Dogs are one of the most beloved members of many families. In fact, some dog parents describe their pet as the apple of their eye. So, if such an important family member gets itchy and troubled, everyone becomes worried.
Pests like fleas and ticks are major reasons for your dog’s discomfort, and it is necessary to get rid of them as soon as possible. Therefore, you need to make pest control a daily routine to ensure a comfortable lifestyle for your buddy.
How Do the Fleas Attack?
Fleas are micro-organisms scientifically known as Ctenocephalides Canis. They are highly efficient organisms that feed on the blood of any creature that they land on. Dogs, cats, or even humans are not safe from fleas attacks. Normally, every dog owner faces a fleas attack at least once in their lifetime. Hence it is important to keep every house with a pet protected all the time.
Fleas are known for their impressive mode of transmission. As a matter of fact, no dog naturally develops fleas, but it transmits from one organism to another. In most cases, your pooch may develop fleas just by a mere rubbing with an infected pet. Once transmitted, the fleas take no time to lay eggs and develop a never-ending colony of these dangerous microorganisms.
Are you Safe from Fleas?
According to Dr. Sarah Marshal, fleas are very efficient in their mode of transmission. They don’t necessarily reside on the pet’s skin only but spread throughout the area whenever they get the chance. It means that once your dog develops fleas, it won’t take long before your whole house is swarming with these dangerous creatures.
Furthermore, fleas carry trap-worms which are dangerous for both humans and pets alike. Although these bacteria are not directly produced by the fleas but reside on the bodies. The fleas may even become airborne and be inhaled by either you or your children, which can be very hazardous. Therefore, it is very important to kill fleas on dogs because they spread any further.
What are Ticks?
If you thought fleas are the worst thing that can happen to your beloved dog, think again. Ticks are similar parasites to fleas but bigger in size and more dangerous. They are biologically known as Dermacentor Variabilis and can grow up to 1-inch when filled with blood. Ticks are more dangerous than fleas because not only do they suck blood and make the skin inflamed and itchy, but also they are the reason behind many diseases.
Ticks reside inside the dog’s fur and remain active on the skin as long as they live. These parasites dig their head in the blood vessels of your pooch and keep sucking blood until they are full. Moreover, ticks reproduce much faster than fleas. They can be caught by any living thing that comes in contact with an infected animal, including humans.
How to Know if My Dog Has Fleas or Ticks?
Unfortunately, Both fleas and ticks are dangerous, not only for the dog but for you and your kids as well. Therefore, it is essential to sanitize your dog using the best insect repellent for dogs like Nexgard or Frontline. However, before getting started with the Nexgard vs. Frontline plus reviews, it would be best to determine the cause of the dog’s discomfort.
Generally, the symptoms for both fleas and tick infestations are very similar and often hard to detect. But if you pay close attention, you can at least confirm that the fleas are the only reason behind that inflamed, itchy skin. Expert vets recommend looking for these symptoms as soon as the dog starts behaving strangely.
Scratching:
Fleas and ticks spend their whole lifespan in either reproducing, transmitting, or sucking out the blood from their host’s body. Blood loss is not as dangerous as the aftermath effects of these infestations. Both fleas and ticks bites leave the fluid on the skin that can usually cause itchiness on the body and inflamed sore skin. These conditions lead to abnormal scratching behavior by your dog, such as licking, biting, and scratching against the material.
Unfortunately, dogs use some other methods to ease out the itchiness, such as biting and shaking their body. These methods make it hard to pinpoint the exact cause of the itchiness, as fungus reactions are also responsible for such behavior in pets. Therefore, experts advise that as soon as you notice that the pet scratches and rubs his body against other things like a wall or table, contact your vet.
Hair loss:
Fleas and ticks live in the fur of your dog, which makes them hard to detect. Moreover, they feast on the blood until they are full and reproduce inside the same dog fur. The constant loss of blood and minerals makes the hair loose and weak. As a result, many dogs start losing hair very fast, which can be seen by noticing the hair lying around your house.
The only problem is that hair or fur loss is a common mechanism in many breeds of dogs. This especially makes it difficult to determine whether the hair loss is caused by fleas or caused naturally. However, suppose you know your pet well enough to distinguish between normal shedding and abnormal hair loss. In that case, this can be an effective symptom that something is seriously wrong with the dog.
Fever & Diarrhea:
Fleas and ticks are known to carry some dangerous microbes, such as trap worms. These bacteria are known to cause diseases such as fever and diarrhea if ingested either through the nose or mouth. Therefore, sudden and prolonged conditions are often linked with fleas attacks, if not improper food nutrition.
However, the same diseases are also produced when the dog has an allergic reaction to certain food. Therefore, if you are sure that the dog has not consumed anything to upset his stomach, there is a great chance that he has developed a severe fleas colony on his body. The same applies when there are ticks swarms in the fur of the dog feasting on his blood day and night. The best way to tackle such a situation is to contact your vet as soon as possible and inform him about the symptoms.
In any case, if either you or the vet discovers traces of fleas and ticks in the dog. It would be best to use pest controls from the top brands. Now, the question arises of which brand you should choose for your pet. One such reputed manufacturer of pesticides for dogs is Merial. Their most famous products are the Nexgard and Frontline. Both these products are effective in their own ways, and the failure rate is very close to zero.
| Feature | Frontline Plus | Frontline Gold | Nexgard | Nexgard Spectra |
| Ingredients | Fipronil (S) Methoprene | Fipronil (S) Methoprene Pyriproxyfen | Afoxolaner | Afoxolaner Milbemycin oxime |
| Consumption | Topical | Topical | Edible tablets | Edible tablets |
| Duration of effect | 24-48 hours | 24-48 hours | 24-48 hours | 24-48 hours |
| Suitable for | 8 weeks and older | 8 weeks and older | 3 months and old | 3 months and old |
Is Nexgard Better Than Frontline?
Now that you are sure that your pup is suffering from a condition of fleas and ticks. The next step is to determine whether to use Nexgard or Frontline for dogs. The answer is that both these medicines are effective in their own separate ways. The effectiveness depends on how regular you are and whether the dog’s body accepts such medical remedies.
Firstly, Frontline is one of the oldest remedies for pests in dogs prescribed by vets for many years. It can effectively disable the nervous function of the parasites, thus killing them as soon as they come in contact. Moreover, you don’t even need a prescription to get this pesticide because it is readily available from the market.
On the contrary, Nexgard is more of a newer product that works in the same way as its predecessor, but the method of consumption is different. Apart from this, Nexgard also disables the nervous system of the fleas and ticks as soon as it is consumed. This prevents the micro-organisms from sucking anymore of the blood or reproduce.
In both cases, the fleas and ticks ultimately die of starvation, and the whole colony is destroyed due to lack of movement for several hours. Therefore, it is difficult to tell in the Nexgard vs. Frontline plus reviews which one is better than the other. It is because the decision depends upon whether or not your dog is capable of utilizing the active ingredients inside these pesticides.
Nexgard Review:
The most powerful line of products by Merial is the Nexgards. These are oral medications available in the form of tablets. These tablets are based on similar to older pesticides but carry the added protection of Milbemycin oxime, which is the only known repellent of heartworms. Thus, Nexgard is the most advanced type of pest control that you can give to your dog and make his life comfortable again.
Nexgard and Nexgard spectra are both readily available by most vets. The only problem is that you need a prescription to get your hands on these tablets. The Nexgard tablets take up to 24 hours after ingestion to begin their effect. The active ingredient in Nexgard for dogs allows it to easily get dissolved in the bloodstream. When consumed by the parasite, these effective chemicals disable the whole nervous system of the pests and make them completely vulnerable to death.
Furthermore, these tablets are not to be consumed on a daily basis. You only need to make a regular routine to provide a suitable dose of Naxgard tablets to your dog every month. After that, the active ingredients remain in the bloodstream for up to 30 days to keep your beloved pup protected from those evil parasites throughout the month.
Pros of Nexgard:
- Nexgard is the only known repellent of heartworms in dogs. Heartworms are highly toxic and can cause many diseases in dogs if consumed by any means.
- Nexgard requires no drying period after consumption, and you can let the dog move about freely right after the dose.
- Nexgard remains in the bloodstream for up to 30 days and thus keeps your dog protected throughout the month.
- There is no restriction on bathing, and you can use any preferred conditioner without having to worry about the effect of the medicine fading.
- Nexgard is available in a variety of different flavors that make it easier to ingest the dog with medication.
- Nexgard has no smell, and thus your house remains free from bad odor as caused by other pest repellents.
- Nexgard is effective against all types of ticks and fleas, so you don’t have to worry about the mutants when treating your dog.
Cons of Nexgard:
- Nexgard can develop allergic reactions in some dogs, such as diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms are hard to deal with on your own, and you need to contact a professional in case you experience such conditions.
- Nexgard is only available after vet prescription, and you can’t get it directly from a medical store without a checkup.
- These tablets are consumed orally, which makes it difficult to extract from the dog in case he develops an allergic reaction. You have to wait for the effect to pass, and the dog may face difficulties in eating, which makes Naxgard fairly difficult to handle.
- Nexgard is not suitable for young puppies as it contains strong chemicals which may cause dangerous effects on underdeveloped dogs and puppies.
Side effects of Nexgard:
Nexgard contains a chemical pesticide that may be intolerable by some dogs. Your dog may be allergic to these active ingredients that lead to several complications. To ensure that it’s safe for your furry friend, consult with your vet. The list of direct side effects includes some serious hazards that may weaken the overall immune system of the dog. These side effects include:
- lack of energy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- itching.
- decreased appetite
- Inflammation
In rare cases, NexGard may also cause seizures. Dogs with a seizure history should not take the medication. This ensures that your furry remains safe. It would be best to consult with your vet before using these tablets.
Frontline Review:
Frontline is the oldest pest control medication that you can get. It is fairly easy to use and has very few side effects. Apart from that, the mode of function of these pesticides is very similar to the Nexgards. Frontline is topical pest control that needs to be applied directly on the skin of the dog. The active ingredients of Frontline start being absorbed by the sebaceous glands after it gets dried out. However, the drying period takes up to 8 hours before you can let the dog roam freely again in the house.
Once absorbed, the pest-controlling ingredients are then slowly released from the skin throughout the time period. These ingredients, when consumed by the parasites, disable their movement, feeding, and reproduction process. As a result, you can easily get rid of the dead fleas by combing and brushing the fur regularly for a few days.
However, Frontline has a unique smell that irritates both the dog and the people around him. Therefore, you need to ensure that no kid touches the dog for at least 8 hours after medication. Furthermore, you also need to prevent the dog from licking, biting, or even scratching his body. It is because if the medicine gets in the stomach, it can lead to some serious health complications that may require immediate vet consultation.
Pros of Frontline:
- Frontline is unique in the fact that it can provide a broader range of protection against different types of pests. It means that you don’t need any additional medication after Frontline to prevent any further attack by fleas and ticks.
- It can take care of flea eggs, larvae, ticks, two different species of lice, and skin mites. As a result, Frontline plus vs. frontline gold both offer the same protection that you get from any other pesticide in the world.
- The Frontline is very easy to apply and doesn’t require any professional help to get the job done. However, it would be best to use gloves and a mask when putting the topical solution on the dog. Otherwise, there is a risk that you may inhale some of the infestations from the dog and become sick.
- Frontline is readily available from the market, and you don’t need a prescription to purchase these products.
- There are two active ingredients in Frontline Fipronil and Methoprene. These ingredients are effective against a number of different pests and provide protection for the whole month on single-use.
- The Frontline is waterproof after it dries out in 8 hours. After that, you can perform the routine cleanliness of the dog without having to worry about losing the protection.
- In case of an allergic reaction, you can easily remove the applied topical medication from the skin just by bathing your dog in warm water and using soap.
Cons of Frontline:
- Some types of fleas are mutant, likes the American fleas. It means that the Frontline is outdated for them and has no effect on those parasites.
- Frontline has an irritating odor that compels the dog to bite and lick his own skin. As a result, some of the medicine may enter the body through the mouth and can produce allergic reactions.
- You need to keep the dog locked until the medicine dries out, or else it is a potential danger for both humans and other animals.
- The dog may continue to experience bacterial growth after the Frontline as it doesn’t offer protection against heartworms and some other kinds of bacteria.
- Frontline is only suitable for puppies who are older than 8 weeks. Using the product on infant puppies may lead to serious compilations because their skins are not as strong to handle the active ingredients.
Side Effects of Frontline:
The list of side effects for Frontline is smaller than the rest. It is because this pest control is more physical than bloodstream-related. However, some cases reported that the dogs may develop allergic reaction like:
- Itchy skin
- Inflammation
- Soreness
- Twitching eyes
- Frequent licking and biting
Other than that, Frontline has far lesser side effects. However, you need to keep the dog under strict supervision until the medicine dries out. Otherwise, the dog may ingest the medicine and become a victim of diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
Which Is Safer?
Frontline has a smaller list of side effects which makes it safer in terms of allergic reactions and other complications. However, Nexgard provides better protection even against mutant fleas. Hence it helps develop a stronger immunity system. In any case, the comparison between Frontline plus vs. Nexgard remains balanced because both have their own sets of pros and cons.
Overall, Nexgard provides better immunity and protection against even the advanced types of parasites. Moreover, it is easy to use and doesn’t require any extra care after consumption. On the other hand, Frontline is easy to apply, doesn’t require any professional prescription, and you can quickly get rid of it in case of an allergic reaction.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use Nexgard and Frontline together?
No! it may lead to overdose and create severe medical complications. Both Nexgard and Frontline contain some powerful active ingredients that perform the same task. Overdosing may damage the bloodstream and skin cells.
What is the best topical flea medicine for dogs?
Frontline Gold is the better option as it clears out more types of parasites than the other topical medicines.
Which is better, medicine topical or oral?
Topical medicines have lesser side effects than the lower. Moreover, they are easy to remove if the dog experiences any allergic reactions. On the other hand, oral flea medicines are more advanced and clear, even the mutant type of parasites.
How long does it take the flea medicine to effect?
Typically, flea and tick medicines start acting within 4 hours, but the actual effect begins only after 24 hours of medication.
Which flea medicine to use on 8 weeks old puppy?
Frontline should be used to prevent flea and other parasites on infant puppies. Oral medication should be avoided as their digestive system is not yet strong enough.
Conclusion:
To sum it up, both Frontline and Nexgard are effective medicines against fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Frontline is more on the safe side, while Nexgard provides better, more advanced protection. Therefore, you should know your dog’s condition and consult a vet before using any of these products on your beloved puppy.
