6 Best Flea Pills for Dogs – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Few chronic health conditions are more annoying and potentially harmful than fleas. Therefore, it’s no wonder that the global flea, tick, and heartworm products market topped $993.78 million in 2021, with sights on an 11-percent CAGR by 2027. Fleas pose many threats to humans and dogs, including tapeworms, typhus, and the plague. Ridding your home of an infestation is equally as tricky.

Our round-up includes everything you need to know about choosing the best flea pills for your dog. We’ve also included detailed reviews to help you make an informed choice.

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites of 2024

The 6 Best Flea Pills for Dogs

1. NexGard Chew for Dogs – Best Overall

NexGard Chew for Dogs prevents and treats fleas and ticks. The two pests typically occur at the same time of the year. Therefore, control for both is efficacious. Afoxolaner is an active ingredient that is safe for dogs but not cats. The product acts quickly, which can prevent infestations from getting out of control. It’s our pick for the best overall flea pills for dogs.

The pills are effective and palatable. That’s an easy bar to cross but worth mentioning. We like the wide range of sizes and dosages. Being able to give your pup a one-time dosage is helpful for determining if it works for your dog and whether he likes it.

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2. Capstar Flea Oral Treatment for Dogs – Best Value

Capstar Flea Oral Treatment for Dogs is a treatment instead of a preventive. However, it gets the job done even if your pup is already dealing with the ensuing issues. We confess that preventive pills aren’t appropriate for all pets. Therefore, resorting to treatment is sometimes the best choice for some animals. It’s our pick for the best flea pills for dogs for the money for this reason.

Even though it’s not billed this way, its main ingredient, Lufenuron, can inhibit egg development, although it’s not preventive. It’s essential to understand this fact to choose the best option for your pet.

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3. Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet – Premium Choice

The Simparica Trio Chewable Tablet isn’t cheap. However, it’s affordable when you consider what it does. It acts against several parasites, including heartworm. The latter makes it a prescription drug requiring testing. We can forgive that requirement, given the peace of mind it provides. We consider these benefits priceless, even with the extra hassle.

You won’t have any issues getting your dog to eat its monthly dosage. You won’t waste any money on this score.

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4. Trifexis Chewable Tablet for Dogs

Trifexis Chewable Tablet for Dogs excels as both a preventive and treatment for parasites. It acts quickly to make your pup more comfortable and reduce complications. It also acts on the secondary effects of an infestation with varying strengths. Dogs vary in their reactions to fleas, so it makes sense to homing in on an appropriate treatment for pets.

The product is effective against heartworm, necessitating testing before you can buy this product. That’s not unusual but certainly, a hassle if you can’t get your dog into the vet.

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5. Credelio Chewable Tablets for Dog

Credelio Chewable Tablet for Dogs works for both puppies and adults, although it takes longer to achieve the desired results. It works on fleas and ticks only, requiring a prescription for pet owners. The product works, although not all pets will view it as a treat, which is the underlying purpose of these products. It has minimal side effects, which many dog owners will appreciate.

The product requires a prescription since it affects heart function. It’s not unusual but helpful in the long run. Some pets may not like it, which strikes us as unusual since most manufacturers go out of their way to make their products tasty.

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6. Comfortis Chewable Tablet for Dogs

Comfortis Chewable Tablet for Dogs does the job in a tasty way. It requires a prescription, which we often see with these products. Nevertheless, it works quickly, which we want if our pets are in distress. We give this product props for its effectiveness. It does the job with fleas but no other pests. That can be a barrier for pet owners who are dealing with multiple issues.

We can see this product is used for a flea problem only. It will get rid of the pests. If you’re dealing with more than one problem, you should look elsewhere for help.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Flea Pill for Dogs

Oral flea pills are a godsend when you compare them to other methods of flea control. While sprays are effective, they’re messy. You also have to remember to apply them as per the instructions. Tablets are often monthly, making them infinitely more convenient to use. They also work against several parasites that can affect your pup. Things to consider include:

Type

The type usually involves whether it’s prescription or non-prescription. It is usually tied with the control. It’s one thing to handle fleas alone. When you add heartworm to the mix, you’re moving the goalposts. Pets must be tested before using a preventive to determine if there is a pre-existing condition. These products typically require a prescription since you must get your dog tested first.

Availability

The availability involves two things. It includes the dosage range, which can vary considerably depending on the product. The other is the supply. Let’s face it. These products aren’t cheap. You save more if you buy them in larger lot sizes, but your cash outlay is larger. It helps to do the math to see which is the better savings. Remember that fleas aren’t necessarily seasonal; they can live in your home year-round.

Other Pest Control

The value of each product skyrockets when you consider what other pests they control. Many of these parasites are similar, biologically speaking. Therefore, opportunities exist to control more than one of the canine’s worst offenders. Remember that fleas are vectors of many diseases. For example, fleas carry tapeworms. Therefore, you’re getting more for your buck when you keep them at bay.

The most common extra benefit is tick control. These pests carry diseases that people can contract. Even indoor pets need pest prevention. After all, your dog goes outside at least a few times a day. Often, pups get infected by fleas and other pests without leaving their backyards. It behooves pet owners to realize threats exist at their front doors.

One thing to always be aware of is the composition of the pills as some of them could contain garlic, which can give your dog indigestion and other stomach problems.

In Conclusion

After completing our reviews, NexGard Chew for Dogs came out on the top of our list. It ticks off everything we like to see in these products. Capstar Flea Oral Treatment for Dogs offers excellent value for these types of products. Its primary benefit is as a treatment instead of a preventive. However, regardless of the option you go with, you can check out the details and decide which is best for your furry friend.

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Featured Photo Credit: Tanya Dol, Shutterstock