Best Flea Treatment for Dogs

One of the major issues for dogs and dog owners across the world is fleas. Pesky and annoying, they can be especially tough to get rid of. Affecting doggos of all shapes and sizes – with both smooth or shaggy coats – these tiny critters are a nightmare to endure. If you notice excessive scratching, rolling in the dirt or in ponds, biting, licking, scabs and red patches, or abnormal bumps around your pet’s skin – it is likely that fleas have made themselves at home on your dog’s body. But not to worry: although they are a nuisance, fleas can be taken care of. With a range of various flea treatments on the market, you can keep fleas at bay indefinitely – with little effort.

That’s not to say that dealing with fleas is not a challenge. Did you know that there are more than 2,500 recorded flea species out there? But don’t worry – just two of them can bother your pet, the Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) and Ctenocephalides canis (dog flea). Interestingly enough, in most cases, it’s the cat flea that’s bothering dogs. Sometimes, the infestation is very mild – and a warm, soapy bath can soothe your dog’s skin and act as a solution that kills off the fleas. But when the infestation is more serious, you might need a more potent “weapon” in your fight against fleas.

Whether you go for an anti-flea collar, a topical treatment, a spray, tablets, or chewables, you can rest assured that the meds contained in these will keep the fleas dead and gone. Of course, there are no reasons to worry – all these solutions rely on FDA-approved, non-toxic ingredients that are totally safe for pets. We’ve rounded up the best flea treatment for dogs there is- all you have to do is pick one that suits your pet’s needs and your budget.

It is only natural to want the very best for your pupper. With TevraPet Activate II Flea Killer you are guaranteed a swift and sure remedy for those nasty bloodsuckers. This vet quality remedy boasts a combination of provenly effective active ingredients such as imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen – all of which are a sure end to fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies in one swift go. Designed for dogs over 55 lbs and older than 7 weeks (and available for small and medium breeds too), this 4 month supply of flea treatment will put an end to all the problems your doggo has. Easy to apply, waterproof, and fast-acting, this flea killer is an affordable and efficient solution.

With natural, plant-based formula, this flea eliminating spray will give you a safe and non-toxic way to treat fleas on your pet. Designed for both home and dogs, Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Home Spray prides itself on a quick-acting formula that kills fleas on contact without having to rely on harsh chemicals. And not only that it eliminates adult fleas, but it also kills flea eggs, flea larvae, and ticks, and also repels mosquitoes. This spray uses certified peppermint oil and eugenol to eradicate parasites, and these natural ingredients won’t irritate your pets. It comes in a nifty spray bottle and is easy to apply anywhere, whether on your pet’s body directly or around the house where they spend the most time. Leaving no traces or nasty odors, it is great for active combat against fleas – use it whenever and wherever there’s a need.

If you need visible results – and you need them fast – PetArmor Plus for Dogs offers you a solution. This fast-acting and carefully created flea treatment for dogs is perfect for breaking up the life cycle of the fleas and eliminating them completely in all for starting from their eggs, through larvae, and all the way to adult fleas. Once applied, this topical flea killer will start acting within 24 hours, and continue to work against fleas for 30 days, which is the ideal time to completely remove the threat of fleas returning regardless of their initial life stage. What’s better is the fact that this pack contains three separate doses, allowing you to keep the fleas at bay for three months! With patience and a remedy as potent as PetArmor’s Plus, these critters stand no chance.

Tablets are sometimes the easiest way to treat a doggo, especially those that are squirmy and energetic. Always ready to munch on something, our pets usually won’t notice a tablet concealed in a treat and will gladly accept anything they consider yummy. Convenient to use and highly effective, CapAction Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs starts eliminating fleas just 30 minutes after ingestion. Easy to use and totally safe, these tablets are a great, mess-free way to treat flea infestations. And if the critters happen to come back, just repeat the process – as often as once a day, until the buggers are banished once and for all. The main ingredient in use here is nitenpyram, a potent and quick remedy against fleas that is completely safe for dogs to use but deadly for fleas.

For continuous protection over time, nothing beats a good flea repellent collar. Seresto offers this long-lasting and powerful collar that can keep fleas at bay for as long as 8 months! Working through contact, this collar repels and kills both fleas and ticks, and starts working just 24 hours after it is put on. It has no odors whatsoever, and is also non-greasy, making it just like any other regular collar. Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs has a simple design that makes it easy to adjust to the needed size, and once it’s put on, it won’t break off easily during rowdy play or adventurous exploration. Designed for dogs over 18 lbs, it is recommended by veterinarians as one of the leading flea repellent collars on the market.

A flea infestation can be particularly bad for all tiny doggos as their small size makes them more susceptible to flea-related issues such as anemia. K9 Advantix II Flea Prevention is designed specifically for small dogs, weighing from 4 to 10 lbs, and can make sure your pet is not at risk of being run over with fleas. Once applied, it keeps these nasties at bay for one month. Conveniently, you can choose from several packs, up to 6 monthly doses, which helps you really treat that infestation thoroughly and throughout the year. This topical repellent is easy to apply and starts working in just 12 hours after application. Being non-toxic or harmful, it is suitable for year-round protection against fleas. The secret of its efficiency is the three main ingredients: Imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen – all of which are a sure stop to ticks, fleas, and lice.

Fleas love large and shaggy puppers- lots to snack on and plenty of room to hide and multiply. If you’re struggling to eliminate fleas in your XXL doggo, this Advecta solution will surely come in handy. Designed for dogs over 55 lbs, this topical flea repellent kills these pests on contact and is very easy to apply. Once it’s active, the Advecta ULTRA will be efficient for 30 days – breaking the life cycle of the fleas and making sure the larvae and the eggs don’t grow up to pester your pet. This medication has a special odorless, waterproof formula that keeps it applied even when your doggo gets wet. Based on the Permethrin medication, this product is a fantastic way to keep fleas at bay for your big doggo.

Hartz UltraGuard is specifically designed for small dogs and puppies, older than 12 weeks and weighing from 5 to 14 lbs. With a fast-acting and efficient formula, this topical treatment perfectly eliminates fleas, deer ticks, brown dog ticks, and flea eggs – for 30 days. It also prevents re-infestation reliably. Easily applied on your pet’s back, this drop-action treatment kills all nasties on contact. With 3 monthly treatments provided, you can really curb the reappearance of fleas, and with a lasting treatment, you can provide yearly protection for your pet. Affordable and efficient, Hartz’s unique formula stands out as one of the best on the market.

Frontline is one of the veteran pet care brands, and their flea treatment for dogs is a true testament to that experience. Frontline developed a unique new triple action formula that utilizes a series of powerful ingredients in order to eliminate fleas, ticks, and flea larvae. Easy to apply thanks to the new applicator design, this remedy starts killing fleas in just 30 minutes – much faster than their older formulas. What is more, it also lasts for a full month – and comes with 6 monthly doses! If you want an effective solution for both fleas and ticks – you’ll definitely find it with Frontline Gold for Dogs.

Soft chews are often the simplest form of administering flea treatment to your dogs. Usually disguised as enticing treats, soft chews are quickly munched up by your clueless doggo. Advantus Soft Chew oral flea treatment comes in the form of 7 soft chews which are potent and fast-acting: in just 1 hour, the fleas will start dropping! Relying on imidacloprid, these soft chews are savory and enticing – and quite convenient to use. It is also safe to repeat treatment with these chews, up to once per day. That way you can make sure that even the most persistent flea infestations are successfully dealt with.

How to Minimize the Risk of a Flea Infestation?

There are several key steps that you can take in order to make sure that the risk of fleas making a home out of your pet’s coat is at an all-time minimum. Of course, even with all the precautions, these nasty critters can still appear – but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Another place to keep clean is your dog’s bed or any nook that it frequents. This is the foremost place where dirt, hair, and possible fleas will accumulate. If possible, machines wash the bed often and keep your pet’s surroundings clean and fresh.

Of course, that’s just the beginning- to really make sure there are no lurking parasites, you’ll have to rely on some form of flea treatment for dogs, whether natural or commercial.

Another great benefit is the fact that most flea treatments are efficient against other pesky critters that are a threat to our dogs. These include ticks and mosquitoes. Ticks especially can be quite dangerous and can transmit the dreaded Lyme disease. Thankfully, most flea treatments on the market will take care of them as well, alongside fleas and their eggs and larvae.

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