Stop the Constant Itching With These Top Picks for Flea and Tick Prevention

Spring is just around the corner, and arriving with the more pleasant weather are those most unpleasant pests: fleas and ticks. If you have pets, you’ll want to protect them from the discomfort and potential health issues these bothersome bugs can inflict. From itchy bites to chronic diseases, fleas and ticks are unwelcome guests that, once indoors, are just as likely to latch onto you as they are to your pets. The good news is that options for flea and tick prevention abound. Whether you choose an oral treatment or a topical solution, keeping your pet safe, comfortable, and pest-free is the goal. Continue reading to discover seven flea and tick preventatives that do just that.

Advantage II Topical Solution

Advantage II is a topical solution for flea and tick control in cats at least 8 weeks old and weighing two pounds. The active ingredients in Advantage, imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen, work together to kill adult fleas and ticks, as well as flea eggs and larvae. This remedy is applied directly to the base of your cat’s skull, between its shoulders. While Advantage is considered safe, it is recommended that children be kept at bay until the solution has dried. And while Advantage II is waterproof, frequent bathing may decrease the product’s efficacy. The makers of Advantage II ($16.99/month), Elanco, also sell K9 Advantix topical flea and tick solution for dogs.

Beloved Pets Spray

Beloved Pets’ flea and tick spray repels pests using a blend of essential oils. Citronella, eugenol (clove), lemongrass, peppermint, and tea tree oils combine to defend pets from fleas, ticks, lice, and mosquitoes. This spray may be applied directly to pets, furnishings, bedding, carpets, etc. According to the majority of the reviews, Beloved Pets‘ flea and tick spray ($13.86/month) has a pleasant odor and is effective.

Cedarcide Brush

Founded in 1994 by veterinarian John McMillen, Cedarcide offers pets natural flea and tick protection. Created to keep pets and their humans safe from synthetic chemicals, Cedarcide’s formula is a combination of cedarwood, lemongrass, peppermint, and soybean oils that keep all sorts of critters away. Designed to hold up to four ounces of Cedarcide Original or Cedarcide all-purpose bug spray, the brush distributes the oil evenly through your pet’s coat. From professional groomers to longtime users, the reviews speak to the effectiveness of the Cedarcide Brush, $25.

Earth Animal Daily Internal Herbal Drops

Marketed as essential protection from the inside out, Earth Animal’s daily herbal drops for cats and dogs are a plant-based, holistic alternative to artificial ingredients. Founded by veterinarian Bob Goldstein, Earth Animal uses natural ingredients sourced from around the world to create safe and effective healing products for pets. From coconut glycerin and Ground miscanthus grass, sourced in North America, to fenugreek and rosemary extract from Asia, Earth Animal products contain the highest quality ingredients available, including in their daily herbal drops, $20.99/2oz.

Hartz UltraGuard Plus Collar

One of the more economical options available, the Hartz flea and tick collar offers head-to-tail flea and tick protection for dogs and puppies at 12 weeks. Tetrachlorvinphos, the active ingredient in Hartz, is an organophosphate insecticide, which kills pests by inhibiting nerve function. Of note, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of tetrachlorvinphos in dog collars in 2022 citing the potential for harm that tetrachlorvinphos poses to children and other pets, only to reverse its decision in 2023. However, there are associated risks. So while the Hartz UltraGuard Plus flea and tick collar ($7.00) is a viable preventative, it is not recommended for use in homes with young children and/or multiple pets.

NexGard Monthly Oral

Nexgard is a monthly oral flea and tick treatment. Oral flea and tick prevention relies on chemical compounds that target fleas and ticks. The active ingredient in Nexgard, Afoxolaner, targets the pests’ nervous system, resulting in death. Other brands like Simparica, Bravecito, and Credelio, work similarly. Oral treatments require a prescription and are generally more expensive than other types of prevention. However, oral remedies are easy to administer and extremely effective. Learn more about Nexgard, which costs approximately $25 for one month of protection.

Only Natural Pet Powder

According to Only Natural Pet’s description, their powder is safe and effective when used as directed on dogs, cats, and people. Now, you might not think that people would require flea and tick prevention, but I was once at a community meeting seated next to a neighbor who had fleas. I noticed them crawling around on his neck. They were distracting me, but he didn’t seem to be bothered in the least. I’m guessing he wasn’t even aware that he had fleas. So, yeah, there are some people for whom this would make a dandy gift.

Only Natural Pet’s flea and tick powder uses a combination of geraniol and peppermint in a calcium carbonate powder to repel pests. Geraniol, a primary component of citronella oil, is a natural insecticide/repellent. Peppermint is another known insect repellent. This versatile powder can be applied directly to pets, people, bedding, carpets, and your yard. The majority of the customer reviews are 5 stars. Check out Only Natural Pet All-In-One Flea Remedy (16.99/8oz) along with their other topical remedies.