Caring for a dog or a cat can be a rewarding experience for a pet parent. However, keeping the furry babies safe from fleas and ticks can get tedious. The pesky parasites can cause discomfort and may transmit certain diseases to pets. Thankfully, there are various flea and tick treatments available that can help control these harmful pests. But how long does the protection from these products last? We’ll find out in this blog!
How Long Does a Flea & Tick Treatment Last?
The duration of protection provided by flea and tick treatments depends on the specific product, formulation, active ingredients, and the parasites it is designed to target. However, let’s discuss the most popular types of flea and tick treatments.
Oral Flea & Tick Treatments
Oral flea and tick treatments are available for dogs and cats, although the products, parasites covered, and dosing schedules vary. Some are administered monthly, while others may provide protection for longer periods depending on the formulation.
The treatments may come as chewable tablets, soft chews, or other oral formulations and are administered as a treat or incorporated in to the pet’s food. Their ingredients get absorbed into the pet’s bloodstream, paralysing and killing fleas and ticks when they bite the pet.
Some of the popular oral flea and tick treatments include:
- Simparica Trio for Dogs – Remains effective for one month.
- NexGard Chewables for Dogs – Remains effective for one month.
- Capstar for Cats – Treats fleas on a cat’s body but doesn’t prevent infestations.
Topical Flea & Tick Treatments
Topical flea and tick treatments are widely chosen by pet parents to keep their pets protected from the blood-sucking parasites. Topical treatments can have different dosing intervals, with some administered monthly and others providing protection for longer periods.
Many topical products are applied directly to the skin, often at one or more specified application sites depending on the product and species. You will just need to part the fur in the designated area and squeeze the pipette until the appropriate amount of the formula has been applied. While some topical treatments are absorbed into the pet’s bloodstream, others remain concentrated in their skin and hair follicles. They repel and kill parasites by interfering with their nervous system.
Some of the popular topical flea and tick treatments include:
- Frontline Plus for Dogs – Remains effective for one month.
- Advocate for Dogs – Remains effective for one month.
- Bravecto Plus for Cats – Remains effective for up to three months.
- Advocate for Cats – Remains effective for one month.
Flea & Tick Collars
Besides oral and topical formulas, flea and tick collars are also widely opted for by pet parents to keep their four-legged furry babies safe from fleas and ticks. The duration of their effectiveness is generally a few months, depending on the individual product and its formulation.
Some flea and tick collars gradually release active ingredients that distribute through the pet’s skin and hair coat to help control fleas and/or ticks. The collars are required to be placed comfortably around the pet’s neck, trimming the excess length. For appropriate administration, we’d advise you to read your product’s label and follow the instructions.
Some of the popular topical flea and tick collars include:
- Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs – Remains effective for up to 8 months.
- Kiltix Tick Collar for Dogs – Remains effective for up to 5 months.
- Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Cats – Remains effective for up to 8 months.
Concluding Note
The duration of a flea and tick treatment’s effectiveness depends on the particular product and its formulation. Therefore, it is important to refer to a product’s label prior to administration. Whatever product you’re choosing, you should make sure that it provides your pet year-round protection against parasites and suits its age, weight, breed, and lifestyle.
At DiscountPetCare, we carry an impressive range of flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats at discounted prices. Check out our online store to get your hands on your preferred treatments and a whole lot of other pet essentials from the comfort of your home.
