There’s nothing more exciting than bringing home a new puppy! The first year of your puppy’s life is arguably one of the most important because it sets them up for a healthy, happy life as they age. They should get exercise (but not too much), the best diet possible for their rapidly growing bodies, and just as importantly, protection against parasites.
Once a flea infestation takes hold, it can be difficult to get rid of, and fleas can cause endless irritation to your dog’s skin. Ticks are even more worrisome because they can harbor potentially serious illnesses, both for your pooch and your family. This is why tick and flea protection is vital for your growing pup. However, choosing a medicine that’s safe for young puppies yet effective against these parasites can be challenging and stressful.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! We rounded up seven of our favorite tick and flea medicines, complete with in-depth reviews, to help you choose the best option for your new puppy. Let’s get started!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
NexGard Chews for Dogs
Vet recommended
FDA approved for tick prevention
Protects for up to 1 month
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Best Value
ZoGuard Flea & Tick Treatment
Inexpensive
Contains proven, effective ingredients
Kills fleas and ticks on contact
Check Price
Premium Choice
Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet for Dogs
Trio of potent ingredients
Effective against heartworm, hookworm, and roundworms
Kills five types of ticks
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Best for Puppies
Capstar Flea Oral Treatment for Dogs
Begins working within 30 minutes
90% effective after 4 hours
Safe for puppies as young as 4 weeks
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Frontline Plus Flea & Tick for Small Dogs
A trusted name in flea and tick prevention
Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, chewing lice, and ticks
Contains fipronil and (S)-methoprene
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The 7 Best Puppy Flea & Tick Medicines
NexGard Chews for Dogs are vet recommended, making this our top choice overall. These chewable pills will kill adult fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs, and will kill or deter ticks as soon as they bite. The formula is FDA approved to help prevent Lyme infections and provides safe and effective protection for 1 month. They have a delicious flavor that your dog will love, making them easy to administer, and can be given to puppies starting at 8 weeks old.
Supply: 3 months
Minimum Age: 8 weeks/ 4 pounds
Form: Chew pill
Frequency: Monthly
Check Price on Chewy
These pills are potent and contain the chemical afoxolaner, a member of the isoxazoline class. This is known to cause tremors in some dogs, even those without any history of tremors or seizures, so it’s a good idea to speak to a vet if you have any concerns.
Pros
Vet recommended
FDA approved for tick prevention
Protects for up to 1 month
Delicious flavor makes administration a breeze
Cons
May cause tremors or seizures in some dogs
ZoGuard Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs is the best flea and tick medicine for the money. This topical formula contains Fipronil (9.8%) and (S)-methoprene (8.8%), both proven to prevent and kill fleas, flea eggs and larvae, chewing lice, and ticks on contact. It also aids in the prevention of the mites that cause sarcoptic mange. It gets to work quickly, lasts for up to a month, and is waterproof, keeping your pooch safe even while they’re wet.
Vet recommended
FDA approved for tick prevention
Protects for up to 1 month
Delicious flavor makes administration a breeze
- Vet recommended
- FDA approved for tick prevention
- Protects for up to 1 month
- Delicious flavor makes administration a breeze
May cause tremors or seizures in some dogs
- May cause tremors or seizures in some dogs
Supply: 3 months
Minimum Age: 8 weeks
Form: Topical solution
Frequency: Monthly
Several customers reported that this formula worked initially but only lasted for a week or two.
Pros
Inexpensive
Contains proven, effective ingredients
Kills fleas and ticks on contact
Aids in the prevention of the mites that cause sarcoptic mange
Waterproof
Cons
Not long-lasting
For a premium solution to ticks and fleas for your pooch, Simparica Trio Chewable Tablets are great. Offering more than just protection from fleas and ticks alone, these pills contain a trio of ingredients: Moxidectin for heartworms, Sarolaner for ticks and fleas, and Pyrantel for roundworms and hookworms. The formula kills fleas before they can lay eggs, kills five types of ticks, and has a delicious liver flavor that makes administration to your puppy a breeze. It can be used for puppies as young as 8 weeks of age and begins working within 4 hours, and it has 100% efficacy after only 8 hours.
Inexpensive
Contains proven, effective ingredients
Kills fleas and ticks on contact
Aids in the prevention of the mites that cause sarcoptic mange
Waterproof
- Inexpensive
- Contains proven, effective ingredients
- Kills fleas and ticks on contact
- Aids in the prevention of the mites that cause sarcoptic mange
- Waterproof
Not long-lasting
- Not long-lasting
Supply: 6 months
Minimum Age: 8 weeks/ 2.8 pounds
Form: Chew pill
Frequency: Monthly
There are possible side effects with this medication, including vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly, tremors and seizures in some dogs.
Pros
Trio of potent ingredients
Effective against heartworm, hookworm, and roundworms
Kills five types of ticks
Delicious liver flavor
Begins working within 4 hours
Cons
Expensive
May cause vomiting or diarrhea
Can cause tremors or seizures in some dogs
Capstar Flea Oral Treatment for dogs is fast-acting and begins working within 30 minutes and kills 90% of fleas within 4 hours. The pills contain the ingredient nitenpyram, which is safe and effective for both adults and puppies as young as 4 weeks. Capstar claims that one dose should do the trick, but it can be given to your dog up to once a day if they get fleas again. The leftover pills can be stored and will keep their potency, and you can give your pooch a pill once a month to prevent reinfestation.
Trio of potent ingredients
Effective against heartworm, hookworm, and roundworms
Kills five types of ticks
Delicious liver flavor
Begins working within 4 hours
- Trio of potent ingredients
- Effective against heartworm, hookworm, and roundworms
- Kills five types of ticks
- Delicious liver flavor
- Begins working within 4 hours
Expensive
May cause vomiting or diarrhea
Can cause tremors or seizures in some dogs
- Expensive
- May cause vomiting or diarrhea
- Can cause tremors or seizures in some dogs
Supply: 6 tablets
Minimum Age: 4 weeks/ 2 pounds
Form: Tablet
Frequency: Up to one per day
While this product is effective on fleas, it doesn’t work for ticks and other parasites. Also, it doesn’t kill all life stages of fleas, so you’ll likely need to keep redosing, which can be both frustrating and expensive.
Pros
Begins working within 30 minutes
90% effective after 4 hours
Safe for puppies as young as 4 weeks
Can be used as a preventative too
Cons
Not effective on ticks and other parasites
Doesn’t kill all flea life stages
Frontline has long been the go-to name in tick and flea prevention for pet parents and for good reason. Frontline Plus Spot Treatment kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, chewing lice, and ticks and is formulated with fipronil and (S)-methoprene, ingredients proven to be highly effective against infestations. The solution is fast-acting and lasts up to 30 days, and it is completely waterproof after 24 hours.
Begins working within 30 minutes
90% effective after 4 hours
Safe for puppies as young as 4 weeks
Can be used as a preventative too
- Begins working within 30 minutes
- 90% effective after 4 hours
- Safe for puppies as young as 4 weeks
- Can be used as a preventative too
Not effective on ticks and other parasites
Doesn’t kill all flea life stages
- Not effective on ticks and other parasites
- Doesn’t kill all flea life stages
Supply: 3 months
Minimum Age: 8 weeks
Form: Topical solution
Frequency: 4 weeks
While Frontline is one of the most trusted names in flea and tick prevention, it comes at a price and is an expensive product. Also, some customers reported that the solution caused irritation on the application site, resulting in itchiness and redness.
Pros
A trusted name in flea and tick prevention
Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, chewing lice, and ticks
Contains fipronil and (S)-methoprene
Suitable for puppies 8 weeks and older
Waterproof
Cons
Expensive
May cause skin irritation in some dogs
K9 Advantix II Spot Treatment is a broad-spectrum, vet-recommended solution specifically formulated to repel and kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitos on contact. The solution is effective against all life stages of fleas, as well as lice and biting flies, and is 100% waterproof and effective for up to 4 weeks. The formula begins working within 12 hours and contains the active ingredients imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen, all proven to prevent flea and tick infestations.
A trusted name in flea and tick prevention
Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, chewing lice, and ticks
Contains fipronil and (S)-methoprene
Suitable for puppies 8 weeks and older
Waterproof
- A trusted name in flea and tick prevention
- Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, chewing lice, and ticks
- Contains fipronil and (S)-methoprene
- Suitable for puppies 8 weeks and older
- Waterproof
Expensive
May cause skin irritation in some dogs
- Expensive
- May cause skin irritation in some dogs
Supply: 6 months
Minimum Age: 7 weeks/4 pounds
Form: Topical solution
Frequency: Monthly
Several customers reported that this solution caused irritation on the application area of their dog, causing persistent itchiness for a few days.
Pros
Vet recommended
Works for ticks, fleas, mosquitos, and lice
100% waterproof
Begins working with 12 hours
Cons
Expensive
Caused skin irritation in some dogs
Vectra Flea & Tick Spot Treatment repels and kills on contact fleas, mosquitoes, biting sand flies, mites (excluding mange mites), and ticks, including brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, deer ticks, gulf coast ticks, and lone star ticks. The waterproof formula is quick-drying and fast-acting and gets to work within minutes of application, and it can be used on puppies as young as 8 weeks old. It contains the active ingredients dinotefuran, pyriproxyfen, and permethrin, all proven to protect against flea and tick infestations.
Vet recommended
Works for ticks, fleas, mosquitos, and lice
100% waterproof
Begins working with 12 hours
- Vet recommended
- Works for ticks, fleas, mosquitos, and lice
- 100% waterproof
- Begins working with 12 hours
Expensive
Caused skin irritation in some dogs
- Expensive
- Caused skin irritation in some dogs
A handful of customers reported that this solution didn’t work at all on their puppies or worked for a week or so only, and they had fleas and ticks again a week or two after application. Also, it caused skin irritation in some dogs at the application site.
Pros
Kills fleas, ticks, and various other parasites
Quick-drying and fast-acting
Waterproof
Can be used on puppies starting at 8 weeks old
Cons
May not be effective on all dogs
Short period of efficacy
May cause skin irritation
Kills fleas, ticks, and various other parasites
Quick-drying and fast-acting
Waterproof
Can be used on puppies starting at 8 weeks old
- Kills fleas, ticks, and various other parasites
- Quick-drying and fast-acting
- Waterproof
- Can be used on puppies starting at 8 weeks old
May not be effective on all dogs
Short period of efficacy
May cause skin irritation
- May not be effective on all dogs
- Short period of efficacy
- May cause skin irritation
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Puppy Flea and Tick Medicine
There are several important factors to consider after bringing home your new puppy, including vaccinations, training, socialization, and finally, flea and tick prevention. Most flea and tick medications on the market are only suitable for puppies at around 8 weeks old, so this is the perfect time to begin preventative care, especially if you live in an area where your new pup can easily pick up ticks and fleas.
There are various flea and tick preventatives on the market, most commonly found in the form of shampoos, sprays, collars, chewable tablets, and spot treatments. While collars do have some effect on dogs, spot treatments and pills are the most popular and arguably, the most effective products, especially for puppies. Chew pills are a breeze to administer because they are usually flavored to entice your pup into eating them, while spot treatments can be a bit tricky to apply on a bouncy puppy!
Puppies are at a vulnerable stage in their development, so you’ll want to prevent any flea and tick infestations from taking hold, but you’ll also want the medication that you use to be safe as possible. Let’s look at a few points to consider when choosing flea and tick medicine for your pooch.
Are Flea and Tick Medications Safe for Puppies?
In general, as long as you stick to the recommended age and weight guidelines provided by the manufacturer, flea and tick medications are perfectly safe to use on puppies. Of course, all dogs are unique, and some dogs may have adverse reactions to certain medications. These side effects usually occur within 1 and 12 hours after administration and will vary depending on the type of medication used. Common side effects include:
Itching
Tremors
Excessive salivation
Lethargy
Diarrhea
If you notice any adverse reactions in your puppy, contact your vet straight away. If you’ve used a spot treatment, it’s recommended to wash the area with gentle soap and warm water. Most dogs recover easily and quickly from adverse reactions, though, and the majority of dogs don’t have reactions at all. Many of these reactions come from not following label directions, so it’s vital to read the instructions carefully, to not administer the medication too often, and to make sure the medication is correct for your dog’s age and weight.
- Itching
- Tremors
- Excessive salivation
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
Is Flea and Tick Medication Necessary?
Fleas and ticks are not only uncomfortable for your pooch but can also cause potentially serious illnesses. Fleas are among the leading causes of tapeworm because the larvae are carried onto your dog by fleas, and they can cause skin allergies and irritation. Ticks can cause various illnesses, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.
Flea and tick medication can go a long way toward preventing these illnesses, but you’ll also need to treat your home to prevent the life cycle of fleas from continuing. Always check your dog for fleas and ticks after walks, and make sure to carefully remove any attached ticks. In most cases, ticks need to remain attached for 36–48 hours or more to transmit disease, but the quicker that you get rid of them, the better.
Conclusion
NexGard Chews for Dogs are vet recommended and our top choice overall for flea and tick prevention. These chewable pills will kill adult fleas and ticks as soon as they bite, are FDA approved to help prevent Lyme disease, and have a delicious flavor that your puppy will love, making them easy to administer.
ZoGuard Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs is the best flea and tick medicine for the money. This topical formula contains ingredients proven to prevent and kill fleas, flea eggs and larvae, chewing lice, and ticks on contact, lasts for up to 1 month, and is 100% waterproof.
For a premium solution to getting rid of ticks and fleas on your pooch, Simparica Trio Chewable Tablets are ideal. These pills contain a trio of helpful ingredients: Moxidectin for heartworms, Sarolaner for ticks and fleas, and Pyrantel for roundworms and hookworm. They have a delicious liver flavor that makes administration to your puppy a breeze.
Bringing home a new puppy home can be stressful all on its own, and making sure they are protected from fleas and ticks can add to the burden. Luckily, there are proven solutions, and we hope that our in-depth reviews have narrowed those solutions and helped you find the best tick and flea medicine for your new pup!
Featured Image Credit: Naurora, Shutterstock
