As any dog owner will attest, fleas are a nuisance. They irritate and can cause illness in your dog. They can infest the house and they can cause the telltale red rash on family members and visitors. They can take months to shift, as you attempt to beat the fleas themselves and combat their eggs and larvae.
There are many potential solutions to the flea problem, but with choices that include spot-on pipettes, topical sprays, and tablets, as well as household sprays, flea collars, and more, getting the right flea treatment is often a case of trial and error until you find something that works. Below, we have written reviews of ten of the best flea treatments for dogs in the UK so that you have somewhere to start your fight against flea infestations.
A Quick Comparison of Our 2022 Winners
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Frontline Spot On Flea & Tick Treatment |
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Best Value
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Beaphar FIPROtec Spot On Medium Dog 6 Pipettes |
|
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Premium Choice
 |
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Virbac Indorex Household Spray |
|
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 |
Johnsons Dog Flea & Tick Collar |
|
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 |
ProGroom Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo |
|
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The 10 Best Flea Treatments For Dogs in the UK
1. Frontline Spot On Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs – Best Overall
| Treatment type: | Spot On |
| Minimum age: | 8 weeks |
| Doses: | 6 |
Frontline Spot On is a topical flea and tick treatment and our top choice for best flea treatment for dogs. To use spot-on treatments, you separate the hair at the back of the dog’s neck and then squeeze the contents of the pipette onto the skin. The active ingredient spreads via the animal’s skin and sets to work killing fleas within 24 hours of application. Choose the spot-on treatment that matches the size of your dog and ensure that you follow instructions on how to apply it properly, to get the best results.
Frontline not only starts to kill fleas within 24 hours, but it kills ticks within 48 hours. A single pipette offers protection for up to one month, which means that one pack containing 6 pipettes should be enough to offer 6 months of protection. The pipettes are easy to apply, as long as you can convince your dog to stay still for a minute, but you need to avoid petting your dog for 48 hours after application and it can leave a somewhat sticky residue on the skin that attracts other dogs and cats to lick the application area.
- 6 months’ supply
- Kills ticks as well as fleas
- Easy application for most
- Leaves a sticky residue
- Need to prevent others licking the area
2. Beaphar FIPROtec Spot On Medium Dog 6 Pipettes – Best Value
| Treatment type: | Spot On |
| Minimum age: | 8 weeks |
| Doses: | 6 |
Beaphar FIPROtec is another spot-on treatment that shares several similarities with the Frontline. It includes 6 pipettes, each offering a month of protection for a total of 6 months’ protection. It uses the same active ingredient, fipronil, which also kills ticks as well as fleas, and it is a spot-on treatment that is applied between the shoulder blades at the back of the dog’s neck.
It can be used on any dog over the age of 8 weeks, but you do need to buy the treatment that is appropriate for your size of dog to ensure that you offer the right level of treatment. It is worth noting that some dogs can react to flea treatments, so you should keep an eye on your dog for 72 hours after application and seek veterinary help if a rash presents. Beaphar’s spot-on treatment is inexpensive and comes with enough for 6 months of treatment, making it the best flea treatment for dogs in the UK for the money.
- Cheap
- 6 months of treatment
- Easy application
- Can leave a sticky residue
- Avoid petting your dog for 24-48 hours after
3. Virbac Indorex Household Spray Dog Flea Treatment – Premium Choice
| Treatment type: | Household spray |
| Minimum age: | NA |
| Doses: | 500ml |
One of the reasons that fleas are so challenging to overcome is because of the lifecycle of the flea. Fleas lay eggs in bedding, on carpets, and elsewhere around the house, so killing fleas on the dogs themselves only delays reinfection. The most effective flea treatment requires a careful multi-pronged attack and can incorporate a household spray like Virbac Indorex.
Virbac claims that Indorex will kill and prevent egg development for 12 months. It is not for use on your pet but should be sprayed on carpets and flooring, furniture, and even on skirting boards and other surfaces. Use the spray daily for seven days to get full coverage and enjoy full protection. A 500ml can should be enough to treat a full three-bedroomed house but you will need to keep pets out of treated rooms for two hours because permethrin can be toxic to cats.
- Prevents reinfestation for up to 12 months
- Odor and taste-free
- Can be toxic to cats
- Takes a lot of work to spray every inch of the house
- Quite expensive
4. Johnsons Dog Flea & Tick Collar
| Treatment type: | Collar |
| Minimum age: | 3 months |
| Doses: | 1 |
The Johnsons Dog Flea & Tick Collar is a preventative collar that is worn around the neck and that gives off a flea-killing chemical that kills adult fleas and aims to prevent eggs from hatching. The collar uses a chemical called dimpylate and because this is coated around the plastic collar, it can smell strong at first before fading away and leaving minimal to no chemical on the collar after a few weeks or months. Johnsons claim that the collar works for a minimum of four months.
To use, cut the collar down to size and leave it on for the duration of protection that it affords. You can always place the cut-off sections behind cushions for a little extra protection. The collar is cheap, but its effects do wear off quite quickly, and not all owners enjoy success with this type of anti-flea product. Also, the collar is plastic and can become worn and ugly, quite quickly.
- Cheap
- Provides 4 months of protection
- Not the best looking collar
- Chemical wears off over time
- Not all dogs are comfortable wearing a collar
5. ProGroom Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
| Treatment type: | Shampoo |
| Minimum age: | |
| Doses: |
ProGroom Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo combines colloidal oatmeal with a host of vitamins, minerals, and other natural ingredients. It helps to detangle fur and it soothes dry and itchy skin. It is not strictly sold or marketed as a flea treatment, but it does have antifungal and antiparasitic properties, which means that it can kill off fleas and their eggs.
At the very least, this bottle of shampoo will leave your dog looking healthier and it will provide them with a shinier and healthier coat, and it can help combat fleas especially when combined with other anti-flea treatments.
- Natural and organic
- Antiparasitic, antifungal shampoo
- Not strictly a flea treatment
- May require additional anti-flea products
6. Capstar Dog Flea Treatment Tablet
| Treatment type: | Tablet |
| Minimum age: | 4 weeks |
| Doses: | 6 |
The active chemical, Nitenpyram, is fast-acting and will kill adult fleas within 30 minutes of administering the tablets. A single tablet will work for 24 hours, and once the tablet has taken effect, you can use a spot-on or other treatment to get rid of eggs and to prevent reinfestation. The tablets can be given again after 24 hours, according to how serious the problem is, and the tablet can be given with or without food.
The tablets are fast-acting, with owners reporting that they see the fleas falling off their dog within an hour, but they do only combat live, adult fleas, which means that the eggs and larvae will likely cause reinfestation to occur quickly on your dog.
- Act quickly to kill adult fleas
- Can be taken with or without food
- Don’t work against eggs and larvae
7. Advantage Spot On Dog Flea Treatment
| Treatment type: | Spot On |
| Minimum age: | 4 weeks |
| Doses: | 4 |
Advantage Spot On Flea Treatment is another spot-on application. Spot ons are popular because they are easy to apply and the chemicals in the treatment are spread around the dog’s coat without having to spray or wash the dog. Choose the treatment that matches the size of your dog and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper coverage.
This packet contains four pipettes, each offering protection for up to a month, which means that a single pack will last for four months. As well as fighting fleas, Advantage Spot On Flea Treatment also helps ward off lice, providing your dog with total comfort and protection.
- Fights ticks and fleas
- Protects for up to 4 months
- Leaves a sticky residue
8. Virbac Effipro Spot On For Large Dogs
| Treatment type: | Spot On |
| Minimum age: | 8 weeks |
| Doses: | 4 |
Spot-on treatments are applied between the shoulder blades at the back of the dog’s neck. Not only does this position help ensure that the chemical is disseminated efficiently across the dog’s coat but it also prevents the dog from being able to get to the treatment and lick it off. However, you do still need to prevent other dogs and cats in the household from licking at the area.
The treatment can be harmful if ingested, so you will need to keep an eye on all household pets and ensure that kids don’t rub the area, for a minimum of 24 hours after the treatment has been applied. The area may look sticky for a few days afterward, too, but you should avoid cleaning or wiping it away. Effipro is quite expensive compared to some other spot-on treatments but if you have tried several different brands, to no avail, it is worth giving this one a go.
- Easy spot-on application
- Suitable for 8 weeks and older
- A bit more expensive than other spot on treatments
- Leaves a sticky residue
9. Nature’s Healing Powder Natural Sources Dog Flea Treatment
| Treatment type: | Flea Spray |
| Minimum age: | |
| Doses: | 100g |
Nature’s Healing Powder Natural Sources is a natural flea spray that is made from diatomaceous earth powder and is free from chemicals and other emulsifiers and bulking agents. It can be applied directly to your dog or to its bedding and other fabrics around the house and will kill adult fleas while also dealing with eggs and flea larvae. It is safe to use around cats, dogs, and children.
To apply to pets, use a fine-tooth comb and brush it through their coat. Use once a week for at least four weeks to ensure full coverage and protection. Alternatively, apply the spray directly to your pet’s bedding, furniture, and carpets in your home, to prevent infestation. The flea spray is reasonably priced and provides a natural alternative to the chemicals used in other solutions. However, it needs regular reapplication and will not prove as effective against heavy infestations.
- Natural alternative to chemical-based formulae
- Inexpensive
- Safe for dogs, cats, and kids
- Not as strong as other solutions
- Requires regular reapplication
10. Bob Martin Clear Flea Bomb Home Fumigation Kit
| Treatment type: | Flea Bomb |
| Minimum age: | |
| Doses: | 1 can |
The Bob Martin Clear Flea Bomb is a home fumigation kit that is described as fast-acting and effective for household treatment. A single application will kill fleas and prevent reinfestation for up to three months. The flea bomb is relatively easy to use: remove from the box, take off the seal and lid, and ignite the wick.
The flea bomb is considered very dangerous to aquatic life so do not use it in rooms with aquariums or water-dwelling pets. It is advised that you leave the bomb to work for two hours after ignition. To prevent headaches and nausea, you should leave the room vacant and consider opening windows to allow the chemicals to leave the room.
- Will tackle all fleas in a room
- Fast acting
- Can cause headaches
- Toxic to aquatic life
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Flea Treatment for Dogs
Fleas are small, blood-sucking insects. They live on pets but also reside on cushions, in carpets, and other locations around the home. They are irritating and potentially dangerous to your pets, and they can cause bite marks and rashes on humans, too. If you or a pet suffers from a flea allergy, their presence can be especially dangerous. Generally, dogs with long hair are more likely to suffer infestations, but almost any dog breed can be home to fleas. Read on to your treatment options and to find out which is the best option for your dog and your home.
Types Of Flea Treatment
There are numerous types of flea treatment available, each with its own pros and cons.
- Spot On – The spot-on treatment has become one of the most popular application methods. The chemical comes in a pipette. The user cuts or snaps the end of the pipette and applies it to the skin at the nape of the dog’s neck. The chemical is then spread around the dog’s coat, providing full coverage across the dog’s body, and ensuring that all fleas and flea eggs are effectively killed. Spot-on treatments are usually applied every month. They do leave a sticky residue and you need to avoid touching the treated area for at least 24 hours.
- Flea Spray – Spot-on treatments aren’t always the best option. They can be strong and because they are applied to a single area, can lead to irritation or allergic reaction. Standard flea sprays can be made from the same chemical as a spot on, but they are sprayed on the dog to kill off adult fleas and eggs.
- Room Spray – As well as sprays that are suitable for applying directly to the dog, there are room sprays. These kill fleas, eggs, and larvae on cushions and in carpets, where they live and can be difficult to tackle. Follow instructions on the spray and avoid entering the room for a period of one or two hours after application. Room spray can be combined with a topical spot-on to combat adults and eggs but be sure to follow the instructions on both types of flea treatment.
- Shampoo – Shampoo can do a good job of killing some fleas on a dog’s fur and it can sympathetically soothe any itching and pain caused by flea bites. However, shampoo is not usually the most effective solution when used on its own and it needs to be combined with another topical solution to get the best results.
- Tablets – Tablets are commonly used to get rid of a major infestation before you use a spot-on topical treatment. They work quickly and tend to kill off existing fleas within 24 hours of the tablet being given to your dog. Tablets are usually given daily or every other day until the live fleas are eradicated and a spot-on topical treatment can be given.
- Collar – Flea collars were once the chosen flea treatment of dog and cat owners but have become less popular in recent years. The collar is usually coated in a chemical or may contain an amount of a chemical, that kills fleas. The effect can wear off over time and not all dogs are comfortable wearing what are usually plastic and quite rigid collars.
Conclusion
Most owners find the best results come when combining two or more flea treatments. Spot on and topical applications yield the best results but can be harsh, so you will have to find an alternative if your dog has endured a negative reaction to this kind of treatment.
The ever-popular Frontline Spot On treatment is popular for a reason with good results and a reasonable price tag. We also found Beaphar Fiprotec to be an inexpensive treatment that can yield good results. Hopefully, our reviews of the best flea treatments for dogs in the UK have helped you find the solution that’s best for your dog and your home.
Featured Image Credit: Chutima Chaochaiya, Shutterstock
Contents
- A Quick Comparison of Our 2022 Winners
- The 10 Best Flea Treatments For Dogs in the UK
- 1. Frontline Spot On Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs – Best Overall
- 2. Beaphar FIPROtec Spot On Medium Dog 6 Pipettes – Best Value
- 3. Virbac Indorex Household Spray Dog Flea Treatment – Premium Choice
- 4. Johnsons Dog Flea & Tick Collar
- 5. ProGroom Natural Oatmeal Dog Shampoo
- 6. Capstar Dog Flea Treatment Tablet
- 7. Advantage Spot On Dog Flea Treatment
- 8. Virbac Effipro Spot On For Large Dogs
- 9. Nature’s Healing Powder Natural Sources Dog Flea Treatment
- 10. Bob Martin Clear Flea Bomb Home Fumigation Kit
- Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Flea Treatment for Dogs
- Conclusion
