The 6 best flea and tick medicines for dogs in 2022

Ask any dog who has ever had a flea infestation, and they will tell you that flea control is not optional. At the least, flea bites are unpleasant. At worst, they can lead to serious problems, especially in dogs with flea allergies. Flea allergies are not rare. According to VCA Hospitals, flea allergy dermatitis is one of the main causes of allergies in dogs. Even if your pooch isn’t allergic, you still want them to be happy, healthy, and bite-free.

The good news is that options abound for flea control! Because there are so many types of flea control on the market, so you have to consider a few things before settling on a solution.

Some factors that might influence your flea control decision include:

• Vet recommendations
• Budget
• Your dog’s sensitivities
• Potential drug interactions with your dog’s other meds
• Your personal preferences
• Consideration of other pets in your household
• Consideration of children in your household
• Whether you prefer all-natural products versus prescription solutions

Not all flea treatments work the same way. Some flea control treatments treat just your dog — others you use around the home and yard. There are a lot of flea control products out there. Long story short, finding the right flea control solution comes down to figuring out what works best for you, your dog, and your other pets and family members. Don’t worry! We are here to help you fend off those tiny jumping vampires. We’ve got information about your flea control options. Our betterpet experts have also chosen their top recommendations.

Typically taken monthly, oral medications come in pill or chewable form. Some oral medications kill off current flea infestations but are not preventative. Others serve as both a treatment for a current infestation as well as preventing future fleas from biting your dog. Some work just for fleas. Some oral medications prevent ticks, mites, and worms.

Pros 👍 Effective, goes to work quickly, some are preventative, can protect against ticks and worms in addition to fleas, can be washed off with bathing

Cons 👎Expensive, some oral meds might cause stomach upset

You apply these drops between your dog’s shoulder blades once a month. Topical medications are sometimes called “spot-on” or “one-spot” treatments. Many topical flea meds can not only kill current flea infestations but also prevent your dog from getting bit again. Many works against ticks and heartworms, too.

Pros 👍 Effective, easier than giving a pill (for some dogs!), great for dogs with food allergies

Cons 👎Can be messy, water dogs will need a waterproof topical, some dogs can rub it off by rolling or scratching, can cause skin irritation, extremely toxic/lethal to cats (if your dog comes in contact with their kitty friends)

Some flea sprays are applied directly to your dog. Others are used to spray furniture and bedding. Be careful to note the difference!  Several flea sprays, like these eco-friendly sprays (that work as repellents rather than as true preventatives), also fight against other pesky bugs like mosquitos.

Sprays come with a bonus for those who derive great joy from spritzing things but who would like a more natural or herbal product. You have more natural options with sprays than with some of the other methods of flea control.

This type of treatment is either sprinkled into your dog’s coat or around your home. Again, similar to flea sprays, many flea powders use all-natural ingredients. However, some contain what may be considered as harsh chemicals.

Pros 👍 All-natural options, easy to use

Cons 👎Some contain harsh pesticides, less effective than other methods

*Diatomaceous earth must be used carefully. Our betterpet veterinarian Erica Irish notes that “If applied or handled too much, diatomaceous earth can be breathed in and cause nste and throat irritation. It can also cause eye irritation and exacerbate lung conditions.”

Flea collars can work in a couple of different ways. Some flea collars give off a pesticide that deters fleas from jumping on your dog and biting. Others include medicine that is absorbed into your dog’s skin. There are a few natural flea collar options that use scent to deter fleas, too.

Pros 👍Inexpensive, natural options available, long-lasting

Cons 👎Might not protect the whole dog, can cause skin irritation around the neck, can fall off

Flea shampoos have been around for quite a long time. They’ve also come a long way. Keep in mind that some shampoos only kill off a current infestation. Others also prevent future bites.  There are many natural options when it comes to flea shampoos, too. Pay attention to the label to see how long the suds of your choice last when it comes to keeping your pup flea-free.

Pros 👍 Easy to use, inexpensive, natural options available

Cons 👎Limited effectiveness, many ingredients are toxic to cats, shampoos may strip oil from the skin making other topical products less effective

Fleas are insects that survive by feeding off of other animal’s blood. This makes them tiny little parasites. Fleas have four stages of life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs take about two weeks to hatch. Our betterpet expert Erica Irish, DVM, has a flea egg not-so-fun fact for you. She explains, “[Fleas] can hang around in the egg stage for MONTHS until heat, humidity, and movement are detected. For example, if you move into a vacant apartment with carpeting and the eggs sense your dog? Boom. Flea terrorism.

After hatching, the larval stage lasts from four to eighteen days. The larva then forms a cocoon, and while they are transforming into an adult flea, they are called pupae. It takes as little as five days for fleas to go from pupa to adult. Once they’ve reached adulthood, fleas can live up to three months. The more they feed on your dog, the longer they live. According to VCA Hospitals, a single female flea can lay 40 eggs a day. There are over 2000 known species of flea.

Don’t rely on the medication alone. There are a few other steps you should take to keep your dog safe from pests.

First, wash your dog’s bedding and vacuum rugs and carpets on a regular basis — we recommend doing it at least once a week. Second, make a habit of checking your dog for ticks and fleas after every trip outside. Take a page from the CDC and do a quick scan before your dog comes into the house:

How can I recognize a flea infestation on my dog?

If your dog is itching, fleas could be the culprit. However, lots of things make dogs itch, so you have to take a good look at your pup’s skin to be sure. Flea bites leave raised red dots on your dog’s skin. If your dog has an infestation, they will chew or even bite their skin. Hair loss and scabs are symptoms of a serious flea problem. Fleas can even lead to bacterial dermatitis.

Is there a way to see if there are fleas in my yard?

One low-tech way to do this is to put on white socks. Then walk around the lawn for a bit. If you have an infestation, your socks will be covered in little dark dots. Also, if you live in an area with feral cats or lots of wildlife, you have an increased risk of fleas. Fleas also like shady, sandy areas, so be on the lookout.

Are flea medications safe?

The danger with flea medications relates to if your dog has an allergy to the medication or a history of seizures. This is why it’s of the utmost importance to always consult with your pup’s vet before using any kind of treatment, flea, or otherwise. Generally, if you use a vet-recommended product and follow the instructions, you and your pup will be A-OK. However, if you have children or other pets, you will want to be certain that whatever you are using is safe for them, too.

Do fleas bite humans?

Yep…If you’ve never been bitten by a flea, you are lucky. Flea bites leave tiny red marks, but they can itch like crazy.

How can I tell if my dog has a flea allergy?

Instead of just having little red marks, your dog’s skin will be red all over. Your pup will scratch and chew and let you know that there is something wrong. Fleas love to bite dogs’ lower backs and tail bases. That’s where your vet is likely to look first for skin lesions related to flea bite dermatitis.

Do natural/organic treatments work, as well as treatments with more powerful chemicals?

This all depends on a few factors. Depending on where you live and what you do, your dog might be OK with all-natural treatments. Some dogs who live where fleas thrive might require a more potent solution. Our betterpet expert Erica Irish, DVM, has this to say about natural flea treatments, “Are they better at repelling fleas? Some. Are they better at killing fleas? Definitely not.”