Finding the best dog tick treatments for getting rid of the pesky parasites should be a vital part of your dog grooming kit. While treating them for such things isn’t a glamorous part of pet ownership, regular tick treatments are crucial for maintaining your dog’s health and well-being.
Ticks can usually be found in wooded areas, grassy fields and shrubbery so if your dog loves outdoor adventures in the countryside or in forests or even simply has walkies in those types of environments, you’ll want to be checking and treating your pup for ticks regularly. Ticks are a threat to dogs because they carry serious diseases including Lyme Disease, Babesiosis and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV), which can make your dog and you very poorly indeed. Most of the time, you can get combined tick and flea treatments for dogs to protect against both pests but it’s important to spot the signs your dog may need treatment.
Best dog tick treatments at a glance:
• Best overall: FRONTLINE Spot On Flea & Tick Treatment – View on Viovet
• Best spot-on dog tick treatment: Bob Martin Clear Flea & Tick Treatment – View on Amazon UK
• Best subscription dog tick treatment: Itch Spot-on Flea, Tick & Lice Treatment – View on Itch Pet
If you’ve noticed your dog excessively scratching or grooming themselves, specifically around their head, neck or ears, your dog could have ticks. A quick inspection of their fur should confirm this to you if you spot bugs that have a flattened oval-shaped body with around eight legs attached to your dog’s skin. It's important to remove them with a tick remover, whether they're dead or alive as while they're still attached to your pup, there's a chance your dog can still get infected. The best dog tick treatments are ones that are applied directly to the skin as they'll get to work fast.
Of course, you don’t have to wait until your dog has ticks to start treatment. Just like flea shampoos and other treatments, dog tick treatments are also preventative so even if you’re not spotting the bugs in their fur, administering frequently can stop them from setting up camp on your dog’s skin to begin with. Here are some of the best dog tick treatments available to buy online.
Best dog tick treatments
Best overall
Fontline/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Find ticks and fleas gone within 48 hours with the FRONTLINE Spot On Flea & Tick Treatment. Coming highly recommended by vets, it's one of the reasons why FRONTLINE is much loved by pet owners across the country. Available in pack sizes of three and six for small, medium, large and extra-large pooches as well as cats, it'll help reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases infecting your furry friend.
Customer review: "It is an ideal flea treatment and it deals with ticks too. No expensive vet visits as it so easy to use"
Pros
- Frontline is recommended by vets, so you know you're giving the best option to your dog
- Gets rid of ticks, lice and fleas
Cons
- You need to make sure you're getting the right dosage
Best spot-on dog tick treatment
Bob Martin/Amazon UKSpot-on treatments are widely favoured for eliminating ticks from dogs, and Bob Martin is one of the best out there. It provides tailored spot-on treatments for different dog sizes, plus Bob Martin also has flea and tick sprays and fumigation kits to offer, ensuring you're fully protected against these troublesome parasites throughout your home, too. We've provided a link to the medium dog spot-on kit, suitable for 10-20kg dogs, though options are also available for small and large dogs.
Customer review: "Great product have lived in the country and the city with my dog and have only once or twice in her lifetime had any ticks that were stuck in. Will continue to use. The price here goes up and down a lot so sometimes Amazon is by far the cheapest sometimes it's about the same as supermarkets that stock it."
Pros
- Variety of sizes for different breeds
- Suitable for dogs over eight weeks old
Cons
- Reviews are mixed on the effectiveness of the product
Best subscription dog tick treatment
Itch Petwww.itchpet.com
One of the hardest parts of administering dog tick treatments is the actual remembering to do it in the first place part. That's where a subscription such as Itch comes in handy as it'll be delivered straight to your door when your dog's next dose is due. The Itch Spot-on Flea, Tick & Lice Treatment kills ticks within 48 hours, dramatically reducing the chances of them transmitting a nasty infection.
Customer review: "They do all the leg work for you, and that little splat as the box hits the doormat is the loveliest of gentle reminders to keep my pup healthy. for forgetful pup-mamas/papas, Itch is the best. I can't imagine life without it."
Pros
- Can be delivered on a subscription basis but can also be a one-off purchase too
- Tick, flea and lice treatment all in one
Cons
- Price varies per size of dog
Best dog tick treatment for number of treatments
Beaphar/AmazonWith six pipettes of treatments per pack, the Beaphar FIPROtec Spot-On packs are great value for money. Fipronil is an active ingredient and will kill ticks within 48 hours so it is a fast working formulation. It can be used on dogs from eight weeks of age weighing between 10-20kg so you can use the treatment from the get-go to ensure your pup is adequately protected.
Customer review: "We live in a rural area, with sheep, cattle and a wide variety of wild life around us. The unfortunate result is that fleas and ticks are in abundance. I mean, it's nice to see Badgers, foxes, squirrels and a host of other critters, but the regular infestations of our dogs is tiring. We've used several different products over the years, most of which no longer work. Either the bugs are getting resistant or the manufacturer is cutting ingredients to maximise their profits. Whatever the case, it is a struggle to find a product that works that costs less than a car these days. Okay, sarcasm, but the price is getting ridiculous.
"This product, while not the cheapest on the market, does in fact work precisely as it describes. Within 24 hours, whatever livestock has tried to make a home on our dogs is dead. It keeps them livestock free for a good amount of time as well. Which is more than I can say for some of the big-name brands. We are happy, the dogs are happy, the infestations are dead. Perfect result. Will definitely be buying this again as summer is the worst time for bugs and parasites. Still, it's easy to apply, works extremely well, and doesn't cause the dogs any distress. I can't ask for more than that."
Pros
- Six treatments per pack
- Can be used from eight weeks
Cons
- Mixed reviews on the effectiveness as a flea treatment
Best dog tick treatment for ease of application
Effipro/Pet Drugs Onlinewww.petdrugsonline.co.uk
With a unique drop-lock pipette, the Effipro Duo Spot-on Flea and Tick Treatment ensures precise fingertip control throughout the application so you're getting the treatment exactly where you need to. Containing a combination of pyriproxyfen and fipronil, it eliminates fleas as well as ticks and prevents flea eggs from developing into adult fleas for 12 weeks. It's available for large and medium dogs, as well as the small dog kit we've linked to.
Customer review: "Always use this and not had any ticks or fleas on our yorkie!"
Pros
- Comes with four pipettes of treatment per packet
- Easy application
Cons
- Protection against ticks could be as long-lasting as it is for fleas
Best dog tick treatment for long-lasting results
Vectra/Pet Drugs Onlinewww.petdrugsonline.co.uk
With a formula that kills and repels ticks for up to one month after application, the Vextra 3D Spot-On Flea and Tick Treatment is great for long-lasting protection. It prevents attachment by acting directly on your dog's coat without the need to infiltrate blood flow. Not only is it good for getting rid of ticks, but the Vextra treatment will stop fleas, sandflies, mosquitoes and stable flies from being a problem too.
Pros
- Gets rid of and repels ticks
- Simple to use applicator
Cons
- Not suitable for use on cats so you may need to be careful applying this treatment to your dog if you also have cats in your home
Best dog tick treatment collar
Seresto/Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
There's no need to remember monthly treatments with the Seresto Flea and Tick Control Collar for Dogs, it continuously works to provide seven to eight months of application per wear. Using an advanced polymer system, the collar's active ingredients are slowly released at low doses onto your dog's skin and coat to help keep them protected. The ingredients will then work to repel and kill ticks, reducing the transmission of tick-borne diseases.
Customer review: "My spaniel was picking up ticks nearly every walk. Stopped getting them as soon as we put the collar on. The ones he had died off and dropped off within a few days of wearing it."
Pros
- Repels and kills ticks
- Seven to eight months protection per collar
Cons
- Collar needs to be worth continuously for the protection to be there
How does dog tick treatment work?
Dog tick treatments contain active ingredients, such as fipronil or permethrin, which are designed to target and kill ticks after contact. These treatments won’t work instantly to get rid of an infestation but within a day or two after treatment, you should notice that any ticks that were attached to your dog start to drop off.
If they haven’t dropped off, it’s a good idea to remove them yourself to reduce the chances of any diseases being passed. Although, Sam Cole, Brand Manager at Pet’s Choice, who produces Bob Martin flea and tick treatments, says you need to be careful while doing this. “Never attempt to burn, cut or pull off a tick with your fingers as this can leave an area open to infection. If you discover a tick, you can use a tick removal tool to twist and lift the tick off entirely, including the head.”
What do ticks look like?
The Blue Cross describes ticks as grey-brown egg-shaped, blood-sucking creepy crawlies. They have six or eight legs (depending on life stage), making them look spider-like, and vary in size from about 1mm to 1cm long. Ticks can look small at first and get bigger and darker as they fill with blood.
Here’s a photo to give you a rough idea of what you’re looking for when you're using a dog brush to comb through or using your hands and inspecting their fur for a tick infestation.
How to apply tick treatment for dogs:
Tick treatments for dogs come in two different types. You can get them as tablets that you can give to your pooch hidden in their food or a treat or you can get spot-on treatments that are applied directly on your dog. When choosing a spot-on treatment, it’s important to make sure you’re applying it properly or it may not be as effective, and you’ll be dealing with those pesky ticks for longer.
All dog tick treatments should come with application instructions but if you’re not sure where to start Pet Drugs Online have this step-by-step guide on how to apply spot-on flea and tick treatments.
Open your pipette
Each company will provide a pre-dosed pipette for you, and their opening mechanics vary. Some may have a simple screw top, while others snap at the end. Open the pipette as instructed by the manufacturer and have it ready.
Hold your pet
When applying a spot-on treatment, it’s important you have your pet stay still to ensure a precise and effective application. Small dogs can easily be held in your lap while administering a spot-on. However, for larger breeds, try to have them sitting or lying down somewhere you can still hold them so they can’t easily get up and run away.
Pick the perfect spot
Spot–ons should be applied to a spot on your dog's back where they can’t reach and lick it, typically at the very base of their neck or between their shoulder blades.
For larger dogs, the treatment may need to be administered intermittently down your pet’s spine in multiple bursts towards the base of their tail to ensure maximum administration. This will be outlined in the datasheet provided with your chosen treatment.
Sometimes for small dogs, there may be too much liquid in the pipette for one spot application without any runoff, so applying in two spots at the base of the neck and between the shoulder blades is recommended.
Part your pet’s fur
Spot-on flea treatments are only effective when applied directly to your pet’s skin, not the surrounding fur. This can be a little tricky with longer-haired pups, but it’s important you make sure you can see your pet’s skin before attempting to apply a spot-on. Try wetting your fingers before parting their fur to help slick them back more easily so you can see their skin.
Squeeze the treatment out of the pipette
This will deposit the treatment on your pet’s skin, where it can be absorbed and begin working as it should.
Release your pet and immediately wash your hands
It can be tempting to want to rub the treatment in to ensure it’s being absorbed, but this is not necessary.
Once you’ve applied the spot-on treatment, make sure you allow it to dry fully before stroking your pet. If you have a multiple pet household, be sure to keep an eye out for group grooming as a pet licking a spot-on treatment can result in side effects, such as excessive salivation.
Sam Cole, Brand Manager at Pet’s Choice, reminds us that when applying tick treatment for dogs, it's also important to always read the instructions in the pack and double check you have the right dose for your dog and their size.
How often do dogs need flea and tick treatment?
How often your dog needs flea and tick treatment depends on the type of treatment you’re using as some need to be applied more frequently than others. Generally, treatments are often applied between one and three months to help prevent re-infestation.
Why is my dog still getting ticks after treatment?
We asked Sam Cole why your dog might still be getting ticks after treatment.
“If you’re still getting ticks after treatment, make sure you are applying the treatment correctly and consistently according to the instructions, as it may not be as effective.
“Ticks can be present in various outdoor areas, such as parks, hiking trails, or your garden so even with treatment your dog may still encounter ticks in these environments. Regularly check your dog after outdoor activities and remove ticks promptly to help reduce the risk.”
“After an infestation, it’s important to wash your pet’s bedding and vacuum the entire house. You’ll want to discard the vacuum contents in a sealed bag as well as use a home flea spray to treat your pet’s bedding, carpets and other soft furnishings to stop your pet from becoming reinfected.”
If you just can't seem to get rid of your dog's ticks, you should contact your vet as they'll be able to advise on the best next steps.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.