Most Effective Flea & Tick Protection for Dogs

Consider flea and tick medication like body armor for Fido. Fleas can infest a dog and inflict dozens of irritating bites. Ticks also bite, but are much more dangerous because they spread the fatal Lyme disease to both dogs and humans. With medication, fleas and ticks die off within hours. The four main flea and tick treatment medications on the market are Frontline, K9 Advantix, Sentinel and Comfortis.

  1. Frontline

    • Frontline comes in a small applicator that resembles eye-drop containers used by people. It's applied at the dog's nape and kills all existing fleas within 18 hours and all existing ticks within 24 hours. It's safe for dogs older than 8 weeks. The medicine prevents fleas and ticks from returning for a month and does not wash off. Frontline uses a formula of fipronil and s-methoprene. Frontline and Advantix, both topical medications, cost approximately the same.

    K9 Advantix

    • Advantix comes in a small tube and is applied at the dog's nape. It kills fleas within 12 hours and ticks within 24 hours. It's safe for dogs older than 7 weeks. Advantix prevents new infestations for up to one month and does not wash off. Advantix uses a formula of imidacloprid, permethrin, pyripoxyfen and other ingredients. Advantix and Frontline, both topical medications, cost approximately the same.

    Sentinel

    • Sentinel comes in diamond-shaped, edible brown tablets. It requires a veteran's prescription, while Frontline and K9 Advantix are over-the-counter medications. Dogs need to take one Sentinel pill per month. Sentinel kills all flea eggs, as well as hookworms, ringworms and whipworms, but not ticks. Sentinel is safe for dogs that are 4 weeks or older and weigh at least 2 pounds. Sentinel and Comfortis, both tablet medications, cost approximately the same.

    Comfortis

    • Comfortis is a circular, brown, beef-flavored, edible tablet that dogs eat once per month to prevent flea and tick infestations. It's typically used as a preventative measure and not to battle fresh or on-going infestations. Comfortis requires a veterinarian's prescription. It's safe for dogs 14 weeks or older. Comfortis and Sentinel, both tablet medications, cost approximately the same.