Looking for the best flea treatment for dogs? Fleas can keep your dog scratching all day. Though it is normal for your dog to get an occasional itch, something needs to be done if it gets too much.
Note that fleas can deny your pet the comfort and health it deserves – so, get a killer with very active ingredients including permethrin, imidacloprid, and pyriproxyfen – try best dog beds. So, let’s get started!
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1. Our #1 Top Pick: Novartis Capstar Green for Dogs – Oral Tablets & Chews
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The manufacturing company states that you can eradicate fleas from your pet by feeding them one pill of Novartis Capstar Green.
- This medication is quite different from serum or flea drop since it comes in the form of pills.
Novartis Capstar Green is more of a one-and-done insect eliminator. It cannot be used as a preventive measure for ticks and fleas. This is why you are likely to invest in long-term use since it will not keep new fleas coming.
Once you have given your pet this pill, it goes through its body while releasing a poison that targets all parasites in its body. Within a few hours, your pet will be flea-free, and it will strop scratching.
You need to give the pills to your pet at least once every day for the best results. It can be given to both cats and dogs, and it will provide similar results.
The fact that it comes in the form of a pill makes it hard for your dog to ingest. However, a few tricks can help you feed your dog with the pill successfully.
Once it goes through the mouth of your dog, it gets absorbed into all parts of its body. It then forms a toxic layer that prevents fleas from feeding on your dog.
Once the layer has been formed, the fleas will starve to death, after which they will fall off from your dog. It also has an active ingredient that paralyzes the fleas before killing them.
2. #2 Pick: K9 advantix-II Flea & Tick Prevention (Large Dogs)
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Dogs and cats with sensitive skin might be hard to flea-treat since they develop uncomfortable reactions to some medicines. Thankfully, there are good flea medications for dogs with sensitive skin, and they work pretty well without causing adverse side effects.
Consider Topical Treatments – This involves what is known as a spot-on treatment. When this is done, your pet might experience mild numbness of itching. However, it goes away very first, which is why you need to consider topical treatments if your dog has sensitive skin.
Normally, the redness or itchiness occurs since the medicine is finding its way into the sebaceous glands. When that happens, it can kill fleas and ensure excellent protection for up to thirty days.
It is important to note that you must not wash your dog for at least 48 hours with this type of medication. It would help if you allowed enough time for the medicine to be absorbed into the body.
Still, you must use common sense when applying topical medication and observe every reaction from your dog. If you learn that your dog is losing hair in the process or feeling some pain, make sure to wash it off immediately. Only you can notice these strange happenings since you know your dog better.
3. #3 Pick: K9 Advantix-II Flea & Tick Prevention (Extra-Large Dogs)
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Oral Treatment – When it gets to flea and tick prevention for dogs with sensitive skin, you can always use oral medication. There are chewable tablets that are easy to give to your dog, such as Comfortis.
They are highly effective and can kill fleas and protect your dog for at least thirty days. Also, oral treatment is a good option for dogs that have adverse reactions to topical treatment.
Though there are a few side effects of oral treatment, you still need to watch out for them. They include hair loss, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue.
4. Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray – Dog Flea shampoos
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While ordinary sprays might take a few hours to days before you start getting desired results, Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray work almost immediately.
After spraying the pet with the medicine, you need to spread it evenly using a soft cloth – check these dog flea shampoos.
You will see that the fleas don’t move as fast, and after a few minutes, they start dying and falling off from your pet.
If you are looking for a product that can help you kill fleas as soon as you start seeing them, then Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray might be of interest.
It is the best formula that you can use alongside other treatments to make your pet flea-free. Still, you can use this product as a part of a bigger strategy. For instance, if you can still see fleas on its skin after washing your pet with shampoo, you can use Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray to kill them.
This product is one of the best if you are looking to get ahead of the problem by instantly killing fleas and other insects. It uses the best components that enable it to kill fleas at all stages of life.
The ingredients used to make Adams Plus Flea and Tick Spray take the larvae from eggs and then kill them before reaching the adolescent and adult stage. It is a highly effective solution that will keep killing for at least three weeks after the initial application.
5. Sentry Fiproguard Plus – Dog Flea Medicine
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Sentry Fiproguard Plus helps to break the life cycle of fleas. Once applied, it keeps killing the flea larvae for up to three months. With this treatment, you will cure and stop re-infestation for up to four weeks.
Targets and kills the adult fleas that could be the primary source of allergy dermatitis. It utilizes the best ingredients to help prevent all flea cycles from developing. Other than the flea life cycle, this product eradicates all stages of deer ticks, even those that might transmit Lyme disease.
The product contains (S)-methoprene and Fipronil, an insect growth controller that effectively kills fleas and other insects. This product’s active ingredient contains a formula that is created to ensure long-lasting flea and other insect control.
You can clean your dog after applying the treatment since it is waterproof and acts unbelievably fast. When applying the product, you want to ensure that you don’t ingest it. It might cause eye irritation. You must be careful to prevent it from getting in contact with skin and eyes.
After using Sentry Fibroguard, you need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap. This must be done even if you don’t intend to eat anything immediately after using it.
This product is meant for external use only. Though rare, you might encounter some sensitivity after using the product to rid fleas on your dog. For the best result, do not use this product together with other pesticide products.
Related: Flea Treatment for Kittens
6. Frontline Plus Flea Treatment – Best Spray
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Since its introduction in the market, Frontline Plus has always served the users with the results they want. It helps to rid fleas and other insects from dogs and cats and prevents new ones from coming in. When users choose this product over the rest, they have peace of mind that their desired results would follow.
Frontline relies on powerful ingredients that let it kill fleas and other insects from homes and pets. Though it tends to be pricey, Frontline Plus ensures results that are worth every dime spent.
It leverages two active ingredients that kill adult fleas and also destroys their life cycle. Consumers who use this product report that they are happy to spend a few more to ensure that their pets are safe – just like puppy shampoo for fleas.
Just like other products on the market, Frontline Plus uses the serum-in-petite approach for application. You will use the small end of the petite to apply the serum on the back of your pet.
The application process is quite easy and can be done by anyone who has used other flea-killing method before. Compared to other products, Frontline Plus ensures that your pet is protected from other fleas and other insects that might infect them.
It gets right into the skin of your pet and then spreads throughout its body. After applying the product, it will guard flies against infesting your home, especially in the areas that your pet treads.
Related: Flea treatment in cats.
7. GORAUL Dog Flea Collar -Flea Collar Treatment
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Regardless of the size of your pet, they can always have this collar on. This has been made possible by its one-size-fits-all design – I recommend any of the following dog flea collars.
The GORAUL Dog Flea Collar measures 25 inches, which is just enough size for all kinds of dogs irrespective of their age and size. Even if you get that the collar is a little too long for your pet, you can cut it so that it fits in.
If you are looking for prolonged protection against fleas and other insects, GORAUL Dog Flea Collar works for up to eight months.
GORAUL Dog Flea Collar has solved the challenge of water rendering other flea collars useless. Its effectiveness will not be impacted even when your pet gets into the water with the collar on.
It keeps working even when wet, which means you won’t have to remove the collar to clean your dog. GORAUL Dog Flea Collar is environmentally safe since it is made from citronella and cypress, both natural plants.
With the collar on, your pet will not encounter any discomfort due to skin irritation. Since it utilizes natural components, it will not have any negative side effects on your dog.
Since the company behind GORAUL Dog Flea Collar trusts its quality, it offers a warranty and guarantees to its customers.
If you purchase the product but are not happy with the results, you can return it and claim a full refund. For the best results, you need to ensure that it fits your pet well, not to deny its comfort.
8. Dr. GreenPet All Natural – Prevention Spray
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This is one of the few sprays that kill fleas using essential oils such as cinnamon, peppermint, and cedar oils. Once applied, it keeps killing and repelling fleas for at least three weeks.
The Dr. GreenPet All Natural can be used to remove fleas from both cats and dogs, and it uses its smell to kill them and keep others from infesting your pet.
If you want to take your dog for a walk, but you need to treat it. First, Dr. GreenPet All Natural is the best alternative to other strong chemical products. The container comes in an easy-to-use design that makes the application process easy and pleasurable.
However, you want to shake before use for the best results since the active ingredients seem to settle at the base when left standing for some time.
For maximum benefits, consider using this product again after every few days. Note that you might also need to use it alongside other treatments since it might not be fully effective on its own.
Though the container comes in an easy-to-hold design, the aerosol does not spray smoothly; hence, you might not enjoy using it that much. After spraying, use a soft piece of cloth to spread it on the skin of your pet so that it is absorbed uniformly.
Alternative Flea Treatment for Dogs
1. Dish Soap
This technique involves using dish soap and water to create a flea trap. Look for a plate or bowl and fill it up with water and dish soap. Place it on the part of your house with a lot of fleas.
This mixture works as a glue that attracts and traps the fleas since it has a high viscosity. For the best result, consider repeating the same process with a new butch every day.
2. Herbal Flea Spray
Many vets suggest using herbal flea spray to kill fleas and keep them from infesting your dog again. This is a solution that is made of natural, non-toxic products that are available in your home.
You can create a flea spray using 2 liters of water, 4 liters of vinegar, 250 ml of witch hazel, and 500 ml of lemon juice. After creating the solution, put it inside a spray can and use it on your dog.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is mainly comprised of remains of fossilized diatoms and algae. It is a fine powder that does not have any health effects on humans.
Since it causes dehydration, it is the best solution for pet owners looking to kill fleas making their pets uncomfortable. To use this product, you need to have it evenly sprinkled on high flea activity areas.
Make sure that you apply the substance in thin layers. After the application, let diatomaceous earth do the work for at least 48 hours.
After two days, vacuum carefully. Next, follow the next flea prevention techniques to ensure that they don’t come back.
It is worth noting that when using diatomaceous earth to kill fleas on your dog, you go for the right food-grade option.
Though it is believed to be non-toxic, depending on the nature of the powder you use, you can get some irritation on your throat and eyes.
When using this substance, you should embrace safety measures like putting on a face mask.
Diatomaceous earth is rough in its molecular state, and this is the property that makes it able to dehydrate fleas. It attacks their skin and then corrodes it hence drying the fleas up.
4. Using Borax to Kill Fleas
Using borax for flea control is a method that is claimed to work. This substance is available in powdered form and does not have any smell. Though non-toxic to humans, if fleas come into contact with borax, they get dehydrated.
Borax is made of a razor-sharp crystalline structure that helps kill flea larvae, thereby destroying their cycle. To use borax, you need to sprinkle it in thin layers in the infested areas with fleas.
- Try to leave the powder on the carpet for between six hours to two days. Note that the longer you leave it, the more fleas it will kill. After you are sure that all fleas are gone, vacuum your carpet carefully.
- You must dispose of the vacuum bag far from your home to ensure flea larvae from your house. It is essential to know that this method is best for flea prevention.
- Therefore, consider using other methods if your primary intention is to kill fleas and eradicate their larvae. Ensure that you don’t use borax around cats since it is known to cause serious breathing problems in them.
Though borax is known to treat adult fleas and flea larvae, it does not destroy their eggs; hence, you might need to make this routine.
Conclusion
Flea treatment for dogs is a process that can be done in many ways. However, you need to use procedures that are known to kill both adults and destroy their eggs.
Moreover, it is vital to choose the products that keep killing for longer periods for enhanced effectiveness. Fleas can quickly deteriorate your dog’s health in a way you cannot imagine.
Not forgetting the discomfort and pain from constant itching, open wounds, and infections. It’s upon you to act fast before things get worse. Choose the best flea treatment for dogs and quickly restore your dog’s health and happiness.
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