8 Best Flea and Tick Medications for Dogs in 2025, Recommended by Vets

Many of our veterinarians use Simparica on their own pets. This flea and tick medication is highly effective (perfect for pups who spend their summers hiking and camping) and more cost-effective than other medications on the market.

“This is the most cost-effective, all-inclusive prevention on the market,” says panelist Becca Bermingham, VTM, a veterinary technician with Chewy. “It is my top recommendation and the prevention I use with my own pets.”

It must be given on time and once a month to work effectively against fleas and ticks and doesn’t have to be given to food in order to absorb. Because it’s a chewable, bathing and grooming won’t wash away any of the product, so panelists noted it’s a good option for dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.

Simparica’s chewable is liver-flavored, so most dogs think they’re getting a yummy treat and will take it happily. That said, this chew may not be suitable for dogs who have a history of seizures, and your pup must be at least 6 months old to begin this preventative.

Regular Simparica is perfect for dogs who are already on a heartworm and intestinal parasite preventative. But if you’re also looking for heartworm medication, Simparica Trio acts as a monthly dewormer, too.

“I personally use Simparica and Simparica Trio for my pets,” says panelist Uyenchi Dao, VTM, Chewy veterinary technician. “It’s easy to administer and provides protection against fleas, ticks, and parasites like mites and lice.”

NexGard Chews are effective against fleas and most ticks (including the Lone Star tick, the primary cause of ehrlichiosis in dogs). The medicine kills existing fleas within eight hours and is safe for puppies that are at least 8 weeks old and weigh 4 pounds or more. It’s FDA-approved to kill fleas well before they have a chance to lay eggs on your dog and is also FDA-approved to help prevent against Lyme infections in dogs.

As with Simparica, NexGard may not be recommended for dogs with a history of seizures. And similar to Simparica and Simparica Trio, NexGard offers a complete protection product for pet parents looking for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention called NexGard Plus.

For picky dogs who don’t like taking oral medications, Bravecto Topical Solution is an effective flea and tick preventative. One dose of the topical treatment lasts up to 12 weeks and kills existing fleas and attached ticks within the first 12 hours.

“Bravecto’s topical product protects pets against fleas and ticks for three months,” Dao says. “Similar to the oral Bravecto, I recommend this product in cases where the pet may have other external parasites like mites and lice.” 

Bravecto Topical’s easy-to-use applicator helps ensure the administration of the medication is seamless. Always confirm that the medication is completely dry before letting other pets or kids come into contact with the pup. After application, don’t let your dog go swimming or be bathed for three days.

Like other topical products, our vets singled this product out as good for pets with food allergies, food sensitivities, or just picky eaters in general. “Often pet parents prefer a topical instead of having to give their pet a pill. And this topical product is a great choice for dogs who have food allergies or sensitivities or really don’t like taking oral medication,” noted panelist Veronica Higgs, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy.

Like its chewable counterpart, this topical may not be recommended for use on dogs with seizure history. Puppies need to be a little older to safely take this medication, too—they must be at least 6 months old and weigh 4.4 pounds.

Our veterinarians recommend Comfortis as a potentially safer flea prevention for many dogs that experience seizures. But remember: Each dog is different, so always talk to your vet before starting your pup on a new medication.

This convenient once-a-month tablet protects your pup against flea infestations. While highly effective against fleas (killing 100% of fleas in just four hours), Comfortis doesn’t prevent tick infestations or tick-borne illnesses. It’s safe for dogs at least 14 weeks old.

If your dog refuses to take oral medication (even when hidden in peanut butter), Seresto collars can be a good, budget-friendly solution.

Just one collar can repel and kill ticks and fleas for up to eight months, making it a budget-friendly, over-the-counter option for keeping your pet safe from fleas and ticks.

The collar is also water-resistant, so you don’t have to remove it during bathing or afternoon swims. That said, its effects can be reduced if your pup bathes or swims more than once per month.

“This product is best for dogs that don’t like oral preventatives or as an alternative for seizure-prone dogs,” says Chewy veterinarian Teresa Manucy, DVM. “The long-lasting effect may be sufficient for some areas of the country that do not require year-round protection.”

Make sure your pet (or a curious child!) doesn’t chew on the collar. While occasional hand-to-mouth contact should be OK, ingestion can pose safety risks.

Think of Capstar as a Band-Aid®: If your pet is crawling with fleas and needs help ASAP, this over-the-counter product starts killing those pesky parasites within 30 minutes.

“This product is designed to quickly kill adult fleas during significant infestations,” says Heather Zarella, DVM, manager of veterinary services at Chewy. “It’s safe for daily use and even safe for pregnant dogs.”

Capstar helps squash the infestation until you can work with your veterinarian to determine a long-lasting flea and tick medication for preventative care. It’s a great short-term fix for a big flea problem, but you’ll still need to find a long-term flea and tick option for your pup once you get past this infestation.

While many other flea and tick medications can only be used in pups at least 8 weeks old, Revolution monthly topical can be safely used for 6-week-old puppies and dogs who are under 5 pounds. Along with killing fleas and ticks, it offers protection against a broad spectrum of parasites including heartworms, ear mites, and intestinal parasites.

“I commonly prescribe this medication to young kittens or puppies as a broad-spectrum preventative that is safe for younger animals,” says Dr. Zarella. 

Always ensure the medication is completely dry before letting other pets or kids come into contact with the pup. Additionally, a recovery collar may be necessary to keep on your pup while the medication waits to dry—so your pup doesn’t also lick the medicated area.

This shampoo is scientifically formulated to kill fleas and ticks on contact, helping your pup during an active flea infestation. But, while it can be helpful when you’re in a bind, it’s important to know that any flea and tick shampoo isn’t an effective treatment on its own.

“Shampoos cannot be used as a substitute for monthly flea and tick prevention,” says Dr. Higgs. “They are meant to be a quick treatment for pests that are present on the dog at the time of the bath. They have limited residual activity and no active prevention, so additional preventatives are needed.”

The Advantage Flea and Tick Shampoo is unscented, which is ideal for pets and pet parents that are sensitive to products with fragrances.

Shampoos don’t offer protection from future fleas and ticks, so they can’t be used as a substitute for preventative medication. Instead, flea and tick shampoos serve as a quick treatment in conjunction with another medication to completely get rid of a flea infestation on your pup.

Always discuss any flea and tick shampoo or other products you are using with your veterinarian.