Flea Collars, Spot-On Treatment & Pills: Which is Best For Dogs?

Flea Collars, Spot-On Treatment & Pills: Which is Best For Dogs?

Posted by Jo Winder on 3rd Mar 2022

Browse all flea treatments for dogs or flea treatments for cats and rabbits.

Anyone with a dog knows that dealing with fleas can be a real pain. The worst thing is that the pests might not live on humans, but they have no issues with biting you and leave itchy red marks.

If you're dealing with a flea infestation or want to prevent that event from occurring, there are plenty of treatment options available. Depending on your situation, you might need a fast acting treatment, or a preventative solution.

The three main flea treatments for dogs come in the form of spot-ons, collars and pills. All have their advantages, but which is best for your pup?

Let’s find out.

Why Is Flea Prevention Important?

If you've ever dealt with a flea infestation, then you'll know all too well that once fleas are on your pet, you're in for a real battle.

Fleas live on animals, but they can bite humans and cause considerable problems in your household. But these tiny creatures aren't just a nuisance-they can be dangerous to your dog.

Fleas can cause serious health problems, including anaemia and tapeworms. In addition, fleas can transmit other diseases, such as typhus and Lyme disease. Therefore, it is vital to take steps to prevent fleas from infesting your dog in the first place.

What Flea Treatment Options Are Available?

There are so many flea treatments available for dogs, so it's incredibly difficult to know where to start. The good thing is, dogs are much more agreeable than cats, so it's unlikely you'll be chasing your pup around trying to apply the medication.

That being said, there are distinct advantages of spot-ons, flea collars and tablets, so it's important to know which will be best for your dog.

Flea Collars

Flea collars are one of the most popular forms of flea prevention. They are easy to use, relatively affordable, and two types are available.

If you want to protect your pet from fleas, some collars contain a substance to repel fleas from attaching themselves to your pet. Another option is a collar that releases treatment onto your dog's neck, which is basically the same as spot-on treatments.

The Pros of Flea Collars

Flea collars are a relatively cost effective solution, and they're easy to find. The collars are one of the most conventional solutions for dogs, as they're simple to apply.

As dogs are used to wearing collars, you can ensure that your pet is receiving the proper treatment amount - which isn't a guarantee with some other flea repellents.

The Cons of Flea Collars

Overall, flea collars have more pros than cons, but there are some drawbacks you should be aware of. For example, cheaper supermarket flea collars aren't effective, so you need to use a vet recommended brand.

Another disadvantage of these collars is that fleas can still find a way onto your dog - especially if it's a large breed. The repellent might not be strong enough to prevent fleas on the back end of your dog, but small to medium breeds will be fine.

Flea Pills

Flea pills are another common form of flea prevention, and each contains medication that has a unique purpose. Most people buy non-prescription pills, which kill fleas but don’t offer any prevention.

The Pros of Flea Pills

Flea pills are very effective in killing adult fleas, and many would say they're the most effective treatment option for this purpose - as long as your dog ingests the tablet.

The Cons of Flea Pills

However, there are a few cons to flea pills. Firstly, they are not effective in repelling fleas from attaching themselves to your pet - though some prescription brands can have this effect.

Secondly, some dogs don't like taking medication and refuse to swallow a pill- meaning you may have to hide it in their food. If you have a cunning pooch, they might eat around the tablet, meaning you have to find another solution.

Spot-On Treatments

Spot on flea treatments are a popular choice for flea control. They're easy to use, and they work quickly. Spot-on comes in the form of a pipette that contains liquid you apply to your dog's skin.

In most cases this is on the base of a dog's neck, but some treatments for larger breeds go recommend placing a few spots along the back too.

Once applied the treatment absorbs into the skin and the active ingredient kills fleas on contact.

The Pros of Spot-On Treatments

Many people find spot-on treatments easier because they go onto the skin, which is perfect for fussy dogs that won't swallow pills.

As the treatment is easy to apply, you can rest assured that your dog is protected from fleas, which isn’t always the same with pills and collars.

It’s always going to be hard to tell whether your pup has definitely had the tablet, and some collars don’t work (especially if you buy cheap supermarket brands).

The Cons of Spot-On Treatments

One downside to spot-on treatments is that they can wash off if your dog goes swimming, but this can happen with collars too, and as these treatments are meant to be applied regularly, your dog can still be protected.

If you're looking for an effective spot-on treatment, Frontline flea and tick treatments are one of the most recommended products around. The pharmacy recommended treatment will destroy fleas and ticks without distressing your pup.

Which Treatment is Best for My Dog?

When it comes to choosing flea treatment for dogs, many options are available. There’s no doubt that spot-on treatments are the most popular form of flea and tick prevention around, and if you’re looking for a convenient solution then our pharmacy recommends spot-ons for most dogs.

However, each dog will have its unique needs, so it's best to think about which will be the more effective treatment.

Here are the main things you should consider:

Is your dog a picky eater?

Trying to feed a picky dog a flea pill isn't easy, but many treatments have flavourings. It depends on how fussy your dog is and if they're likely to refuse the treatment.

The last thing you want is to spend money on a pill for your dog to eat around it (which can happen), so think about your pooches behaviour and eating habits before making a decision.

Spot-ons are much easier to apply, and they’re more effective than collars and pills, so they’re perfect as you won’t have to hide spot-ons in treats.

The Bottom Line

Each dog is different, and while some pooches are loveable giants that will eat anything, others might refuse to take a pill. If you decide to choose a flea collar, it's essential to check whether vets recommend it because the cheap supermarket solutions won't be effective.

Overall, we recommend spot-on treatments, because they’re easier to apply and high effective.

It's also essential to deflea your home and property - especially if your dog has fleas. The standard treatment might kill off the fleas that live on your pet, but if they're in your home, it will continue to be a vicious cycle.

We also supply flea bombs and flea spray for home so you can remove the critters for good and protect your pup.

Browse all flea treatments for dogs or flea treatments for cats and rabbits.

Anyone with a dog knows that dealing with fleas can be a real pain. The worst thing is that the pests might not live on humans, but they have no issues with biting you and leave itchy red marks.

If you're dealing with a flea infestation or want to prevent that event from occurring, there are plenty of treatment options available. Depending on your situation, you might need a fast acting treatment, or a preventative solution.

The three main flea treatments for dogs come in the form of spot-ons, collars and pills. All have their advantages, but which is best for your pup?

Let’s find out.

Why Is Flea Prevention Important?

If you've ever dealt with a flea infestation, then you'll know all too well that once fleas are on your pet, you're in for a real battle.

Fleas live on animals, but they can bite humans and cause considerable problems in your household. But these tiny creatures aren't just a nuisance-they can be dangerous to your dog.

Fleas can cause serious health problems, including anaemia and tapeworms. In addition, fleas can transmit other diseases, such as typhus and Lyme disease. Therefore, it is vital to take steps to prevent fleas from infesting your dog in the first place.

What Flea Treatment Options Are Available?

There are so many flea treatments available for dogs, so it's incredibly difficult to know where to start. The good thing is, dogs are much more agreeable than cats, so it's unlikely you'll be chasing your pup around trying to apply the medication.

That being said, there are distinct advantages of spot-ons, flea collars and tablets, so it's important to know which will be best for your dog.

Flea Collars

Flea collars are one of the most popular forms of flea prevention. They are easy to use, relatively affordable, and two types are available.

If you want to protect your pet from fleas, some collars contain a substance to repel fleas from attaching themselves to your pet. Another option is a collar that releases treatment onto your dog's neck, which is basically the same as spot-on treatments.

The Pros of Flea Collars

Flea collars are a relatively cost effective solution, and they're easy to find. The collars are one of the most conventional solutions for dogs, as they're simple to apply.

As dogs are used to wearing collars, you can ensure that your pet is receiving the proper treatment amount - which isn't a guarantee with some other flea repellents.

The Cons of Flea Collars

Overall, flea collars have more pros than cons, but there are some drawbacks you should be aware of. For example, cheaper supermarket flea collars aren't effective, so you need to use a vet recommended brand.

Another disadvantage of these collars is that fleas can still find a way onto your dog - especially if it's a large breed. The repellent might not be strong enough to prevent fleas on the back end of your dog, but small to medium breeds will be fine.

Flea Pills

Flea pills are another common form of flea prevention, and each contains medication that has a unique purpose. Most people buy non-prescription pills, which kill fleas but don’t offer any prevention.

The Pros of Flea Pills

Flea pills are very effective in killing adult fleas, and many would say they're the most effective treatment option for this purpose - as long as your dog ingests the tablet.

The Cons of Flea Pills

However, there are a few cons to flea pills. Firstly, they are not effective in repelling fleas from attaching themselves to your pet - though some prescription brands can have this effect.

Secondly, some dogs don't like taking medication and refuse to swallow a pill- meaning you may have to hide it in their food. If you have a cunning pooch, they might eat around the tablet, meaning you have to find another solution.

Spot-On Treatments

Spot on flea treatments are a popular choice for flea control. They're easy to use, and they work quickly. Spot-on comes in the form of a pipette that contains liquid you apply to your dog's skin.

In most cases this is on the base of a dog's neck, but some treatments for larger breeds go recommend placing a few spots along the back too.

Once applied the treatment absorbs into the skin and the active ingredient kills fleas on contact.

The Pros of Spot-On Treatments

Many people find spot-on treatments easier because they go onto the skin, which is perfect for fussy dogs that won't swallow pills.

As the treatment is easy to apply, you can rest assured that your dog is protected from fleas, which isn’t always the same with pills and collars.

It’s always going to be hard to tell whether your pup has definitely had the tablet, and some collars don’t work (especially if you buy cheap supermarket brands).

The Cons of Spot-On Treatments

One downside to spot-on treatments is that they can wash off if your dog goes swimming, but this can happen with collars too, and as these treatments are meant to be applied regularly, your dog can still be protected.

If you're looking for an effective spot-on treatment, Frontline flea and tick treatments are one of the most recommended products around. The pharmacy recommended treatment will destroy fleas and ticks without distressing your pup.

Which Treatment is Best for My Dog?

When it comes to choosing flea treatment for dogs, many options are available. There’s no doubt that spot-on treatments are the most popular form of flea and tick prevention around, and if you’re looking for a convenient solution then our pharmacy recommends spot-ons for most dogs.

However, each dog will have its unique needs, so it's best to think about which will be the more effective treatment.

Here are the main things you should consider:

Is your dog a picky eater?

Trying to feed a picky dog a flea pill isn't easy, but many treatments have flavourings. It depends on how fussy your dog is and if they're likely to refuse the treatment.

The last thing you want is to spend money on a pill for your dog to eat around it (which can happen), so think about your pooches behaviour and eating habits before making a decision.

Spot-ons are much easier to apply, and they’re more effective than collars and pills, so they’re perfect as you won’t have to hide spot-ons in treats.

The Bottom Line

Each dog is different, and while some pooches are loveable giants that will eat anything, others might refuse to take a pill. If you decide to choose a flea collar, it's essential to check whether vets recommend it because the cheap supermarket solutions won't be effective.

Overall, we recommend spot-on treatments, because they’re easier to apply and high effective.

It's also essential to deflea your home and property - especially if your dog has fleas. The standard treatment might kill off the fleas that live on your pet, but if they're in your home, it will continue to be a vicious cycle.

We also supply flea bombs and flea spray for home so you can remove the critters for good and protect your pup.