Are you trying to find the best flea & tick medicine for your Bochi?
It’s easier said than done because it isn’t just different brands you need to consider. There are different types of treatments:
- Topical: a solution that’s applied to the back of your dog’s neck. It’s absorbed through their skin to kill and repel fleas and ticks.
- Oral: a chew, pill, or tablet given to your dog to eat. Once it’s in the dog’s bloodstream, it kills and repels fleas and ticks.
- Supplements: usually a treat-type product that doesn’t contain medication but has natural remedies to repel fleas and ticks.
There are plenty of reasons to be vigilant about flea & tick prevention. For example, these parasites often carry Lyme disease, worms, and others that can make your pet ill if they receive a bite. In addition, your dog will be much more comfortable if he isn’t being bitten!
I’ve tried to find the best of each type of medicine to give you an idea of what will work for your dog. However, please pay special attention to the recommended weight for each medication since your Bochi may weigh more or less than average!
7 Best Flea & Tick Medicines for Bochis:
#1. Bravecto Chews
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Bravecto Chews are a great flea & tick medicine for Bochis. They’re soft and easy to chew, and the meaty flavor appeals to most dogs. Although they’re the most expensive on the list, you can’t beat this product in terms of convenience.
While most oral flea & tick medicines are given once per month, Bravecto Chews last for THREE months, the longest of any product on our list. So, you can have the peace of mind that comes with protecting your pet without worrying about their medication each month.
It’s important to remember that Bravecto Chewables should NOT be given to puppies under 8 weeks old, dogs that weigh less than four lbs, or dogs with a history of seizures.
How it works:
- Fluralaner kills fleas & ticks through the dog’s blood. It’s effective against adult fleas, Lonestar Ticks, Deer Ticks, American Dog Ticks, and Brown Dog Ticks. However, it loses effectiveness against Lonstar Ticks at about eight weeks.
Positives:
- Given every three months instead of monthly.
- Soft, chewy treat that most dogs like.
Negatives:
- Expensive – Bravecto chews are the most expensive option on our list.
- Some dogs might not like the taste or texture.
#2. Nexgard Chewables
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Nexgard Chewables are the most popular flea & tick medicine for Bochis.
These beef-flavored chewable treats are given once per month and kill and prevent fleas and ticks. It’s expensive, but most people who use this product agree that the cost is worth the convenience and safety Nexgard provides.
One of the main reasons to use an oral flea and tick medication instead of a cheaper topical one is to protect other pets in the home. Unfortunately, some topical flea and tick medications are toxic for cats! If you have felines in your home, then you definitely want to use a medicine that is ingested, like Nexgard.
This is the product we use with my dog, Bennie, and although it’s effective, he doesn’t love the taste. We cover it in peanut butter, and that seems to help. 🙂
It’s important to remember that Nexgard Chewables should NOT be given to puppies under 8 weeks old, dogs that weigh less than four lbs, pregnant or nursing dogs, or dogs with a history of seizures.
How it works:
- Afoxolaner kills fleas & ticks through skin contact. It’s effective against adult fleas, Lonestar Ticks, Deer Ticks, American Dog Ticks, and Brown Dog Ticks.
Positives:
- Oral chews are safer to use around cats and small children than topical medications.
- Most dogs like the beef flavor of this chewy treat.
Negatives:
- Expensive – one of the most expensive options on our list.
- Some pickier dogs might not like the taste or chewy texture.
#3. Bravecto Topical Solution
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If you prefer a topical flea & tick medicine for your Bochi, this treatment is perfect! To prevent and kill fleas and ticks, Bravector Topical Solution is applied to the back of your dog’s neck once every three months.
Bravecto comes in a single-dose applicator tube, which makes giving your dog their treatment easy and convenient. This option is less expensive than most of the oral flea & tick medicines available. And one thing I love about this option is you don’t have to apply it nearly as often as other topical treatments (three months vs. one month).
It’s important to remember that Bravecto Topical should NOT be given to puppies under 8 weeks old, dogs that weigh less than four lbs, or dogs with a history of seizures.
How it works:
- Fluralaner kills fleas & ticks through skin contact. It’s effective against adult fleas, Lonestar Ticks, Deer Ticks, American Dog Ticks, and Brown Dog Ticks. However, it loses effectiveness against Lonstar Ticks at about eight weeks.
Positives:
- Topical flea & tick medicines are less expensive than oral chews.
- Bravecto is given every three months instead of monthly.
Negatives:
- This is the most expensive topical flea & tick medicine on our list.
- Topical solutions can be dangerous for cats or children. In addition, they aren’t a good option if your dog is prone to licking the medicine.
- Some dog owners report that topical solutions can cause skin irritation.
#4. Frontline Plus
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Frontline Plus is a great option for Bochis if you like the convenience of a topical solution, but the cost of Bravecto Topical is too high.
Frontline Plus is given once per month and applied to the back of your dog’s neck. Like other topical flea & tick solutions, it’s dangerous for cats and can pose a risk to children. If you have cats or young kids, it may be better to choose an oral medicine.
It’s also important to remember that Frontline Plus should NOT be given to puppies under 8 weeks old.
How it works:
- Fipronil kills adult fleas & ticks through the blood. It’s effective against adult fleas and Brown Dog Ticks, American Dog Ticks, Lone Star Ticks, and Deer Ticks.
- (S)-methoprene kills flea eggs & larvae.
Positives:
- The single-use application makes giving your dog their treatments easy and convenient.
Negatives:
- Topical solutions can be dangerous for cats or children and aren’t a good option if your dog is prone to licking at the medicine.
- Some dog owners report that topical solutions can cause skin irritation.
#5. K9 Advantix II
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K9 Advantix II is a popular topical flea & tick medication for Bochis.
This formula kills and repels fleas and ticks, but it also repels mosquitos, an added benefit for dogs that like the outdoors! The solution is applied to the back of your dog’s neck and is waterproof. Each treatment lasts a month before the solution needs to be re-applied.
Like other topical solutions, K9 Advantix II might not be the best option if you have cats or small children because the ingredients can be dangerous. It’s also important to remember that K9 Advantix should NOT be given to puppies under 7 weeks old.
How it works:
- Imidacloprid kills adult fleas & lice through blood.
- Permethrin kills ticks & mosquitos through blood. It’s effective against Brown Dog Ticks, American Dog Ticks, Lone Star Ticks, and Deer Ticks.
- Pyriproxyfen kills flea eggs & larvae through skin contact.
Positives:
- The single-use application makes giving your dog their treatments easy and convenient.
- K9 Advantix II also repels mosquitos.
Negatives:
- Topical solutions can be dangerous for cats or children and aren’t a good option if your dog is prone to licking at the medicine.
- Some dog owners report that topical solutions can cause skin irritation.
#6. PetArmor Plus
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If you’re searching for the CHEAPEST flea and tick medicine for your Bochi, take a look at Pet Armor Plus.
This medication contains the same active ingredient as Frontline Plus but at a much cheaper cost. Pet Armor Plus comes in easy-to-use individual applicator tubes and is applied once per month. It kills and repels ticks, fleas, and their eggs and larvae.
Pet Armor Plus is great for dogs, but it shouldn’t be used around cats because the ingredients can be harmful or even fatal. It’s also important to remember that Pet Armor Plus should NOT be given to puppies under 8 weeks old.
How it works:
- Fipronil kills adult fleas & ticks through the blood. It’s effective against adult fleas and Brown Dog Ticks, American Dog Ticks, Lone Star Ticks, and Deer Ticks.
- (S)-methoprene kills flea eggs & larvae.
Positives:
- The single-use application makes giving your dog their treatments easy and convenient.
Negatives:
- Topical solutions can be dangerous for cats or children and aren’t a good option if your dog is prone to licking at the medicine.
- Some dog owners report that topical solutions can cause skin irritation.
#7. Pet Honesty Flea & Tick Defense
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Do you want an ALL-NATURAL flea and tick medication for your Bochi?
If so, the Flea & Tick Defense supplement from Pet Honesty is a great product. Instead of using chemicals or medications to treat and prevent pests, this supplement chew contains ingredients that naturally deter fleas and ticks. For example, fatty acids from coconut oil and garlic help prevent pests, and brewer’s yeast provides B vitamins to support your dog’s immune system.
Keep in mind that this supplement won’t kill fleas and ticks, and it might not prevent all infestations. However, this tasty chew is great for health benefits and provides an extra layer of protection against pests WITHOUT using medications.
How it works:
- Coconut oil repels pests, including fleas & ticks.
- Brewer’s Yeast contains B-vitamins to support the immune system.
- Garlic repels pests, including fleas & ticks.
Positives:
- Cost – these supplements are much less expensive than other flea and tick treatments.
- Ingredients are all-natural, including things you can likely find in your kitchen.
Negatives:
- This supplement is given daily, making it a more time-consuming option than others on our list.
- Not as effective as traditional flea & tick medications.
Important information on flea & tick medication:
- Some of the medicines on this list require a prescription from your veterinarian before you purchase them. However, even the ones that don’t require a prescription still have powerful medication for flea & tick prevention. It’s important to always talk to your vet before you give your dog any medication or supplement, including all of the ones on this list.
- One important reason to talk to your vet about these medications is that there are possible side effects for your dog. For example, some dogs have reactions that range from vomiting and diarrhea to fever or even seizures. Talking to your vet will ensure you know what to expect and when to seek help.
Important information on other flea & tick treatments:
- Other flea & tick treatments like sprays, flea shampoo, and powders can be used to treat an existing infestation. These products are not preventative, though. To make sure your dog is as protected as possible, you should use a medication like one of the ones above.
- Flea collars used to be the gold standard for preventing flea infestations. However, they’ve fallen out of favor because they have some important flaws. For example, they’re less effective than other treatments, and they can cause skin irritation.
- If you find that your dog has been infested with fleas or ticks, don’t forget about your pet’s bedding and other areas where they spend time. You should spray a fabric-safe flea spray and thoroughly vacuum any areas that your dog visits.
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What kind of flea & tick medicine do you use for your Bochi?
Let us know in the comments below!