There’s no best product that’s perfect for every pet. What’s best for your dog or cat depends on a number of things, so you should talk to your veterinarian.

“Most products have minimum age and weight requirements, so make sure your pet meets these,” says Amy Flowers, DVM, associate veterinarian at a small animal practice. “Never use a dog product on a cat, as this could be fatal.” 

Your vet will think about many things including species, breed, age, weight, health status, allergies, and lifestyle. 

Types of Flea and Tick Treatments

Flea and tick treatment and prevention for pets comes in several forms. You can give a medicated chew, apply topical solution, or use a treated collar.

Topical 

This is a small amount of liquid chemicals applied to your pet on areas that are hard for them to reach. Some kill adult fleas, which can mean quick relief. Other topicals kill eggs and larvae, which breaks the flea life cycle. Topicals that contain permethrin can repel ticks and keep them from attaching. Some with fipronil don’t repel ticks or keep them from attaching, but they kill them once they do latch on. 

Topical treatments are often the safest choice for very tiny puppies that aren’t big enough to use other treatments. But most prevention isn’t safe for puppies until they are at least 7-8 weeks old.

Check the directions for specific tips on how to apply and to make sure your pet meets the weight and age requirements for the product you’re using. 

“Most topical products are applied at the base of the skull, back of the neck, or between the shoulder blades. This makes it less likely to be ingested by the animal because they can't lick the back of their neck,” Flowers says.

Part your pet’s hair and put the liquid directly on their skin, not just on top of their fur. “Hold the applicator tip slightly away from the skin so you don't suck the liquid back into the tube when squeezing it,” Flowers says.

It’s safest to wear gloves, but at least be sure to wash your hands well after applying. Don’t let anyone touch the site for about 2 hours after it’s applied.

“It may be best to keep pets and young children separated for several hours or overnight to avoid them risking any exposure,” Claussen says. “In addition, keeping cats and dogs separated to prevent licking or grooming of this area is also necessary.”

You’ll likely notice a greasy-looking spot for a short time after you’ve applied the treatment. That’s normal. 

Don’t give your pet a bath for a while after applying. Instructions on the package can tell you how long to wait, usually 2-3 days. 

Collar

Flea and tick collars can repel the parasites and keep them from attaching, particularly collars that slowly release chemicals. Long-lasting collars that have the active ingredients imidacloprid and flumethrin can be effective.

The collars must be applied snugly, but you should still be able to slip two fingers between it and your dog’s neck. “A pet that has a flea and tick collar and swims regularly may need to have the collar replaced sooner than the product recommends,” Claussen says.

Oral

These are prescription chews given routinely as directed, every 1 to 3 months. Like topicals, oral flea preventives target fleas in different life stages – larvae and adult fleas. Others stop a flea’s ability to lay eggs. They don’t repel ticks or prevent them from biting, but they kill ticks quickly once they are attached.

In rare cases, chews containing isoxazoline have been associated with seizures. If your dog has a history of seizures, your vet might suggest a different product.

“Most of the oral medications should be used with caution or avoided if your pet has a history of seizures or neurological issues,” Flowers says. “Some people prefer oral medications so they don't have to deal with the greasy fur. Some dogs won't eat medication or may have neurological issues after oral meds, so topical products are better.” 

Shampoos 

Medicated shampoos can kill fleas (plus flea eggs and larvae) and ticks that are already on your pet. But they don’t always repel new fleas and ticks or keep ticks from attaching.

And sometimes pets can have a reaction to the active ingredients in these shampoos. 

“With the oral and topical flea and tick preventives available today, I don't recommend flea and tick shampoos. They can be a lot of work for minimal results,” Claussen says.

“One must read and follow the instructions VERY carefully to avoid overdose and toxicity that can come with certain active ingredients in some of the over-the-counter shampoos. Also, the shampoos rarely prevent reinfection.”

If you use a shampoo, make sure you check that it’s labeled specifically for your pet’s species because some are just for dogs. Be sure to use the right amount of shampoo and leave it on for the correct amount of time. Check to see how often you can repeat bathing, and check with your vet if you use topicals, oral chews, or collars so you don’t give your dog dangerous levels of chemicals. 

How Often Use Prevention

Check the label or talk to your vet about how often to give specific types of flea and tick prevention. Oral chews and topical products, for example, are usually given every month. But some products might last 3 months or longer.

“Remembering to repeat the preventive dosing at the appropriate time interval is crucial in keeping your pet happy and healthy,” Claussen says.

Though you may be tempted to only worry about fleas and ticks during the warmer months, it’s best to treat them year-round. It can take months to get fleas and ticks under control if they’re in your home. And be sure to treat every animal in your home.

“Fleas and ticks can occur at any time depending on your location, and time of year. Ticks can be active at 40 F,” says Claussen. “Fleas can hop a ride inside on your shoes or clothing. Year-round prevention is the best medicine.”