If one of these products is used, it should be followed up with a prescription flea prevention product. Any flea larvae or eggs on your dog will still become adult fleas, and the infestation will start all over again. While they work on flea infestations, they should not be used as your dog’s regular flea preventative, as they do not have lasting efficacy. They can be very useful in instances of severe flea infestations, when the adult fleas need to be killed quickly and safely. Do OTC Flea Pills Work as Well as Prescription Flea and Tick Pills?Ĭapstar (nitenpyram) and Advantus (imidacloprid) are both over-the-counter (OTC) products that kill adult fleas very quickly. The choice is yours either way, it is recommended that you put a reminder on your calendar or in your phone so you’re never surprised with a flea infestation if you forget. Other pet parents enjoy the fact that they don’t have to remember monthly dosing with Bravecto, although you will have to set a reminder every 12 weeks. Some people like giving the flea and tick treatment every month along with heartworm preventative pills, because they find it easier to remember on a certain day of each month. It is important to note that this means it should be given every 12 weeks and not every three months, as some months have more days than others. All of the above flea preventatives are given monthly, except for Bravecto, which is labeled for 12 weeks. One thing to consider when you are weighing your options is the frequency of dosing. How Often Do You Need to Give Your Dog Flea and Tick Pills? This product has been found to be very safe, but you should always consult your veterinarian if you are ever worried about the safety of a flea prevention product. If your dog has an active flea infestation and is started on Sentinel for flea control, they may also need a product that kills adult fleas initially, like Capstar or Advantus. Sentinel will not kill adult fleas, but instead prevents any future fleas from hatching, therefore controlling the flea infestation. Sentinel is an insect-growth regulator, meaning that it prevents the hatching of flea eggs. In fact, spinosad is often used by organic farmers to control insect problems. Spinosad targets the nervous system of insects. It is important to note that these products are solely flea pills for dogs and are ineffective against ticks. Spinosad is an insecticide based on chemical compounds found in certain bacteria. Trifexis and Comfortis are flea pills for dogs that both use the active ingredient spinosad to kill fleas. Spinosad (insecticide): Trifexis and Comfortis There have been some reported cases of adverse events such as seizures, but these are very rare and seem to mainly be an issue in dogs with pre-existing seizure conditions. Are There Any Safety Risks?īecause the nervous systems of mammals do not have the same receptors as those of insects, these medications have a very low risk of toxicity and are very safe.
The active ingredients in the isoxazoline class work on the nervous system of the flea, killing it once it bites your dog. Many of these products are also used off-label to treat and control certain types of mites that cause mange. It has been a game-changer because these active ingredients are very effective against both fleas and ticks. The isoxazoline class of flea and tick pills for dogs is newer to the market and includes Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica, Simparica Trio, and Credelio. Isoxazoline Class: Bravecto (fluralaner), NexGard (afoxolaner), Simparica (sarolaner), and Credelio (lotilaner) Here’s a guide to the most common types of flea and tick pills for dogs. They should also be used with caution in dogs with seizure conditions, so check with your veterinarian first if you dog has a history of any neurologic problems. Types of Flea Pills for DogsĪll oral flea prevention products have the potential to cause stomach upset, so they should be given with food. Your veterinarian likely has one or two preferred products that they are the most familiar with, and they can help you find the best flea and tick pills for your dog. So how do you choose which is the best flea and tick pill for your dog?Īll of the prescription flea and tick pills for dogs are very effective, and there are a variety of options to meet your pet’s specific needs. Both can carry diseases that can affect your dog, and they can put people at risk as well.Īnyone who has had to tackle a flea infestation or pull ticks off of their dog knows how important it is to use a quality flea and tick prevention product. Fleas and ticks aren’t just gross-they’re dangerous.
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