Flea and tick infestations are an important concern for dogs and their owners. Your pets can easily get fleas from the grass or from other animals such as infected dogs, birds or raccoons. Fortunately for dog owners, it is possible to lower the risks with the help of flea prevention products.
Are there so many fleas and tick prevention available that it is difficult for you to choose from among them all? In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the best flea and tick prevention for dogs for 2018 to help you decide on which product best suits your furry friends best.
Best Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs – Comparison Table
Product image |
Product Name |
Editor’s Rating |
More Details |
---|---|---|---|
Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick and Mosquito Prevention for Extra Large Dog |
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Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick and Mosquito Prevention for Large Dog |
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EcoFlea by ColoradoDog Treats – The All Natural Flea & Tick Prevention Dog Treat |
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PETARMOR 3 Count Plus for Dogs Flea and Tick Squeeze-On |
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Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick and Mosquito Prevention for Medium Dog |
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PetArmor Plus for 45 to 88 lbs Dogs Flea and Tick Squeeze-On |
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Arava Natural Flea & Tick Prevention for Dogs |
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TevraPet Activate II Flea and Tick Topical |
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Best Flea and Tick Prevention for Dog Reviews
Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick and Mosquito Prevention for Extra Large Dog
Our rating:
Bayer K9 Advantix II is one of the best flea and tick prevention for dogs available. The animal should weigh over 55 lbs, and be 7 weeks old or more.
This is a topical treatment so you can apply it directly to the skin. It starts working in just 10 minutes and will kill all the fleas within 12 hours. It also works with ticks, mosquitoes, lice. The formula will continue to prevent parasites for up to 30 days. You should apply it monthly for best results.
The only disadvantage is that Bayer K9 Advantix contains chemicals that may cause minor hair loss in some dogs.
Pros
- Treatment and prevention
- Economical cost
- Waterproof
- Lifetime warranty
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- May cause minor hair loss
Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick and Mosquito Prevention for Large Dogs
Our rating:
This topical treatment can kill fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, lice, and repel biting flies. Your dogs are only suitable for this if they are older than 7 weeks, and weigh between 21 to 55 lbs.
The formula starts working after 10 minutes of application. It will dry up after 3 hours, then last for 30 days to prevent infestation. However, this product is only the best flea and tick prevention for dogs with no skin sensitivity. It may cause irritation or red sores in sensitive pets.
Pros
- Treatment and prevention
- Waterproof
- Easy to use
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- High price
- May cause skin allergies
EcoFlea by ColoradoDog Treats – The All Natural Flea & Tick Prevention Dog Treat
Our rating:
This product is the best flea and tick prevention for dogs with chemical sensitivities. It takes the form of delicious treats, with natural ingredients that repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and lice. It does not work as a cure for infested dogs but is rather meant as a preventative measure.
EcoFlea is suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds, with a weight limit from under 30 lbs to over 90 lbs. It is also accumulative, which means that over time (about 7 to 10 days), it builds up a protective barrier.
Pros
- Affordable price
- For all types of dogs
- Toxin-free formula
- Works against many parasites
Cons
- Prevention only
- Crumbled up easily during transport
PETARMOR 3 Count Plus for Dogs Flea and Tick Squeeze-On
Our rating:
PetArmor Plus is one of the best flea and tick prevention for dogs with severe flea cases. It kills flea eggs and larvae for up to 12 weeks, with ticks and lice being dead in 24 to 48 hours. The dogs need to weigh between 89 and 132 lbs.
The key feature is it can deal with difficult cases such as brown dog ticks and deer ticks which may transmit Lyme disease.
Dogs with very thick fur in cold climates aren’t suitable candidates for this method as their fur will shorten the effect duration.
Pros
- Treatment and prevention
- Prevents disease
- Waterproof
- Affordable price
- Works against all kinds of ticks
Cons
- Not for dogs with thick fur
- May cause loss of appetite
Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick and Mosquito Prevention for Medium Dogs
Our rating:
This product is one of the best flea and tick prevention for dogs of an average size. Your dog’s minimum age needs to be 7 weeks with a weight between 11 and 20 lbs. The formula has been proven to kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. It eventually builds up a shield when applied monthly.
The price is a disadvantage as the pack only contains 4 doses, making it more expensive than other products which contain 6 doses.
Pros
- Treatment and prevention
- For medium dogs of all ages
- Works against many parasites
- Waterproof
Cons
- Higher price
- May cause loss of appetite
PetArmor Plus for 45 to 88 lbs Dogs Flea and Tick Squeeze-On
Our rating:
This PetArmor Plus version for large dogs can kill fleas, ticks, and chewing lice within 24 hours of just one application. It’s waterproof enough to save you from having to reapply it in wet conditions.
This is another best flea and tick prevention for dogs as it can kill ticks that may transmit Lyme diseases, and is suitable for dogs of all ages.
Pros
- Treatment and prevention
- Affordable price
- For large dogs of all ages
- Prevents diseases
- Waterproof
Cons
- May cause loss of appetite
- No expiry date printed on the product
Arava Natural Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs
Our rating:
Arava flea and tick prevention has an oil-like formula. The 11 active botanical ingredients are what earn it a spot in the best flea and tick prevention for dogs list. This oil eliminates fleas and ticks while building a barrier to prevent further infestation. This is ideal for pet owners who prefer natural methods and don’t want to use chemicals.
It is suitable for dogs in the 57 to 110 lbs weight bracket, regardless of their breeds. However, it takes between 48 to 72 hours to work, which is quite long and requires the fleas to bite in order to be killed.
Pros
- Treatment and prevention
- Toxin-free
- For dogs of all breeds
- Pleasant scent
- Chemical free, natural formula
Cons
- High price
- Takes a long time to work
- Fleas must bite to be killed
TevraPet Activate II Flea and Tick Topical
Our rating:
TevraPet Activate II is suitable for dogs of 7 weeks or older and weighing less than 11 lbs. It is the best flea and tick prevention for dogs that live in heavily wooded areas because once it is applied, every flea jumping on the dogs will be killed within 2 hours. The formula also has killing effects on flea eggs, ticks, lice, and mosquitoes.
It is completely waterproof and will not need reapplication after the dog had been swimming.
This product offers you a good deal with 4 doses, each for one month to achieve the best effect.
Pros
- Treatment and prevention
- Waterproof
- Small dogs of all ages
- Affordable price
Cons
- Strong smell
How to Choose the Best Flea and Tick Prevention for Your Dogs
There are several options for flea and tick preventatives, namely tablets, collars, topical treatments and shampoos or sprays. The question is how to choose the best flea and tick prevention for dogs when there are so many promotional products and they’re all advertised as being excellent. The answer is to take your pet’s lifestyle, health status, your budget and the product itself into consideration when selecting the optimal flea and tick prevention measures. Regarding pet lifestyle, it’s important to look at how active the animal is. Does it prefer to be indoors or outdoors? Does it wander all over the property or is it mainly indoors on its bed? Topical treatments are ideal for an outdoor dog. If you have kids at home and fear the side effects of chemical products, then oral preventatives such as tablets should be chosen for the sake of the dog and your family. Next, your pet’s health status should be considered when deciding on the prevention measures. If your dog is prone to allergies or their skin is sensitive to chemicals, then tablets are preferable to spot-on treatments. Alternatively, look for natural herbal products for external application. Another factor you need to take into account when choosing the best flea and tick prevention for dogs is money. How much are you willing to pay for the preventative method? Remember that purchasing a more expensive, but more effective treatment, can save you in the long term.Finally, whatever product you choose to prevent fleas or ticks on your dogs, have a look at the ingredient list to see if it includes Insect Growth Regulators or not. This ingredient will help to break the fleas’ lifecycle which comprises eggs, larvae, pupae and adult fleas. Therefore, these preventive products are a good choice your dogs. If you are confused about all those chemical ingredients in a product, it is a good idea to consult a vet who is an expert in caring for your dogs and who will have a very good idea of which product is best for your pets. However, despite all the things we’ve mentioned, the best prevention is a clean living environment. This is highly effective in preventing the growth of all types of harmful insects, bugs or ticks. Spend time vacuuming your house regularly, especially the carpets, furniture, upholstery and pet bedding. Organize items indoors neatly so that everything is neat and clean. Clean up outdoors by sweeping leaves, dirt and debris and discarding it.
Other pest control producrs for your pets:
Conclusion
When it comes to buying flea and tick prevention methods, there are three main factors you should consider: the breed, weight, and the age of your dogs. Our listed products are diverse in shapes, formula, effects and are suitable for different cases.
Amongst the best flea and tick prevention for dogs, we highly recommend the Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea, Tick and Mosquito Prevention for Extra Large Dogs. Not only does it come at a good price for 6 doses but it also has a good set of minimum requirements in terms of dog age and powerful ingredients that work for both treatment and prevention.
Thanks for reading!