Did you know a single flea is capable of laying hundreds of eggs whilst on your pet? Once the eggs hatch they can develop into adults in as little as two weeks meaning flea numbers can build up in a relatively short amount of time, which is why prevention is key to avoiding a flea disaster.

Trying to decide upon the best flea treatment for your pet can be a little complicated as there are many different products on the market. Spot-on and chewable treatments are both highly effective and easy to use, however, there are also shampoos, rinses and sprays available which might be more suitable in some situations.

For all flea medications, following the instructions on the pack is essential. You should only ever use products that are safe for the species you will be using them on (dog, cat, etc.). Be sure to read all labels carefully and use the medication only as directed.

Topical 'Spot-On' Treatments

Activyl for dogs and cats - is a spot-on flea treatment that works through bio-activation which means it only switches on inside the flea, to deliver full flea-killing power. The flea doesn't need to bite to ingest the active ingredient of Activyl and when applied monthly it breaks the flea lifecycle and prevents reinfestation. Activyl kills fleas fast and remains effective on dogs after bathing, swimming and rain.

Advantage for dogs and cats - is easy to use, safe for use on dogs and cats, and is fast acting. Advantage breaks the flea life cycle and kills fleas as they emerge from the environment to reinfest your cat or dog. Advantage also controls lice on dogs and helps to reduce the incidence of Flea Allergy Dermatitis. Unlike some flea treatments, fleas are not required to bite the animal in order to receive a lethal dose of Advantage.

Advantix - repels and controls ticks as well as fleas. It also repels and kills sand flies and mosquitoes which are responsible for the transmission of heartworm. Advantix contains an ingredient that is highly toxic to cats, so should not be used on dogs that share a home with cats or are in regular contact with cats. Fortnightly application is necessary to protect your dog from paralysis ticks.

Advocate for dogs and cats - is an all-in-one parasite protection against fleas, worms and more. Advocate treats parasite infections and helps protect your cat or dog against fleas, heartworm and most gastrointestinal worms. Advocate also treats lungworm in cats and kills mites and controls sarcoptic mange in dogs. Advocate kills fleas on contact so they don't have to bite your pet.

Bravecto Spot On - is an easy to apply product that provides up to 3 months protection against fleas and paralysis ticks and also treats and controls ear mites in cats. Bravecto Spot-on for dogs provides up to 6 months protection from fleas and paralysis ticks and also treats and controls ear mites and sarcoptic mange and prevents flea tapeworm infections in dogs. Bravecto also helps to control Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) in dogs.

Frontline Plus for dogs and cats - contains two ingredients that kills adult fleas and ticks and attacks flea eggs and larvae. When applied fortnightly, Frontline Plus also protects your dog against paralysis ticks. Frontline Plus is more water resistant than other spot on treatments, so it is perfect for dogs that swim a lot or are bathed frequently. Animals should not be bathed for 48 hours after application.

Moxiclear for dogs and cats - is a once-monthly application for the treatment and prevention of fleas, including larval stages in the surroundings, the prevention of heartworm, treatment and control of roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, sarcoptic mange, lice and ear mites in dogs. In cats, Moxiclear treats and prevents infestations of fleas, including larval stages in the surroundings, prevents heartworm, treats and controls roundworms, lungworms and hookworms and ear mites. Moxiclear is water resistant and remains efficacious after bathing, swimming or rain.

Revolution for dogs and cats - also prevents multiple parasites from taking up residence on your dog or cat. It is easy to use and controls fleas, ear mites and prevents heartworm. Revolution also treats and controls sarcoptic mange in dogs. Revolution eliminates the need to use separate flea and heartworm preparations each month.

Oral Medication

Bravecto Chews - is a chewable tablet that treats fleas, controls paralysis ticks and controls mites in dogs. One single Bravecto chew can protect your dog against fleas for 3 months and paralysis ticks for 4 months. Simply give your dog their Bravecto chew at, or around, mealtimes and let them chomp their way to long-lasting flea and paralysis tick prevention.

Capstar for dogs and cats - is a fast-acting tablet that offers effective relief from fleas within 30 minutes and continues to rapidly kill fleas for 24 hours. Because Capstar is delivered in a tablet, the active ingredient won't rub or wash off, or leave a messy residue on your pet.

Comfortis for dogs and cats - starts killing fleas in just 30 minutes and killed 100% of fleas in dogs in 4 hours and greater than 90% of fleas in cats in 2 hours. Comfortis is a convenient, beef-flavoured chewable tablet, which means no restrictions on washing your dog or allowing them to go swimming and it won't rub off on your furniture. Comfortis should be given with food for maximum effectiveness.

Comfortis Plus - starts killing fleas in just 30 minutes, plus it protects your pet against worms and heartworm. Comfortis Plus treats and controls adult hookworm, roundworm and whipworm infections and is suitable for dogs with flea allergy dermatitis. As a tablet, there are no restrictions on your dog being washed, or going swimming immediately after dosing.

Nexgard - is a tasty, beef flavoured chew that protects dogs from fleas, kills ticks and treats and controls mites. Nexgard's one chew, once a month format simplifies flea and tick treatment, leading to a dosing regime that is regular and easy to follow. Because Nexgard is an oral medication, there are no restrictions on swimming or bathing after treating your dog. Nexgard can be administered with or without food.

NexGard Spectra - is a tasty beef-flavoured chew that kills fleas fast, protects all month long against ticks, prevents heartworm disease, treats and controls roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and mites in dogs. NexGard Spectra can be given with or without food and is not affected by bathing or swimming. With just one chew, once a month, NexGard Spectra is an easy to remember and easy to give product.

Sentinel Spectrum - is a meaty chewable tablet used for the prevention of heartworm disease, for the prevention and long term control of fleas and for the control of roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and tapeworms in dogs. Sentinel Spectrum Tasty Chews are given once a month, year round with a full meal. Sentinel Spectrum is approved for use in puppies as young as six weeks, pregnant females, breeding bitches and stud dogs.

Simparica - is a tasty once-a-month chewable tablet that offers continuous protection on your dog against ticks, fleas, mange and mites from day 1 to day 35. Simparica starts to kill fleas within 3 hours and prevents and controls home infestations. To reduce the risk of infection from tick-borne diseases, Simparica starts killing ticks within 8 hours and protects your dog against paralysis ticks, brown dog ticks and bush ticks.

Collars

Seresto for dogs and cats - utilises an innovative polymer matrix technology to provide up to 8 months protection from fleas and 4 months control of ticks for dogs. For cats, Seresto collars protect your cat from fleas for up to 8 months. Unlike some flea collars, Seresto is odourless and is also water-resistant. Fleas don't have to bite to die as Seresto kills fleas on contact. Seresto collars have up to two safety release mechanisms that allow your cat or dog to get out of a tight spot.

Shampoos, Powders, Rinses and Sprays

Fido's Fre-Itch Rinse Concentrate - is a natural, pleasant smelling pyrethrin-based rinse for the control of fleas, ticks and lice in dogs and cats and lice in birds. Fido's Fre-Itch is safe to use on puppies and can be applied as a rinse, spray or hydrobath. Once diluted, the concentrate should be applied to the animal ensuring the fur is wet down to the skin.

Fido's Fleatrol Plus - contains pyrethrins to kill adult fleas and ticks and an insect growth regulator (IGR) which inhibits the development of flea eggs and larvae. Fleatrol Plus is a ready to use product which breaks the flea lifecycle and can be used on pets and their environment.

Frontline Spray - is a spray on treatment that will protect your cat and dog from fleas and ticks and can help control flea allergy dermatitis. Frontline Spray can be used on puppies and kittens from 2 days of age. To protect your pet against paralysis ticks, apply every 3 weeks. To protect against adult fleas, apply every 12 weeks for dogs and every 8 weeks for cats.

Permoxin - is a concentrated permethrin-based insecticidal spray and rinse for the control of fleas and ticks on dogs. Permoxin is toxic to cats. Diluted Permoxin concentrate can be sprayed or applied to the dog ensuring the solution wets down to the skin.

Pestene Powder - is a powder that can be applied to dogs and cats for the control of fleas. The powder is applied to the coat paying particular attention around the neck, chest and back of the animal. Once the powder has been rubbed into and combed through the coat, excess powder should be removed with a damp cloth. Powder should be reapplied to the animal and their bedding and kennel areas after each time the animal is washed and at weekly intervals.

Keep an eye on your pet's environment

One part of preventing fleas on your pet many pet owners often forget is to constantly be aware of where your pet is playing and who they might be socialising with. One of the most common ways for fleas to be transferred is directly from one pet to another. You do not want to be constantly doing your best to keep fleas away only to find that the neighbours dog is the one that keeps bringing fleas back into your dogs environment. If you are finding fleas outside in your backyard or surrounding areas, you can take action by using a Flea Spray or getting a professional pest exterminator to come and get rid your yard of the problem.

Timing is everything

The timing of using Flea Treatments on your pet a is crucial part of flea prevention. Firstly, make sure you time it so that all household pets receive treatment on the same day each month. This will guarantee that every pet is being protected and will eliminate any chances of one pet bringing fleas into the home and then passing them on to another. The next thing to remember is to make sure you time your treatment around your pet's bath time or swimming days. Most spot-on treatments are much more effective if your pet is kept dry for at least 48 hours before and after the treatment is applied.

Perform flea checks while grooming

A final precaution to include in your flea prevention strategy is to make flea checks a part of your regular grooming routine. Try using a Flea Comb to brush your pet as this will pick up any fleas that may be hiding in your pet's fur. Also, keep an eye out for flea eggs or dark specks that are stuck to the fur which are actually flea droppings.

View our entire range of Flea & Tick Treatments for dogs here.

View our entire range of Flea & Tick Treatments for cats here.