Flea pills for dogs are just as essential as their food, blankets, and leash. Just like humans have a frequent cold and flu, your furry friend is also prone to fleas. So, you need to have flea medications handy to treat the condition. You might be thinking about whether flea pills are the right treatment for your dog. To help you seek the correct answers, here are a few frequently asked questions and their answers on flea medication for dogs.

What are flea pills?
These are similar to insecticides, but flea pills work more like oral insecticides—these help control, prevent, and treat flea infestation in your dogs.

Is a vet’s prescription needed?
Yes. It is recommended to use these medications on your pet under a vet’s supervision and prescription. This is especially important for dogs with special needs and health conditions. For instance, dogs who are prone to seizures may react differently to certain types of flea pills. Moreover, senior dogs will require different flea medications compared to younger ones or even puppies. Although certain pills do not require a prescription, they can be quite risky. Some pet owners might not be aware of short-term and long-term side effects.

Are there different types of flea pills for dogs?
Flea pills are available in various types based on the active chemical ingredient that each type contains. Each of these ingredients deals with fleas in different ways. For instance, some pills can deal only with adult fleas, while there are others that can be used to treat the larvae as well. In addition, there is a specific type of pill that works to inhibit the ability of fleas to give eggs. Moreover, there are some fast-acting flea pills that stay in the dog’s body for a few days. These are often recommended for flea allergy dermatitis. Oral monthly preventative pills are also available to keep flea infestation in dogs at bay.

Which are popular flea pills for dogs?
There are specific compounds based on which various brands of flea pills for dogs are made. Some of these common compounds include Spinosad, Afoxolaner, Fluralaner, and Nitenpyram. The formulations of these meds are available under various brand names. Each of these will work differently and may have different side effects. It is always important to use these medications on your pet through a prescription from a vet.