As vets we often get asked which parasite preventative we recommend. As with most products, the answer depends on your pet, your budget and your lifestyle.

How long does the product provide protection for?

1. Tick and flea shampoo – it only kills the adult parasites on the animal and usually only for a day.

2. Dips – most dips works against ticks and mites, but not fleas and only last for a few days.

3. Tick and flea collars – Most products kills ticks and fleas on pets and last for a month, with Seresto being an exception – it repels and kills ticks and fleas and lasts for 8 months.

4. Tick and flea powder – powders kills adult ticks and fleas and typically works for about 2-3 days.

5. Spot-on treatments – most works for a month (e.g. Revolution, Broadline, Frontline), while others work for 3 months (Bravecto).

6. Chews – Nexgard protects against ticks, fleas and mites for a month, while Bravecto protects against the same parasites, but last for 3 months.

7. Sprays – Products like Frontline spray typically works for 1 month.

If you are the type of owner that will remember to use a product monthly, then most spot-ons and chews will work for you! If you usually forget to get the monthly product, you might need something that works for 3 months (Bravecto) or 8 months (Seresto).

How much does the product cost?

Typically your shampoos, dips, powders and collars (Seresto excluded) are cheaper than the spot-on treatments and chews. Sprays fall somewhere in the middle.

The chews that provide 3 months protection cost more than the ones that only last 1 month.

How easy is it to use the product?

If you have a dog that literally eats everything, a chew is by far the easiest. If you have fussy or aggressive dog (or a cat – most owners struggle to give a pill to a cat), then a spot-on would be must easier.

Most spot-ons require a certain period before and after application that the pet cannot bath or swim or run through the sprayer, which can be a problem for some dogs. The same goes for tick and flea powder.

In dogs or cats with very thick fur it might be difficult to get the spot-on to the skin and then a chew might be easier.

Other considerations:

If your pet has a very sensitive skin, spot-ons can sometimes cause itchiness and redness at the site of application.

If your pet has been diagnosed with epilepsy, Bravecto and Nexgard are not recommended.

There is a risk that a collar can come off and gets lost or that the animal can choke on it (e.g. if cat falls from tree and the collar hooks on a branch).

Some products are not suitable for pregnant or lactating pets – always read the label or ask your veterinarian.

All products also state for what age group the product is suitable. While most products are only safe from 8 weeks of age, Frontline spray can be used from 2 days of age.

If your pet often vomits after being given a pill, a spot-on might work better than a chew/pill.

Also, be careful not to give a canine only flea prevention to a cat, as some of the ingredients can be toxic to a cat!

“The most effective product is the one that is applied correctly and consistently!”
– Dr Rouxlene