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How to Use Flea Prevention Effectively

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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

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How to administer oral flea medications

Always read the label of your pet's flea medication before administering.
Oral flea medications like Comfortis, NexGard and Trifexis should be given with a meal or directly after eating.

How to apply topical flea preventatives

Always read the label of your pet's flea medication before applying.
Topical flea preventatives like Frontline Plus should be applied to your pet's skin in one spot. For flea medications such as Advantage II, you can apply the solution to 3-4 spots down your pet's back.
For best results, apply your pet's flea preventative at the same time each month to reduce the risk of an infestation.
View product videos on how to apply: Frontline Plus and Advantage II.

Help maintain your pet's skin health.

Omega 3 fatty acids help improve your pet's skin health which allows the flea medication to
easily spread throughout the skin, increasing effectiveness.
Giving Omega 3 acids also helps support healthy function of the brain, eyes, and heart.

Wait 24 hours before bathing your pet.

After applying your pet's topical flea medication, wait at least 24 hours before bathing your pet. This window of time allows the medication to work its way through your pet's skin. Bathing your pet too soon could reduce the effectiveness of the flea preventative.
Avoid bathing your pet with human shampoos. Chemicals inside these types of shampoos can
dry your pet's skin or even cause irritation. Use a shampoo formulated for pets only to help maintain your pet's skin health.

Tip

Some flea medications do not protect against ticks. To prevent ticks from biting your dog, use the Preventic Tick Collar.