Mar 19, 2025
Finding a safe flea and tick treatment for your dog can be tricky for you as a pet parent. With so many options available on the market, it is natural for you to get overwhelmed. From chews to spot-on treatments, and collars to shampoos, how do you know what's appropriate for your pooch?
In this blog, we will learn what to look for while choosing the safest flea and tick treatment for your canine baby. Read on to know more.
Fleas and ticks are external parasites that feed on animals, especially dogs and cats. These pets' soft, warm fur offers the perfect environment for these parasites to grow. They feed on your pet's blood causing several health problems like allergic reactions and serious tick-borne diseases. Fleas and ticks generally infest animals during warmer months but can remain active throughout the year.
Every pet is unique. Therefore, a treatment that is appropriate for one dog may not be suitable for another canine. Following are the factors to consider while choosing the safest flea and tick treatment for your dog:
Flea and tick treatments must be age-appropriate. Most of the products are not formulated for puppies below 12 weeks of age. Therefore, you must read a treatment's product label carefully before administering it to your pooch.
While choosing an appropriate flea and tick treatment for your dog, you must take into account the treatments and supplements the dog is being treated with and the history of reactions from flea and tick preventives. We'd advise you to get in touch with your vet for a suitable flea and tick treatment for your four-legged baby.
The presence of other pets and children in the household will be a deciding factor when you choose a flea and tick treatment for your dog. Also, your canine's daily activities and the time they spend outdoors are to be considered.
If you reside in a neighborhood that is prone to certain breeds of fleas and ticks, you will need to look for a treatment that is formulated to eliminate that particular breed of parasite.
Let's take a detailed look at the common types of flea and tick treatments that are considered to be the safest among dog parents.
One of the most preferred types of flea and tick treatments among pet parents is topical (spot-on) formulas. This type of treatment requires it to be administered onto the skin, usually at the back of the dog's neck where it can't lick it off. Most of these treatments protect dogs from a wide range of parasites.
Some of the popular topical dog flea and tick treatments include:
Parasite Coverage: Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, stable flies and sand flies
Active Ingredients: Dinotefuran, Pyriproxyfen, & Permethrin
Parasite Coverage: Fleas, ticks (black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks & lone star ticks)
Active Ingredient: Fluralaner
Parasite Coverage: Fleas, ear mites, biting lice, sarcoptic mange, roundworms, hookworms and heartworm disease prevention
Active Ingredient: Selamectin
Parasite Coverage: Fleas, ticks (brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks & deer ticks), chewing lice, and sarcoptic mange
Active Ingredient: Fipronil
Some topical treatments kill fleas and/or ticks while others are purely preventive. In most cases, topical treatments contain parasite-killing chemicals that are absorbed through the dog's skin into their bloodstream. When parasites feed on the dog's blood, the chemicals attack their nervous system to paralyze and kill them.
The majority of topical flea and tick treatments generally don't have any side effects if administered according to the dosage guide provided on the product label. However, if your pet experiences side effects like itching or other discomforts, discontinue usage and get in touch with a veterinarian.
Oral flea & tick treatments come in pill and chew forms. These treatments are ideal for multi-pet households or ones with children who may get harmed after coming in touch with the chemicals of spot-on treatments or flea and tick collars.
Some of the popular oral flea and tick treatments include:
Parasite Coverage: Fleas & ticks (black-legged ticks, brown dog ticks, lone star ticks, American dog ticks & long-horned ticks)
Active Ingredient: Afoxolaner
Parasite Coverage: Fleas (adult, eggs & larvae), ticks (American dog ticks, lone star ticks, brown dog ticks & deer ticks), sarcoptic mange & chewing lice
Active Ingredients: Fipronil & S-Methoprene
Parasite Coverage: Fleas & ticks (brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, Asian long-horned ticks & lone star ticks)
Active Ingredient: Fluralaner
Parasite Coverage: Fleas & ticks (Gulf Coast ticks, black-legged ticks, lone star ticks, American dog ticks & brown dog ticks)
Active Ingredient: Sarolaner
The parasite-killing chemicals present in the oral treatments get combined with the pet's blood stream upon administration. When the fleas and ticks feed on the blood, the potent component disrupts the nervous system of the parasite, leading to uncontrolled neuromuscular activity and death.
Generally, dogs readily accept oral flea and tick treatments. However, if your dog vomits immediately after dosing, give another dose and ensure the dog completes the dose. In case, the dog vomits again, do not give a third dose, discontinue usage and seek advice from your veterinarian.
A flea and tick collar is one of the safest and most effective flea and tick treatments that kills and repels external parasites. The collars need to be placed around dogs necks, which generally remains effective for longer than regular monthly treatments. However, if you have children or other pets in your household, keep them away from the collar as chemicals present in them can get toxic if ingested.
Some of the popular flea and tick collars include:
Parasite Coverage: Fleas (flea larvae), ticks (deer ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, lone star ticks) & chewing lice
Active Ingredients: Flumethrin & Imidacloprid
Parasite Coverage: Fleas & ticks
Active Ingredient: Propoxur
Parasite Coverage: Fleas; ticks (brown dog ticks)
Active Ingredients: Propoxur & Flumethrin
Flea & tick collars are infused with anti-parasitic chemicals which get released onto the dogs; skin as soon as you make them wear the collar. The chemicals kill parasites that land on the pet and repel the others.
Dogs with sensitivity towards the active component(s) used in the collar may experience itching and other allergic reactions. In such circumstances, we'd advise you to remove the collar immediately and get your pet checked by a veterinarian.
Flea and tick shampoos and sprays contain chemicals that kill these parasites. The shampoos should be used just like other shampoos for desired results. However, the shampoos or sprays do not provide long-lasting protection when compared to the other types of treatment. They should be used in conjunction with other long-term treatments for effective parasitic control.
Some of the popular flea and tick shampoos and sprays include:
Parasite Coverage: Fleas & ticks
Active Ingredient: Carbaryl (Carbamate)
Parasite Coverage: Fleas & ticks
Active Ingredient: Fipronil
Parasite Coverage: Fleas (eggs & larvae) & ticks
Active Ingredients: Permethrin, Es-bioallethrin, Pyriproxifen & PiperonylButoxide
The anti-parasite ingredients present in flea and tick shampoos and sprays rapidly kill parasites that have infested the pet. However, it doesn't prevent re-infestation of parasites present in the environment.
According to experts, flea and tick shampoos and sprays are safe for dogs if used as directed. However, if your dog experiences itching and discomfort after administration of one of these products, do not use them further and seek medical advice.
In conclusion, we'd advise you to always check with your veterinarian to understand the flea and tick treatment that would suit your dog the best. Also, make sure to buy the treatments from credible sources to as to ensure their originality. At OurPetWarehouse we offer a wide range of flea and tick treatments at discounted prices. Visit us today to get your hands on lucrative deals from the comfort of your home.
Mar 07, 2025
