Canine Flea Products

Many products are available for canine flea control, but not all products are reliable, and all products can cause reactions -- from thirst and redness to life threatening -- in individual dogs. Even if you've used a particular product before, always watch your dog for reactions in the first 30 minutes or so after using any flea product. Read all packaging materials carefully. Not all products are safe for puppies or cats, so consult your veterinarian if you have a young puppy. If you have a cat, follow the manufacturer's instructions, as some products can transfer from your dog to your cat, causing illness and even death to the cat.

  1. Spot-on Formulas

    • The woman's hand is just slightly left of where most manufacturer's recommend applying drops.

      Spot-on formulas are liquid drops that are applied to the dog's skin, between the shoulder blades. The hair must be separated so that the drops are applied directly to the dog's skin, and not just on the hair. In most cases, spot-on formulas are applied to the space between the shoulder blades because dogs can't reach to lick it off; however, some packages may instruct you to apply spot-on to two spots for larger dogs, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Spot-ons are considered to be relatively safe and very effective. According to the University of California's Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM), there are no studies showing the effectiveness of over-the-counter spot-ons, or comparing over-the-counter preparations to those that are prescribed by a veterinarian.

    Powders, Sprays, Shampoos and Soaps

    • This is a common reaction of dogs to flea powders and sprays, along with intense sneezing.

      These flea products usually contain either a pesticide or an insect growth regulator (IGR), or both. These are not nearly as effective as newer products, such as spot-ons or oral medications. Additionally, the sprays and powders release product into the air, where owner and dog breathe it in, often causing reactions like coughing, sneezing, watering eyes, reddened rash on the skin and more.

    Oral Medications

    • Oral flea products require a prescription.

      There are three oral medications available by prescription to control fleas. One product, Program, does not kill adult fleas but prevents reproduction. This is not a good option if your dog has allergic flea bite dermatitis, because it takes only one bite to cause a severe reaction in such a dog, and Program will not prevent that bite.

      The other two oral products are Capstar and Comfortis. Capstar is very effective at killing even large flea populations within a short time, but the effects only last about 48 hours, according to the University of California IMP. Comfortis is new, and effectively kills adult fleas quickly. Comfortis lasts for about 60 days.

    Nonchemical Products

    • Natural flea products have not been shown to be effective.

      Every year there are products touted for flea control, claiming people can avoid the toxins of insecticides for their beloved dogs. Unfortunately, these products have not been found to be helpful for flea control. The University of California IMP states that "Studies have shown that neither Vitamin B1 (thiamine hydrochloride) supplements nor brewer's yeast prevents fleas from feeding. Herbal collars and ultrasonic devices aren't effective flea repellents either." Garlic, another ingredient frequently used in natural flea control products, is also ineffective and can also be dangerous if ingested by the dog.