The 10 Best Flea and Tick Prevention Products, According To More Than 60 Dogs

Best Overall

Simparica Trio Chews for Dogs

View on Chewy View on PETCO

Simparica Trio enables most dog parents to reduce the number of monthly preventatives they need to give to their dog down to one. It offers the same long-lasting, effective protection against ticks and fleas as Simparica, but also includes two additional active ingredients to prevent heartworm disease and intestinal worms.

Simparica Trio's combination of sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel (the trio), work together to prevent heartworm, hookworm, and roundworm, protect against flea infestations, and guard against ticks, including five types commonly found in the United States: the Lone Star tick, Gulf Coast tick, American Dog tick, black-legged tick, and Brown Dog tick. The preventative is FDA-approved to block infections that may cause Lyme disease.

If you have a separate preventative for heartworm and intestinal parasites, or if you prefer to limit the amount of preventative medicine you give to your dog at one time, then standard Simparica is a reliable once-a-month liver-flavored chewable that provides protection from fleas and ticks in a single dose.

Simparica only contains one active ingredient, sarolaner, and is available in six different formulations depending on your dog’s weight. Standard Simparica is also more affordable than Trio, but we think the comprehensive heartworm and intestinal parasite coverage will be worth the extra price for most buyers, and is typically more affordable in combination than if you were to seek out a separate heartworm treatment.

Each once-a-month Simparica Trio chewable is liver flavored and easy to break up into smaller pieces if that makes it easier for you to give to your dog. Within hours of ingestion, Simparica Trio starts protecting your dog against parasites and diseases, and has been proven to maintain its potency beyond a 30-day window.

Simparica Trio requires a prescription from a veterinarian and is available in six sizes according to weight. It's safe for puppies as young as eight weeks old and weighing at least 2.8 pounds.

_{Prescription Required: Yes | Delivery Method: Chewable | Active Ingredients: Sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrante | Effective Against: Fleas, ticks, heart worm, roundworms, and hookworms}

Best Prescription

NexGard Plus

$115 at Chewy View on PETCO View on 1-800-PetMeds

NexGard PLUS is a monthly chewable available only with a prescription that protects against fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, and controls roundworms and hookworm. It has three active ingredients—afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel—the same as our pick for best overall, Simparica Trio, but there are a few key differences that might make one more advantageous than the other.

Each beef flavored NextGard PLUS chew (Simparica Trio is pork flavored) offers protection against three species of hookworms (Simparica Trio protects against two), two species of roundworms, four species of ticks (black-legged ticks, brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star tick), and fleas at all life stages.

For dogs, NexGard Plus is offered in four sizes based on weight, 8.1-17 pounds, 17.1-33 pounds, 33.1-66 pounds, and 66.1-132 pounds. It's approved for puppies as young as eight weeks old, but only if they weigh at least four pounds. For small dogs and puppies, Simparica Trio is approved for dogs weighing as little as 2.8 pounds.

_{Prescription Required: Yes | Delivery Method: Chewable | Active Ingredients: Afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel | Effective Against: Fleas and ticks}

Best Budget

Bravecto Chews for Dogs

$77 at Chewy View on PETCO $72 at 1-800-PetMeds

Bravecto is a chewable preventative given to a dog like a treat and it's flavored to make it more appealing. Each prescription-only chew gets started killing fleas two hours after ingestion and provides up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks. That's three months of coverage in one chew. This makes Bravecto one of the most economical options for flea and tick prevention all summer long.

It's effective against parasites commonly found in the United States, including black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks. But if Lone Star ticks are a concern where you live, you should consider giving your dog a Bravecto chew every eight weeks to keep your dog protected against the aggressive ticks.

If your dog has a thick or long coat (like Collies and Shih Tzus), you might find a topical preventative is difficult to apply correctly to your dog's skin, but the chew doesn't kill parasites on contact. Your dog might be bitten while taking Bravecto but the irksome pest will soon die which is helpful but still a risk. If Lyme disease from ticks is prevalent in your area, you should talk to your vet about having your dog vaccinated.

_{Prescription Required: Yes | Delivery Method: Chewable | Active Ingredient: Fluralaner | Effective Against: Fleas and ticks}

Best Non-Prescription Topical

Frontline Plus For Dogs Flea & Tick Spot Treatment

$56 at Amazon $76 at Chewy $36 at Walmart

When it comes to warding off fleas and ticks, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian and seeking a prescription treatment. “Products prescribed by veterinarians are the best to use [for flea and tick prevention],” Dr. Wolfe told The Spruce Pets. “Veterinarians can advise which product would be best for your pet and how to use it properly.”

However, if you’re looking for a non-prescription solution, your best option is Frontline Plus. It’s a little more of a hassle to apply than a simple chewable, but it’s an well-tested, effective, and frequently veterinarian-recommended solution for killing ticks and fleas.

The active ingredients in this topical flea and tick treatment is fipronil, which kills adult fleas and ticks, and (S)-methoprene to kill flea eggs and larvae. By disrupting the flea life cycle at multiple stages Frontline can help reduce local infestations, preventing your dog from picking up fleas over and over. It’s also effective for chewing lice and sarcoptic mites. 

To apply Frontline, you snap open a little tube, then squeeze out the contents onto a patch of skin between your dog’s shoulder blades—a spot where they’re not able to lick. The formula is absorbed through the oil glands and provides a full month of protection. Be sure to keep your dog dry for at least 24 hours after application to ensure the product has soaked in. After that, it’s safe for your dog to go swimming or be around other pets and children.

_{Prescription Required: No | Delivery Method: Topical | Active Ingredients: Fipronil and (S)-methropene | Effective Against: Fleas in all stages, ticks, chewing lice, and sarcoptic mites}

Another Great Non-Prescription Topical

Vectra 3D Spot Treatment

$110 at Amazon $100 at Chewy $44 at 1-800-PetMeds

Our a dog who had previously experienced a flea outbreak while taking a different preventative, the switch to Vectra 3D quickly proved to be reliable and completely effective.

Vectra 3D is a topical solution with three active ingredients—dinitefuran, pyriproxyfen, and permethrin—that is available without a prescription. Each monthly treatment comes in a tube for application at the base of the neck, and provides protection from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, lice, mites, biting flies, and sand flies—repelling and killing before the insects bite or sting your dog. Vectra 3D is easy to administer, but we recommend applying to your dog after they've had the chance to expend energy so they are more likely to sit still.

After 24 hours, the fragrance free, non-greasy solution is waterproof so it's a solid choice for dogs that love spending time outdoors. Vectra 3D comes in five sizes that correspond with a dog's weight, from five to over 95 pounds. It's also suitable for use on puppies as young as eight weeks.

_{Prescription Required: No | Delivery Method: Topical | Active Ingredients: Dinitefuran, pyriproxyfen, and permethrin | Effective Against: Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, lice, mites, biting flies, and sand flies}

Best for Puppies

NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs

$81 at Chewy View on PETCO $28 at walmartpetrx.com

NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs can be given to puppies as young as eight weeks, as long as they weigh at least four pounds. The beef-flavored monthly chewables are highly effective for prevention of fleas and ticks. And unlike with some topical treatments, it’s okay if your dog gets wet immediately after ingesting a chew.

NexGard is FDA-approved and effective in preventing infections that cause Lyme disease. Afoxolaner, NexGard's main ingredient, is absorbed into the bloodstream after ingestion to kill fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs, and ticks, including the Lone Star, black-legged, American dog and brown dog varieties. 

NexGard is available in four sizes and you should select weight range that best aligns with your dog.

While NexGard is safe for use with most dogs, potential side effects to watch for include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and itching. Its use for pregnant dogs has also not been studied, which is also true of other drugs in this class, like the sarolaner in Simparica and Simparica Trio.

_{Prescription Required: Yes | Delivery Method: Chewable | Active Ingredients: Afoxolaner | Effective Against: Fleas and ticks}

Best Shampoo

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo

$15 at Amazon $15 at Chewy $21 at Walmart

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo combines the active flea and tick-killing ingredients pyrethrin, s-methropene, and butoxide with itch and skin-soothing ingredients like aloe, oatmeal, lanolin and coconut extract for a creamy, lightly-scented formula.

Great for sensitive-skinned pups, Adams Plus and can be used as-is or diluted with 2 parts water if needed to create a better lather.  A little goes a long way, too— instructions say that 1⅓ tablespoons is all you need per five pounds of pet weight. 

Available in 12-ounce, 24-ounce, or gallon-size containers, this shampoo is safe for dogs and puppies of 12 weeks and older—but you’ll want to be careful not to apply near the eyes. 

While effective at killing fleas, we’re less convinced of its preventative effectiveness. Adams Plus contains an insect growth regulator that the manufacturer claims can prevent flea development for up to 28 days. However, Dr. Melissa Hall, Dutch vet specialist and board certified veterinary dermatologist advised that the shampoo is better used in conjunction with other preventative treatments, telling The Spruce Pets that it’s "good for a current infestation but will not be an effective preventative."

While Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo is generally considered safe for use with cats, we recommend against it, since cats are sensitive to the active ingredient pyrethrin.

_{Prescription Required: No | Delivery Method: Topical | Active Ingredients: Pyrethrins, s-methropene, and piperonyl butoxide | Effective Against: Fleas at all stages, ticks, and lice | Size: 12 ounce bottle}

Best Area Treatment

Harris Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

$15 at Amazon $9 at Chewy $32 at Walmart

Diatomaceous earth is a powdered sedimentary rock containing the fossilized remains of microalgae known as diatoms. Because it is mildly abrasive and highly absorbent, this powder has several practical applications, including as an insecticide. Diatomaceous earth kills fleas, ticks, bedbugs, cockroaches, and other pests by disrupting the waxy outer layer of their exoskeletons and dehydrating them.The powder can be spread anywhere to form an anti-parasite border, plus it is harmless to humans and pets.

We prefer Harris Diatomaceous Earth because it contains zero additives, is registered with the Organic Minerals Research Institute (OMRI), and is both mined and packaged in the United States. It also comes with a powder duster in the bag, which lets you spray powder into the crevices alongside refrigerators and other hard-to-reach places.

You can spread this diatomaceous earth practically anywhere, such as by dusting carpets, surrounding the legs of furniture, placing in corners, or spreading in your yard and garden. It’s best to target problem areas, since the light powder needs to be reapplied occasionally.

Harris Diatomaceous Earth is available in a four pound bag, and 10-percent of profits are donated to the Etowah Valley Humane Society in Georgia.

_{Prescription Required: No | Delivery Method: Powder | Active Ingredients: Organic, food grade diatomaceous earth | Effective Against: Fleas in all life stages, ticks, cockroaches, bedbugs, carpet beetles, spiders, ants, centipedes, and more}

Best for Heartworms

Revolution Topical Solution

$163 at Chewy View on PETCO $18 at 1-800-PetMeds

Heartworm disease is transmitted between animals by mosquitos who carry the larva that infiltrates the bloodstream, so it's important to have your dog tested annually by your veterinarian. You can also help prevent heartworm disease by giving your dog a monthly preventative that repels mosquitos. Revolution Topical Solution for Dogs requires a prescription from a veterinarian, but each monthly dose of the easy-to-apply topical solution offers reliable defense against heartworm disease along with protection from fleas, ticks, sarcoptic mange, and ear mites.

Revolution for Dogs has one active ingredient, selmectin, which is used to fight parasites. If your dog has an active infestation of ear mites, ticks or sarcoptic mange, Revolution will also help you control the situation and prevent further infection. But if you live in an area where ticks are a concern, you may find that you'll need to pair Revolution with another preventative. You should consult with your veterinarian, but many dog parents give their dog NexGard along with Revolution, which adds the active ingredient, afoxolaner, to prevent Lyme disease.

When purchasing Revolution, select the weight range that best aligns with your dog's current size. For puppies (and also kittens!) weighing five pounds or less, the color of the Revolution box is mauve instead of red and the formula is gentle enough for use on young furry friends.

_{Prescription Required: Yes | Delivery Method: Topical | Active Ingredients: Selamectin | Effective Against: Heartworm disease, fleas of all life stages, ticks, lice, ear mites, and sarcoptic mange}

Best Natural

TropiClean Maximum Strength Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo

$16 at Amazon $16 at Chewy $20 at Walmart

Repel fleas and ticks naturally with your dog’s bath when you suds them up with this product. An excellent choice for sensitive-skinned dogs, Tropiclean Natural Flea and Tick shampoo is equipped with several natural EPA-approved flea, tick, and mosquito repellents, including lemongrass oil, clove oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, and moisturizing sesame oil. Not only does it work to help kill parasites (adults as well as larvae and eggs) on contact, the Maximum Strength variety also smells fresh and citrus-y for up to a week after use. 

An added benefit is its soap-free quality, using a coconut cleanser to get your pup clean without rinsing away any topical treatments you may have applied prior to bathtime. It also comes in spill-resistant packaging so you won’t waste any if it tips over. Available in 20-ounce or gallon-size shampoo bottles, as well as a spot treatment, collars, home, bedding, and yard sprays, you can choose to add what works best for your household. 

_{Prescription Required: No | Delivery Method: Topical (shampoo) | Active Ingredients: Lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil and sesame oil | Effective Against: Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos}