How do Oral Flea Preventatives Work?

In addition to the traditional topical medications, flea and tick preventatives also come in convenient oral treatments. The difference is that oral treatments are ingested by your pet instead of applied to the body. Oral flea preventatives come in flavored chewable tablets, soft chewables, or tablets. Unlike topical medications, oral flea medications are given by mouth.

Not all oral flea preventatives work the same; however, they have similar results. Some oral preventatives, like Nexgard, work by absorbing into the bloodstream after ingestion and causing uncontrollable activity in flea and tick central nervous system, which caused death. Others, like Bravecto Chews, absorb into the tissue fluids beneath the skin. When fleas and ticks feed on your pet and ingest Bravecto, they die. The ingredients are slowly excreted through your pet’s metabolism, which is why they last a month or more. After ingestion, some oral flea, like Trifexis, preventatives begin to kill fleas in at little as 30 minutes and kill 100% of fleas within 24 hours. Fluralaner, afoxolaner, spinosad, milbemycin oxime, praziquantel, and sarolaner are among the many common ingredients found in oral flea and tick preventatives.

Keeping your pet protected at all times, including winter, is key to keep your pet safe from harmful, disease-carrying fleas and ticks. In order to make sure your pet is safe, the correct dosing schedule must be followed. Like topical medications, most oral medications require monthly dosing, except Bravecto, which provides your pet 12 weeks of protection from fleas and ticks. Review and follow your pet’s oral flea medication dosing instructions, or ask your vet and follow their instructions exactly as prescribed.

Choosing the best oral flea preventative can be difficult. It can depend on a lot of factors. Use this chart to help you choose the best oral medication for your pet.

Vet-recommended oral flea and tick preventatives: