What You Should Know About Flea and Tick Treatment in Pets
Controlling fleas, ticks and worms on your pet can be a frustrating experience but there are some steps you can take to not only keep your pet protected from parasites but to make sure your family and house are protected too.Ā
Fleas and ticks can transmit serious diseases to pets, making year-round prevention essential in Australia1. Itās important to find the right preventive treatment for your pet that works with their lifestyle. Always remember that dosage is important, and dog-specific medication cannot be used for your cat and vice versa.Ā
In this guide, weāll cover:
- Signs of fleas, ticks and worms
- How often you should treat your dog or cat
- The best flea, tick and worm treatments in Australia
- How to choose the right product for your pet
How to prevent fleas in dogs and cats
Fleas are some of the most annoying pests to deal with. They are small, jump, and breed quickly. Dogs and cats can pick up fleas from being outside and around other animals. If your family pet has fleas, it is likely that your yard or house will become a breeding ground so acting quickly is key to preventing the spread.Ā Signs your pet may have fleas include:
- Excessive scratching, biting, or licking
- Visible fleas on the fur
- Red or irritated skin
Ways to get rid of your pet fleas include:
- Kill the fleas with a topical preventative: Flea topical medications, such as Revolution, spread quickly between fleas, killing adults, and stopping new ones from hatching. Most fleas will be killed within a few hours, but it can take days for topical medications to have full effect. Pay attention to choosing the right formula for your pet as some work better than others and use it exactly as directed.
- Kill fleas with an oral preventative: While topical treatments will affect fleas directly, oral pills or chewables, like Bravecto or NexGard, work after fleas bite your pet.
- Wash your petās bedding in hot water every couple of days: Heat will kill any fleas and their eggs, but make sure to use chemicals and soaps that are pet-friendly and arenāt going to irritate the skin.
- Wash your pet using flea shampoo: Ask your vet the best shampoo for your petās fur and skin, especially if your pet has sensitive skin. While these shampoos might kill the fleas directly on your pet, they wonāt knock out the infestation in your home.
- Use a flea comb: Flea combs are a special comb that is fine enough to catch fleas. Have a bowl of warm soapy water handy to dunk them in once you comb them out. Continue to brush through your pet's fur for a few days to make sure the fleas arenāt reoccurring.
- Treat your home: Fleas can spread quickly, so use a pet-safe home spray or treatment to eliminate eggs and prevent reinfestation.
- Regular vet checkups: Vets can assess risk factors for fleas and other parasites based on your area and recommend preventative care, such as a monthly medication.
- Natural flea treatment: Itās important to not use any home remedies unless your vet directs you to do so. Your vet may recommend natural flea treatments to complement the other treatments.
- Maintain a consistent prevention routine: The most effective way to control fleas and other parasites is to use preventative treatments regularly, rather than waiting for an infestation to occur. Consistent use of spot-on treatments, oral chewables, or longer-lasting vet-administered options such as Bravecto Quantum, help provide ongoing protection tailored to your petās needs.
While many vet-approved flea treatments for dogs are generally considered safe, some pets may be sensitive to certain ingredients. The most suitable parasite prevention depends on your petās age, lifestyle, location, and overall health1. If you notice skin irritation or any signs of an allergic reaction, stop the treatment immediately and consult your veterinarian. Always inform your vet of any known sensitivities to medications or ingredients to help ensure the safest option for your pet.
How often should I treat my dog for fleas?
One of the most common questions pet owners ask is: how often should I treat my dog for fleas? In Australia, flea prevention should be a year-round routine, even during cooler months. Fleas can survive indoors and in mild winter climates, making consistent protection essential.
Most flea treatments for dogs and cats are given monthly, including spot-on treatments and oral chewables. However, some newer products provide extended protection for 3 months per dose, which can make parasite prevention more convenient for busy pet owners.
Always follow the product label and dose according to your petās weight. Giving flea treatment too late or skipping doses can allow reinfestation, especially in warm and humid parts of Australia where parasites thrive.
Consistent, year-round flea prevention in Australia is the safest way to protect not only your pet, but also your home from infestation.
What is the best flea, tick, and worm treatment for dogs and cats?
There isnāt necessarily a best treatment for all pets; the best flea, tick, and worm treatment for dogs and cats is one that works best for your lifestyle and petās life stage.Ā
There are many options to choose from when it comes to preventative treatments for your pet. Currently, some of the best on the market in terms of effectiveness and the latest research are chewable tablets that cover all parasites. These tablets are brands such as NexGard SPECTRA, Bravecto, and Simparica Trio.
| Product | Type | Coverage | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| NexGard SPECTRA | Oral Chew | Fleas, ticks, worms | Dogs and Cats |
| Bravecto | Oral / Topical | Fleas, ticks | Dogs and Cats |
| NexGard | Topical | Fleas, ticks | Dogs |
| Simparica Trio | Oral Chew | Fleas, ticks, worms | Dogs |
Ā
Different types of preventative treatments may suit your pet better than others:
- Tablets can be hard to give to cats as they can be quite fussy. You could try crushing a tablet into their food, but you will need to make sure your cat eats all their food and watch they donāt spit it out or eat around it. Topical parasite prevention treatments may be best in this case.
- If your dog likes to swim a lot, a tablet or chew may be a better choice, as even water-resistant products may lose their effectiveness in the water.
- Chew tablets can work well for dogs as they are flavoured and can be given as a treat. Otherwise, if your dog is fussy, you can crush up the tablet and hide it in their food.
- Spot on treatments are great for pets that wonāt take any tablets by mouth, but may not be a good idea if you have kids patting or cuddling the pet.
- Flea and/or tick collars may also pose a risk for children touching their pets and cause some skin irritation around your pets' neck.
If you live in a heartworm area, you might want to consider an annual dose of injectable heartworm prevention from your vet for your dog. This is a great choice if you think you will forget to give monthly heartworm prevention which is crucial for the health of your dog.
How do you prevent ticks?Ā
Ticks can be lethal parasites that feed on your petās blood and secrete toxins into their bloodstream. This can cause serious paralysis and can be fatal. Hot and humid weather is a breeding ground for ticks, especially in bushland or grassy areas. So, if you live in a hot and humid climate, such as Queensland, itās most likely ticks will be lurking around.
There are two major types of ticks that can cause significant harm to your pet ā the paralysis tick and the brown dog tick.Ā
What are the signs that my pet has a paralysis tick?Ā
Paralysis tick signs in a dog:Ā
These can include:
- A change in the sound of your dogās bark
- Retching or coughing that sounds like your dog is trying to clear their throat
- Weakness in the hind legs or an unsteady walk
- Rapid or difficulty breathing, open mouthed breathingĀ
If your dog is showing these signs, itās important to have them treated as soon as possible. Any delay puts them at greater risk of tick paralysis. Contact your veterinarian for more information and for the right treatment for your dog.
Paralysis tick signs in a cat:Ā
Cats display symptoms of disease rather than paralysis as an early detection sign. Catās might look more silent in action than usual, taking a few steps before lying down. Other important signs to watch out for are breathing or changes in breathing noise. If you can hear wheezing or asthmatic sounds, it could be an early sign of a deadly bite. If you notice these signs, it may be best to contact a vet as soon as possible to work out the possible cause.
Advanced stages of tick toxicity will have more noticeable walking and swaying difficulties. These signs include:
- Weakness in back legs which can lead to paralysis of all four legs
- Difficulty breathing
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting or heaving
- Excess salivation
- Difficulty swallowing
- Coughing often
- Panting like a dogĀ
Signs of worms in dogs and cats
Recognising the signs of worms in dogs and cats early is important, as intestinal worms can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Many symptoms of intestinal worms in puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats can be mistaken for other illnesses.
Common signs your pet may need a worming treatment for dogs or worming tablets for cats include3:
- Diarrhoea
- Weight loss despite normal eating
- Muscle wasting, especially in puppies
- Blood in the stool (fresh red blood or black digested blood)
- Weakness or lethargy
- Vomiting
- Change in appetite
- Inflammation or swelling around the rectum
- Worms visible in faeces or around the anus
- Scooting their bottom along the ground
- Pot-bellied appearance or swollen abdomen
- Coughing (can indicate roundworm migration or heartworm disease)
- Pneumonia-like symptoms
- Anaemia (pale gums, fatigue)
- Intestinal blockage in severe infestations
In Australia, regular worming treatment for dogs and cats is recommended to prevent common intestinal parasites, including:
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Tapeworms
If you live in a heartworm area, your dog should also receive monthly heartworm prevention or annual injectable heartworm protection from your veterinarian.
What is the cheapest way to get rid of fleas, worms and ticks?
Supermarkets might not be the cheapest place to buy products. Check out online pet suppliers such as us PetPA to find the best deals. Combination products such as NexGard SPECTRA can be cheaper than buying them separately, plus it will be more convenient to give one medication. However, the cost will largely depend upon ingredients, as newer and more effective flea and worm treatments are generally more expensive than older ones.
Make sure you always give the correct dosage of preventative treatments to your pet based on their weight and what works best for their lifestyle and health. If you have any further questions, our in-house veterinary team can help you find a method that works best for you and your pet. We offer the best products at the best prices when it comes to preventative treatments. For more information, visit our online shop.
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References:
- Smith, R.C., & Starkey, L.A. (2025). Whatās new with parasiticides for dogs and cats. Todayās Veterinary Practice. November/December 2025 issue. Published October 6, 2025.
Available at: https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/parasitology/parasiticides-for-dogs-and-cats/ - Myers, S., & Little, S. (2024). Top tips for managing home and kennel infestations with brown dog ticks. Todayās Veterinary Practice. March/April 2024 issue. Published February 12, 2024. Available at: https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/parasitology/top-tips-for-managing-home-and-kennel-infestations-with-brown-dog-ticks/
- Morrison, B. J. (2024). How to tell if your dog has worms: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention. PetMD. Published May 30, 2024. Available at: https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-has-worms