When should you choose a flea and tick tablet?
Flea and tick tablets are a newer option for protecting your dog against fleas and ticks.
A chewable tablet is the best choice for owners who have close contact with their pet. The active ingredient in these tablets is not stored in the skin’s oil layer or fur, meaning it won’t transfer to you or your children—especially useful if your dog sleeps on the bed.
Tablets are also a great choice for dogs that swim frequently or need regular washing, as the active ingredient won’t be washed out of the coat. Since the treatment is not present on the fur, it doesn’t contaminate surface water, reducing risks for aquatic life.
However, keep in mind that the active ingredient enters the bloodstream, so fleas and ticks must bite to be affected. Tablets can be a proven effective option for dogs with flea allergies, such as FRONTPRO tablets.
If your dog is sensitive to medication or has liver or kidney issues, consider a different type of flea and tick protection.
What Is the Best Flea and Tick Tablet for Dogs?
There are several chewable flea and tick tablets available for dogs. Most are only available through a veterinarian. However, the following tablets are currently available without a prescription:
- FRONTPRO Chewable Tablets for Dogs
- AdTab Chewable Tablets for Dogs
When Should You Choose a Flea and Tick Collar?
Another option to protect your dog is a flea and tick collar. These collars have the advantage of providing long-lasting effectiveness, offering good protection against fleas and ticks for several months, often even an entire season.
For dogs travelling abroad, a collar is often a good choice, as it frequently provides protection against sandflies as well.
Collars remain effective in the rain and with occasional washing or swimming. The active ingredient is stored in the sebaceous layer and coat of your dog, but it can enter surface water and harm aquatic organisms. For this reason, it is advisable to temporarily remove the collar if your dog goes swimming. The active ingredient is also present in the fur. If you enjoy brushing your dog outdoors, be sure to collect and dispose of the hair in the general waste.
Make sure to apply a flea and tick collar correctly. It should fit snugly, with a maximum of two flat fingers between the collar and the skin. The collar must make direct contact with the skin to work properly. For long-haired dogs, ensure that the collar is placed underneath the fur.
If you have small children who have close contact with your dog, or if your dog sleeps in your bed, consider choosing a different form of flea and tick protection instead of a collar.
What is the best flea and tick collar for dogs?
There are actually two types of flea and tick collars for dogs. These are:
- The Seresto Dog Collar, which contains a combination of imidacloprid and flumethrin as active ingredients.
- The flea and tick collars with deltamethrin as the active ingredient, including Adimere – Flea Collar, Scalibor, Tick Off Flea and Tick Collar, Beaphar Canishield Dog, and Virbac Prevendog.
Both types are effective against fleas and ticks, but the duration of protection differs.
Seresto provides protection for up to 8 months against fleas and ticks. The collars containing deltamethrin protect against ticks for 6 months and, if registered, against fleas for up to 16 weeks. Both types also offer protection against sandflies.
The choice depends on the desired duration of effectiveness and your dog’s individual sensitivity to the active ingredients.
When should you choose a flea and tick pipette?
A flea and tick pipette is a safe choice for most dogs. The liquid is applied directly to the skin, parting the fur to ensure proper absorption. The active ingredient spreads through the sebaceous layer across the coat. Most pipettes provide protection against fleas and ticks for four weeks.
Always read the instructions on the packaging carefully. For large dogs, it may be necessary to apply the pipette in multiple spots.
Avoid touching the treated area while it is still wet. Choose the right time of day to apply the treatment to your dog.
What is the best flea and tick pipette for dogs?
There are many different flea and tick pipettes available on the market. Most are registered to kill fleas within 24 hours and ticks within 48 hours.
Some well-known options include:
These contain older active ingredients.
A newer spot-on treatment with a unique effect is Vectra 3D Dog. This kills fleas within two hours and, in addition to eliminating ticks, has a ‘hot foot’ effect that repels them before they can attach.
When should you choose a flea shampoo?
A flea shampoo is a good option for dogs with a heavy flea infestation. Washing your dog with a shampoo helps kill or rinse away fleas from the coat.
A shampoo provides an immediate effect but often also has a residual action. This residual effect usually lasts for 1–2 weeks. While a shampoo can be used preventively, regular washing is required.
What is the best flea shampoo for dogs?
If you want a flea shampoo with an active ingredient that kills fleas and ticks, choose Beaphar Flea Shampoo.
If you prefer a shampoo that naturally repels or kills fleas, choose STOP! Animal Bodyguard Flea Shampoo or Francodex Gentle Shampoo Dimethicone for Dogs & Cats.
If your dog is at high risk of a flea infestation, use an additional product to provide extra protection.
When should you choose a flea spray for your dog?
A spray is mainly practical for young or small animals, as the entire body must be sprayed for effective coverage.
For larger dogs, other flea and tick treatments are usually a better choice.
However, in the case of a flea infestation, a spray is often needed to treat the environment.
What is the best flea spray for dogs?
For your dog, it’s usually best to choose a different flea treatment rather than a spray, unless you have a young puppy or a small dog. In that case, Effipro Spray is a good option.
For your home, you can use a chemical-based spray such as Virbac Indorex Defence Spray. This product is toxic to cats, exotic pets, and aquariums.
If you need a safer alternative, choose an environmental spray with dimethicone, such as Beaphar DIMETHIcare Environment Spray.
When should you choose natural protection for your dog?
Some people prefer not to use chemical treatments against fleas and ticks. There are various natural methods that can help make your dog less attractive to these parasites.
Always check the effectiveness of a product. Many natural treatments work by changing your dog’s scent, which is believed to make them less appealing to parasites. However, this effect is not 100% proven. It is important to continue checking your dog for fleas and ticks. Only products containing dimethicone immobilise fleas and ticks, causing them to die.
What is the best natural protection for dogs?
The best choice depends on your personal preference and ease of use.
- With an internal powder, drops, or tablets that make your dog less attractive to parasites, such as Biofood Garlic Tablets – Dog, CdVet Tick and Flea Exit, CdVet InsektoVet Herbal, Aniforte Tick Shield, or Finecto+ Dog.
- With an external powder, spot-on treatment, or spray that repels parasites, such as STOP! Animal Bodyguard Aromatherapy Drops.
- With a dimethicone-based spray or drops that immobilise fleas and ticks, causing them to die, such as Beaphar DIMETHIcare Line-on – Dog.
- With an ultrasonic tag or badge, such as TickLess Dog & Cat.
