The 8 Best Flea and Tick Medications for Dogs in 2024, Recommended by Vets
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All products in this article have been reviewed by our trusted vets and experts. PetMD is owned by Chewy.
Fleas and ticks are year-round parasites prevalent throughout most of the U.S., and with them come discomfort and diseases such as anemia, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
“Fleas and ticks carry diseases that are much easier to prevent than treat, especially ticks,” says Stephanie Howe, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy. “And many pets have allergies to fleas themselves. We can prevent a lot of discomfort by keeping up with prevention.”
Keep in mind, flea and tick preventatives for dogs only work when given on time, and when following the manufacturer’s directions on dosing. So if you miss doses, or aren’t consistent with your flea and tick schedule, your pup is at higher risk.
Our veterinarian panel rounded up their top choices for best flea and tick medications based on their clinical observations, effectiveness of the product on patients, safety, cost, and other contributing factors.
Flea and Tick Products for Dogs: What To Look For
When selecting the right flea and tick preventative for your pup, it’s important to chat with your vet first to determine what makes sense based on their age and health.
Your vet can also help you find the best flea and tick preventative depending on your dog’s lifestyle and whether a capsule, chew, or topical preventative would be better suited.
Some flea and tick options also offer additional benefits, such as protection against heartworms or hookworms. Your dog should also be on a routine heartworm preventative to protect against heartworm disease—especially if it’s not included in their flea and tick preventative.
How We Evaluated These Products
PetMD’s Vet Verified program offers unbiased, in-depth product reviews from vets and other animal health experts. The products in this article were selected by a panel of PetMD editors and veterinarians based on a few factors:
- Popularity with pet parents
- Cost
- Availability
- Personal experience
Once we selected the products, our panel of vets relied on their clinical experience and real-world feedback to evaluate each product on a series on parameters including ease of application, which pests it targets, and effectiveness.
Opinions and product recommendations in this article belong solely to the review panel of veterinarians and animal health experts. Manufacturers and vendors cannot pay for placement in Vet Verified articles, or exert influence on our panelists as they evaluate products. Our sole goal with this program is to provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your pets.
