Which Flea Product is Best for My Dog?

Dogs in Houston have two things working against them when it comes to fleas: heat and humidity. So owners have to be diligent about keeping on top of pest control otherwise your house could become infiltrated with fleas and your dog will be in a non-stop scratching cycle. Besides using flea products, make sure you clean your dog's bedding and toys often. Cut your lawn once a week and bathe your dog at least once a month during peak season. (Note: Do not bathe your dog more than once every two weeks as this will dry out his coat).

So which flea product is right for your dog?

Listed below are the available flea products that can be taken orally or applied topically. You can try using natural products, but based on my experience, the natural products just aren't strong enough to battle Houston's flea problem in the summer.

No one flea product is right for every dog. Try one product for and if it doesn't work, try something different or contact your dog's veterinarian for a recommendation.

Listed below are bran names of flea preventatives along with the following information: flea killing ingredient, time It takes until maximum effect against fleas is reached, other parasites killed, controlled or repelled, if the product is waterproof or water resistant, and finally if the flea repellent is topical or oral.

Advantage
Imidacloprid. 98% of pre-existing fleas will die in 12 hours. New fleas will die in 2 hours. Water Resistant Topical.

Advantage Multi
Imidacloprid. 98% of fleas will die in 12 hours Whipworms, Hookworms, Roundworms, Heartworms Water Resistant Topical.

Capstar
Nitenpyram. Starts to kill adult fleas in 3 hours but only works for 24 hours. It is often used in conjunction with Program. Waterproof. Oral.

Comfortis
Spinosad. 100% of fleas will die within 4 hours. Waterproof. Oral.

Frontline
Fipronil. It takes 24 hours to translocated fleas, then 4-18 hours to kill them. Kills lice and ticks. Waterproof. Topical.

Frontline Plus
Fipronil. It takes 24 hours to translocate fleas, then 4-18 hours to kill them. It will take 24-48 hours to kill ticks. Kills Lice and ticks Waterproof. Topical.

K9Advantix
Imidacloprid and Permethrin. 98% of fleas will die within 12 hours. Kills ticks, repels flies, repels mosquitoes. Water resistant. Topical.

Program
Lufenuron. It inhibits flea eggs from developing. It does not kill adult fleas and therefore should be used with another flea product. Waterproof. Oral.

Promeris
Metaflumizone. 24 Hours. Kills ticks. Waterproof. Topical.

Revolution
Selamectin. 42 Hours. Ticks, ear mites, sarcoptic mange mites, heartworm larvae. Waterproof. Topical.

Sentinel
Milbemycin oxime and lufenuron. Prevents worms and the development of flea eggs. Because it does not kill adult fleas, another flea product should also be used. Hooksworms, roundworms, whipworms, immature heartworm. Waterproof. Oral.

Vectra 3D
Dinotefuran and permethrin. 96% of Fleas will die in 6 hours. Kills ticks, repels flies, repels mosquitoes. Water resistant. Topical

For more informaton: Talk with your dog's veterinarian.