There are several medications on the market that keep fleas and ticks off of your dog. Some do more than just kill fleas and ticks while some products only take care of the fleas. As prescription medications, they have all been deemed safe for dogs with only occasional minor side effects. So how do you compare the different flea and tick medications so that you make the best choice for your dog? Beyond looking at the cost, there are some important product facts to look at when comparing flea and tick medicine for your dog.
Things You'll Need
- Product information sheet
Instructions
Find out what the product kills on your dog. If you need both flea and tick protection, then choose a product that does both so that you are not giving your pet two different medications.
Look at the information to see if the product both kills the adult flea and interferes with the life cycle of the flea by preventing eggs from hatching or larvae from developing. Most products do both but not all. Regular Frontline, for example, only kills the adult flea. Frontline Plus will do both.
Check the medication to see if it also kills or repels mosquitoes. In areas with high rates of heartworm, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, this would be more of a concern.
Decide if you prefer a topical medication or an oral (pill form). Topical medications are fast acting, but for some pets giving a tasty pill may be easier to accomplish.
Learn about the side effects of the medication. All will have side effects although usually only minor ones may occur such as skin irritation. If you know your pet may be especially sensitive or has had problems in the past, use that information to help compare the products. This way you can pick the safest medication for your dog.
Read the safety information about what age your pet can be given the medication, and if the medication can be given to pregnant or lactating females. If you have a young or breeding dog, this will be important information.