Which Flea & Tick Medications Are Safest for Cats & Dogs?

In addition to making pets uncomfortable, fleas and ticks can carry diseases that are dangerous to your pet's health, as well as the health of you and your family. Veterinarians recommend consistent treatment of your pet to prevent flea and tick infestation. There are many different products available to treat pets, and some work far better and more reliably than others. Regardless of which medication you choose, pet experts warn to never give cat medication to dogs or dog medication to cats and to be sure the weight category on the medication matches the weight of your pet.

  1. Spot-On Treatments

    • In general, flea and tick medications prescribed by your veterinarian are the safest and most effective. Most vets recommend spot-on treatments for fleas and ticks. These are topical solutions that are applied directly to the pet. Spot-on treatments are considered the most effective for preventing flea and tick infestation because most of them not only kill adult parasites, they kill the eggs. This greatly reduces the possibility of reinfestation. These treatments are not recommended for puppies and kittens or elderly and anemic pets. Vets strongly discourage the use of over-the-counter topical solutions because they may contain pesticides that can be harmful to both pets and humans.

    Oral Medications

    • If your pet has a skin disorder or unusually thick skin, your veterinarian may prefer to use oral medications, such as pills, liquids or tablets. These are not generally as effective as the topical medications, but they are safe for your pet. Vets sometimes prescribe oral medications in addition to a topical solution, to aid in killing adult fleas more quickly. Again, vets do not recommend using over-the-counter medications due to potentially hazardous chemicals.

    Shampoos and Combs

    • While less effective than topical or oral treatments, combs and shampoos are important to flea and tick control. Puppies and kittens have underdeveloped nervous systems, so chemicals from topical or oral treatments can cause damage. Combing and shampooing are much safer alternatives that will help control fleas until your pet is old enough for preventative treatments. Elderly pets or those who have lost a great deal of blood to fleas may be more safely treated with shampoos and combs. Your vet should determine when a pet is too old or unwell for topical or oral flea and tick treaments.

    Other Products

    • If topical or oral treatments are ineffective, you may need to use foggers, sprays, dips, powders or shampoos. These products kill adult fleas and ticks quickly. Consult your veterinarian concerning which products are best for your pet.