Get Advice from a Vet

ASK A VET
Veterinarian, DVM, MBA
Get free advice on diet, health, fitness, and wellness questions within 3 business days via email.

When Flea Preventatives Fail

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Back to results
Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Thank you! Your question has been submitted.

You will receive an answer from Dr. Lindsay and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.

All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.

It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Oops! Your question has not been submitted.

An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Got questions? Ask Dr. Lindsay & our Vet Team:

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Do these answer your question?
Showing of | See All
Have another question, or can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
Category

You're frustrated. You've bought your pet's flea medications, but your pet still has fleas! It's possible your flea preventative didn't work for the following reasons:

All pets in the house were not treated with flea preventatives

  • Fleas will undoubtedly attack all animals in the house.
  • Use a topical flea spray to immediately kill fleas, or consider Capstar which quickly works to kill adult fleas.

Your home and yard were not treated to kill fleas

  • Use a fogger, spray, or powder to treat furniture, carpet, and hard to reach areas inside the home.
  • Use a yard spray to treat outdoor areas.
  • Wash all pet bedding and blankets.
  • Vacuum all flooring.

Pet's skin is too dry

  • When using topical flea preventatives, adding a fatty acid supplement with Omega 3 may help improve your pet's skin health by restoring its softness and flexibility.
  • Healthy skin helps flea medication easily spread throughout the skin and increases effectiveness.

Topical flea preventative wasn't properly applied to pet's skin

  • Do not put topical flea preventatives on your pet's coat hair because this does not allow the medication to work through the skin.
  • Make sure you apply the medication to the skin on your pet's back in between the shoulder blades.
  • New flea preventatives are moving away from topical application and can instead be administered orally. It's less mess with improved effectiveness! Learn more about the benefits of oral flea preventatives.
Tip

To avoid skin irritation, do not rub the flea preventative solution into your pet's skin or hair.

We'll contact your Vet to verify.
4.9 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
$5 to $20 Off with code PETS
$37.99
$39.99
$57.13 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
$5 to $20 Off with code PETS
$7.59
$7.99
$11.41 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
$5 to $20 Off with code PETS
$17.73
$18.66
$26.66 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
4.9 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
$34.48
$49.26 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
4.2 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
$5 to $20 Off with code PETS
$63.63
$66.98
$95.69 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
3.7 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
$5 to $20 Off with code PETS
$49.39
$51.99
$74.27 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
$5 to $20 Off with code PETS
$122.72
$129.18
$184.55 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
$5 to $20 Off with code PETS
$30.39
$31.99
$45.70 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
4.9 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
$48.99
$69.99 Reg Price
Shop now