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Keep your furry friend pest-free with the best flea treatments for dogs
There’s nothing worse than having your home invaded by fleas and ticks. We’ve carried out extensive research to bring you our top product picks for keeping your dog pest-free.
By Laura Cooke | Last updated May 27, 2022
Keeping your four-legged friend flea-free is part and parcel of being a responsible dog owner.
Fleas can cause pets immense distress and can even lead to more serious health problems such as a tapeworm infection if they accidentally eat a flea carrying tapeworm larvae or anaemia. Flea infestations can also cause hair loss, dry inflamed and irritation skin and rashes that may take months to disappear.
But, as pet-owning Mumsnetters will tell you, the right flea and mite treatment for dogs can act as a preventative measure and help to nip infestations in the bud, alleviating your pet’s discomfort and ensuring your home isn’t invaded by any itchy critters.
Fleas can be a problem all year round, but especially during the warmer months, so it’s a good idea to arm yourself with the best flea treatments, recommended by experts as prevention is definitely easier than managing an infestation.
According to the British Pest Control Association, if you spot fleas on your dog, you should treat them as quickly as possible as fleas can give your dog tapeworm and cause other problems such as flea allergy dermatitis. So, with all the flea treatment options available, which is the right one for your dog? Whether you’re after a tablet, spot on treatment, flea collar, tincture or powder, we’ve done the hard work for you and found the best flea treatment options for dogs, available right now without a prescription.
How we chose our recommendations
Products tried and tested by real dog owners
We scoured the Mumsnet Forum to find out which dog flea treatments our users rate highly - and which ones they weren’t impressed by. We took note of the active ingredients in the recommended flea products and paid special attention to whether the product was easy to use and apply (as dog’s temperaments differ from each other), as well as how long it took to work and if it offered long-term protection.
Bestsellers and expert guidance
We consulted consumer watchdogs and took note of what they looked for in good-quality dog flea treatments and which brands they were recommending to their readers. We also considered advice from the FDA who strongly recommends getting your chosen flea product vetted by your veterinarian, especially if your pet has any health conditions. You should also carefully read the label, the package insert, and any accompanying literature to make sure you’re using the product correctly and in the right dosage.
Trustworthy consumer reviews
Finally, we collated all that information and then looked at other online reviews to see which dog flea treatments had received the best recommendations from consumers across the board, looking out for any criticisms or disadvantages you may want to consider (such as whether the product could cause skin irritations or hair loss, to come up with our final list of best flea treatment products, available right now.
Here are the best flea and tick treatments for dogs in 2022.
What are the best flea treatments for dogs?
- Best overall flea treatment for dogs: Indorex Flea Spray
- Best budget flea treatment for dogs: FLEA SCREEN Combo
- Best monthly flea treatment for dogs: FrontLine Flea Prevention
- Best flea treatment for large dogs: Beaphar Fiprotec Spot On Treatment for Large Dogs
- Best flea treatment for small dogs: Johnsons 4Fleas Tablets Puppies & Small Dogs
1. Best overall flea treatment for dogs: Indorex Flea Spray
Price: From £14.48 | Buy now from Amazon
“Indorex is the business. Keeps our home totally flea-free. IMissFrance
“...brilliant stuff. Well worth the expense.” LubaLuca
“Indorex will be your saviour!” PeppaPigOinkOinkOink
When it comes to ridding the home of unwelcome guests, there really is only one winner. Mumsnetters rave about Indorex Flea Spray and it’s not hard to see why.
Indorex kills adult fleas and house dust mites on contact for up to two months after application, and prevents the development of flea eggs and larvae for up to 12.
Indorex Flea Spray has also won the Your Dog magazine award for best flea product for the home for 11 consecutive years.
Pros
- Kills fleas and lice inside the home
- Works quickly
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can cause skin irritation and respiratory irritation - follow the instructions with care
- Takes around an hour to dry and can transfer onto skin during this time
Key specs
- Type: Spray
- Recommended dose: When needed
- Volume: 500ml
- Active ingredients: Pyriproxyfen, permethrin w/w and piperonyl butoxide
2. Best budget flea treatment for dogs: FLEA SCREEN Combo
Price: £6 | Buy now from Amazon
This spot on treatment may be budget-friendly, but there’s no compromise in getting the job done for your furry friend. Just one pipette effectively kills fleas, flea eggs, ticks and lice in medium-sized dogs (10-20kg) for up to eight weeks. Also available as a pack of three pipettes, simply apply onto the skin on the back of the neck or between your dog’s shoulder blades for best results.
The good news is that this spot treatment contains the active ingredients fipronil and s-methoprene which have a dual-action on the flea life cycle, killing flea eggs on your dog as well as flea eggs and larvae in the environment.
In a nutshell, it offers broad-based protection against fleas and ticks and is especially effective when combined with WORM SCREEN dog worming tablets as fleas can serve as an intermediate host for tapeworms too.
Pros
- Budget-friendly and ideal for regular use
- UK-veterinary-licensed product
- Offers broad spectrum protection against fleas, ticks and lice
- Kills fleas, flea eggs and larvae
Cons
- May not work on all breeds
- May not be suitable for dogs with sensitive skin
Key specs
- Type: spot on treatment
- Recommended dose: One pipette every month
- Volume: 1.34ml
- Active ingredients: Fipronil and S-methoprene
3. Best monthly flea treatment for dogs: FrontLine Flea Prevention
Price: £17 | Buy now from Amazon
FrontLine Flea Prevention’s vet-strength formula shows no mercy to fleas and ticks. Fleas jumping on to your treated dog are killed within 24 hours, while any ticks will be dead within 48.
Just pop one pipette onto the skin on the back of your dog’s neck each month to ensure fleas, ticks and lice remain just a distant thought.
This small dog treatment can be used on dogs and puppies weighing more than 2kg from eight weeks of age. We like that it’s tried-and-tested formula has been recommended by vets for years and comes with an exemplary safety profile.
Pros
- Vet approved
- Kills fleas, ticks and lice
- Fast-acting
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Doesn’t treat flea eggs or larvae
Key specs
- Type: Liquid
- Recommended dose: One pipette a month
- Pack size: 3 pipettes
- Active ingredient: Fipronil
4. Best flea treatment for large dogs: Beaphar Fiprotec Spot On Treatment for Large Dogs
Price: £15 | Buy now from Amazon
“I used Beaphar spot on flea preventative. Remember fleas carry the larvae of a tapeworm so important to have flea prevention as well as something that kills fleas and their eggs.” Maggiesfarm
They say prevention is better than cure and Beaphar Fiprotec Spot On Treatment does just that.
Beaphar, which is a licensed veterinary medicine, kills both fleas and ticks, and continues to kill fleas for up to five weeks and ticks for up to four. For continuous protection, reapply once every four weeks. It’s also important to note that a flea problem - where the adult fleas are present on your dog, is only five percent of the problem. The rest of the flea infestation is in your environment, so make sure to treat your house with an effective, insecticidal flea treatment too.
Beaphar Fiprotec Spot On Treatment for Large Dogs works quickly as it’s a vet-strength medication. Plus, it’s suitable for dogs over eight weeks of age and weighing between 20 to 40kg. Beaphar also makes spot-on treatments for small, medium and extra large dogs.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Provides continuous protection
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can’t be used with a flea collar or with any other flea control products
- Need to use it regularly
Key specs
- Type: Liquid
- Recommended dose: One pipette every four weeks
- Pack size: 6 pipettes
- Active ingredient: Fipronil
5. Best flea treatment for small dogs: Johnsons 4Fleas Tablets Puppies & Small Dogs
Price: From £5 | Buy now from Amazon
“I use Johnson’s flea tablets and they actually work, unlike the spot-on treatments and expensive flea collars I’ve tried.” Seeingadistance
If you want to get rid of fleas in record time, we suggest Johnsons 4Fleas Tablets for Puppies and Small Dogs. These non-prescription tablets start killing off pesky boarders in just 15 minutes, with the mission fully completed in 24 hours. Tablets can be given whole or mixed into food.
This treatment is tailored for dogs weighing between 1kg and 11kg, however Johnsons tablets are good for very young dogs too, as the treatment is suitable for puppies aged from just four weeks old.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- No prescription required
- Safe to use with other flea and worm treatments
- Fast-acting
Cons
- Only kills adult fleas, not eggs and larvae
Key specs
- Type: Tablet
- Pack size: Contains 3 treatments
- Active ingredient: Nitenpyram
6. Best natural flea treatment for dogs: Billy No Mates Herbal Supplements
Price: £19 | Buy now from Amazon
“We use Billy No Mates on our Labrador. It's all natural, we've not seen any critters on him since we started using it and he seems to like it too.” Pantouffle
If you’re looking for a natural flea repellant for your dog, then Billy No Mates Herbal Supplements is a solid choice.
Made up of a mixture of mint, seaweed, fenugreek, neem leaves and lemon balm, drops of Billy No Mates can be added to your dog (or cat’s) food or drink so you don’t have to wrap your furry friends in a towel like a burrito to get tablets into them. Another benefit is that it supports a healthy skin and coat and a few drops go a long way, making it a good long-term investment. We like that it’s effective against fleas, ticks and mites, which can cause anything from hair loss to inflammation and/or dry skin.
Pros
- All natural ingredients
- Repels fleas, ticks and mites
- Good alternative to tablets
- Improves coat and skin condition
Cons
- Pricey initially
- Can take up to six weeks to be fully effective
- Dogs who don’t finish their food may not get correct dose
- Can’t be given to bitches in pup
Key specs
- Type: Liquid tincture
- Recommended dose: 1ml per 10kg body weight
- Volume: 250 ml
7. Best spot-on flea treatment for dogs: Bob Martin Clear Flea Treatment
Price: £13 | Buy now from Amazon
Easy to apply, fast acting and devastating for flea infestations, the Bob Martin Clear Flea Treatment will have bugs blitzed within 24 hours for fleas and 48 hours for ticks.
Just apply a tube to your dog’s skin at the base of the head and between the shoulder blades. Repeat each month to ensure ongoing protection against pests.
Providing protection from fleas for eight weeks and ticks for four, this treatment is suitable for large dogs over eight weeks old, weighing between 20 to 40kg. The new pipette design also ensures precise application so it won’t get on your hands or any other part of your dog.
Pros
- Kills fleas, ticks and mites
- Kills flea eggs and larvae
- Prevents re-infestation of dogs and surroundings
Cons
- Frequent shampooing or swimming can reduce its effectiveness
- May not be suitable for dogs with sensitive skin
Key specs
- Type: Liquid
- Recommended dose: One tube a month
- Pack size: 3 tubes
- Active ingredient: Fipronil
8. Best flea shampoo treatment for dogs: Johnsons Dog Flea Shampoo
Price: £11 | Buy now from Amazon
A quality shampoo is an essential item to have in your flea-fighting arsenal. Johnsons Dog Flea Shampoo is an insecticidal, containing natural biodegradable Pyrethrum, and effectively kills fleas on dogs of all breeds.
Use 50ml of product in 300ml of warm water for a medium-sized dog and repeat in seven days if necessary.
Not only does Johnsons Dog Flea Shampoo get rid of pesky critters, but it leaves your dog with a beautiful glossy coat to boot. Some users have also noted that it’s gentle enough for sensitive, dry skin as pyrethrum has a calming, soothing effect even though it’s a potent insecticide. We recommend Johnsons as the best flea bath treatment for dogs.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Suitable for all breeds
- Has a pleasant smell - isn’t too overpowering
Cons
- Not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks
- Not suitable for nursing bitches
- Needs to be used in conjunction with a home flea spray
Key specs
- Type: Shampoo
- Volume: 400ml
- Active ingredient: Pyrethrum
9. Best flea collar treatment for dogs: Toldi Adjustable Flea Collar for Dogs
Price: £14 | Buy now from Amazon
The Toldi Adjustable Flea Collar uses a special blend of lavender, citronella and lemon oil to repel pests, providing eight months of continued protection and a smell akin to a trip to your local Lush.
Although this collar uses only natural ingredients, puppies can be sensitive to essential oils, so the Toldi Adjustable Flea Collar is not suitable for puppies under six weeks old.
Durable and water-resistant, this collar will suit even the most adventurous of pooches of all shapes and sizes thanks to its adjustable straps. An additional bonus is that it’s also an effective mosquito repellent, which makes it ideal for warmer summer months.
Pros
- Adjustable to suit any sized dog
- Provides eight months of protection against fleas, ticks, lice, flea eggs, larvae and other pests
- All natural ingredients
- Full protection after 24 hours
Cons
- Preventive measure only - will not treat existing infestations
- Not suitable for puppies under six weeks of age
Key specs
- Type: Collar
- Size: 26 inches (65cm)
- Buy now from Amazon
10. Best flea powder for dogs: Verm-X Flea & Tick Powder for Dogs
Price: £18 | Buy now from Amazon
If you’re looking for a natural flea powder that can be added to your dog’s food rather than a spot on treatment or spray, the Verm-X Flea & Tick Powder is a good alternative. Made from 100% natural ingredients including neem, fenugreek, lemon balm and garlic (which is similar to Billy No Mates tincture), it not only tastes great (for dogs, that is!) it's also effective at repelling both fleas and ticks.
We also like that this formula contains no pesticides and supports a healthy skin and coat for your dog, making it suitable for sensitive skins that are prone to allergies.
This fine powder is easy to mix into your dog’s food and can be used daily, without needing to separate your dogs or avoiding touching your dog’s coat. The only downside is that it takes a while to work, so may not be suitable to target an active flea infestation.
Pros
- Good value for money
- 100% natural
- Allergen free
- Tastes good mixed into food
- Repels ticks and fleas
- Easy to use
Cons
- May not be as effective as spot on treatment
- Takes a while to work (at least six weeks)
Key specs
- Type: Flea powder for food
- Volume: 70g
- Active ingredients: Neem, fenugreek, lemon balm and garlic
What is the best dog flea treatment?
The most effective flea treatment for dogs is the Indorex Flea Spray. Highly recommended by pet-owning Mumsnetters, this spray kills all adult fleas and dust mites in the home and prevents the development of eggs and larvae for up to 12 months. Just remember it’s a home treatment and not suitable for your dog’s skin.
How do I know if my dog has fleas?
Usually the signs of a flea infestation are pretty easy to spot. If your dog is constantly scratching, biting their skin (causing hair loss) and the skin itself is red, scabby and irritated, then this all points to fleas.
If you suspect your dog has fleas, you should inspect their skin by parting their fur with your fingers. If you spot tiny dark insects, smaller than ants, which jump or scurry away quickly, these are fleas. Flea excrement looks like finely ground black pepper, so even if you don’t see any fleas themselves, this dirt is evidence that fleas are living on your dog.
Fleas usually favour dogs’ armpits and groin area, so be sure to check these hotspots first.
What do vets recommend for fleas?
The Royal Veterinary College recommends using a spot-on flea treatment which is applied to the back of the neck on a monthly basis. Alternatively, your vet can prescribe tablets that control and kill fleas if other treatments fail.
How do I choose the right dog flea treatment?
There are a number of different types of dog flea treatment available on the market which do not require a vet’s prescription:
- Monthly spot-on treatments
- Oral treatments such as tinctures, powders and tablets
- Medicated shampoo
- Collars
- Treatments for the home
It’s worth noting that no two dog flea products are the same. When you’re choosing a flea treatment, you should consider the following:
- Whether you need a treatment for small, medium, large or extra large dog
- Whether the treatment is suitable for the breed
- If you’re buying a flea treatment for a puppy, is your dog old enough for the treatment?
- Are you looking for a one off or ongoing treatment?
- Can the product be used alongside other flea treatments?
- How quickly the product gets to work
- The active ingredient it contains
- If your dog has sensitive skin, will the flea treatment irritate it further?
- Does your dog have an active infestation? This will determine the type and strength of the treatment.
What’s the difference between over-the-counter and prescribed flea treatments?
According to experts at Preventive Vet, some flea and tick treatments such as sprays, collars and spot on treatments like FRONTLINE are considered to be safe enough to be sold over the counter as they aren’t absorbed into your pet’s body the same way a prescription medication is, hence, no prescription is required. While some flea treatments on our list have a veterinary stamp of approval, none need an additional prescription.
On the other hand some tick and flea treatments need closer regulation as some active ingredients need to be carefully administered in the right quantities, and are therefore only dispensed by medical professionals. In some instances, your dog may also need to be checked before going onto a flea treatment programme, in which case, a treatment protocol (as well as the type of treatment) will be discussed beforehand.
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