The 6 Best Dog Flea Treatments Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

One of the essentials of owning a pet is making sure they are protected from all kinds of pests and diseases. Among those, fleas are by far the most common issue with dogs. In fact, it’s advisable to start with flea prevention as soon as your pup is old enough.

No matter how hard we try, our canine companions always seem to catch fleas somehow. If this is your case, don't worry. Our expert team studied various flea treatments for dogs across Australia with the help of other authorities. After several months of testing, we have developed a list supplemented with the necessary information that dog owners should know.

This guide will reveal the results of our research and help you find the best flea treatment for dogs.

Australia's Best Flea Treatments For Dogs Reviewed

As we will outline a little later, there are quite a few effective treatments you can use these days to free your dog from fleas. Below is a comprehensive list of effective treatments available. Let's first take a look and find the one that suits your needs the best.

Arguably, spot-on treatments are among the most convenient options when it comes to getting rid of fleas and keeping them away. All you need to do to keep your canine companion protected from fleas with Advantage Spot-On is squeeze out the contents of the tube on the back of their neck once a month. That’s it. No need to worry about anything, as the treatment is resistant to water too. Baths and walks in the rains are allowed.

Unlike the second brand, NexGard chewables, your dog doesn't have to eat anything. This is very helpful, especially if your dog is a picky eater. It is an efficient option to give your dog once a month.

The active ingredient is imidacloprid, a pesticide that has been used for flea control in pets for decades. It is one of the most effective flea-killers, and one that is least likely to have adverse effects on dogs (allergic reactions are always possible, but rare). Another good thing about imidacloprid is the effect it has on fleas. It affects a flea’s nervous system and paralyses it on contact, eventually killing the insect. This means the fleas will be paralysed before they get to bite your dog (1).

Overall, Advantage is one of the best spot-on treatments available when it comes to fleas, and one of the most popular worldwide too. If you choose to use it, make sure to get the right dosage for your dog (determined by weight). One dose will keep your dog protected for a month. For this reason, it’s a good idea to buy multiple doses at once. Luckily, Advantage is available in 4-packs and 6-packs too, and they are more affordable (and convenient) than buying a single dose every month. Safe for pregnant and lactating bitches as well as puppies older than 8 weeks.

What we love about this brand is that it is easy to use but very effective in removing fleas. We can see the results within hours of applying it to our dogs' necks.

Also, we recommend this for those who want painless flea protection for their dogs because it paralyses fleas before they bite your dog.

The NexGard chewables are another effortless option that will effectively get rid of any fleas on your dog - and keep them away. The dog needs to eat one chew each month, and they will be under full protection.

These soft tablets from NexGard are easy to chew and flavoured like beef. The added flavour is really a miracle. Even dogs who usually run away from tablets like they are the devil tend to chew these right up. Of course, there are always some picky eaters who will refuse, but mixing the chewable with food usually does the trick.

Compared to the previous brand, Advantage Spot-On, this flea treatment is orally taken, so it is effective regardless if your dog gets wet from playing and other activities that might remove the product when it is applied to their fur or skin.

Another good thing about these chewables is that no outside factors can affect the treatment. You don’t need to worry about other pets or children touching it, like with some flea collars, and water will not affect the effectiveness of the treatment.

What usually worries pet parents the most about this kind of treatment are possible unwanted reactions. There have, indeed, been some reports of NexGard causing seizures in dogs, but this is definitely an exception, and not the rule. Just watch your dog closely when first trying out NexGard and everything should be fine.

What we like about this brand is its easy-to-use feature. You just have to let your dog chew on it once a month, and then their good to go with flea protection for the whole month.

It’s hard to say which is the most effective flea treatment, considering our top three choices all involve different mechanisms, but the Seresto collar definitely earns its place in the top of the list. If you are looking for an effective and reliable collar to fight fleas, this is it. It’s one of the most popular choices when it comes to flea treatment and it’s made by a respectable pharmaceutical company (Bayer) so you know exactly what you are getting.

So why is the Seresto collar better than others? First of all, it acts fast. The first effects can be noticed within hours, and your doggo should be completely free of fleas within 2 days (at least according to the manufacturer).

In contrast to Advantage Spot-On and NexGard, the Seresto collar is a winner when it comes to the duration of its effectiveness. The first two options need a monthly application or intake to keep fleas away from your dogs. However, this brand offers protection that can last up to eight months.

The collar is water-resistant too and your dog can even swim with it, but if this happens often the collar might stop working before the 8 months expire.

What we like about this brand is its effectiveness. It can quickly kill fleas, so you can be confident that your dog will be free of fleas at least two days after they wore this collar.

We also like how our dogs do not have to eat it or put it directly into their skin because they only need to wear a collar that will serve as their flea protection.

Frontline is another respected name in the world of pest prevention for pets. The Frontline Plus spot-on treatment will keep your dog safe from fleas for one month. After this time, you’ll need to apply another dose. This treatment has been tested and it’s safe to use on puppies who are older than 8 weeks, as well as female dogs who are expecting offspring or lactating.

The difference between Frontline and the previous brand Seresto is that it can be used for puppies who are at least 8 weeks old. Seresto might be highly effective, but it also contains strong pesticides, which might not be advisable for puppies. This is where Frontline gets an advantage.

As we mentioned, this spot-on treatment is safe to use on puppies, provided that they are old enough (puppies younger than 8 weeks typically don’t need flea treatment as they don’t spend an awful lot of time outdoors). We find that Frontline is great for young dogs because it prevents fleas from even biting the dog’s skin - they will be paralysed before that happens thanks to the active ingredients. What this means, in practice, is that your dog will be at less risk from developing allergic reactions or dermatitis caused by the bites of the fleas.

Frontline Plus comes in single-dose tubes that you simply open and drop on your dog’s back. The liquid does not smell bad, dries out quickly, and becomes effective rather fast. After a day or two, you’ll definitely notice the effects.

What makes this product good is its consideration for puppies. Collars might not fit smaller dogs, so we recommend this brand if your dog needs a flea treatment but cannot eat a chewable or fit on a collar.

If you want to make your life easier and go with oral treatment for your dog, the Bravecto Chewable Tablets are a good option.  The active ingredient in these chewables is fluralaner, a broad-spectrum systemic insecticide. In Australia, it has been approved for treatment of fleas on dogs since 2015.

Compared to the previous options, this brand does not only get rid of fleas but also ticks and mites, which can also live in your dog's coat. This serves as a three-in-one protection for your dog, which is a great thing if your dog is also exposed to it.

The tablets work just like any oral flea treatment. Your dog needs to swallow the tab and within a day it will start killing existing fleas and preventing new ones from living in your pooch’s beautiful coat.

What makes Bravecto stand out among other comparable options is how long it stays effective. Most oral treatments protect your dog from fleas for only one month, but Bravecto does so for as long as 12 weeks. A single dose is a bit more expensive than competitors, but you only need four doses a year, which makes it a good investment.

What we love about this brand is its long-lasting effects and that it serves as a multi-protection for our dogs. It is a very efficient option for dog owners who needs an easy-to-use but highly effective flea treatment.

If you want to prevent fleas on your dog, a spray is really not the best solution. However, if your dog is already suffering from fleas, a spray like this one from Aristopet can be quite helpful.

What makes this brand unique among its competitors on this list is its usability for cats and dogs, which is an excellent option so you can use the same flea treatment on both. 

All you need to do to clear your dog of fleas is spray it on. Apply the spray to the fur thoroughly and be careful not to get it into their eyes. The fleas will die immediately. However, the spray won’t kill their eggs, nor prevent them from coming back in a couple of days. This is why a spray like this one is not a permanent solution, but it is a quick one in an emergency.

This spray is also great for households with multiple pets, since it’s safe for cats too. If you have multiple pets, or you worry your home has become infested with fleas, you can use this spray to treat your home too. Make sure to spray any areas where your pet spends a lot of time, especially the bed.

We love how we can use this to get rid of fleas in our pet's beds and homes because sometimes, cleaning won't be enough to eliminate them and avoid the possibility of re-infestation completely.

What Are Your Options When It Comes To Flea Control For Dogs?

So now we have gone through our top list and recommendations, what is the best dog flea treatment? This is difficult to answer because there are actually a few effective options. Which one is perfect for you and your dog will depend on your circumstances. Below, you can find the advantages and disadvantages of each form of flea protection.

Oral Medication

These days, you have multiple options to choose from when it comes to oral medication used for flea prevention and treatment in dogs. Oral treatment is a great option because it is the most convenient. All you need to do is get your dog to swallow or chew a tab approximately once per month (the timing depends on the product you choose).

The oral medication acts from inside your dog's skin. Once the fleas bite, they will come in contact with the active ingredients and die. These treatments are a good option for families with small children or multiple pets. This is because there is no risk of the treatment getting into the wrong hands (like a child playing with a poisonous flea collar, for example).

The most common issue pet parents find with this kind of treatment is the risk of unwanted effects such as vomiting or seizures. These kinds of things can happen with any kind of medication, but they are rare. For best results, consult with your vet and consider your dog’s medical history to determine what is the best flea treatment to use in your case.

Collars

Collars are a very practical option when it comes to flea treatment and prevention. In general, flea collars are effective for longer periods of time than other options. While spot-on treatments and oral medication usually need to be administered every month, a collar will usually last for at least 3 months (Seresto, for example, remains effective for up to 8 months).

Using a flea collar is as simple as it can be: you just need to put the collar on your pet’s neck and wait for it to do its magic. The most effective collars are those with pharmaceutical formulas that contain various pesticides. These are usually safe for dogs but kill or paralyse the fleas before they even touch your dog’s skin. The only downside of these treatments is the toxicity of the active ingredients for the environment (2). Those who prefer to keep it natural can also find some flea collars with only natural ingredients in the form of flea-repellent essential oils. While these can be a nice alternative, they are not guaranteed to be as effective as standard flea collars.

The main downside of flea collars is their toxicity if eaten. If you have multiple pets, a dog licking another dog’s collar is not something you want to happen. For this reason, a collar might not be the best idea if your dog interacts with young children either.

Topical Treatment

Topical treatments often also called “spot-on treatments”, work in a similar way to flea collars - but there is no physical collar involved. To apply a topical flea treatment, you just need to apply a couple of drops of the liquid provided to the back of your dog’s neck. Once the liquid has dried and been absorbed by your dog's skin, it will spread throughout their coat and keep them safe for at least a month.

Spot-on treatments are usually effective and easy to use. The only downside is the same as with flea collars:

Sprays, Shampoos, and Powders

The three options we talked about above are the most effective and most durable flea treatments. Besides these, you can find various shampoos, powders, and sprays that can kill fleas. Some of those are made to be applied to your dog's coat, while others are helpful for sanitising your home. However, these are usually one-off solutions, and won’t prevent fleas from returning.

This is not to say that flea shampoos, rinses and similar products are completely useless. If you are already facing a flea infestation, using those can help - but it’s not enough if you want to prevent the fleas from coming back.

My Final Say

When it comes to getting rid of fleas, you can choose from multiple strategies. The most convenient as well as the most effective are spot-on treatments and oral medications.

If you are looking for a spot-on, we highly recommend Advantage, a tried-and-true option that gets rid of fleas and keeps them away.

On the other hand, if you prefer oral medication, consider NexGard Chewables. They are among the most popular oral flea treatments that we have tried, and they taste good for dogs!

We hope this guide has helped you determine which flea treatment to get and free your pet from flea infestation.

For more related information check out our below guides:

• Best Tick Prevention For Dogs

References

1. Sorah, E., Allinder, M., Slater, B. December 23, 2020. “Imidacloprid for Removal and Control of Fleas on Dogs”. Today’s Veterinary Practice. Retrieved December 26, 2023. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/imidacloprid-for-removal-and-control-of-fleas-on-dogs/
2. Carrington, D. November 17, 2020. “Pet flea treatments poisoning rivers across England, scientists find”. The Guardian. Retrieved December 26, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/17/pet-flea-treatments-poisoning-rivers-across-england-scientists-find
3. Coates, J. April 11, 2023. “How to Choose the Safest Flea Treatment for Your Dog”. PetMD. Retrieved December 26, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/how-choose-safest-flea-treatment-your-dog
4. Donovan, J. March 7, 2019. “Treating and Preventing Fleas on Your Pet”. FETCH by WebMD. Retrieved December 26, 2023. https://pets.webmd.com/fleas-prevent-treat#1