Last Updated: 30/07/2026
Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Dogs
Find out the best picks from our Vets on the ever growing flea and tick prevention products.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 6 minutes - short read
Choosing between flea-only, tick-only and combined coverage comes down to two things: where you live, and your dog’s lifestyle. If your dog mostly stays close to home in urban areas where ticks are not known to be a problem, a flea product or combination product may be all you need. However, if you live along the East Coast of Australia, hike, camp or visit bushland, tick coverage - especially for paralysis tick - is non-negotiable. Many products on the market now offer broad-spectrum or comprehensive coverage, protecting against fleas, ticks, heartworm and most intestinal worms, which can be a great way to simplify your dog’s routine.
Looking for the full picture, including worm and heartworm coverage as well as flea and tick? Our which flea and worming product guide walks through that complete decision. This article focuses specifically on getting your flea and tick choice right.
Remember, regular flea and tick prevention is essential for your dog's health and well-being. If you have a cat, head to our Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Cats article instead.
Do I need tick coverage for my dog?
The first thing to consider is which parasites are actually a risk in your area. While fleas are generally considered to be Australia-wide, ticks tend to have geographical hot spots.
Paralysis ticks
Generally, paralysis ticks are mostly found along the East Coast of Australia. However, vet clinics as far west as Melbourne have reported paralysis tick cases in recent years. Only the paralysis tick causes deadly paralysis.
Brown dog ticks
While the Brown Dog Tick and the Cattle Tick do not cause paralysis, they can spread diseases, such as Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis, which can be fatal.
Bush ticks
Bush ticks are generally associated with cattle. But dogs, horses and some marsupials and birds can be affected. They can transmit Babesiosis to dogs, which can cause fatal anaemia.
While maps are helpful, we recommend checking with your local vet clinic as they will know which ticks are a problem in your area. It's also important to know that ticks can travel, such as on pets, clothing and vehicles, so we recommend erring on the side of caution and protecting your dog with a tick preventative.
Tick prevention recommendations
- For dogs along the east coast at risk of paralysis ticks, we recommend using isoxazoline-based products such as Simparica, Simparica Trio, Bravecto, Credelio Plus, Nexgard or Nexgard Spectra. If your dog has a history of seizures or is a seizure-prone breed, read our guide on isoxazolines and seizures before choosing an isoxazoline-based product.
- For dogs living along the east coast in areas at risk of both paralysis ticks and brown dog ticks, we recommend an isoxazoline-based product (as above) as well as a repellant product such as Seresto.
- For non-east coast locations in Brown Dog Tick areas, we recommend kill and repel products such as Seresto.
Should I choose a topical or oral flea and tick treatment for my dog?
Topical treatments
'Topical' refers to 'spot on' treatments - or anything that is applied externally on your dog.
Benefits of topical treatments
- Easier to apply in dogs who can't be tableted or won't eat chewables
- Some brands do not enter the bloodstream
Drawbacks of topical treatments
- Most lose effectiveness if your pet gets wet within 48 hours of application
- Typically older drugs which may have reduced effectiveness in high risk flea and tick areas (apart from Bravecto)
- Open to human error - the full tube must be applied in contact with the skin (not on top of the outer fur layer)
- Some treatments leave a chemical smell on your dog's fur
Oral treatments
'Oral' refers to chewables or tablets, which are given internally via your dog's mouth.
Benefits of oral treatments
- Won't be affected by bathing or swimming as it can't wash off.
- Most are modern drugs that are the most effective options available.
Drawbacks of oral treatments
- Can be difficult to administer if your dog does not like tablets or chewables.
- Some dogs may vomit medication up after administration.
How often should I give my dog flea and tick treatment?
There are now flea and tick prevention products to suit a whole range of schedules. While many combination products are required monthly, some brands only need to be given every 3, 4 or 6 months.
- Bravecto chews are recommended every 3 months to control fleas and ticks
- Bravecto Spot-ons protect for a full 6
- Seresto collars control paralysis ticks and fleas for 8 months (additionally, it repels paralysis ticks for 4 months, and controls brown dog ticks and bush ticks for 4 months as well).
For many dog owners, giving a monthly combined treatment is the way to go such as Nexgard Spectra, Simparica Trio or Credelio Plus.
Is an all-in-one parasite treatment the right fit for my dog?
Which is best - a flea and tick only product, or a combination product which takes care of worming too? The truth is, it all depends on your personal preference. Many of the different products use similar drugs, so you don't need to worry about a 'combination' product being less effective than a 'flea and tick only' product.
Giving a flea and tick treatment separate to worming can have its benefits - for example, some people might only wish to give flea treatment in the warmer times of the year, but need to continue worming all year round. But for other people, combining everything they need into one treatment is very convenient indeed.
A Little Something About All-in-One Treatments
Now, we should just make something clear - not all products that are referred to as 'all-in-one' actually cover for all parasites. The term 'all in one' gets thrown around by manufacturers a lot.
Here are some 'all-in-one' products that come close:
- Nexgard Spectra was released in 2017 as the first product to cover for fleas, worms, intestinal worms (including flea tapeworm) and ticks. The only major parasite it doesn't cover is the hydatid tapeworm.
- Simparica Trio was released in 2020 and has similar coverage to Nexgard Spectra - protecting against fleas, ticks, most intestinal worms (not tapeworm or whipworm), and heartworm.
- Credelio Plus also protects against fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms including flea tapeworm. It does not provide protection against hydatid tapeworm.
There are plenty of products on the market which cover for fleas, worms, and heart worm, but don't have tick coverage. These products include Advocate, and Neovet.
How do I choose the right flea and tick prevention for my dog?
It comes down to three options. Flea-only if ticks genuinely aren't a risk where you live and your dog stays close to home. Flea and tick combined if you're in a tick area or your dog is active outdoors, but you'd rather manage worming separately. Or a genuine all-in-one or broad spectrum protection if you want fleas, ticks, worms and heartworm handled in a single product or in as few products as possible.
Whichever way you go on fleas and ticks, make sure your dog is also covered for intestinal worms and heartworm. See our which flea and worming product guide for how to combine or coordinate that coverage.
Choosing the best flea and tick treatment for your dog involves careful consideration of several factors. Understanding the prevalence of ticks in your region, weighing the pros and cons of topical versus oral treatments, and determining the appropriate treatment frequency are all crucial steps. By considering these aspects and speaking with a veterinarian, you can make an informed decision to ensure your pet remains protected from these troublesome parasites.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thur July 30 2026
Edited by Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
