If you have a dog that loves to run around in woodland or parks, there is a good chance that you’ll need a flea treatment for it at some point. Fleas are small, annoying critters that survive by ingesting the blood of a warm host. Not only they trigger itching and skin infections but can also transmit tapeworm eggs into your pet’s or even your own blood stream. Yes, they do have preferred hosts but do not mind snacking on human blood either.
Top 10 Best Flea Treatment For Dogs Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Features | Rating (1-5) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | FRONTLINE Plus for Small Dog (5-22 lbs) Flea + Tick Treatment | Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages Waterproof topical solution Consistent protection for 30 days Approved for pregnant, breeding & lactating dogs Can also be used on cats | 3 | $ |
 | Oster Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal | 100% natural ingredients Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages Doesn’t wash off other topical applications Fresh breeze scent Can also be used on cats | 3.5 | $ |
 | Novartis Capstar Flea Tablets for Dogs and Cats | Powerful action even on stubborn fleas Kills all fleas within 6 hours Can also be used for cats | 3.5 | $ |
 | Vectra 3D Blue 3 dose for dogs 21 - 55 lbs | Kills fleas on contact within 2 hours Repels many biting insects Consistent protection for 30 days Acts even on stubborn fleas Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages | 3.5 | $$ |
 | Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray for Cats and Dogs | Acts almost instantly Repels mosquitoes Consistent protection for 60 days Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages Can also be used on cats Low price | 4 | $ |
 | Bayer Advantage II Flea and Lice Treatment for X-Large Dogs | Acts within 12 hours Consistent protection for 30 days Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages Waterproof topical solution | 4 | $$ |
 | Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Large Dogs | Acts within 48 hours Consistent protection for 8 months Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages Waterproof treatment | 4.5 | $$ |
 | Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo with Precor for Dogs and Cats | Consistent protection for 28 days Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages Can also be used on cats Removes dandruff Pleasant smell Low price | 4.5 | $ |
 | Advantix II K9 Blue - 6-Month Treatment for Extra Large Dogs | Kills fleas & ectoparasites in all life stages Waterproof topical solution Consistent protection for 30 days Kills all fleas within 12 hours | 4.5 | $$$ |
 | Natural Chemistry 11063 Deflea Upholstery Spray Trigger, 24 Oz | 100% natural ingredients Kills fleas in all life stages Doesn’t remove colors of upholstery Pleasant smell Low price | 5 | $ |
A large number of fleas can easily cause life-threatening blood loss, which is why it is necessary that you deal with them as quickly as possible. These are easy to contract and tricky to eradicate. Also, due to their strong life-cycle, repeated action for over a month is required. Choosing the right products for such treatment thus becomes super important.
For more information, we have compiled a guide to the best flea treatment for dogs, which also includes a list of the 10 best products. However, note that the right treatment will depend on a number of individual factors such as the severity of infestation, age, weight of your pet and its medical conditions. Moreover, the products which may suit one dog may be too harsh for another. So, please consult your vet before choosing a treatment for your furry friend.
What Types Of Flea Treatments For Dogs Are There?
There are 4 common types of flea treatments: topical, flea pills, collars and sprays.
Topical treatment refers to application of medicine on skin. Such medicines are usually in the form of shampoos or powders and they eliminate fleas from your dog with varying degrees of success. While shampoos usually kill fleas within 24 hours, powders may take up to one week of consistent use before they show results. These are formulated for adult fleas but most products nowadays also contain insect growth regulators (IGRs) which prevent eggs from hatching and larvae from maturing into adult fleas. For best results, these can be used alongside other treatments like flea pills.
Flea pills have proven to offer the most effective solution yet, with some pills eradicating the infestation within just four hours. However, the oral pill medication targets either adult fleas or the eggs at a time -never both. This means that you’ll have to buy several pills for the complete treatment. Also, this usually requires a prescription from vet.
Flea collars are fastened around the neck and they kill or repel fleas by gradually releasing insecticides into the dog’s coat. The collars have a lifetime of up to eight months but usually prove to be ineffective as only the fleas in close proximity to the collar (i.e., around the face and neck areas) get killed.
Flea sprays can be used on your pet in between baths as well as on the carpets and furniture in your house to weed out the eggs. Simply spritz them over your pet and rub the substance gently into the coat. These are inexpensive and relatively easy to use.
Note: that all these flea treatments use insecticides, some of which may be allergic or toxic to your dog. Consulting your vet first is thus necessary.
Benefits of Best Flea Treatment For Dogs
The best flea treatment for dogs should be effective, convenient and safe. For this, you will need to consider a plenty of factors and this job can be best done by a vet. For instance, if the infestation is less severe, one can use a topical product and it should provide immediate relief.
However, for more severe infestations, oral medication is more effective and the pills will need to be taken daily until the infestation is gone. Similarly, the age of your dog also plays an important role. Depending on the brand and ingredients, pills can be given to pets older than 14 weeks but for younger dogs (aged above 7 weeks), topical treatments are usually the best.
Downsides Of Flea Treatments For Dogs
The products used for flea treatments can have some serious side-effects on your pet if any of the ingredients does not react well. If your dog’s skin is very sensitive, these insecticides may worsen the skin condition, causing further allergies and rashes.
Also, these can affect the other pets at home if your dog comes in contact with them. For instance, some products contain chemicals called permethrin which is highly toxic, especially to cats and vets suggest that such products can be safely used if you have only dogs and no cats in your household.
10. FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs Small Dog (5-22 pounds) Flea and Tick Treatment, 3 Doses
The manufacturer of Frontline Plus, Merial has been making animal health products since 1997 and it is a trusted company by vets. Their product Frontline Plus has worked for years and continues to work for dogs of all breeds when used properly. It is a topical flea control solution for dogs aged 8 weeks or more (weighing 5-22 lbs) and needs to be applied once every month.
The serum comes in a pipette which serves as an applicator to seep it into the pores of your pet’s skin. The serum then spreads throughout the pet’s body and gets stored in the oil glands of skin, providing non-stop, waterproof protection for full 30 days, no matter where your pet then treads. Just make sure that the pet shouldn’t be given bath in the next 24 hours for the solution to fully dry and if it leaves some oily spots on coat, avoid touching them until the serum is fully absorbed.
With fipronil (9.8%) and S-methoprene (8.8%) as active ingredients, it kills all adult fleas and ticks (including ticks that transmit Lyme disease) while also disrupting their reproductive cycles. Fipronil is such a powerful ingredient that it kills fleas within 12 hours and ticks or chewing-lice within 48 hours.
Similarly, the insect growth regulator, S-Methoprene kills flea eggs and larvae in a very short time. It is a widely-used product and is approved for use even on pregnant, breeding and lactating dogs. Comparing to other products, it’s relatively pricey but it is a premium flea treatment that any pet owner should have.
Pros:
- Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages
- Waterproof topical solution
- Consistent protection for 30 days
- Approved for pregnant, breeding & lactating dogs
- Can also be used on cats
Cons:
- Relatively high price
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9. Oster Flea and Tick Shampoo with Oatmeal
This one is a high quality flea shampoo made with 100% natural ingredients- no dye, paraben, alcohol, phosphate or phthalate! The primary ingredient here is oatmeal which is a natural irritation reducer. Since the formula is pH balanced and has no chemicals, it is gentle and safe for sensitive skin.
If you are already using some other topical flea application, then also you can use it alongside as it does not interfere with or wash away the other medications. It successfully kills fleas and ticks at all stages of lifecycle through the naturally-derived pyrethrins from chrysanthemum flowers but does not provide a layer of protection on your dog afterwards. Thus, using other preventative measures once you’re finished is also recommended.
Leave the shampoo on your pet for at least 5 minutes, if not longer, for best results. It has a long-lasting fresh breeze scent which your pet will also love. This shampoo is meant for dogs & cats older than 12 weeks and has been widely used by groomers for a long time, for good reasons. Also, it is the lowest priced product on our list. So, if you are looking for the most affordable natural treatment available, this one is the best flea treatment for dogs.
Pros:
- 100% natural ingredients
- Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages
- Doesn’t wash off other topical applications
- Fresh breeze scent
- Can also be used on cats
- Low cost
Cons:
- Does not prevent fleas from coming back
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8. Novartis Capstar Flea Tablets for Dogs and Cats
Capstar tablets are powerful and will kill all fleas on your pet within 4-6 hours. The product comes as a box of 6 tablets which are recommended for small dogs and cats weighing 2-25 lbs. It works on even the most stubborn adult fleas that have grown immune to different types of treatments.
And it kills them completely from inside out, so when they bite your dog and in turn ingest the formula, they no longer survive to reproduce. However, to prevent re-infestation from fleas outside your pet’s coat, you’ll need to use some long term flea control solution as well. If your pet does not like taking oral medication, you may consider burying the tablet inside butter so that the pet is not able to separate the tablet and spit it out.
Also note how the pet reacts after taking the initial dose. Capster contains moxidectin and some breeds may have serious stomach sensitivity to this ingredient, so please be careful. These tablets are a powerful, quick remedy, so if that’s what you need, these may be helpful.
Pros:
- Powerful action even on stubborn fleas
- Kills all fleas within 6 hours
- Can also be used for cats
Cons:
- Not suitable for dogs with sensitive stomach
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7. Vectra 3D Blue 3 dose for dogs 21 – 55 lbs
Vectra 3D is another good tablet on market and it is recommended for dogs over 8 weeks that weigh 21 – 55 lbs. It is a fast-acting medicine that kills fleas within first 2 hours and reduces the number of ticks significantly in 24 hours. Unlike most other pills, it kills on contact, which means that parasites do not have to bite first to die. It contains powerful insecticides like dinotefuran and permethrin which kill the insects as soon as they lend on your pet.
And the insect growth regulator, pyriproxyfen prevents their development in early stages so that the entire life cycle is disrupted. It not just kills fleas and ticks but also keeps the pet safe from many biting insects such as mosquitoes, sand flies, mites (excluding mange mites) and lice. It comes as a pack of 3 doses and one dose is enough for consistent protection for 30 days.
It also comes in four different formulations to ensure that there is an appropriate dosage for dogs of all sizes. Vectra 3D is powerful but it can also be dangerous if your pet is pregnant, nursing, debilitated or elderly or if it does not react well to the ingredients, hence consultation with vet is necessary.
Also note that it is toxic to cats and if you have a cat at home with which the dog may come in contact with, you should not use this product. Other than that, it is a long lasting, convenient topical treatment that stops flea infestation as well as prevents re-infestation.
Pros:
- Kills fleas on contact within 2 hours
- Repels many biting insects
- Consistent protection for 30 days
- Acts even on stubborn fleas
- Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages
Cons:
- Not suitable for pregnant, nursing, debilitated or elderly dogs.
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6. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray for Cats and Dogs
Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray works almost instantly. Simply spray it on your pet and spread the solution using a soft cloth. As you do this, you’ll begin seeing fleas slowing down and within few minutes, they’ll finally die. The recommended dose is about 4 squeezes of the spray per pound of body weight and it should be used only once in a month.
After application, it provides consistent protection for up to two months. Note that the spray combines the adult flea killing power of etofenprox with the egg-killing power of S-Methoprene and if you use it too often, the pet will be overloaded with active ingredients. This also means that the product will eventually lose its effectiveness then.
Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray not just kills fleas and ticks at all life stages but also repels mosquitoes. Another good thing is that it works on both dogs and cats, so if you have cats at home that are also spreading flea infestation, you may want to consider using this Adams spray. It is a highly rated product, gives quick relief and is also easy on pocket.
Pros:
- Acts almost instantly
- Repels mosquitoes
- Consistent protection for 60 days
- Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages
- Can also be used on cats
- Low price
Cons:
- Strong medicinal scent
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5. Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment Dogs
Advantage II is a reformulated version of a very popular product called Advantage which was first released in 1996 but it killed only adult fleas. The current version includes an insect growth regulator, Pyriproxyfen which kills flea eggs, larvae as well as chewing lice.
This is an over-the-counter drug that comes as a pack of 4 doses and is suitable for dogs over 7 weeks, weighing 3-10 lb. It is available in other packaging as well for dogs of other sizes. The product needs to be applied at three or four points along the back. It kills fleas in all life stages but unlike many similar products, it’s not for ticks.
Nevertheless, it is very effective and side effects have known to be rare. After application, it prevents consistent, waterproof protection for 30 days. It kills through contact, so no flea biting is required for action. You can expect to see results within 12 hours. Overall, it is a convenient and odorless topical treatment that you can apply every month to keep your pet free from flea infestation.
Pros:
- Acts within 12 hours
- Consistent protection for 30 days
- Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages
- Waterproof topical solution
Cons:
- Relatively high price
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4. Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Large Dog- from 7 weeks onwards or over 18 lb, 8 Month Protection
Manufactured by the same company, Bayer, this collar uses the same active ingredients (imidacloprid & pyriproxyfen) as Advantage but in a gradual release format that keeps the dogs flea-free for up to eight months. Additionally, it also has a tick-killing component called flumethrin.
The collar gradually releases these ingredients in small doses which then get distributed over your dog from head to tail, thus ensuring a safe and controlled barrier. It is recommended for dogs over 7 weeks and weighing over 18 lb. Going by the reviews, adverse reactions seem to be rare, so if your pet did well with Advantage, Seresto collar should also be fine.
It is a non-greasy, odorless collar that quickly kills fleas within 24 hours and ticks within 48 hours of initial application. It kills on contact, so no biting is required. The collar is water-resistant but to prevent active ingredients from wearing off before time, it is recommended that dogs should be bathed only once in a month.
If your dog bathes or swims often, expect the control duration to reduce from 8 months to 5 months for flea control and to 7 months for tick control. The Seresto collar is easy-to-apply and can be worn simultaneously with leash collars, so you don’t need to replace the current ones. If you are someone who does not want the hassle of monthly treatments, this product may be worth considering.
Pros:
- Acts within 48 hours
- Consistent protection for 8 months
- Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages
- Waterproof treatment
Cons:
- Relatively high price
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3. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor for Dogs and Cats
This one is a cleansing and deodorizing shampoo that also keeps your pet flea and tick free. One of its active ingredients is precor, an insect growth regulator that kills flea eggs for 28 days, thus breaking their life cycle and preventing re-infestation. It is also enriched with natural ingredients like aloe, coconut extract, lanolin and oatmeal to help control excessive itching.
Not just this formula helps get rid of pests but also leaves the hair coat dandruff-free, soft and shiny. The product is suitable for dogs and cats over 12 weeks. It can be used full strength or diluted with 2 parts water and the quantity to be applied is 11/3 tablespoons for each 5 lbs of pet’s weight.
Simply spread the lather on the pet’s body and let it stay for 3-5 minutes before rinsing with warm water. If required, you can also repeat the process every 7 to 10 days. It is a gentle, low-cost product and is definitely worth considering if your vet approves.
Pros:
- Consistent protection for 28 days
- Kills fleas & ticks in all life stages
- Can also be used on cats
- Removes dandruff
- Pleasant smell
- Low price
Cons:
- Some users complained that it doesn’t foam enough.
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2. Advantix II K9 Blue – 6-Month Treatment for Extra Large Dogs Over 55 lbs — 6 Tubes by K9 Advantix II
K9 Advantix II is a reformulated version of Advantix, a popular drug by Bayer that was only effective at eliminating adult fleas. K9 Advantix II, however, has a superior formula that also triggers common ectoparasites like mosquitoes, ticks, chewing lice and biting flies in all lifecycle stages.
The key ingredients are imidacloprid, permethrin and pyriproxyfen, which first target the nervous system of pests and ultimately lead to their death. It is quick-acting treatment that stops fleas from biting within 5 minutes and kills them within 12 hours of application. It is suitable for dogs older than 7 weeks and weighing over 55 lbs.
Upon application, it provides consistent, waterproof protection for up to 30 days. K9 Advantix II comes as a pack of 6 tubes and only one tube is to be used per month, so the pack will last for 6 months.
It is very effective but without consulting your vet, do not use it on dogs with sensitive skin as pesticides are known to cause skin irritation. Other than that, it is a powerful topical drug for complete protection of dogs, which is why it is one of the best-selling flea control products on market.
Pros:
- Kills fleas & ectoparasites in all life stages
- Waterproof topical solution
- Consistent protection for 30 days
- Kills all fleas within 12 hours
Cons:
- Relatively high price
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1. Natural Chemistry 11063 Deflea Upholstery Spray Trigger, 24 Oz
Using flea spray is the last line of defense in getting rid of the existing flea infestation in your home after you are done with taking measures to kill the fleas on your pet. Natural Chemistry 11063 is a perfect solution for this as it kills all adult fleas, larva and eggs that maybe there on your pet or around the furniture.
Unlike many other flea control products, it has an all natural formula. So, if you are looking for something organic, this one is the best flea treatment for dogs. The key ingredients are cottonseed oil and a cinnamon based oil, which are powerful enough to kill fleas in all life stages.
And since these oils smell great, you won’t be left with chemical smells in your house. Also, unlike the chemical sprays that damage the dyes and coloring of your upholstery, this one does not interfere with textiles. Thanks to its all natural formula, it is safe for both pets and humans.
So, even if you have young children in your home, you can buy this product without thinking twice. The only drawback is that since it is very gentle, you may need to spray it more than once to get rid of the infestation completely. Nevertheless, it is worth buying.
Pros:
- 100% natural ingredients
- Kills fleas in all life stages
- Doesn’t remove colors of upholstery
- Pleasant smell
- Low price
Cons:
- May require multiple treatments for complete flea control.
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Editors Choice of Best Flea Treatment for Dogs
After analyzing all options, we think that Natural Chemistry 11063 is the best flea treatment for dogs. It is an all-natural product and can be safely used on your pet and in the house. It kills stubborn adult fleas, larva and the eggs that may be there dormant in your furniture and waiting for the right temperature or movements to hatch.
Moreover, unlike other chemical sprays, it does not stain or fade your upholstery. It gives a nice pleasant smell and does not make you feel that you’re using medicines to treat the infestation. It is organic, gentle, nourishing, effective and low priced as well, making it our favorite pick on the list.
Which one do you think is the best flea treatment for dogs? Which one did your vet suggest? Do let us know your views and experiences by leaving your comments in the box below.
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