With so many products on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming to pick a good, effective flea prevention for or pets. Here are our recommendations:
For Dogs:
Our two primary recommendations are Sentinel and Trifexis.
Sentinel
- Oral monthly chewable tablet.
- Does not kill adult fleas, but controls the flea populations by acting like birth control, preventing flea eggs from hatching. Your pet may get one flea but they won’t infest your house.
- Prevents:
- Fleas
- Heartworms
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Good for households that do not have an infestation, but want to prevent one
- Prescription only.
Trifexis
- Oral monthly chewable tablet.
- Kills fleas when they take a blood meal
- Prevents:
- Fleas
- Heartworms
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Good for households that have a hard time battling fleas and/or have a flea infestation.
- Prescription only.
For Cats:
Our number one recommendation is Revolution.
Revolution
- Monthly topical.
- Kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching.
- Prevents:
- Fleas
- Heartworms
- Hookworms
- Roundworms
- Ear mites
- Good for households with flea infestations.
- Prescription only.
Over the counter products
Cheristin – Monthly topical that provides long-lasting flea control to protect your cats. Cheristin topical flea control starts killing fleas fast—within 30 minutes—and in a controlled study, Cheristin killed 98-100% of fleas within 12 hours.
Vectra 3D – Monthly topical that repels and kills adult fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, lice, mites and sand flies. (Dog only)
Capstar – tablets that work quickly to start killing fleas within 30 minutes of administration. It can be used safely in conjunction with other preventives to treat the occasional flea outbreak. It only lasts for 24 hours. This medication also has the added benefit of being safe for cats and dogs that are pregnant or nursing.
Confused? Give us a call and we can help you sort through the option that is right for your pet.