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Chewable vs topical flea/tick meds: Which is best and most affordable?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 1 year and 10 months old

What is better chewable tick and flea repellent or the topical tick and flea repellent? Also what is the cheapest brand that actually works?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Emily, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 6th, 2017

With oral prevention there are no issues with bathing/swimming interfering with the product's efficacy as well as they don't typically lose any effectiveness between doses compared to topical flea/tick medications. There are also more chances for errors in applying topical medications compared to oral medications. Topical medications also rely on the skin absorbing them appropriately which rarely doesn't happen. I can't comment on the cheapest effective brand as prices can vary among areas as well as certain products can be discounted as part of a promotion depending on a veterinary clinic, online pharmacy and store. However ineffective products in my experience include Hartz and most collars.

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    In my experience the most effective preventatives are the chewable, or the seresto collar. The chewable products are a bit more expensive than some of the topical products however. I use Nexgard on my own dog, and it lasts 1 month. There is a newer product called Bravecto (I haven't used it personally but know people who do like the product) that lasts for 2 to 3 months depending on the type of ticks in your area. The seresto collar lasts up to 8 months, so is probably the most cost effective of the products. https://www.petbasics.com/products/seresto/?WHGRedir=1

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