses
Active Ingredient: Afoxolaner
Recommended For: Dogs & puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 4 lbs
- Simparica Trio
Offered in the form of pork liver-flavored chewables, Simparica Trio is indicated to kill adult fleas and treat and prevent flea infestations. It also treats and controls tick infestations caused by lone star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, brown dog ticks, and Asian longhorned ticks. The treatment is designed for monthly administration and helps prevent Lyme disease infections by directly killing black-legged ticks. It also prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis and treats and controls roundworm and hookworm infestations.
Product Form: Oral Chews
Available Packs: 3 Doses,6 Doses
Active Ingredients: Sarolaner, Moxidectin, and Pyrantel
Recommended For: Dogs & puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 2.8 lbs
- Bravecto
Bravecto comes in the form of flavored chews indicated to kill adult fleas and treat and prevent flea infestations in dogs. It also treats and controls tick infestations caused by several tick species like black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and Asian longhorned ticks for 12 weeks and treats and controls lone star tick infestations for 8 weeks.
Product Form: Oral Chews
Available Packs: 1 Dose, 2 Doses,3 Doses
Active Ingredients: Fluralaner
Recommended For: Dogs and puppies from 6 months of age, weighing at least 4.4 lbs.
- Seresto Collar
The odorless and water-resistant Seresto Collar is designed to protect dogs against external parasites for 8 months. It is indicated to kill and repel fleas and ticks (black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks) through contact. The collar also controls and kills chewing lice.
Product Form: Collar
Available Packs: 1 Collar
Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid & Flumethrin
Recommended For: Dogs and puppies from 7 weeks of age
- NexGard Spectra
The oral treatment Nexgard Spectra is formulated to kill fleas and treat and prevent flea infestations. The monthly treatment also treats and controls tick infestations caused by Asian longhorned ticks and brown dog ticks. It also helps prevent heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. The formula also treats and controls gastrointestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, besides mange and mites.
Product Form: Oral Chews
Available Packs: 3 Doses, 6 Doses
Active Ingredients: Afoxolaner & Milbemycin Oxime
Recommended For: Dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 4.40 lbs
- Frontline Plus
Frontline Plus comes in the form of an easy-to-administer topical formula designed for monthly administration. It is indicated to kill fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae. It also prevents all flea life stages from developing and treats fleas, which may cause flea allergy dermatitis. The formula further treats tick infestations caused by Brown dog ticks, lone star ticks, American dog ticks, and black-legged ticks. Additionally, it kills ticks that may transfer Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and other tick-borne diseases. Frontline Plus also helps eliminate chewing lice and sarcoptic mange infestations.
Product Form: Topical Formula
Available Packs: 3 Doses, 6 Doses
Active Ingredients: Fipronil & (S)-methoprene
Recommended For: Dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 5 lbs
- Simparica Chewables
Simparica Chewables comes in the form of flavored chews indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations. The formula also treats and controls tick infestations caused by lone star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, brown dog ticks, and Asian longhorned ticks for one month. It also prevents Lyme disease by directly killing black-legged ticks.
Product Form: Oral Chews
Available Packs: 3 Doses, 6 Doses
Active Ingredients: Sarolaner
Recommended For: Dogs and puppies from 6 months of age, weighing at least 2.8 lbs
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most effective types of flea and tick preventives?
Flea and tick preventives come in the form of oral chewables, spot-on topical treatments, and collars.
When should I start flea and tick prevention on my puppy?
Most flea and tick preventives can be initiated when puppies are 8 to 12 weeks old and weigh at least 2 – 4 lbs. However, always consult a veterinarian to decide on a product appropriate for your puppy’s age and weight.
How long do flea and tick preventives remain effective?
Most of the flea and tick preventives remain effective for 30 days. However, some treatments, such as Bravecto, offer protection for up to 12 weeks. Also, flea and tick collars offer protection for up to 8 months.
Can I use the same flea and tick preventive for my cat and dog?
You should not use the same flea and tick preventives for both dogs and cats, unless recommended by a vet. Treatments formulated for one species can be toxic for another.
Which treatment is better? Simparica or Simparica Trio?
Simparica Trio is the advanced version of Simparica with certain superior features. When it comes to flea and tick treatment, both treatments are effective. However, if a dog is infested with worms, you will have to go for Simparica Trio.
Concluding Note
At BestVetCare, we carry the above-mentioned flea and tick preventives and a plethora of other treatments and pet essentials. Check out our online store to get your hands on your preferred products at unbeatable prices.