Fleas and ticks are more than just annoying pests — they can carry dangerous diseases and cause serious health issues for your dog or cat. Knowing the difference between treatment and prevention is key to keeping your pet’s health in tip-top shape.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What is flea prevention
- What is flea treatment
- Flea treatment vs. prevention
- How to choose the best flea and tick product
- Preventing infestations in multi-pet households
What is flea prevention
If you use prevention regularly, keeping fleas and ticks off your pet — and out of your home — is simple. Prevention products work by repelling fleas and ticks entirely, or killing them if they land on your pet.
Common forms of flea prevention include collars, topical preventatives, and oral preventatives:
- Collars release flea-killing ingredients over time, providing long-term protection.
- Topical preventatives use your pet's natural skin and coat oils to spread the treatment to all areas of your pet's body.
- Oral preventatives are absorbed into your pet's bloodstream.
Using flea prevention keeps your pet safe from disease-carrying pests and reduces the risk of infestation. It's a win-win!
Combination flea and tick preventatives
Some products prevent both fleas and ticks in one treatment. These are especially helpful if your pet spends time outdoors or in wooded areas.
Combination products save time and reduce the need for multiple medications. They offer comprehensive protection with just one application.
Flea and tick prevention for dogs
Wags Advance® is a water-resistant topical protection that kills and prevents all life stages of biting fleas on dogs. It also kills and prevents ticks, thus protecting them from tick-borne diseases. It is easy to apply and provides month-long protection.
Flea and tick prevention for cats
Paws Plus® is a powerful flea and tick preventative for cats. It kills both fleas and ticks, offering month-long protection. This product is ideal for cats that spend time both indoors and outdoors. It’s gentle on the skin but tough on pests, ensuring your cat stays protected.
The importance of flea and tick prevention
The risk of life-threatening diseases and illnesses is what makes flea and tick prevention important. Fleas and ticks can spread dangerous diseases to pets and people.
Preventing flea and tick bites is key to avoiding diseases like:
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
Flea and tick prevention is especially important during spring and summer when pests are most active, but fleas and ticks don’t just disappear in the winter.
They can survive indoors, even in the colder months — so using year-round prevention is the best way to keep your pet protected. Find out when flea season is in your state »
What is flea treatment
If you are already struggling with a flea problem, flea treatment is the right product for you. These products kill living adult fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae on your pet — effectively stopping the entire flea lifecycle and preventing an infestation from getting worse.
Common remedies to get rid of fleas on dogs and cats include oral treatments, topical treatments, and household sprays. Flea treatment often works within hours, killing fleas on contact or as soon as they bite your pet.
Oral flea treatment
Oral treatments are a popular option for killing active fleas on your pet. These medications are absorbed into your pet’s bloodstream, killing fleas when they bite.
Nitenpyram is the most common oral treatment for active infestations. After ingestion, Nitenpyram starts killing fleas on your pet within 30 minutes.
Topical flea treatment
Topical treatments are applied directly to your pet’s skin. They spread across the skin’s surface and kill fleas on contact.
Treating your home
For severe infestations, it’s best to treat your home as well as your pets. Keeping your home clean can help prevent flea and tick infestations.
Regularly vacuuming and washing your pet’s bedding reduces the chances of pests surviving in your home. Wash pet bedding, toys, and any soft surfaces your pets use frequently in warm, soapy water. Using flea sprays and treatments on carpets and furniture can also help eliminate hidden pests.
PetFriendly's Household Spray provides safe and effective protection against harmful fleas and ticks. Made with an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) and adulticides, it effectively kills:
- Adult fleas, eggs, and larvae
- Ticks
- Cockroaches
- Ants
Its powerful ingredients provide up to seven months of protection for your home by preventing eggs from developing into adult fleas.
Flea treatment vs. prevention
With so many products out there, it can be tricky to find the difference between flea treatment and prevention. Flea prevention is used regularly to prevent a flea problem from starting in the first place. Flea treatment is for active infestations — it kills fleas already biting your dog or cat.
How to choose the right flea and tick product
Depending on your pest-fighting needs, certain flea and tick products may be better for your pet than others. Our flea and tick quiz can help you choose the best flea product for your furry sidekick.
Remember to consider your pet’s size, breed, and lifestyle when making a decision, and consult your veterinarian for advice.
VET TIP
Some pets may have mild side effects like skin irritation from flea and tick products. In rare cases, seizures or allergic reactions can happen, so watch your pet after applying new treatments.
If your pet has any allergies or sensitivities, let your vet know. They can recommend products that are safe and effective. Reading product labels and following application instructions is crucial to ensure the treatment works as intended.
Preventing infestations in multi-pet households
Fleas and ticks can easily jump between pets, so treating just one pet won’t be enough. Consistent treatment for all pets ensures that the entire household is protected. If your pet is often in contact with other pets or animals who may be unprotected, they need effective flea prevention.
If you have multiple pets, it’s important to ensure all of them are using monthly prevention. This helps prevent re-infestation and keeps your home pest-free.
Don’t wait for the first itch, spotting a flea bite, or facing a full-fledged home infestation of fleas or ticks before you take action. Stay ahead of the game by sticking to a prevention plan year-round. It’s the ultimate way to protect your furry friend and give you peace of mind.