Dog Flea Medicine

Use of dog flea medicine is the best way to keep adult fleas from biting your dog. Popular brands include Program (lufenuron), Frontline Spot On and Advantage. Note that some products are only good for adult dogs and may in fact harm puppies. Be sure to read labels carefully.

Types of Dog Flea Medicine

Canine Flea Shampoo - Most shampoo products contain dog flea medicine that helps to kill fleas on your dog. The problem is that they do not prevent the fleas from coming back after the bath. Also is you don't bathe the dog correctly, the fleas will jump from the part you are washing to other parts of the dog. To avoid this problem, soap your dog from the head going back. Use a flea comb through the hair, frequently dunking the comb under water to kill the fleas as you go. Once the foam is all over your dog, let it soak in for approximately 15 minutes before washing your pet off.

One product to consider is PetAlive BeFree Flea Shampoo It is a new product that helps to deter fleas, flies and mosquitoes for dogs. To help the fleas from returning mix into the shampoo a natural herbal dip made by Dermisil. It contains ingredients such as melaleuca alternifolia, lemongrass, eucalyptus, lavender, chamomile, and thyme to naturally kill fleas on contact. The combination of a dip and shampoo in one saves the step of applying each separately as described below.

Canine Flea Dips - A dip is used after bath or for convenience mixed into your dog's shampoo like the Dermisil product mentioned above. Most dips are either applied on your dog with a sponge or poured right onto your dog's coat. This type of dog flea medicine tends to be strong and keeps the fleas from returning to your dog. They tend to last a short time and can have a bad smell. The best way to apply is to do it after a bath and let your dog's coat dry naturally. A towel may remove the dip and reduce the effectiveness of the product.

Canine Flea Foam - A foam is similar to a hair mousse. It is easy to apply and doesn't require a bath. You need to rub into every part of the coat. The only disadvantage is that you are not cleaning your dog at the same time, so if their is any residual from the fleas, it will not be washed away.

Canine Flea Spray - Sprays tend to be easier to apply than other products and aren't messy. The best way to apply is to brush your dogs hair backward and then apply as close to the hair roots as possible. Avoid the face and eyes by spraying your hand and then rubbing into the face.

Canine Flea Powder - Very easy to apply. Just be sure to get the powder to the roots.

Canine Flea Spot-on - These are oil based products that are put on one or two spots on your dog's back. This type of dog flea medicine is safe. You use gloves to avoid irritation on human hands. They work when you spread the oil throughout the skin, killing the fleas. These products are very popular since they last for several months (1 to 3), and many kill other parasites like ticks or heartworms. This type of treatment often needs a Veterinarian's prescription and can be expensive. Watch the area where it is applied since some dogs are allergic to the treatment. If your dog is allergic you will see some redness where the oil has been applied.

Some do not work immediately and cannot be used if your dog has recently taken a bath, since they require that there is enough natural oil in your dogs coat. To apply, create a part in your dog's hair and drip the oil right on the skin. Be sure to do it where the dog cannot lick it off such as where the shoulder blades are.

Dog Flea Medicine Spot-ons that you buy in the store are different than prescription spot-ons. Cheaper products use the drug permethrin (same as shampoos except the natural PetAlive product mentioned above). This chemical works against most, but not all types of fleas. Do not use this chemical if you also have cats.

Prescription and expensive products have a chemical called fipronil (kills fleas, dog ticks and deer ticks), imidacloprid or selamectin (also prevents heartworm, kills mites, dog ticks, ear mites).

Brands of Dog Flea Medicine

Note do not use Program with puppies that are under 6 weeks, but can be used on pregnant dogs.

Advantage, Bayer (imidacloyrid) –Liquid that is applied to your dog’s skin 1x a month between the shoulder blades. After the liquid is put on your dog’s skin, 98% to 100% of canine fleas are killed within 12 hours. Very easy to apply and kills or debilitates adult fleas on contact. The good news is that Advantage is not toxic and not absorbed into your dog’s body. The medication does not harm people.

The disadvantage of this approach is that Advantage does not repel fleas and if your dog gets wet, you should apply the treatment again. You can apply Advantage as much as 1x a week. Do not use Advantage on puppies that are younger than 7 weeks, on pregnant or female dogs that are producing milk.

Frontline Plus/Frontline Spray (fipromil, merial) – Liquid that is applied to your dogs skin. It kills fleas in 24 to 48 hours. Unlike Advantage, Frontline still works if your dog gets wet. The product lasts for up to 90 days and also kills ticks for 30 days. Kills adult fleas, disrupts the flea lifecycle, very easy to apply, kills ticks and the spray makes application easy.

Disadvantages include that Frontline Plus does not repel fleas. After bath some reduced effectiveness. Must give with food. Do not use Frontline on puppies that are younger than 10 weeks (spray 8 weeks). Ask your Veterinarian about pregnant dogs.

Advantix (Imidacloprid and 44% permethrin) – Kills adult fleas on contact, interrupts lifecycle, repels fleas, very easy to use and kills ticks and mosquitoes. Tends to loose effectiveness after baths.

Revolution (Selamectin) – A liquid that is applied 1x a month that prevents fleas and heartworm It does this by keeping flea eggs from hatching. Kills many internal and external parasites, kills adult canine fleas, larvae and eggs. Kills ticks and some mites. Very easy to apply. Does not repel fleas, some reduced effectiveness after bath.

Nitenpyram (Capstar, Novatis) – Excellent for quick response to canine fleas, use with topical treatment. Works very fast and kills 100% of adult fleas in hours. Very easy as it is given orally. Give to dog every 24 – 72 hours and is very safe. Does not repel fleas. Does not kill ticks.

Lufenuron (Program, novatis, Sentinal, lufenuron + milbemycin oximel) – Give to your dog orally. Considered safe. Does not kill adult fleas. Only works when flea bites dog.

Preventing Fleas with Dog Flea Medicine

Dog Flea Collars - Although popular, they do not always work.

Dog Flea Powder, Foam, Sprays - These products work, but do not last more than one to two weeks.

Dog Flea Spot-on - See above. Tend to work for 1 to 3 months.

Dog Flea Pills - Taken by your pet 1x a month. These products are effective but can be beyond the budget of many owners. You need your Veterinarian to provide you with a prescription.

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Sources:
Brevitz, Betsy, DVM - "Hound Health Handbook"

Greek, Jean, DVM, ACIDM; New Hope Animal Hospital “Atopic Disease and Allergy”

Beale, Karin M. DVM, Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists – “Atopic Dermatitis: Clinical Signs and Diagnosis”

Giffin, James M. MD & Carlson, Liisa D., DVM “Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook”.

Lloyd, Professor David, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Campus: “Diagnosis & Management of Adverse Food Reactions in Dogs”

Osborn, Sarah Colombini DVM, Southwest Veterinary College, Houston: “Optimal use of Hypoallergenic Diets”

Ihrke, VMD, Professor of Dermatology, School of Veterinary Meicine, University of California: “Flea Allergy Dermatitis”