Every pet owner knows that it can be extremely hard to eliminate a flea infestation in the home, but it is not impossible! However, don’t think that a single treatment of a flea control product will be the cure-all! Due to the complex life-cycle of the flea, it can take up to eight weeks of on-going management to get the initial flea problem under control, and then you need to stay vigilant and keep treating all pets in the household to avoid a flare-up!
Firstly, all the dogs and cats in the home (and any pets that come to play) must be treated with a good flea control product, according to the label directions, to kill adult fleas now on the pet. Secondly, you will also have to treat the pet’s surroundings to kill the other stages of the flea (eggs, larvae, young adults) which are waiting to jump on the pets!
Fleas are prolific breeders, as female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs each day! These eggs and the other immature flea stages gather in the pet’s bed, and anywhere around the home, where the pet lies…lounges, beds, the garage, and the car!! To manage the flea population in the pet’s environment, you must vacuum all the areas around the home where the pets spend time (disposing of all vacuum litter immediately); wash all the pet’s bedding materials in hot – boiling water, and use a flea-bomb type product to have the home fumigated by professionals as required.
Choosing the best flea product can be a bit of a trial and error process, as the different product types will suit different pets. Cats and small dogs which are impossible to tablet, and those that are prone to vomiting, will require a spot-on product, whereas many dogs are happy to take the oral products that are sold as a meaty chew or tablet. Dogs that swim a lot or are bathed frequently are probably best treated with an oral product. Some pets need a combination flea and tick product, which makes Nexgard or Bravecto a great choice. Occasionally, a pet may experience a mild adverse event following use of a particular product, so the owners will have to select an alternative product for the next treatment.
Some clients have used one product religiously without any problems for years, and are happy to continue with it. Other clients may feel that their usual product “just doesn’t seem to be doing the job” and fleas are becoming evident. Notwithstanding the information above about treating the pet AND its environment, it may be time to move onto a new product (with a different active ingredient) and see if you can achieve better flea management.
The budget of the owner is important too. Luckily, some owners have great success with the budget option of regular flea-rinses for their dog, whilst others are happy to pay a premium for the convenience of a monthly oral chew product.
So, armed with the above information, what do you think would be the best flea product option for you and your pet? Check our quick guide to flea products below and find your ideal product.
Here we have accumulated a simple to peruse rundown for each of the flea products on the market today to help you select the right product for your pet!
We have Classified the Products as:
● Oral tablets and chews
● Spot-on products
● Shampoos, Rinses and Sprays
● Environment Products
Oral Tablets and Chews
Great for dogs that swim or are bathed frequently. Also good for pets or owners with sensitive skin who may react to topical chemicals.
NexGard Chewables |
Advantages:
- tasty chew for monthly dosing
- kills fleas on the dog within 8 hours
- also kills ticks
- safe in dogs from 8 weeks old or 2kg body weight
Beware:
- not registered for cats
- dog must eat the full dose or you must repeat the dose
- safety in breeding animals is unknown
Budget: $ 39.06 |
Bravecto
Chewable Tablets
For Dogs
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Advantages:
- tasty chewable tablet which most dogs love
- also kills tick, including paralysis ticks
- kills fleas within 8 hours
- administer every 3 months if using for flea and tick control
- can be used in puppies from 8 weeks of age
- safe for pregnant, lactating and breeding dogs
Beware:
- not registered for cats
- best given with food
- must redose if part of the tablet is not taken or vomited
Budget: $ 38.40 |
Comfortis Chewable Tablets For Dogs and Cats
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Advantages:
- tasty tablet which kills fleas
- administer once a month
- suitable for cats and dogs (note different dose rates for each)
- kills 100% fleas on dogs within 4 hours, and 100% of fleas on your cat within 24 hours
- starts killing fleas in just 30 minutes
- can be used in puppies and kittens from 14 weeks of age
Beware:
- not for use in breeding and lactating pets
- discuss with vet before using in pets with epilepsy
- you must re-dose if part of the tablet is uneaten
Budget: $ 38.40 |
Panoramis Chewable Tablets
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Advantages:
- controls fleas, heartworms and most stomach worms (NOTE: talk to your vet about heartworm treatment before using Panoramis, as your pet may require a bloodtest)
- administer once a month
- starts killing fleas within 30 minutes
- kills 100% fleas on the dog within 4 hours
- can be used in puppies from 8 weeks of age
Beware:
- not recommended for breeding and lactating pets
- discuss with vet before using in pets with epilepsy
- must re-dose if part or all of the tablet is not consumed
- use a tapewormer tablet every 3 months to control tapeworm
Budget: $ 79.90 |
Sentinel Tasty Chews For Dogs
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Advantages:
- treats fleas, most stomach worms and heartworms (NOTE: talk to your vet about heartworm treatment before using Sentinel, as your dog may need a blood test)
- once a month chew
- can be used in puppies from 6 weeks of age
- suitable for breeding and lactating dogs
Beware:
- Sentinel stops flea eggs and larvae developing in your dog’s surroundings, breaking the flea life cycle. It does not kill adult fleas on the dog – use Capstar to immediately kill adult fleas on your dog now.
- give with food
- Budget: $ 44.05
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Capstar Flea Tablets
For Cats and Dogs
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Advantages:
- oral tablet for both dogs and cats
- starts killing fleas soon after administration; kills all the fleas currently on your pet within 24 hours
- can be used in puppies and kittens from 4 weeks of age
- suitable for pregnant bitches and queens
Beware:
- no residual flea killing efficacy after 24 hours, so must repeat treatment if new fleas have jumped onto the pet. If new fleas are seen, we recommend you also treat the pets environment to kill the other stages of the flea life-cycle. (read the above information for advice on complete flea management)
Budget: $ 21.17 |
Topical Spot-ons
Topical spot-on and spray products are a great choice for dogs that are sensitive to oral medications.
Revolution
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Best points:
- once a month spot-on treatment
- spot-on for cats and dogs which kills fleas
- also controls heartworm, most stomach worms, ear mites and other parasites. (NOTE: discuss heartworm treatment with your vet before using Revolution as your pet may require a blood test)
- also prevents flea eggs and larvae developing in the home, breaking the flea cycle
- waterproof after 2 hours and won’t wash off
- can be used on pregnant and lactating females
- safe for puppies and kittens from 6 weeks of age
Watch out for:
- Ensure your pet is totally dry before applying Revolution.
- Use only gentle, soap-free, pet shampoos when bathing.
Budget: $ 34.40 |
Advantage Spot on
For Dogs and Cats
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Advantages:
- repels and kills fleas on both dogs and cats
- easy spot-on administration
- apply once a month for fleas
- fleas stop biting within 3-5 minutes, with adult fleas and larvae killed within 20 minutes
- fleas don’t have to bite your pet to receive the chemical, as Advantage works on contact with the fleas
- also kills fleas in the pet’s environment
- can be used on puppies of any age (no need to treat puppies until they are weaned as treatment of the bitch protects her young also)
- can be used in pregnant and lactating animals
Beware:
- Advantage will not wash off during swimming, bathing, and rain exposure). However, if washing your pet, Bayer advises that a soap-free shampoo be used, no less than 14 days after applying Advantage.
Budget: $ 15.25
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Advocate Spot on
For Dogs and Cats
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Advantages:
- kills and repels fleas in cats and dogs
- easy spot-on application
- apply once a month for flea control
- also treats most stomach worms and heartworms (NOTE: talk to your vet about heartworm treatment before using Advocate as your dog may require a blood test)
- fleas stop biting within 3-5 minutes; adult fleas and larvae are killed within 20 minutes of treatment
- fleas don’t have to bite your pet to receive the chemical, as Advocate works on contact with the fleas
- also kills fleas in the pet’s environment
- safe for puppies from 7 weeks of age and kittens from 9 weeks of age
- not recommended for pregnant and lactating animals
Beware:
- Advocate will not wash off during swimming, bathing, and rain exposure). However, if washing your pet, Bayer advises that a soap-free shampoo be used, no less than 14 days after applying Advantage.
Budget: $ 19.68 |
Advantix Spot on
For Dogs
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Advantages:
- repels and kills fleas and ticks on dogs
- easy spot-on application
- apply every 4 weeks for flea control only
(apply every 2 weeks for control of paralysis ticks )
- fleas stop biting within 3-5 minutes; adult fleas and larvae are killed within 20 minutes
- fleas don’t have to bite your pet to receive the chemical, as Advantix works on contact with the fleas
- also kills sand flies, stable flies and mosquitoes
- also kills fleas in the pet’s environment
- suitable for puppies from 7 weeks of age
- safe for pregnant and lactating bitches
Beware:
- do not use in cats – toxic to cats; ensure cats in the same household do not lick the product off your dog
- Advantix will not wash off during swimming, bathing, and rain exposure). However, if washing your pet, Bayer advises that a soap-free shampoo be used, no less than 14 days after applying Advantage.
Budget: $ 16.65 |
Activyl Spot on
For Dogs and Cats
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Advantages:
- kills fleas on cats and dogs
- easy spot on application
- apply once a month
- breaks the flea life cycle by killing flea eggs and larvae in your pet’s environment
- fleas do not have to bite your pet for Activyl to work as it kills on contact with the flea
- kills 90% of fleas within 12 hours of first treatment
- safe for puppies and kittens over 8 weeks of age and over 1.5kg bodyweight
- water-fast in dogs and effective after shampooing in dogs and cats (after 48 hours)
Beware:
- do not let your pet swim or be shampooed within 48 hours after using Activyl
- not tested in pregnant, breeding or lactating animals
Budget: $ 11.00 |
Frontline Plus Spot on
for Dogs and Cats
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Advantages:
- spot-on which kills fleas on cats and dogs
- also for tick control in dogs only
- apply every 4 weeks for flea control
(to control paralysis tick in dogs, apply every 2 weeks)
- kills fleas on your pet within 12 – 24 hours
- Frontline breaks the flea cycle by preventing the development of flea eggs and larvae in your home
- Can be used on puppies and kittens from 8 weeks of age
- Safe for breeding, pregnant and lactating bitches
Beware:
- Your pet must be completely dry before applying Frontline. Wait at least 48 hours after applying Frontline before bathing or shampooing your pet. Use only gentle, soap-free, pet shampoos when bathing.
Budget: $ 11.00 |
Topical Sprays and Rinses
Flea sprays and flea rinse products are a great choice for owners who like the traditional methods of flea control and those who have pets with sensitive stomachs.
Frontline Spray
for Dogs and Cats
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Advantages:
- Frontline Spray kills fleas and ticks on dogs and cats
- kills fleas for up to 12 weeks in dogs and up to 8 weeks in cats
- can be used in puppies and kittens from 2 days old
- can be used in breeding, pregnant and lactating bitches
Beware:
- your pet should be totally dry before applying Frontline. Do not bathe or shampoo your pet for at least 48 hours after applying Frontline.
Budget: $ 26.97 |
Permoxin Rinse
for Dogs and Horses
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Advantages:
- rinse for fleas, ticks, flies and biting insects on dogs and horses
- for flea and tick control in dogs, re-apply weekly
- dilute the concentrate for use as a spray or dip / rinse
- can be used in puppies from 3 months old
Beware:
- toxic to cats; do not use in cats
Budget: $ 19.90 |
Fido’s Flea and Tick Rinse
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Advantages:
- cost-effective rinse for control of fleas, ticks, and lice on cats and dogs of all ages
- repeat application as required to control infestations
Beware:
- can be used in cats but may cause some salivating and unsteady gait in some cats
Budget: $ 10.90 |
Premises Products
Bradfield’s Flea and Tick Spray
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Best points:
- kennel and carpet spray for fleas ( adults and immature stages), flies, ants,spiders and mosquitoes
- also suitable as a yard spray, on bedding and on cages, kennels, and pet sleeping areas
- all natural ingredients (natural linalool, sesame oil, emulsifiers, water)
Beware:
- spot-test on carpets and upholstery before use
Budget: $ 11.90 |
Fido’s Flea Bomb
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Best points:
- kills fleas and flea pupae for up to 9 months in treated areas
- it breaks the flea life-cycle, as it kills both adult and pupal stage of the fleas
Beware:
- before using the flea bomb you must vacuum all areas where the pets lie (carpets, kennels, lounge, beds, etc.) and wash the pet’s bedding in boiling water
- follow labelled directions for area coverage
- pets and humans must vacate the house at the time of treatment and for 2 hours after the treatment time
Budget: $ 14.20
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