The danger of pets becoming infested with blood-sucking parasites—fleas and ticks—is a headache for all dog owners. This problem can be avoided with preventative measures, but if uninvited guests do attack your four-legged friend, it's important to choose the right medication. Let's compare the most popular flea and tick tablets and learn the best treatments for healthy dogs, puppies, and nursing and pregnant females.
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5 ways to fight fleas and ticks
There are five ways to treat a dog from this unpleasant affliction:
- collars,
- sprays,
- pills,
- drops on the withers,
- shampoos.
They differ in their method and duration of action, price, and method of administration. Let's summarize the features of each.
Table: Methods for combating blood-sucking parasites in pets
| Treatment options | Popular brands | Peculiarities | Advantages | Side effects |
| Collars |
|
|
| Long-term contact with animal skin can cause dermatitis (especially in Yorkies) |
| Sprays |
|
|
| dangerous if they come into contact with other pets (such as fish, birds, or hamsters) |
| Pills |
| permitted for puppies from 2 months of age (and/or upon reaching a minimum weight of 2 kilograms) |
|
|
| Spot-on drops |
| Contraindicated for puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs, as well as sick and weakened animals | easy to use |
(all side effects occur if the instructions for use of the product are not followed) |
| Shampoos |
| Due to the gentle action of the cleaning components, they are suitable for puppies and weakened dogs |
| in rare cases they may cause allergies |
Photo Gallery: Popular Flea and Tick Control Products for Dogs
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- Drops on the withers - a therapeutic and preventative remedy against fleas, lice and biting lice
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- A flea and tick collar is a simple and effective means of preventing parasites in pets.
-
- Flea and tick spray - a quick and convenient solution for large dogs
-
- Flea and tick tablets often have a meat flavor that is attractive to animals.
-
- Flea shampoo is a gentle anti-parasite treatment that is suitable even for puppies.
Video: Flea and Tick Control Products Review
Flea and tick tablets for dogs
Let's take a closer look at the most popular brands of antiparasitic tablets prescribed by veterinarians.
Bravecto (manufacturer: Intervet Production SA, France)
Bravecto is based on the active ingredient fluralaner. It spreads throughout the dog's body and paralyzes the insects. These tablets are prescribed for the control of all types of ticks, as well as for the treatment of flea-related dermatitis.
The safety of Bravecto tablets has been confirmed in clinical trials: during the experiment, adult dogs and puppies of both sexes were given Bravecto tablets at a dose five times the recommended dose. The results showed that the medication had no effect on the dogs' health: blood, urine, and fecal tests were all normal (indistinguishable from those of dogs given a pacifier).
Tips for using Bravecto tablets
The tablet is taken orally, either by hand or, if necessary, with food. The tablets contain special substances that attract the dog through taste and smell, significantly simplifying the treatment process (this applies not only to Bravecto but to other similar tablets as well).
The number of tablets depends on the weight of the pet. Do not cut or break the tablet! The dosage is selected based on the doctor’s recommendation or according to the instructions on the package.
The dose of Bravecto depends on the animal's weight.
Table: Bravecto dosage calculation
| Dog weight, kg | Dose of active substance and number of tablets | ||||
| 112.5 mg | 250 mg | 500 mg | 1000 mg | 1400 mg | |
| 2–4.5 | 1 | ||||
| 4.5–10 | 1 | ||||
| 10–20 | 1 | ||||
| 20–40 | 1 | ||||
| 40–56 | 1 | ||||
| >56 | A combination of two tablets is selected at a rate of 25–56 mg of fluralaner per 1 kg of animal weight. | ||||
Despite the proven safety of the drug, its features must be taken into account:
- Bravecto is not recommended for dogs under 2 months of age or for animals weighing less than 2 kilograms. If your dog frequently experiences allergies or intolerances to any of the ingredients, consult your veterinarian. The full tablet composition is provided in the instructions and product information.
- We recommend consulting a veterinarian before use, as Bravecto is a new drug on the market and has not yet proven its effectiveness and safety.
- After taking Bravecto, your pet may experience vomiting or diarrhea. This is one of the few medications that has no restrictions for pregnant or lactating female dogs.
Hello. We took Bravecto at the end of April, so it's still effective (review written in May 2017). My dog has a tick attached to him. What will happen next?
Alena
As a doctor, I can offer some advice: a tick may die when it bites, but it still manages to drool and transmit the infection. Furthermore, Bravecto is extremely toxic, and many cases of ineffectiveness and deterioration in animal health have been observed. A personal visit to the veterinarian with your pet, and most likely an IV, will help. If the tick does transmit the infection, treatment should be immediate, followed by recovery.
Comfortis (manufacturer: ELANCO, USA)
Comfortis is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of fleas in dogs. It works similarly to Bravecto: the active ingredient kills parasites by causing their paralysis.
Comfortis should be administered once, either added to food or after meals. The recommended dose is 60 mg per kilogram of body weight. One dose is effective for up to 30 days, but can be repeated if necessary.
If your pet vomits within 60 minutes of taking the pill, give the same dose of medicine again.
When using the drug Cofmortis, side effects are possible:
- increased salivation,
- vomit,
- diarrhea,
- refusal to eat,
- ataxia (impaired coordination and balance).
Comfortis tablets have a number of side effects.
Table: Dosage calculation for Comfortis tablets
| Dog weight, kg | Quantity and dose of the drug Comfortis |
| 1.3–2.0 | 1 tablet Comfortis 90 |
| 2.1–3.0 | 1 tablet Comfortis 140 |
| 3.1–3.8 | 2 tablets Comfortis 90 |
| 3.9–6.0 | 1 tablet Comfortis 270 |
| 6.1–9.4 | 1 tablet Comfortis 425 |
| 9.5–14.7 | 1 tablet Comfortis 665 |
| 14.8–23.1 | 1 tablet Comfortis 1040 |
| 23.2–36.0 | 1 tablet Comfortis 1620 |
| 36.1–50.7 | 1 tablet Comfortis 1620 + 1 tablet of Comfortis 665 |
Like any similar drug, Comfortis has contraindications for use.
- Do not give the tablets to your pet if they have previously been shown to be sensitive to any of the ingredients listed in the product. Comfortis is not recommended for kittens and puppies under 5 months (14 weeks) of age.
- Comfortis can only be given to cats and dogs; for other pets, you need to choose other tablets or products.
- Comfortis is contraindicated in cases of epilepsy, pregnancy, and lactation (when nursing puppies). For dogs that are sick or have recently recovered from an illness, another antiparasitic solution should also be considered.
Comfortis is the SAFEEST and most effective flea treatment available today. The dosage can be significantly exceeded without any consequences for the animal. It's the gold standard for eliminating flea allergy dermatitis. It's very convenient—it only needs to be used once a month, so you don't have to worry about washing it off. It has two drawbacks: the cost and the fact that it only protects against fleas (not ticks). Just remember to mark your calendar for the next dose. Incidentally, it's sold individually, so you don't need to buy a whole pack.
Simparica (manufacturer: Zoetis Ink, USA)
Simparica is a tablet for dogs designed to treat fleas and ticks (including ixodid, sarcoptic, psoroptoid, and demodectic). Simparica's mechanism of action is similar to similar medications: the active ingredient suppresses the activity of bloodsucking parasites, causing them to die shortly after.
The Simparica dosage is calculated at 2 milligrams per kilogram of the animal's weight. The tablet can be administered with or without food, in any season. During the warmer months, when fleas and ticks are particularly active, one tablet every 28–30 days is sufficient.
During flea and tick season, Simparica tablets provide protection for your pet for 28–30 days.
Table: Simparica dosage calculation
| Body weight, kg | Content of sarolaner (active substance) in a tablet, mg | Number of tablets |
| 1.3–2.5 | 5 | 1 |
| 2.6–5.0 | 10 | 1 |
| 5.1–10.0 | 20 | 1 |
| 10.1–20.0 | 40 | 1 |
| 20.1–40.0 | 80 | 1 |
| 40.1–60.0 | 120 | 1 |
| >60.1 | Use a suitable combination of tablets | 1 |
Tablets should not be given to puppies under 2 months of age, dogs with infectious diseases, liver and kidney disorders.
The dog tolerated Simparica perfectly well (my owner gave it to him in Germany). The vet told my owner that this drug is less toxic than Bravecto and Nexgard. It works on the same principle.
Frontline Nexgard (manufacturer: Merial, France)
Frontline works in the same way as its tablet-based counterparts. It eliminates parasites quickly: within 4 hours, your dog is completely free of fleas and ticks. Repeat treatment is necessary after one month.
Frontline Nexgard tablets help rid your dog of parasites in 4 hours.
Frontline NexGard is administered at a dose of 2.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. The dosage and weight ratios for each animal are shown in the table below.
Table: calculation of the dose of the drug Frontline NexgarD
| Dog weight, kg | Tablet weight, grams | Dose of active substance, mg/tab. |
| 2–4 | 0.5 | 11.3 |
| 4.1–10 | 1.25 | 28.3 |
| 10.1–25 | 3 | 68 |
| 25.1–50 | 6 | 136 |
For larger dogs, give several tablets of different dosages in combination according to a similar schedule.
When treating your dog with Frontline Nexgard tablets, follow the restrictions and contraindications.
- The drug should not be used if you are prone to allergic reactions to its components.
- Frontline should not be given to weak or sick dogs, or to animals with liver or kidney problems.
- Tablets are not prescribed to puppies under 2 months of age and small dogs (weighing up to 2 kilograms).
- Under the supervision of a veterinarian, Frontline is prescribed to pregnant and nursing females.
I hear only positive reviews. We've bought them for a Chihuahua, a Yorkie, and a Shar-Pei (who's extremely allergic to everything), and they're all doing well. They're safe for pregnant women, too. A tick might bite, but the dog won't get any infections from it. Moreover, if you find a tick, don't worry—it will die and self-destruct. The tablets contain a new substance that ticks haven't yet developed immunity to. This is the best product this year.
Table: Popular brands of flea and tick control products for dogs
| Name of the drug | Average cost per package | Who should not use it? | Can it be used for puppies? | Is it possible for nursing and pregnant animals? | Method of use | Duration of action | User ratings on irecommend.ru | Side effects |
| Fyprist | from 317 rubles | For sick, weakened animals, with individual sensitivity to the components | No | No | spray or drops on the withers | up to 5 weeks from fleas and up to 3 months from insects | 4.5 | Not observed if instructions are followed |
| Comfortis | from 505 rubles | For epilepsy and individual sensitivity to components | from 14 weeks | No | pills | 30 days | No |
|
| Advantix | from 311 rubles | In case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, sick, weakened animals, weighing less than 1.5 kg | from 7 weeks | with caution | drops | up to 4 weeks | 3.3 | Allergic reactions (redness, itching) are possible. |
| Simparica | from 400 rubles | In case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug, impaired liver and kidney function, sick and weakened animals | from 2 months | with caution | pills | up to 35 days | No | Allergic reactions are possible |
| Frontline Nexgard | from 550 rubles | In case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug, impaired liver and kidney function, sick and weakened animals | from 2 months and weighing at least 2 kg | under the supervision of a physician | pills | up to 30 days | 5 | Possible loss of appetite, peeling of the skin (goes away without treatment) |
Choosing flea and tick tablets is a difficult decision for a loving owner who wants a product that's not only easy to use but also safe for their pet. A veterinarian can help with this choice, as even the most experienced dog owners' opinions can be misleading.
