Best Flea Treatment for Dogs in 2024 (Reviews & Guide)

The treatment is available in 4- and 6-packs, as well as in four dog sizes, so you’ll get the exact dosage your dog needs. As with other Bayer products, the packaging clearly indicates which size and weight the product is most suitable for and what it treats. So, keep an eye out for that.

It’s available for:

• Small dogs — 3–10lbs (available in 4 and 6 doses)
• Medium dogs — 11–20lbs (available in 4 and 6 doses)
• Large dogs — 21–55lbs (available in 4 and 6 doses)
• Extra-large dogs — 55+lbs (available in 4 and 6 doses)

The Advantage is also available for kittens (2–5lbs), and small (5–9lbs), and large cats (9+lbs). Bayer Advantage Flea Control, Advantage II’s predecessor, was effective only at killing adult fleas. The new formulation — Advantage II — is efficient at killing adult fleas, their eggs, and larvae, as well as lice. It’s not as broad-spectrum as Advantix II, but it’s great for targeting fleas and lice in particular.

As Advantix II, Advantage II is easily applicable and starts working almost instantaneously. It needs around two hours to kill reinfesting fleas and protect your dog from any further re-infestations. Bayer Advantage II for dogs also requires just 12 hours to kill all the annoying fleas, beating the 24-hour industry standard by a mile.

Your dog can go for a swim, or you can bathe them 24 hours after the application of the treatment, and the effects will persist for four weeks. However, if your pet’s flea situation is severe, you might have to apply another dosage a bit sooner. Still, consult your vet about this first. Customers also share that this vet-recommended treatment is excellent for soothing flea allergy dermatitis.

What we liked the most was how powerful and efficient it was. It kills fleas and lice on contact, and there’s no biting required. The treatment is best for an already existing problem and is safe to use all year round to prevent fleas from nesting in your home. Bayer shares that the treatment isn’t lethal to cats, but you shouldn’t use it on them as it can be toxic.

Active Ingredients: 9.10% imidacloprid, 0.46% pyriproxyfen

Bayer is the home of some of the best pet flea treatments on the market. The treatment is size-specific, so you have ready dosages.

There are five sizes available:

• Bayer K9 Advantix II Small Dog — 4-10lbs (available in 1, 2, 4, and 6 doses)
• Bayer K9 Advantix II Medium Dog — 11–20lbs (available in 1, 2, 4, and 6 doses)
• Bayer K9 Advantix II Large Dog — 21–55lbs (available in 1, 2, 4, and 6 doses)
• Bayer K9 Advantix II Extra Large Dog — 55+lbs (available in 1, 2, 4, and 6 doses)

The treatment is also available in packs of one, two, four, and six. The packaging clearly indicates which size and weight the product is most suitable for and what it treats specifically. This one offers broad-spectrum protection, so you won’t have to give your dog additional medicine for ticks, lice, mosquitoes, and other annoying pests.

It’s an improved version of its predecessor — K9 Advantix — as it includes an insect growth regulator (IGR), which kills flea eggs and larvae, not only adult fleas. The product is relatively easy to apply and starts working on the spot. It will take about two hours to kill reinfesting fleas and protect your pet from further re-infestation (for up to four weeks). Moreover, it takes Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea and Tick Control 12 hours to eradicate the rest of the fleas. This is much faster than the average 24 hours other products need.

As previously mentioned, the effects persist for four weeks, which is the industry standard. On top of that, the treatment is fully waterproof, so bathing and swimming won’t affect it. The product is vet recommended, and from our experience, as well as the opinion of other Bayer K9 Advantix II reviews, it’s incredibly potent.

What gave it the number one spot on our list, besides its quality and efficiency, is that it kills a broad spectrum of parasites without any biting required. This is an excellent product if other flea-prevention methods haven’t worked and your pet has picked up the annoying pests. Moreover, it’s safe to use all year round to prevent fleas from wintering in your home.

Even though it’s a chemical, the treatment is entirely safe for dogs. However, if you give your pet a higher dosage, you may notice some Bayer K9 Advantix II side effects. These include:

• Skin irritation — redness, scratching, and general discomfort
• Gastrointestinal signs — vomiting and diarrhea
• Lethargy or agitation

Side effects are pretty rare. Yet, if you notice any of these signs, contact your vet immediately. Also, please note that Advantix K9 is extremely toxic and lethal for cats, as it includes permethrin, which cats cannot metabolize. So, if you’re using Advantix flea treatment for dogs, please keep your pets in different rooms until you’re 100% sure your dog’s skin has completely absorbed the treatment.

As we all know, cats love grooming dogs. As a result, they can accidentally lick the treatment off and poison themselves in the process. Or, you might accidentally mix up the treatments and give the wrong one to your feline companion.

Therefore, always double-check the product packaging before administering the treatment. However, accidents do happen. If you’ve accidentally put Bayer K9 Advantix II Flea and Tick Control on your cat, or they’ve licked it off your dog, follow our advice below and act quickly!

Active Ingredients: 8.8% imidacloprid, 44% permethrin, 0.44% pyriproxyfen

This highly-effective flea treatment has kept the vets’ trust for over 20 years. Designed for puppies and adult dogs, the treatment kills fleas at all life stages, including ticks and lice. The treatment is available in four size-specific formulas:

• Small dogs and puppies — 5–22lbs (available in 3, 6, and 8 doses) — According to reviews, this is the safest flea treatment for small dogs.
• Medium dogs — 23–44lbs (available in 3, 6, and 8 doses)
• Large dogs — 45–88lbs (available in 3, 6, and 8 doses)
• Extra-large dogs — 89–132lbs (available in 3-pack and 6-pack doses)

Please note that only the small dog formula is suitable for puppies. The brand also has a formula for kittens and cats 8 weeks and older, weighing over 1.5lbs, available in 3, 6, and 8 doses.

Frontline Plus also highlights that this formulation is more potent than the original Frontline since it can kill fleas at all life stages, including other pests. It’s applied just like any other spot-on treatment, and its effects persist for a month. Users are immensely satisfied that it kills parasites within 4 hours of application, cleans your dog from fleas, and ticks 100% within the first 12 hours.

According to customers, this is one of the most effective and safest treatments currently on the market. Plus, seeing how it kills pests on contact, there’s no need for biting. However, despite being at the top of the ladder when it comes to protection, it might not prevent ticks from attaching to your pup. Still, it will definitely kill them before they get to bite your pet.

Frontline Plus for dogs customers claim that the treatment has one major downside — some dogs might develop resistance to said treatment after long-term use.

Active Ingredients: fipronil, (S)-methoprene

This quick and efficient spray — also available in a 250ml bottle — is suitable for both cats and dogs at all life stages, as long as they’re older than eight weeks. Applying it is pretty straightforward, and it’s completely waterproof, so your pet will be protected for at least a couple of weeks.

We loved the Frontline flea and tick spray most because of its main active ingredient — fipronil. This is an insecticide that kills fleas and ticks before they even get a chance to lay eggs into your pet’s fur. The spray kills all fleas and ticks within 24 hours of application.

Also known as the highest-rated flea treatment for dogs in the form of a spray, the substance also prevents the pests from re-infesting and causing flea allergy dermatitis. On top of that, it protects your pets from Lyme disease (which also affects humans). It also protects from Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, haemobartonellosis, and other diseases.

Frontline Spray customers warn that your pet can lick the spray off after application, so keep an eye on them. There’s only one possible side effect from this outcome — hypersalivation. Yet, your pet should be fine, even in such a scenario. Depending on your pet’s problem, the spray should protect them for about 3–12 weeks before it needs to be reapplied.

Active Ingredients: 0.29% fipronil

Made by Frontline Vet Labs, this FDA-approved flea treatment is the first of its kind. The treatments come in the form of tasty beef-flavored chews that you can administer easily. It’s recommended you give one chew a month to your pet, as is. However, numerous NexGard customers state that you can also hide it in your pet’s food if they’re particularly picky or stubborn.

The treatment is available for:

• Small dog — 4–10lbs (available in 3 and 6 doses)
• Medium dog — 10.1–24lbs (available in 3 and 6 doses)
• Large dog — 24.1–60lbs (available in 3 and 6 doses)
• Extra-large dog — 60.1–121lbs (available in 3 and 6 doses)

Each chew contains the appropriate amount of afoxolaner for your dog’s weight. Afoxolaner — the only active ingredient in the chews, is an insecticide and acaricide that your dog’s bloodstream absorbs from the chew. It travels through the bloodstream, overstimulating the fleas’ and ticks’ central nervous system, killing them before they even get a chance to lay eggs.

NexGard flea and tick chewable treatment kill 3 types of ticks:

• The American dog tick
• The black-legged (Deer) tick
• The Lone Star tick

Moreover, it also protects your dog from tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. Another thing about NexGard is that it can be taken alongside heartworm medicine. In addition to everything, the chews are also fast-acting. It takes them about 24 hours to kill all the existing pests, but a few reviews claim it requires a bit more than 24 hours.

There are a few side effects you should keep an eye on:

• Vomiting
• Itching
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite

They’re not common, but it’s recommended you monitor your pet for a few hours after administering the treatment. We also found only a few NexGard flea and tick pill reviews. However, they don’t report any side effects. They just state that the drug isn’t working even after a few months’ worth of applications.

Please note that the treatment shouldn’t be used on dogs with neurological issues and a history of seizures.

Active Ingredients: 28.3mg of afoxolaner per chew

The treatment is available in 6- and 60-tablet packs and comes in size-specific formulas. It provides instant relief for your pet as it works relatively quickly.

Most Capstar customers indicate that this lightning-quick treatment is the best OTC flea treatment for dogs. There used to be two formulas — for large and small dogs (that was also suitable for cats). But now, there are, in fact, three formulas:

• For small dogs — 2–25lbs (available in 10 doses and 60 doses)
• For large dogs — 26–125lbs (available in 6 doses)
• For cats — 2–25lbs (available in 6 doses)

Nevertheless, the small dog and cat formulas are mostly the same, as they’re both designed for pets 4 weeks and older, weighing 2lbs–25lbs. Each tablet formulated for cats and small dogs contains 11.4mg of nitenpyram. This is the active ingredient responsible for killing fleas. On the other hand, the large dog formula has 57mg of nitenpyram.

Capstar for dogs is very easy to administer. They’re great if you don’t want to mess around with collars or topicals or if your pet suffers from flea allergies. Yet, they’re not as hassle-free as you need to administer them daily until the flea infestation is gone.

It’s recommended you give the tablet directly in their mouth. Still, according to Novartis Capstar reviews, you can also hide it in your pet’s food if they won’t let you mess with their mouth. The treatment starts working within 15 minutes of administering it and kills 90% of fleas within the first 4 hours. All the fleas should be gone within 24 hours tops. However, as fleas go through life cycles, you should administer the therapy to your pet until the infestation is completely gone.

This is also the safest oral flea treatment for dogs and cats as it can be administered to pregnant and nursing pets as well. Still, there’s one thing we didn’t like — the treatment is only efficient against adult fleas, and it doesn’t kill other pests.

Keep in mind, though, that your pet may scratch and groom more than average within the first hour of administration. Rarely, transient signs of hyperactivity and panting may also occur. Be sure to contact your vet if these signs persist.

Active Ingredients: 11.4mg of nitenpyram

Bravecto flea treatment for dogs comes straight from the labs of Merrick Animal Health. Unfortunately, this FDA-approved, vet-recommended treatment requires a vet’s prescription, so you can only get it at specialized pet stores and vet clinics.

It comes in five size-specific formulas suitable for puppies and dogs that are 6 months and older:

• Toy dog — 4.4–9.9lbs (available in a single-pack)
• Small dog — 9.9–22lbs (available in a single-pack)
• Medium dog — 22–44lbs (available in a single-pack)
• Large dog — 44–88lbs (available in a single-pack)
• Extra-large dog — 88–123+lbs (available in a single-pack)

According to numerous positive Bravecto reviews, the treatment is suitable for both prevention and treatment. It’s more expensive than its competitors, but it’s more cost-effective in the long run as it provides lengthy, 12-week protection.

There’s only one Bravecto chewable tablet in the packaging, and it starts working merely 2 hours after administration. It kills 98% of active fleas and ticks within 12 hours of application. After the 12 hours have elapsed, 100% of pests are dead.

It effectively kills adult fleas and prevents their infestation for 12 weeks. Moreover, it also kills black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, and brown dog ticks for 12 weeks and kills and protects your dog from lone star ticks for 8 weeks. On top of that, Bravecto claims that the chew also protects your pet from flea-borne diseases and flea allergy dermatitis.

The treatment is safe for pregnant, breeding, and lactating dogs. It’s tasty enough to give it to your pet as a treat, or you can crumble it and mix it in with their food. Bravecto flea and tick reviews mention that this treatment might have some side effects. The most common ones include:

• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Polydipsia
• Flatulence

The side effects are simply unpleasant, but they’re not life-threatening. However, if your dog has a history of seizures or neurological disorders, use the chews with caution. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any side effects or changes in their behavior.

Active Ingredients: fluralaner

Much like the chew, Bravecto topical is available in five size-specific formulas made for puppies and dogs that are 6 months and older:

• Toy dog — 4.4–9.9lbs (one treatment)
• Small dog — 9.9–22lbs (one treatment)
• Medium dog — 22–44lbs (one treatment)
• Large dog — 44–88lbs (one treatment)
• Extra-large dog — 88–123+lbs (one treatment)

Bravecto reviews are also smitten with the brands’ flea formulas for cats. There are also two types of formulas — regular Bravecto and Bravecto Plus:

• Bravecto for cats and kittens 2.6–6.2lbs
• Bravecto for cats and kittens 6.2–13.8lbs
• Bravecto for cats and kittens 13.8–27.5lbs
• Bravecto Plus for cats and kittens 2.6–6.2lbs
• Bravecto Plus for cats and kittens 6.2–13.8lbs
• Bravecto Plus for cats and kittens 13.8–27.5lbs

We found that the products differ only in the formulation. Both the chew and the topical have the same ingredients and effects. The only difference is that the topical needs some 8 hours to start working. It kills all adult fleas and ticks within 12 hours of application. Against fleas and ticks, it protects your doggo for 12 weeks and against lone star ticks for 8 weeks.

There is currently no negative Bravecto topical for dogs reviews. It’s FDA-approved, so it’s safe for all dogs. It’s proven safe for pregnant, nursing, and breeding dogs, but you’ll need a vet’s prescription to buy it. Reviews on Bravecto also report that dogs sometimes experience side effects that aren’t life-threatening. They include vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and moist dermatitis/rash.

Active Ingredients: fluralaner

This chemical-free all-natural flea and tick spray — also available in a 96-ounce bottle, is designed for furniture, bedding, carpets, flooring, and curtains. It can be used in and out of the house, and you can also spray your dog with it. Seeing how it’s made out of natural ingredients, it’s safe to use on dogs older than 12 weeks and around your family.

Most Vets Best flea and tick spray reviews indicate that the spray makes quick work of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes directly on contact. It’s also an excellent preventive measure as it repels said pests from your furry companion (and your house) and keeps them at bay.

According to Vet’s Best reviews, the only downside is that the effects aren’t long-lasting, so you’ll have to spray your dog a couple of times a day. Moreover, having an all-natural product doesn’t mean your pet won’t have an allergic reaction to it. Some customers reported reactions like rashes, redness, itchy and dry skin, lethargy, and vomiting. Again, they’re not dangerous, but contact your vet if they persist over time.

Active Ingredients: 0.30% peppermint oil, 0.70% eugenol, 2.70% sodium lauryl sulfate

Another best inexpensive flea treatment for dogs, this flea powder is made from natural ingredients. It is safe to use on dogs and cats 6 weeks and older. As it has all-natural ingredients, it’s great for pets with sensitive skin.

A combination of rosemary oil, thyme, and lemongrass is nice and gentle for your pet’s skin. It repels fleas while absorbing the excess oil from your pet’s skin. The powder leaves a pleasant, natural scent that’s also great for deodorizing your pet.

The powder makes for exceptional flea prevention, or it can be used as a first step in fighting an infestation. Due to it having no chemicals, it’s safe to use as needed. But don’t go overboard. Besides being a great natural product, NaturVet powder is also the best budget flea treatment for dogs, as it’s highly affordable and lasts for a long time.

What’s best is that you can use the powder in combination with other flea treatments, like Advantage, as it won’t interfere with their effect. Just consult your vet before doing so. You can also sprinkle it on your pet’s bedding, pillows, blankets, foam beds, and so on. That way, it should be even more effective at keeping the fleas away.

On top of all this, the brand has other great flea treatments too. Their essential-oil based flea spray can also be used on dogs and cats for repelling fleas and protecting your pet. Of course, you should keep the crystals away from pets and your family. Still, you can sprinkle them on carpets and under cushions of upholstered furniture to get rid of fleas. They’re also extremely easy to vacuum.

Active Ingredients: 0.25% thyme oil, 0.5% lemongrass oil, 0.5% rosemary

Adams shampoo is one of the most popular products of its kind on the market, and for a good reason too! It’s available in 24oz and 1gal bottles and is suitable for cats and dogs 12 weeks and older.

Adams Plus Flea and Tick Shampoo reviews rave about its effectiveness, and we were impressed too. The shampoo kills pests on contact. It’s efficient against fleas, ticks, and lice at all life stages. What’s best is that it’s not just a short-term solution.

Namely, it provides 28-day protection against reinfestation. However, Adams Flea and Tick Shampoo reviews also claim that you can use the shampoo every 7–10 days if your pet suffers from severe flea infestation.

The shampoo is formulated with aloe vera, oatmeal, coconut oil, and lanolin, making it great for sensitive skin. It also provides quick relief from flea bites. The formula has a light coconutty scent, which is fresh and pleasant.

On top of that, Adams flea and tick reviews also claim that the shampoo is excellent for moisturizing your pet’s skin and conditioning their coat. Furthermore, the shampoo removes loose dandruff, scales, and dirt. Still, you shouldn’t apply it more than once per day, as you may cause skin sensitivity and irritation.

Now, Adams makes some pretty fantastic pet products that people love, and we read tons of positive Adams Flea and Tick Spray reviews, so we decided to try them as well. The spray kills and prevents fleas and ticks and can be used on both cats and dogs. It has a rapid onset and kills the pests directly on contact while also providing 2-month protection.

You can use it twice a month, and it will also repel mosquitoes as a bonus. The product protects your dog for 7 months. It prevents and kills fleas and ticks at all life stages. There are separate collars for cats and dogs, and you can choose them according to your pet’s size.

Active Ingredients: 0.15% pyrethrins, 0.10% (S)-methoprene, 1.88% piperonyl butoxide