Fleas might be small in size, but they are no joke, because they are known as the main culprit to cause your beloved dogs extreme itching, skin infections, and hot spots. As an owner, you need to help your best friend prevent an uncomfortable flea infestation. But how? Since you’re here, I will show you a list of the best flea treatment for dogs that all work by eliminating pests at all stages of their life cycle. I also provide you with a buying guide that guarantees that you will bring home the best medication for your puppies.
Don’t hesitate anymore! Let’s start now!
Best Flea Treatment for Dogs – Comparison Table
Best Flea Treatment For Dog Reviews
Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment Dogs – Large Dog
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The first best flea treatment for dogs that I want to mention is Bayer Advantage II Topical – Large Dog. This product is known as a good way to help you deal with a flea infestation effectively. It eliminates up to 99% of larvae and eggs within 20 minutes and 98% of all fleas within 12 hours.
Besides this, it breaks the life cycle and prevents further flea populations. When used correctly, it keeps working for 4 weeks. No new fleas can find a way back to your dog within 2 hours.
Bayer Advantage II Topical comes in a single tube that you can press onto the dog’s skin. Since it’s for large dogs, you should apply the formula at 3 or 4 different positions along their back. Don’t worry if they run in the rain or go swimming since it is waterproof.
Pros
- Effectively eliminates fleas in 12 hours
- Prevents reproduction cycle in about 20 minutes
- Long protection time of up to 4 weeks
- Waterproof and odorless
- Available over-the-counter
- Veterinarian recommended
Cons
- It might be difficult to apply to thick-coated dogs
- May cause skin allergies in sensitive dogs
Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment Dogs – Medium Dog
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The next best flea treatment for dogs also comes from Bayer, but it’s mainly for medium-sized dogs which weigh between 11 to 20lbs.
With two active ingredients including pyriproxyfen and imidacloprid, this product will eliminate adult fleas and break the fleas’ life cycle efficiently. Additionally, it prevents insects from staying as soon as they are in contact with your pet.
Just use Bayer Advantage II Topical once a month, and it will wipe out at least 98% of fleas. Even better, it stops the re-infesting of fleas within 2 hours. Another interesting thing is that this product has water-resistant properties. That means it’s still active on your dog even after swimming or bathing.
Pros
- Effectively works for 1 month or more
- Gets rid of fleas, eggs, and larvae
- Prevents further flea reproduction and infestation for a month
- Waterproof
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Make sure to check the size to choose the right one for the size of your dog.
- You have to wait until 12 hours to kill 98% of the fleas, patience is necessary.
Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment Dogs – Small Dog
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“Well, if my dog weighs under 11lbs and gets infested, which one should I use?”
Luckily, Bayer has the best flea treatment for dogs that is suitable for small dogs between 3 and 10lbs. Similar to the above two products, it works by wiping out fleas on contact.
According to the manufacturer, Bayer Advantage II for small dogs delivers multi-stage flea control. That means it can actively destroy fleas’ life-cycle stages and stop the growth of the flea population. Besides this, it’s known for obstructing fleas from infesting your house.
You need to apply it monthly to kill 98% of fleas and prevent them from laying eggs. It is fairly simple to use if you read the instructions carefully before applying. Last, but not least, don’t worry that the effectiveness of this product will be lost if you wash your pet because it’s waterproof.
Pros
- Eliminates multiple flea life stages
- Prevents fleas through contact for 1 month
- Easy to apply
- Waterproof
- Recommended by veterinarians
Cons
- Some customers have complained of receiving a delivery of Advantix instead of Advantage
- Sometimes it doesn’t work for ticks
Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment Dogs – Extra Large Dog
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A wonderful thing that Bayer brings us is a variety of choices. Relying on that, you can pick up the right one for your pet. So, if your dog is over 55lbs, make sure you buy Bayer Advantage II Topical flea treatment for extra-large dogs.
Of course, its use is similar to the ones above including killing 98% of the fleas within 12 hours, stopping egg production, and keeping its effectiveness for 1 month after applying.
But, a BIG note of caution is that you must avoid using the best flea treatment for dogs on or around cats if you have any. The reason being that this product is stronger than the others.
Pros
- Kills fleas on contact for 30 days
- Controls lice infestations and egg production efficiently
- Waterproof
- Starts working within minutes after applying
- Odorless and easy to use
Cons
- A bit expensive when compared with other products
- Doesn’t work for ticks
FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs Large Dog (45 to 88 pounds) Flea and Tick Treatment, 6 Doses
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Another favorite brand of the best flea treatment for dogs that many pet owners prefer to use is FRONTLINE Plus.
Let’s start with the product for large dogs between 45 to 88 pounds. With two active ingredients including fipronil and (S)-methoprene, FRONTLINE Plus claims to wipe out 98-100% fleas within 1 day after application. Not only does it treat adult fleas but also their larvae and eggs efficiently. Additionally, its formula stops lice and sarcoptic mange and protects your dog for up to 30 days.
Application is extremely easy. You just snap off the applicator tip, but make sure to hold it upright. Then squeeze the contents of the vial onto your dog’s skin between the shoulder blades in a single spot. After that, let its continuous protection work for one month before re-applying.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Kills fleas, eggs, larvae, and lice efficiently
- Lasts for 1 month and even more
- Applied monthly
- Still effective if pet gets wet
Cons
- Although this product kills ticks too, it doesn’t give a specific time frame
- A bit expensive
FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs Small Dog (5-22 pounds) Flea and Tick Treatment, 6 Doses
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This best flea treatment for dogs from FRONTLINE Plus promises to kill fleas on your small dogs (5-22 pounds) with ease.
It’s a topical treatment that works not only for adult fleas but also eradicates the whole life cycle like their larvae and eggs, as well as lice and ticks. Besides this, it can eliminate fleas within 12 hours or less.
Every application offers your dog a complete month’s protection against fleas and controls sarcoptic mange infections. Although FRONTLINE Plus is perfectly safe for your pet, make sure you try a small amount first to check whether his skin reacts to the product or not.
Pros
- Effectively gets rid of fleas, eggs, larvae, lice, and ticks
- Starts working within minutes
- Extended protection for up to 1 month or even more
- Easy to administer thanks to its easy-to-use container
- Trusted by veterinarians
Cons
- It might not work well on long-haired dogs
- Remember to check for skin allergies before use
K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick and Mosquito prevention
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K9 Advantix II is another best flea treatment for dogs if you’re looking for ways to control flea and tick infestations and even mosquitoes.
As you may already know, this product is made by the same company that produces Advantage II. Hence, it includes the same active ingredients that can wipe out at least 98% of fleas on your dogs within 12 hours after using. It also has a quick parasitostatic action that helps to prevent fleas from biting within only 5 minutes of application.
Plus, it has an additional ingredient known as permethrin that effectively repels mosquitoes. Please note that it’s quite toxic to cats. So, don’t use K9 Advantix II on these pets.
Last, but not least, this product offers exceptional protection for up to 30 days. A big advantage is that it still keeps its effectiveness whether your dog is swimming or is bathed.
Pros
- Kills adult fleas, eggs, and ticks on contact
- Repels mosquitos and flies easily
- Protection lasts for up to one month
- Waterproof and easy to apply
- Comes with a pleasant, gentle aroma
Cons
- Make sure to check for skin irritation or allergies on your dog’s skin first.
- Be careful if using on dogs with long hair or thick fur since the product might be sticky.
FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs Medium Dog (23-44 pounds) Flea and Tick Treatment, 6 Doses
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Let’s have a look at another best flea treatment for dogs from FRONTLINE Plus for if your dog weighs about 23-44 pounds.
This product is a popular topical treatment that is efficient at eliminating fleas, eggs, larvae, and ticks that your pet might have picked up from his daily outdoor walks. It’s easy to use and can give your dog great protection against these nasty creatures for up to 30 days.
Thanks to two active chemicals, no pests can attack your dog, and you won’t need to worry when leaving him to play outdoors.
FRONTLINE Plus comes in a 6-pack which is enough to protect your pet from fleas for 6 months. Make sure you apply it to the skin between the shoulder blades of your dogs. Remember to avoid touching these areas until they are dry.
Pros
- Comes with two powerful chemicals that kill fleas and other pests effectively
- Gets rid of fleas in 2 hours and ticks in 12 hours
- Prevents re-infestation for up to 1 month
- Recommended by vets
- Easy to use
- Gives instant results
Cons
- May cause allergies, so please check carefully before use
- Quite expensive when compared to other brands
FRONTLINE Plus for Dogs Extra Large Dog (89 to 132 pounds) Flea and Tick Treatment, 6 Doses
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If your dog ranges between 89 and 132 pounds, this variant of FRONTLINE Plus is a good choice.
This best flea treatment for dogs is basically similar to the other products from this brand. That means it also comes with the same 24-hour onset of action and 30-day effective period.
There are two active chemicals which work at getting rid of fleas, eggs, and larvae. Indeed, it secures your dog and house from ticks that might bring a harmful disease, called Lyme.
Another great thing is that you only apply FRONTLINE Plus to your dog once per month. It comes in a 6-pack, so it’s economical to use for 6 months.
Pros
- Wipes out fleas and ticks in all their life stages
- Contains powerful dual ingredients for maximum effectiveness
- Stop re-infestation for up to 30 days
- Easy to apply with simple steps
- Safe for pregnant and nursing dogs
Cons
- Don’t wash your dog within 24 hours after using
- Costs more money than some other products
Dog & Cat MD Maximum Defense QuickTabs Nitenpyram Flea Treatment, 2-25 lbs, 6 Tablets by Dog MD
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The final best flea treatment for dogs that I want to introduce is from a famous brand name- Dog MD.
As its name suggests, this product contains Nitenpyram, which is the active ingredient. After your pet has taken it, it is instantly absorbed and starts working to get rid of adult fleas before they lay new eggs. It is works in between 24-48 hours with no residual effect.
Since Dog MD QuickTabs doesn’t affect the eggs, you will need to administer it daily. Once the eggs hatch and become adults, they will be killed by the Nitenpyram inside your pet. This product is safe for both dogs and cats, but remember to only use for pets weighing between 2 and 25lbs.
Pros
- Comes with an active ingredient that kills fleas within 30 minutes
- Safe for both dogs and cats
- Affordably priced
- Does not interfere with other medications
- No residual effects
Cons
- Your dog needs to use it daily until all fleas are gone
- Suitable for pets under 25lbs
How to Choose the Best Flea Treatment for Dogs?
Check your dog’s size
When looking for the best flea treatment for dogs, the main thing you should consider is your dog’s weight and size. For example, if you have a puppy, you shouldn’t buy a product designed for large dogs. This is because using larger quantities might lead your dog to become ill or to experience unexpected side effects.
Examine the infestation’s state
Before purchasing a flea treatment, you should pay attention to how large the flea infestation is. If it has spread to your carpets, drapes or rugs, you’ll need to treat your dog and house at the same time.
Understand ingredients
You need to become familiar with the components that are used for flea medicines. This will decrease the opportunities for allergies or other effects in your dog and even yourself. Here are some common ingredients you should know: fipronil, S-methoprene, permethrin and pyriproxyfen.
Take note of your dog’s sensitivity level and potential allergies
As a dog owner, you have to check your dog’s response to the flea treatment all the time. If he is susceptible to inflammation, it would be better to opt for tablets rather than topical applications. If he has any itchy red places or patches of skin with hair rubbed off, he’s probably allergic.
Read the instructions carefully
No matter which best flea treatment for dogs you’re going to purchase, please first read all the directions for application and make sure you understand them all before using the product. Avoid using any therapy meant for dogs on cats and vice versa because it may result in dangerous issues for your pets.
Don’t forget to ask your veterinarian
Your vet can provide specific suggestions that he thinks will be useful for your pet. His advice is especially vital if your dog is old, sick, lactating or pregnant.
To Sum Up
Now, you have a lot of information to help you choose the best flea treatment for dogs. Remember that the sooner you treat the problem, the easier it will be to handle. Although all the products I have suggested here are good, my favorite is Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment. Firstly, because it can kill fleas, eggs, and larvae within minutes. Secondly, it prevents flea populations and breaks their life cycle. Thirdly, its effectiveness lasts up to 30 days. That means you can totally set your mind at rest when using this product.
Remember that I’m always available to help you answer any queries you may have. Feel free to comment below!
Thanks for reading!
