Fleas can create a whole host of health problems for your dog, including dermatitis, tapeworms, and anemia. As such, it is of vital importance that you choose the best type of flea treatment, not only to get rid of all the fleas your dog is currently hosting but also to prevent future infestations.

Flea treatments for your dog typically come in three different types: oral chewables, topical or spot-on, and collars. There is a fourth way of treating your dog for fleas: flea combs and baths. However, this method is typically reserved only for light infestations—and even so, requires repeated labor-intensive processes to ensure all the fleas your pet is hosting are killed.

Oral chewables

Sometimes also referred to as flea pills or tablets, oral chewables come either flavored or unflavored. This form of treatment is more often used on dogs since it can be difficult to get cats to swallow pills.

Some pet owners like to use oral chewables because they are easy to administer—all they need to do is either give the product directly to their dog to swallow or mix it in with their pet’s food.

The two leading oral flea treatment products in the market are Bravecto and Nexgard. Both products not only kill fleas, eggs, and larvae, they also kill the newly emerged fleas before they can lay eggs. As an additional benefit, they can also kill ticks.

Choosing between either products will depend on how often you like to administer treatment and the age of your dog. If your pet is at least 8 weeks old and weighing over 4 pounds, you can use NexGard for dogs, which is a monthly treatment.

Bravecto chews, on the other hand, can only be used on dogs over 6 months of age and weighing over 4.4 pounds. It provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas, preventing new infestations.

Bravecto Chews

NexGard Chewables

Simparica

Topical or spot-on

Topical flea prevention treatments have been the traditional method used to kill fleas and ticks on dogs. They are still the preferred form of flea treatment for some pet owners, and also for those whose pets refuse chews.

Bravecto, Revolution, and Frontline Plus are three of the more popular topical flea prevention products. Bravecto topical, much like Bravecto chews, is a 12-weekly treatment that can be used on dogs over 6 months of age and weighing over 4.4 pounds.

Revolution for dogs is good for puppies over 6 weeks of age and weighing at least 5.5 pounds, while Frontline Plus is for puppies over 8 weeks old, with a minimum weight of 4.4 pounds. Both products kill fleas, eggs, and larvae, and offer 30-day protection.

Revolution and Bravecto also kill ticks, while Frontline Plus not only kills ticks but kills and repels mosquitoes too.

Collar

Besides using either an oral chewable or topical treatment, you may want to consider using the Seresto flea collar, especially in summer, when flea activity is at its highest. It kills and repels fleas and ticks for up to eight months, and is safe to use on puppies from 7 weeks old.

Revolution

Frontline Plus

Bravecto Topical

Deciding on the best flea treatment for your dog

There is no one product that is the best for any dog. Choosing the best flea treatment for your dog, such as between the oral chewable Nexgard or Frontline Plus, the spot-on treatment, will depend on your personal preference for application and frequency.

At the same time, you would want to take into consideration the weight and age of your pet.

Whichever product you choose, be sure to regularly use it on your dog, to make sure it doesn’t stop working. Don’t be tempted to skip the treatment as the weather gets colder, because pets can still get fleas in winter.

Most importantly, if you are trying to get rid of fleas, be sure to kill the fleas in your house and yard, as they are all places fleas can be hiding, ready to re-infest your dog again.