When it comes to your precious dog, you want to be sure you pick not only an effective flea and tick medicine but also a safe one. There are several products available today, and they each have their differences. Here’s a list of the best ones based on safety, the number of parasites they target, ease of use, and the minimum age at which the product can be used.
Best Overall Topical Flea Preventive – Advantage Multi for Dogs
Easily apply this prescription medicine once a month to treat, control, and prevent more parasites than any other topical product. Advantage Multi for Dogs kills and prevents six types of parasites, including heartworm. It is safe for puppies that weigh at least 3 pounds and are 7 weeks and older. But it does not kill ticks and is not safe for breeding, pregnant, or nursing dogs.
Best OTC Topical Flea Preventive – Frontline Plus for Dogs
It’s available without a prescription and kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks at all life stages, and chewing lice. It’s safe for dogs and pups that weigh at least 5 pounds and are at least 8 weeks old. It is also safe for breeding, pregnant, and nursing dogs. But it only works on the three parasites mentioned.
Best Oral Flea Control Medicine – Simparica TRIO
This easy-to-give flavored pill treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other oral product for a full month. It is safe for pups that weigh at least 2.8 pounds and are at least 8 weeks of age, and starts working in 4 hours. However, it is not supposed to be used for breeding, pregnant, and nursing dogs.
Best Flea Control for Young Puppies – Capstar for Dogs
It’s safe for pups that weigh at least 2 pounds and are at least 4 weeks of age. It’s available without a prescription and starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. It is easy to give either in food or by itself and can be used with other flea control products. But it does not kill flea larvae or eggs and does not prevent other parasites. The protection it offers is also only short-term.