A flea-and-tick shampoo used with a flea comb costs between $20 and $40 per year, depending on the size of the dog. Shampoos and combs are mainly used for killing or removing adult fleas already on a pet, and have little residual activity.
A weekly flea dip or a monthly oral flea prevention pill combined with a tick collar costs between $40 and $150 per year, depending on the size of the dog. Dips kill adult fleas and have some residual activity, but can be messy since they must be mixed with water. Pills generally do not kill adult fleas, but keep flea larvae form developing.
A topspot flea and tick control product administered monthly costs between $150 and $200 or more per year, depending on the size of the dog. This type is by far the most popular because it prevents both fleas and ticks -- and sometimes other pests -- and is safe and easy to use. It also kills adult fleas and prevents new larvae from developing.
PetEducation.com[1] offers a rundown of the types of products available and their uses and advantages.

Related articles: Dog Food, Dog Grooming, Owning a Dog

What should be included:

DrsFosterSmith.com[2] provides a description of the active ingredients in various flea products, and how they work.

Additional costs:

If a dog already has a flea problem, the house or apartment and must be treated to kill the insects and larvae, too. This involves washing or vacuuming the pet's bedding and cleaning carpets. Sometimes, the home must be fogged by a professional exterminator. HealthyPet.com[3] has a guide to getting rid of fleas.
Tip: Check with your veterinarian before treating your home and yard. Too much of the same chemical -- on the pet and in the home -- or combining the wrong treatments can cause health problems, and some dog flea products are toxic to cats. DrsFosterSmith.com[4] provides product compatibility and safety information.

Discounts:

Tip: It is possible to buy prescription flea and tick medicine online for a discount, but thoroughly check out the company first, and only buy from a business that requires a prescription from a veterinarian who has examined your dog. DrsFosterSmith.com[5] and VetCentric.com[6] are licensed veterinary pharmacies that will deliver medications, but VetCentric.com works only with customers whose veterinarians have established a relationship with the pharmacy.

Shopping for dog flea control:

HealthyPet.com[7] has a guide to choosing and using flea control.
The most popular brands of topspot flea and tick control products are Revolution[8] , Advantage and Frontline[9] . While all of these products are applied to the dog's skin, each has a different active ingredient and slightly different features. VeterinaryPartner.com[10] provides a chart that compares features of the most popular brands of topspot flea and tick control products. The site also provides a look at common over-the-counter flea preparations[11] .
Flea and tick preventative or treatment can be purchased at DrsFosterSmith.com[12] , PetSmart.com[13] or PETCO.com[14] .
Consider avoiding products that contain organophosphates, which might cause health problems in pets and children. The Humane Society of the United States has a guide on how to choose safe products.

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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Seresto

Amount: $60.00

Posted by: Rhonda Jolly in Colonial heights, VA.	Posted: April 27th, 2018 11:04AM
Breed: Terrier mix	Type: Dogs 20 to 45lbs

Seresto collars are the best hands down. The collars are not sticky or smelly. They are grey and do not even look like a typical flea collar. To me it's a lot safer than dealing with chemicals that could potentially harm my kids me or my dog. It's the only flea prevention that lasts for 8 months. 1 collar lasts the entire spring and summer. I think every pet parent should give it a try!