Best Flea Treatment for Dogs and Cats: Everything You Need to Know

You and I have seen our pets (both dogs and cats) circling around a spot, abnormally barking, and even biting their own skin off sometimes, haven’t we?

If nothing else, when the weather warms up, these guys begin to scratch their skins like hell.

Don’t look now but my guess is, our pets have a little “Flea” problem!

If you don’t know what a “Flea” or a “Tick” is, these are insects that suck on your pet’s blood. They feed, mate and grow on the poor thing’s skin. All the while, they cause our beloved friend’s major discomforts and even diseases.

Worried? You should be! If your dog or the cat has caught on fleas, treat him as early as possible. Flea problems can worsen over time and cause severe health problems to your pets. Fleas can actually damage your pet’s skin and coat, making them more vulnerable to infections and allergies. The longer you leave this problem unaddressed, the more problems your pets will have to suffer.

With what, you ask? This post goes well and truly in-depth regarding the topic of Best flea Treatments for Dogs and Cats. Buckle up for an interesting and long ride into the types of flea meds with some interesting recommendations and safety tips!

Types of Flea Treatment We Can Get!

Now, before we indulge ourselves into discussing which treatment is good for whom, it is always a good practice to know just how many methods of treatment you can have at your disposal. Knowing what your options are will make it very easy for you to choose a flea treatment that suits your dog or cat’s preferences and your own budget. These are important considerations to ensure the efficacy of the treatment.

From my experience, there are four flea treatments available for different pets today. All of these can help treat fleas in pets but how they are administered or how often they are used can vary. Let’s just gloss over them real quick.

Topical Flea Treatments

The first type of medicine you’ll find is Topical Flea Treatment. These are great as they treat fleas on the spot. One dose of a topical flea medicine can rid your pet of fleas for up to a month. These things kill off all stages of fleas thanks to IGR (Insect Growth Regulator). These are safe for your pets but if you don’t apply them correctly, these can irritate your skin or eyes.

If you have no idea how to apply topical flea treatments, it’s best if you let a vet do the job. They will know what kind of topical flea treatment is apt for your pet and apply it properly so your pet can maximize its effects.  

Oral Flea Medicines

These are basically tablets. You can easily mask these things inside another food item to feed your pets. Depending on the size of the tablet, you can hide it in some of your pet’s favorite foods (like hotdogs or meats) or add it directly to their food bowls. This can trick your pet in taking their tablets without them knowing.

Oral medicines for flea and ticks don’t pose any threat to you or me.

However, letting your pet take their tablets can be challenging, especially if they noticed the product on their foods. When this happens, you won’t have any other choice but to open their mouths (usually using force), push the tablet towards their throats and massage their necks to encourage them to swallow the tablet. This process can be very stressful at first, but over time, your pet will eventually get used to taking tablets. 

Remember I talked about the pungent smell? Oral flea medicines don’t have that either. Moreover, they kill off adult fleas very quickly. But the keyword is “Adult Fleas.”

These tablets leave larvae and eggs as is. But the good thing is, you can feed these things with another type of medicine to make sure your pet is protected from a 360-degree flea invasion.

Flea and Tick Collars for Dogs and Cats

Majority of the pet owners deemed Flea and Tick Collars as “The Best Flea Treatment for Dogs and Cats” alongside sprays. You don’t have to run along your pets to feed them. You don’t have to annoy them all day just to rub the medicine onto the infected area.

Using collars for dogs and dogs is one of the easiest yet effective ways to get rid of fleas and ticks from your pets. This technique will not require too much effort from you and is applicable to any pet regardless of their size, age and breed. 

Just put the collars on and that’s it! Pet collars release the formula to kill off ticks and fleas slowly. These are great when your pet is indoors.

The Spray

This is the fourth variant that very few people talk about. The spray is what it is. You just have to spray the formula over the infected area. This is an eco-friendly alternative for the conscious people. Moreover, it comes with a nice smell. These things remain effective up to two months after using.

Just one catch… you will have to let the spray dry out for it to take effect.

Now that we’ve dealt with each of the variants, let us look into the effective and best flea medicine for dogs and cats according to each type.

Top Meds for Topical Flea Treatment For Dogs

Topical flea treatment is popular for a reason. It works “Almost” instantly. As there are numerous dog breeds out there, a number of medicines for topical flea treatment occupy the market. It is impossible to find one out that works for all the breeds. That is why I am giving you a shortlist of five products! These are great when it comes to treating the condition on the spot! One of these will surely suit your dogs.

Topical Flea Treatment For Dogs – Comparison Table

Topical Flea Treatment For Dogs Reviews

1. Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for Dogs and Puppies

Frontline-Plus-Flea-and-Tick-Control-for-DogsThe whole point of Topical flea treatment for dogs is to remove the troublesome creatures once and for all. Not to mention, the best flea medicine for dogs puts an end to the problem “On the Spot.”

I’ve had my share of experience with flea removers. From my perspective, the first candidate for that spot is Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control.

This flea ointment is quick to act and kills 98% of the itchy SOBs in quick time. Speaking from experience, this medicine takes 24 hours to do its thing from the moment of application. Just apply the thing between the shoulder blades of your dog and leave the rest of the work to Frontline Plus.

This “Wonder Medicine” as I call it, works great against flea, larvae, lice, and ticks. All it takes is one ointment and you are good for a month. The package comes with three ointments. That means, your dog stays “Itch-Free” for three months.

Before you mention it, this thing is waterproof. Whether the four-legged beast is a good swimmer or likes to go out into the rain, the effectiveness of the ointment will remain intact.

The best thing is, you’ll find all the information you need on the instruction label. Dog owners won’t have to panic over how to apply this thing as it is all there in detail.

One word of caution: Frontline Plus Flea and Tick control is strictly for dogs and dogs ONLY. That to the ones which range from 5 to 22 lbs.

Things I Liked about This Topical Flea Medicine
  • One pack lasts longer than most of the products that are out there.
  • Frontline Plus acts quicker than most products available for purchase and is effective.
  • This little thing is waterproof, the effects don’t wear off that easily.
  • This ointment is easy to apply; instructions are given in the form of a manual.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Topical Flea Medicine
  • I find it pricier than the other topical flea control products.

2. Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment Dogs

Bayer-Advantage-II-Topical-Flea-Treatment-DogsThis thing is on my list of flea remover products for a reason. You might have come across products that need a certain condition for them to work. For example, fleas will have to bite your poor friend before the flea killer can weave its magic. Fortunately, with this product, you won’t have to wait that long.

That’s right, Advantage II Flea Treatment kills the flea on the first contact. Unlike other repellants or ointments, you won’t have to wait for a time period for it to take full effect.

The thing with Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment product is that it kills fleas of all life-stages. Furthermore, it doesn’t let any flea infest in your household. So, it is a win-win for both your dog and you.

This thing is pretty easy to apply on your four-legged friends. Just apply it once a month and your dog is safe from flea attacks. Be sure to apply this on dogs that are at least 7 weeks old or older.

This is a waterproof product like the earlier one on my list. So, your dog can swim or play around with Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment on for as long as he/she likes.

Things I Liked about This Topical Flea Medicine
  • This thing works within 4 hours of applying on the dog’s body.
  • Advantage II cleans up biting fleas as well without them actually biting.
  • This model ensures fleas don’t infest your household again once they are gone.
  • It can be applied with selected medicines your dog takes.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Topical Flea Medicine
  • Be sure not to apply this on dogs that are less than seven weeks’ old.

3. Bayer K9 Advantix II, Flea And Tick Control Treatment for Dogs

Bayer-K9-Advantix-II-FleaIf you need an extra boost in flea killing, try Bayer K9 Advantix II for a change. This is another product on my list that I am proud of. For obvious reasons of course. I don’t usually recommend things unless they are easy-to-use. Which it is!

Like any other Bayer product, Advantix II kills fleas, lice, ticks, and mosquitos as well. Poor dogs won’t have to suffer an extra bite for a flea to be killed. Yup, this one kills fleas on contact too. An added advantage is, you have the vet’s recommendation with this one. So, you know this is a good product.

What happens after all the fleas are gone from the canine’s body? Well, normally, I’d say be alert! They are going to re-infest your house. But thanks to Advantix II, fleas and larvae don’t come back to bite you or anyone you love once they are cleared.

The product comes in tubes. These tubes are easy to open, attach to an applicator and apply on your dog’s body.

At this point, I don’t even need to tell you that this is waterproof, right? Advantix II makes it even better! It remains intact even when your puppies are bathing or are exposed to sunlight.

Things I Liked about This Topical Flea Medicine
  • This thing is easy to apply on your dog’s shoulder blades.
  • This thing prevents fleas, ticks, and mosquitos from re-infesting once they are gone.
  • Naturally, it is a waterproof product, which stays effective in any condition.
  • Advantix II works well even when the puppies or dogs are walking in the sunlight.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Topical Flea Medicine
  • It should be fine if you only use it on dogs. No complaints.

4. PetArmor 3 Count Plus for Dogs Flea and Tick Squeeze-On

PetArmor-3-Count-Plus-for-Dogs-Flea-and-TickWant to take Frontline Plus and make it even better? Get yourselves PetArmor 3 Count Plus. This product is equally effective for fleas and ticks. The USP for PetArmor 3 is that your pets remain safe for up to 12 weeks with just the one dose. One package lasts longer than most of the topical flea treatment products out there.

Expect this one to kill fleas, mosquitos, ticks, and larvae after application. The main reason for such fast results is the ingredients. The formula comes with Fipronil and S-Methoprene. Vets certified both of these. I know an effective flea killer when I see one.

This is a waterproof flea medicine. Pet Armor keeps your pets safe round-the-clock. It prevents Lyme disease as well. If you don’t know what that is, ticks carry Lyme disease. It harms the skin badly.

PetArmor 3’s effectiveness depends on breed and size of your dog. If you want my advice, get to know your dog better. Consider his weight, age, and breed before you buy this product.

Things I Liked about This Topical Flea Medicine
  • Fipronil and S-Methoprene work well to eradicate the pesky fleas and ticks.
  • This is a high-quality medicine for topical treatment of dogs. You need a small amount.
  • This thing provides great value when you compare price and performance.
  • The protection each package offers is of 12 weeks.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Topical Flea Medicine
  • It doesn’t work on dogs of certain breed.

5. Vectra 3D Blue 3 dose for dogs 21

Vectra-3D-Blue-3-dose-for-dogsDon’t think that you are in a certain region of a country and are safe from fleas. Fleas are dangerous and they can attack you from anywhere. The smart thing to do is keep Vectra 3D Blue at hand. I tested this on my neighbor’s 9-week-old dog and the results were more than satisfactory.

As you can guess, you can use it on dogs more than 8 weeks’ old. Besides fleas, it is equally effective in case of mites, mosquitos, and ticks. However, it is not quite as effective in case of Mange mites.

The vet’s call it a “Broad Spectrum Protection” system as it kills fleas and prevents them from coming back.

Like all the other Topical Flea medicines on my list, this one kills fleas on contact. Give it six hours and it’ll get rid of all the fleas on your dog’s skin. If you use Vector 3D Blue for five months, the flea count will reduce. Each pack comes with three doses.

Each dose kills adult fleas and all the other life-stages of it. A single dose prevents larvae, eggs and other variants of fleas from re-appearing for 30 days.

The USP of this product is that it dries quickly. Moreover, you can expect it to be working even after your dog swims or takes a bath. Thanks to the unique and patented applicator at work, applying the doses is a piece of cake.

Things I Liked about This Topical Flea Medicine
  • This one starts working in as little as six hours after you apply it.
  • Applying this thing is pretty easy with the patented applicator.
  • It is a quick drying product. Just apply it and you are done!
  • The success rate of this product is pretty high with multiple experiments.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Topical Flea Medicine
  • The weight range begins from 21lbs.
  • Fluffy dogs might have a problem with it.

Best Medicines on Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs

Oral Flea Treatment tablets come in all shapes and sizes. Here are my personal favorites that are easy to chew and ingest. Also, these brands work like a charm. Get your hands on one of these, feed tablets to your dogs, and see the magic unfolding!

Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs - Comparison Table

Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs Reviews

1. Capstar Flea Tablets for Dogs and Cats

Capstar-Flea-Tablets-for-Dogs-and-CatsLet’s be honest, it is far better to have a flea removing tablet that works for dogs and cats. It will save you from the trouble of hours of searching on the internet and spending some extra money.

I thought of recommending you one that I use for my puppies and a small breed of dogs. Capstar Flea Tablets are Top medicine when it comes to killing fleas.

Most of the times, dogs or cats won’t sit around for you to rub Topical flea meds on their shoulder blades. It takes too long for them. For these times, Flea Tablets are great!

You can feed these tablets naked or with water to your beloved pets. One single dose kills almost all the fleas that take hold of the four-legged beasts.

However, it is only effective against adult fleas out there. For your dogs, feed them one tablet and give the process four hours. It’ll stop itching and fleas will die. For cats, this process takes about six hours.

One buy gets you six tablets. Each of the tablets has a phenomenal success rate.

Things I Liked about This Product
  • These tablets work effectively on dogs as well as cats.
  • Takes a jiffy to start working its magic compared to the products most people use.
  • You get as many as six doses worth of tablets at one purchase.
  • Almost all the adult fleas die when you apply this oral tablet.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Product
  • Exclusively for adult fleas and doesn’t work on other life-stages.

2. Sentry Capguard (Nitenpyram) for Dogs & Cats

SENTRY-Capguard-(nitenpyram)-Oral-Flea-TabletsWant something more for your dogs and cats than a flea-killing tablet? Get one that ensures flea eradication and protection at the same time. Sentry CapGuard is exactly as the name suggests. It kills fleas and protects your dogs/cats.

If you don’t know, you can get “Capster-Like” quality with this tablet too. It contains Nitenpyram that vets around the world recommend for flea killing. You can get this without a prescription too.

The best thing working in favor of Sentry Capguard is that it is good for any dog or cat which is above or at 2 pounds of weight. If I translate this into age, it should be good for dogs or cats that are at four weeks or older.

Using this thing is very easy. One can feed it directly into the mouth of cats or dogs. Of course, you can hide it in a dry or liquid dog or cat food too. In that case, please make sure that your pet eats the food completely.

Sentry Capguard kills adult fleas in as quickly as 30 minutes. You’ll see your dog or the cat scratching the skin. Don’t freak out! It is a sign that fleas are dying.

Things I Liked about This Product
  • Sentry Capguard works in the same manner as the previous entry on my list does.
  • This thing gets to work quickly at just 30 minutes time.
  • You can feed it directly to your dog or give it to him through a food item.
  • Vets actually recommend this one tablet for flea treatment.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Product
  • Be careful about your pet scratching this skin

3. Flea Away The Natural Flea, Tick, And Mosquito Repellent for Dogs and Cats

Flea-Away-The-Natural-FleaDo you know what gave this product a place on my list for Top Medicines for Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs and Cats? It is the fact that “Flea Away” kills and repels mosquitoes and ticks beside fleas.

Moreover, you get no less than hundred tablets in one package. This ought to make “Flea Away” one of the longest-running meds out there.

This is an “All Natural” product; you won’t find any toxic chemicals or residues in here. This is packed with vitamins. That means you are feeding your dogs or cats vitamin alongside curing them of fleas, Mosquitos, and ticks.

“Flea Away” boasts quality. In fact, manufacturers abided by FDA guidelines when making this thing. In non-technical language, this means, it is not harmful to dogs or cats in any manner.

There’s no hassle of rubbing the drug onto dog’s or cat’s skin. There’s no odor. Moreover, the fleas and other insects won’t have to bite your pet’s skin for this thing to take effect.

Flea Away is made in the USA and sourced throughout the country. Do allow it at least 30 days to reduce the insect attacks.

Things I Liked about This Product
  • Flea Away is a natural tablet, causes no harm to your pets.
  • This tablet supplies your pets with vitamins and minerals in addition to curing fleas.
  • It begins working in as little as thirty minutes. It is quicker than most tablets out there.
  • “Flea Away” complies with the FDA guidelines that are in place making it completely safe.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Product
  • People deemed the tablets too big for the mouth of their dogs.

4. PetArmor FastCaps (nitenpyram) Oral Flea Treatment Medication

PetArmor-FastCaps-(nitenpyram)-Oral-Flea-Control-MedicationIf you thought PetArmor is only good for Topical flea treatment, you are wrong. This company has its own flea-killing oral tablets as well. PetArmor FastCaps does the job efficiently for both dogs and cats.

Ideally, it is one tablet per day. One is enough to kill adult fleas. FastCaps is fast as it begins working in as little as 30 minutes time. In case your pet faces re-infestation, just give it another dose. Feeding it next day is perfectly fine!

Ideally, pets should swallow the pill given to them naked or in food. If they don’t, just feed them with another one. It is safe to do so too!

If your pet is pregnant, I advise you to use FastCaps as it is safe for that period too. FastCaps is efficient against fleas that cause dermatitis as well. People can use it with numerous other medications as they deem fit.

You can get a package (six tablets) over-the-counter.

Things I Liked about This Product
  • Owners can get this tablet even without prescriptions if they need a package.
  • It is a safe tablet for dogs and cats. One-a-day is perfect for killing fleas.
  • Repeated using is fine if you want to prevent re-infestation of fleas.
  • FastCaps helps to prevent dermatitis caused by fleas.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Product
  • Use this only if you need “Quick Fix.” Not ideal solution for a long-term problem.

5. Dog & Cat MD Maximum Defense QuickTabs

Dog & Cat-MD-Maximum-Defense-QuickTabs-Nitenpyram-Flea-TreatmentThe thing working for QuickTabs is that it is readily available. Like all other oral flea treatment medicines, it works fast! Killing fleas begins after 30 minutes of taking the pill.

It works well for cats. Small Breed dogs do get benefits from it too. Make sure your cat or dog is at least 2lbs of weight and at the very maximum; the weight should be 25lbs.

I’ve seen my neighbor using it. One pill is good for killing fleas. You don’t usually need another one for the job. If and only if fleas return, it is good to feed dogs and cats additional ones per 24 hours.

Maximum Defense QuickTabs uses Nitenpyram. This is super effective when it comes to killing adult fleas. You get six tablets in a package.

These things are food-grade. In fact, FDA certified them. So, these are safe for ingestion. These things should kill ACTIVE fleas. The act automatically reduces larvae and eggs.

Things I Liked about This Product
  • It is an FDA approved product and totally safe for dogs and cats.
  • One pill is enough to stop flea attack and infestations.
  • It is safe to use repeatedly every 24 hours to prevent fleas from coming back.
  • FDA certified product; safe for ingestion.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Product
  • Only kills active fleas and not good for eggs or larvae.
  • May not work against certain breeds of dogs.

 

Best Flea and Tick Collars for Dogs

These days, dog owners don’t want to go through the hassle of applying flea treatment ointment or feeding dogs with oversized tablets. If you are one of them, these three dog collars should help you in removing fleas and ticks too!

Flea and Tick Dog Collars - Comparison Table

Best Flea and Tick Collars for Dogs Reviews

1. Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs

Bayer-Seresto-Flea-and-Tick-Collar-for-DogsFlea and Tick collars are common things. I’ve come across so many of them that I lost count! But the unique Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar is sure to get into my list of Best Flea and Tick Collars for dogs.

Some of you may not be aware of these collars. Well, in these collars active ingredients are present which help to kill fleas and ticks for good.

So how does this Bayer Seresto collar work? They use imidacloprid and flumethrin – two active ingredients that effectively kill fleas and ticks and prevent future infestation. The collar releases these ingredients in low concentration that cover the dog’s hair and the skin surface.

The collar remains effective for 8 months. That is, once you put on the collar, your dog is safe from fleas and ticks for 8 months. After your first put it on them, the ingredients start working. They kill fleas within 24 hours and kill the re-infesting fleas within 2 hours.

And for ticks, the collar kills tick infestation within 46 hours and within 6 hours it kills the re-infesting ones. The collar is surely waterproof. You can shampoo, bathe your dog and they can even go swimming. The collar will still be in perfect condition as long as these take place once a month.

So, if your dog goes for swimming twice a month or more, the effectiveness will reduce to 5 months (for fleas) and 7 months (for ticks). The collar is intended for dogs and puppies who are 7 weeks of age or older. In addition, they must weigh at least 18 pounds.

Things I Liked about This Dog Collar
  • The Active ingredients help you to clear out ticks and fleas without too much fuss.
  • This little collar provides you effective service for 8 long months.
  • Fleas and Ticks won’t re-infest when you are using this thing.
  • Give the collar a day’s time and it’ll clear every flea there is on your dog’s skin.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Dog Collar
  • If your dog has the habit of swimming more than once per month, effectiveness of this collar decreases.

2. Scalibor Protector Band for Dogs - 6 Month Protection

Scalibor-Protector-Band-for-DogsThe Scalibor Protector Band is a very effective way of getting your dogs rid of fleas and ticks. The band is adjustable and so one size fits dogs of all sizes. But the band is not intended for dogs of all ages. You can’t (and shouldn’t) use this collar on dogs who are less than 12 weeks old.

However, the band can be effectively used on pregnant and lactating dogs. And don’t even think about using this on your cat. The band is dog-friendly. That is, I have not heard about any dog (mine included) that has had trouble with the band.

The band is odorless and does not stain. So both you and your dog will never feel bothered due to the band.

The Scalibor Protector Band uses the active ingredient deltamethrin. This ingredient kills fleas at all stages. In fact, the band does not limit its effects on fleas and ticks. It also prevents and flies that carry the disease known as Leishmania. Even mosquitoes stop bothering your dog while they wear this band.

However, if your dog has skin lesions and is hypersensitive to pyrethroids, don’t use the band on them. Sometimes, side effects are seen in some dogs after putting on the band for the first time. But the side effects don’t last longer than 24 hours. The band’s effectiveness lasts for 6 months.

It is waterproof, so the dogs can have a bath or go for swim while wearing the band.

Things I Liked about This Dog Collar
  • This is a waterproof band, your dogs won’t have problems during swimming or bathing.
  • The Scalibor Protector is able to kill off fleas and ticks of all stages.
  • If your dog is pregnant or lactating, feel free to use this collar, as it doesn’t pose any problems.
  • t is an adjustable band, so one size fits all of your dogs. If not, just adjust.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Dog Collar
  • Not quite effective on some breeds of dogs.

3. Arava Flea and Tick Control Collar for Dogs and Puppies

Arava-Flea-and-Tick-Control-Collar-for-DogsThe Arava Flea and Tick Control Collar is one of those very few collars that are not only safe for the dog but also safe for you and your family. I have come across collars that do get rid of the fleas but make the dogs fall sick.

It’s really terrible when that happens. But when you will use the Arava collar, everyone in the family will be safe and sound. This collar uses 11 active botanical ingredients namely:  Geranium, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lemongrass, Clove, Thyme, Eastern Red Cedar, Rosemary, Citronella, Soybean, and Castor.

These are actually essential oils and I believe you know that they are entirely harmless. In fact, even if the dogs lick the band they won’t be harmed at all.

Kids don’t have to be careful around them and neither do you. It’s quite funny that while we like the scent of all these essential oils, insects hate them with their lives. Even the material of the collar is eco-friendly. It’s amazing how they have put so much thought in such a little thing.

The Arava collar can prevent 500 different insects, not just fleas and ticks. It is fashionable; at the first glance, it may seem like a regular dog collar. It is not.

And the best thing about this is that is made for dogs of all ages and sizes. It can be used on both a grownup dog and a puppy. The length of the collar is 25 inches and it can be easily adjusted to fit the dog.

The collar remains effective for 5 months. It is waterproof, so it does not limit the activities of your dog. Arava is a natural solution to a natural problem.

Things I Liked about This Dog Collar
  • People can use this on an adult dog and a puppy alike.
  • The ingredients packed in the collar are all natural and botanical.
  • Besides killing off fleas and ticks, it takes care of 500 types of insects out there.
  • Your dog will never be out of fashion for a bit when wearing this collar.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Dog Collar
  • Some users reckon that this product only repels the ticks and fleas without removing them.

 

Best Flea Sprays for Dogs

If you are not down with the products I listed above, here’s my list of three “Flea Sprays” that should do the job too!

Best Flea Spray for Dogs - Comparison Table

Best Flea Spray for Dogs Reviews

1. Vet's Best Flea & Tick Pet & Home Spray

Vet's-Best-Flea & Tick-Pet & Home-SprayThe Vet’s Best Flea and Tick pet and home spray is a safe and effective way to help your dog get rid of fleas and ticks. The spray is made with a blend of two natural ingredients that are Peppermint Oil and Eugenol Oil (it is extracted from clove plants).

These essential oils are totally safe for your family. They readily kill fleas, ticks, flea eggs etc. simply by contact. The insects won’t have to bite to die. The spray also helps to repel mosquitoes. The spray does not have any added fragrance because it already has its natural scent.

The Vet’s spray should not be used on dogs that are younger than 12 weeks. It can be used on all dogs (regardless of their weight) older than 12 weeks.

This pet spray is very easy to use. Spray over the entire coat of your dog until it feels damp. Cover the legs, tail, and stomach but avoid spraying on the face, eyes or genitals. After you have sprayed, lightly massage their body so that the spray reaches the skin.

The spray will kill any flea or tick simply by contact. The regularity of using the spray depends upon how frequently fleas come back. I suggest keeping a bottle nearby all the time, and use it whenever you find it necessary.

The Spray can be used both indoors and outdoors. In fact, the use of this spray is not limited to dogs only. It can be used on pet bedding, pillows, blankets, carpets and upholstery and even in your yard.

Things I Liked about This Flea Spray
  • Flea and Tick Home spray is completely natural with natural ingredients.
  • It kills fleas, lice, and ticks with their eggs and larvae on contact.
  • Your children are safe when around this spray unlike the other products.
  • The flea-repelling spray doesn’t put a stain on your home furniture.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Flea Spray
  • You’ll need to apply this thing multiple times to bring out it’s full effect.

2. Frontline Flea and Tick Treatment Dog/Cat Spray, 8-1/2-Ounce

Frontline-Flea-and-Tick-Treatment-Dog/Cat-SprayFrontline is well known among vets and pet owners in helping to remove fleas and ticks. This spray is intended for both cats and dogs. But they must be at least 8 weeks of age or older. It is a fast acting spray and you will start to see results within 24 hours after primary application.

Spray over the entire body of the dog, avoiding the face and genitals. Make sure their coat feels damp, but not dripping wet. For every pound of your dog’s weight, you will require only 2 sprays.

Excess spraying will not prove more effective as many might think. If your dog has longer or denser coat, use an extra spray per pound.

The spray will kill all existing fleas and ticks. It will kill the fleas before they can lay eggs. In this way, re-infestation will not take place (not in the near future). The effects of the Frontline dog spray will last for a month. But if you feel that your dog needs to be sprayed twice in a month, do not hesitate.

Flea infestation is affected both by the host and their environment. One thing that bothered me about this Frontline product is that it has a medicine scent, which is due to the ingredients used in the spray.

My dog is totally fine with it. But when I asked my friend to use it on her cat, the kitty was not happy. The spray did help to reduce her cat’s fleas as fast as it helps in case of my dog.

Things I Liked about This Flea Spray
  • This one is less expensive than your average flea-killing sprays out there.
  • The spray doesn’t possess any health risks to your dog or the cat you are using it on.
  • Natural ingredients make this spray non-lethal for kids.
  • One shot of the spray keeps your pet healthy for a maximum of 30 days.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Flea Spray
  • It is touch expensive compared to other brand out there.

3. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray for Cats and Dogs

Adams-Plus-Flea-and-Tick-Spray-for-Cats-and-DogsWhether you have a cat or dog, finding a flea spray for them is not easy, even if you have one right in front of your face. The reason behind this, I think, is that all cats and dogs don’t respond to these products in the same way.

However, I have found that the Adams Plus Flea and Tick spray is a favorite of both cats and dogs. Hence I put it on my list of Best flea sprays for dogs’ list. I got this spray for my niece’s Labrador 4 months ago, and I have used it three times on her until now.

According to the manufacturers, the effect of the spray remains for 2 months. But I got too anxious and so I used it again after one month of the first application.

My neighbors have two cats, and since this spray is intended for both cats and dogs I asked them to try it on them. Surprisingly, none of the cats complained.

This Adams dog spray can remove all the fleas, starting from the adult ones to the eggs. It is the same for the ticks. The spray works fast and my dog was relieved of those ferocious fleas that used to bit her a lot.

There are two highly active ingredients in the spray. Etofenprox and 5-Methoprene. The former helps to kill adult fleas and the latter helps to kill the flea eggs laid on the skin. Their combined effect breaks the life cycle of the fleas and provides instant relief to the pets.

The effect is promising enough to prevent further flea infestation. Plus, Adams also helps to repel mosquitoes (which makes me wonder if I can use it on my body).

Things I Liked about This Flea Spray
  • This spray is able to kill fleas, ticks, and other insects on contact.
  • Adams Dog Spray breaks the lifecycle of the fleas to prevent re-infestation.
  • It is safe for human beings to be around as it comes with non-toxic ingredients.
  • This thing works on cats as well.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Flea Spray
  • This product carries intense smell which can irritate many dog owners.

 

Best Flea Treatment for Cats

If you have been reading every word of this humongous guide up to now, you might have noticed most flea treatment products are meant for dogs AND cats alike. But if you want the best flea treatment for cats and CATS ONLY, here’s my short list of three products that can do the job through thick and thin.

Best Flea Treatment for Cats - Comparison table

Best Flea Treatment for Cats Reviews

1. Bayer Advantage II Flea Control Treatment for Cats

Bayer-Advantage II-Flea-Control-Treatment-for-CatsWhile cats don’t give a damn about almost anything in the world, fleas can make them go crazy. If proper care is not taken, fleas can serious harm to your kitty. The Bayer Advantage II Flea Control Treatment offers more than most other flea treatments.

It is prepared with the aim to get rid of the existing fleas and make sure that they don’t infest again in the near future. In fact, the Advantage II monthly treatment breaks down the flea life cycle as it is able to kill fleas at all their life stages.

This package contains 4 doses and one dose is enough to effectively control flea infestation for a month. So as a whole it is a supply for 4 months.

The Bayer Advantage II has some really great advantages. Firstly, fleas don’t necessarily need to bite the cat to die. The treatment kills them simply by contact. It starts to work within 12 hours of first application.

After you have applied, let the cat be by themselves. It is better to not go near them, especially keep the children away from them, while the treatment works. The most important thing to remember regarding this treatment is that it is made for kittens 8 weeks of age or older.

You must also consider their weights, as you can’t apply it to cats weighing less than 2 pounds. It is waterproof and the results last for a significantly long time.

Things I Liked about This Product
  • This product kills off fleas and ticks of all life stages.
  • Unlike other products on the market, this one has a higher success rate.
  • Starts to work on fleas and ticks within 12 hours of application.
  • Majority of the fleas and ticks do die when you apply this product.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Product
  • This product gives off oily residue.

2. Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for Cats and Kittens

Frontline-Plus-Flea-and-Tick-Control-for-CatsThe Frontline Flea and Tick Control is an effective way to make sure your cat lives an uninterrupted happy life. Fleas, lice, and ticks can be really dangerous for dogs and cats. This Frontline product is specially designed for cats (do not use it on dogs).

It kills the existing infestation and ensures that further infestation does not take place. It can only be used on cats that are at least 8 weeks old. Using it on younger kittens will prove hazardous. It is safe to be used on breeding, pregnant and lactating cats.

Results of each application last for a month. And so the three pipettes in the package will be enough for three months. Those cat owners who are new to flea and tick treatments may ask how can application last for a month.

Here’s how. This Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control is waterproof. That is, if you even shampoo your cat after applying the treatment, it will still work effectively. But here’s the deal. Only wet your cat after 24 hours of application.

And when applying, (say after a bath) make sure the cat is completely dry. If you keep these two things in mind, no matter how much you wet your cat after application fleas are bound to die. Now about the fleas.

The treatment medicine is made to kill fleas at all four of their life stages – adult, eggs, larvae, and pupae. That is, while killing the present infesting fleas, it will make sure that future infestation won’t take place.

Things I Liked about This Product
  • This little product takes care of fleas, lice, ticks, mosquitos etc.
  • When applied, long-term effects begin to show up in as little as one month.
  • This thing has a nice smell unlike most of the products.
  • It kills fleas of all life stages.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Product
  • You cannot bathe your kitties for 24 hours after applying.
  • Kitties below 8 weeks’ old can not tolerate this flea treatment medicine.

3. Advecta II Flea Treatment

Advecta II-Flea-TreatmentAdvecta II is a reliable name when it comes to getting rid of fleas off your dogs and cats. This flea treatment product is meant for the cats and it works really well. It is totally safe for our soft-pawed friends and very easy to apply.

The treatment uses Pyriproxyfen and Imidacloprid – two anti-flea agents used in leading brands of pet care products. After the application of each of the treatments, the results remain effective for 4 weeks (or a month).

While you can apply this on cats that are 8 weeks or older, you must take into account one important factor. This particular treatment is made for cats that weigh at least 9 pounds. So even if your cat is 3 years old, don’t use the Advecta II treatment on it unless it weighs 9 pounds or more.

This flea treatment kills adults, eggs, and larvae. That is, it kills from the root. As a result, chances of future infestation reduce a lot and both you and your cat can be happy. It starts working within 12 hours of the primary monthly dosage.

It is fragrance-free so your cat won’t be bothered about it (sometimes it’s hard to what bothers them and what doesn’t). Like most well-known flea treatment products, it is waterproof. So you can easily shower or shampoo your cat after applying the dose.

Don’t just wet it right after applying. Take my suggestion. Apply the monthly dosage after a good shower. And then bathe them again after a day or two.

Things I Liked about This Product
  • One dose of treatment is good for at least four weeks or more.
  • Advecta II begins working within 12 hours of application on your cat’s body.
  • This thing is waterproof and safe for your dear kitties.
  • Avecta II works best after a good shower.
Things I Didn’t Like About this Product
  • You cannot apply it to kitties that are less than 8 weeks’ old.

How to Buy the Best Flea Treatment Medicine for Cats and Dogs

By now, you are probably done going through all the recommendations that I put up as a part of my hunt for different types of flea and tick treatment medicines.

No matter how straightforward the list looks and how easy it sounds to put forward such a list, it isn’t. It took me numerous experimentations, research work and monitoring to find out which type of treatment works for dogs and which do for cats.

The job was half done when I selected the medicines for testing. There are a few factors which prompted me to select these products. I imagine you are eager to note them down as well. So, let us get to the point.

Is it for a Dog or a Cat?

Many of us sort of gloss over this matter. We tend to experiment with our pets’ life and apply them, feed them, and make them wear flea treatment medicine without considering whether it is made for them or not.

For example, people often feed or massage dogs with medicine for the best flea treatment for cats. It can be really harmful if you are not doing it right. That is why I’d advise you to read the manual and apply the medicine to the kind of pet it is intended for.

Some meds are good for both the animals. You can go ahead with them. But not with the “Type-Specific” product, be sure to check on which animal it is meant for.

Check the Specifics of Your Pet

Okay, let’s assume for a moment that you’ve selected a product or two which caters to your pet (whether dog or a cat). The next order of business is to find out the breed of your dog/cat.

Pay attention to his/her age too. Most of the meds won’t work below or over a certain age.

The next thing to is to find out how much your fur-ball weighs. Almost all the medicines’ effectiveness and type vary based on all these metrics. You can sort out the best available flea meds for your dogs and cats once you categorize these things in order.

Find out Special Condition for Your Dog or Cat (If there is any)

Before you proceed to pointing your fingers at a certain product, be sure to check if your dog or cat pregnant or nursing a baby. If your pets are taking some other form of medicine, based on that, the flea treatment meds will change too.

Got a pet that’s prone to allergies? Find out which type of medicine it is allergic to. Then, cross the medicine off your list. Proceed with the safer variant.

Go Natural if You Can!

In my article, I have gone through the popular types of flea treatments for dogs and cats. Even within the types, you will find medicines that use chemicals. On the other hand, there are some natural ones too!

Take my opinion, go natural if you can. Chemical medicines often induce nausea or even scratching for a temporary period. While these are not lethal to your pet or children, there’s a pungent smell most of the time.

Natural flea medicines don’t usually have any of that. They have vitamins packed into facilitating natural immune system against dermatitis. Some medicines come with a dim but pleasant smell.

Now that you know how to look for a medicine for fleas and ticks, the next step should help you a lot! It deals with necessary safety precautions you need to take when dealing with these things. Pair them up with the buying guide and you are all set to get a cracker of a deal.

Tips on Using Flea Medicine for Dogs and Cats

We all take the necessary precautions before actually applying these things to our dogs or cats. Even then, just to be sure you didn’t miss out on anything, I am listing few tips that I follow whenever nursing my pair of dogs and cats.

  • Make sure you understand your dog or cat before you go on a hunting-spree for the medicine. Consult with your vet. This is specially necessary if you have pregnant pet or your pet is nursing. In case he/she is taking other drugs, it is safe to know the nature of it so it doesn’t conflict the flea killer medicines.
  • Even if you are using the best flea medicine for dogs or cats, be sure to wear gloves. Safety always comes first.
  • It is best to keep the flea treatment medicine out of the reach of the children in the house.
  • Use flea combs to pick up these insects and ticks just to be extra safe.
  • Always read the instructions. It helps your dogs and cats to remain safe and prevents you from messing things up.

Before Ending it All!

Phew! It’s over, guys! I am finally done with my humongous guide on flea treatment for dogs and cats. I believe my “Words of Wisdom” will help you in understanding the problem a tad bit better.

I can say for sure that you can take a well-informed decision at the end of this guide regarding what sort of treatment your pet needs and how to go about it. My recommendations will also help you in deciding what to choose for your pets. But be careful, not all medicines will work equally well for your beloved cat or the dog you’ve got there!

In that case, please refer to the buying guide I’ve put up to discern the type of product you need. And as always with any pet product, “Be safe.”

John Howes
 

Pet lover & passionate blogger. I love to write about pet. I started this blog to provide advance materials for choosing the right products for your dog.

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