The Best Cat and Dog
Flea Medicine
Everyone hates fleas! No one likes purchasing dog flea medicine, but it is the absolute best thing you can do if your pets have fleas. However, you need to know what to buy.
To avoid a flea infestation, it is important to apply a flea medicine as soon as fleas are noticed. In fact, it is a good idea to use a flea control product as a preventative before fleas and ticks have the opportunity to become a problem. Flea remedy products are available in small single dose applicators and multi-pet spray bottles. While some are available only through veterinarians, others can be purchased at pet supply stores.
If you are currently experiencing a flea infestation right now, it is best to start treating your pet immediately. Also, be sure to read our page on Getting Rid of Fleas in the House and Lawn.
After applying the dog flea medicine, within a few hours you will see a major improvement with your pet. Although your pet's bedding and carpets will still have adult fleas and flea eggs.
As soon as possible you will need to spray the carpets, pet bedding, and furniture (if you have indoor pets) with a flea pesticide made for indoor use. It will usually take about two to three days after spraying the carpets and furniture to see a major decline in fleas. After that, thorough cleaning of the house
and property will go a long way to getting rid of fleas for good.
Below are a few examples of some of the best flea medicines:
- Revolution
- Frontline Products
- PetArmor Plus
- Advantage
- K9 Advantix
The products above are not a complete list of cat and dog flea medicines and is not intented to exclude other good products.
Disclaimer: Product information and treatment claims below are from the the individual manufacturers. However, the Revolution treatment observations at the bottom of the page are my own.
Revolution Cat and Dog Flea Medicine
Revolution (selamectin): Revolution flea medicine is sold through veterinarians only. The same medicine can be used for both dogs and cats. To apply it you need to separate the hair and apply it to the skin between the shoulder blades on dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Puppies must be at least 6 weeks old.
- Kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month.
- Prevents and controls flea (Ctenocephalides felis) infestations.
- Prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis.
- Treats and controls ear mites (otodectes cynotis) infestations.
- Treats and controls sarcoptic mange due to Sarcoptes scabiei.
- Kills one type of tick, the common dog tick.
- Pet can be bathed two hours after application without reducing effectiveness.
(Source of product description is from the Revolution package)
Personal Note: From personal experience I have not seen a product that works better on fleas than Revolution. On personal (nonscientific) case studies I have conducted and observed with Revolution I was amazed at how fast and quickly it worked. It is marketed primarily for fleas and is not very effective on ticks.
Frontline Cat and Dog Flea Medicine
Frontline Plus (Fipronil): This product is sold by veterinarians in prescription strengths and by pet supply stores in standard strengths. Frontline is probably the most popular and most well-known of the major flea medicines. Frontline for dogs and cats come in single and multi-dose packages as well as spray treatments.
- Kills Fleas, flea eggs and four types of ticks on dogs and cats.
- Frontline Plus is approved for dogs and puppies up to 22 pounds.
- Frontline Top Spot is approved for puppies and kittens 8 weeks and older.
- Frontline Plus, Frontline Top Spot, and Frontline Spray provides treatment and control of chewing lice in dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats.
- Frontline Plus, Frontline Top Spot, and Frontline Spray aid in the control of sarcoptic mange infestations in dogs.
- Frontline Plus and Frontline Top Spot can be used on breeding, pregnant and lactating bitches and queens.
(Source of product description is from Frontline container.)
Personal Note: I purchased the single dose applicator and the quart spray bottle for misting directly on my pet's hair. I have found that using the spray mist alone was not very effective during a flea infestation. It may work fine as a preventative. I am not sure why it failed to work. My guess is because it can't get to the skin as well.
However, some people use both products together. Mist your dog to help repel parasites before taking your pet on outdoor excursions. Check with your vet to make sure the products you choose can be used together.
The best prices may be found online if you can find free shipping, but you won't get the personal attention a vet can give. Just something to consider.
PetArmor Plus Dog Flea and Tick Medicine
PetArmor Plus (Fipronil): PetArmor Plus dog flea medicine uses the same active ingredient in the same amount as Frontline Plus. It kills fleas, flea eggs, ticks, chewing lice, and repels mosquitoes. It is not manufactured or distributed by the makers of Fronline Plus Dog Flea Medicine.
(All Photos taken by Russ James)
PetArmor Plus can be purchased at Wal-Mart stores and possibly in other locations as well. I saw it in my local Wal-Mart for approx. $28.00 (at the time of this writing) for a package of three single dose vials for large dogs. This is about the same price I paid for a similar package of Frontline Plus at my Vet's office. Prices may vary with location, however.
The two products, Frontline and PetArmor Plus, appeared to be the same in most every way. Please check with you vet if you are in doubt about this dog flea medicine or any product.
Advantage Cat and Dog Flea Medicine
Advantage (Imidacloprid) : Sold in "Advantage for Dogs" and "Advantage for Cats". Sold through veterinarians.
- Applied to the back of your pet 7 weeks or older.
- Stops biting fleas within five minutes.
- Kills adult fleas within 12 hours and all reinfesting fleas within 2 hours.
- Kills chewing lice within one week.
- Waterproof
Source of product description is from the product container.
K9 Advantix Dog Flea Medicine
K9 Advantix (Imidacloprid and Permethrin): This is one of those products that must be purchased through a veterinarian. K9 Advantix Flea Medicine is for dogs only and not to be used on cats. This is labeled to kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
- Used on dogs 7 weeks or older.
- Repels and kills fleas within 5-8 minutes.
- Repels and kills ticks.
- Repels and kills mosquitoes.
- Kills chewing lice.
- Repels biting flies.
Source of description is from product package.
Personal Note: I have not used this product personally. If someone uses it regularly, please let me know what you think.
Personal Observations using Revolution
Cat and Dog Flea Medicine
Here are the facts surrounding a family that was experiencing a heavy flea infestation. I was able to observe and document the family’s progress in eliminating their flea problem on their pets and in their house.
- A family of four with three house dogs. The family had not had a flea problem in previous years.
- Problems begain when the children began feeding several cats that lived in the area. (Definitely not recommended unless you really want cats) These cats were believed to be the original source of the flea infestation that soon followed.
- The house dogs were friendly with the cats and quickly picked up the fleas. Within a couple months the family was being bitten by fleas that started breeding in the house.
- After recommending Revolution (ticks were not part of the problem) the product was applied to all of the dogs and cats the day it was purchased.
Revolution began working quickly and before evening the dogs were resting much better. Most of the fleas were killed within the first twelve hours.
Since there were still a lot of fleas outside and many inside, a few fleas were always on the dogs for the first week. However, those fleas appeared to be killed within a few hours. After a couple of weeks the dogs stopped rubbing their ears as well. Revolution appeared to work better against ear mites than the medication they had purchased at the pet supply store.
The house was also loaded with fleas and the carpets had to be sprayed with an indoor flea pesticide. After a couple weeks there was only a flea or two that could be found on the dogs at any given time. The end of the first month signaled the end of the flea infestation with no fleas found at all.
In conjunction with the first application of Revolution, the family cleaned the inside and outside of the house thoroughly. This included the pet’s indoor sleeping and play areas. The flower gardens where the cats frequented where sprayed with a plant safe pesticide. This helped significantly to reduce the indoor larva and egg population.
All steps should be done as quickly as possible and not stretched out over several days. Following sound steps should also help you to quickly bring any flea problems under control.
Getting Rid of Fleas from House and Lawn
Although fleas are not a danger to your lawn, they can be extremely
frustrating to your pets and family. Infestations can occur when fleas
are out of control or when control methods are inadequate. Click here
for complete information for getting rid of fleas.
All About Lawn Grubs
There are several species of grubs that can damage turf. Click here
for detailed descriptions of their life cycles, the damage they cause
and how to control them.
Red Imported Fire Ants
These dangerous ants are found throughout the southern U.S. and will
fiercely defend their nests whenever it is disturbed. To the unwary
person, dozens of painful stings can occur within seconds. Learn
valuable information about these insects and the methods used to control
them.
Lawn Moles and Voles
Moles can be very frustrating to deal with. Some people learn to
live with them, but you don't have to. Knowledge is the key to getting
rid of moles.
Bald Faced Hornet Fact Sheet
Bald faced hornets, distinguished by their large round or oval
nests, have a fierce reputation. They will defend their nest with
multiple stings. Learn how to safely removing a nest along with
professional tricks of the trade.
Cat and Dog Flea Medicine back to Turf Pests
Cat and Dog Flea Medicine back to Lawn Care Academy Home
