Mar Vista Animal Medical Center

3850 Grand View Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066

(310)391-6741

www.marvistavet.com

Tick Product Comparison

american dog tick

American Dog Tick
Dermacentor variabilis
Vector of: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

(Photo credit: Jerry Kirkhart via Wikimedia Commons)

Brown Dog Tick

Brown Dog Tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Vector of: Ehrlichiosis


(Photo credit: CDC Public Health Image Library)

Lone Star Tick

Lone Star Tick
Amblyomma americanum
(note the "star" on the belly),
Vector of: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

(Photo credit: CDC Public Health Image Library)

Dear Tick or Black Legged Tick

Deer Tick or Black-legged tick
Ixodes scapularis
Vector of: Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi),
and Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma platys)

(Photo credit: Public Domain Graphic,
Agricultural Research Service, USDA)

 

Confused about tick protection? This FAQ compares the currently available tick control products to assist you in determining which is right for your situation. These are products made by reputable major pharmaceutical companies and most are available only through licensed veterinarians. Because there are 19 different products compared in 15 different categories, we have split up the information into 3 separate tables:

 

Table 1:

Tick killing ingredient; Format (topical, oral, collar or spray); For dogs or cats; Approved against which ticks; Youngest age or size approved for use; How long one application lasts

Table 2:

Waterproof or water resistant; Approved for pregnancy or lactation (nursing); How long until maximum effect against ticks is reached; Other parasites killed, controlled or repelled; Other active ingredients

Table 3:

Prescription Drug or Insecticide, Toxicity/LD 50, Manufacturer & product web site, Additional Cautions

TABLE 1

Tick Killing Ingredient

Format

For dogs or cats?

Approved against which ticks

Youngest Age Approved

How long One Application Lasts

K9Advantix II, Paradefense for dogs, Provecta for dogs

Permethrin

Topical

Dogs only

all shown above

7 weeks and 4 lbs

1 month

Resultix

Isopropyl Myristate

Spray

Dogs and Cats

all shown above

Not specified by label

Not meant as a lasting product

Revolution, Paradyne, Revolt, Selarid

Selamectin

Topical

Feline product available but not labeled against ticks

American Dog Tick only

6 weeks

1 month

Revolution Plus

Selamectin and Saralaner

Topical

Cats

Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma maculatum

8 weeks and 2.8 lbs

1 month

Scalibor Collar

Deltamethrin

Collar

Dogs only

Brown Dog Tick, American Dog Tick, and Deer Ticks

12 weeks

6 months

Preventic Collar

Amitraz

Collar

Dogs only

all shown above

12 weeks

up to 90 days

Effitix

Fipronil & Permethrin

Topical

Dogs only

all shown above

12 weeks

1 month

Frontline Gold

Fipronil

Topical

Dogs and Cats

all shown above

8 weeks and 5 lbs

1 month

Frontline Shield

Fipronil & Permethrin

Topical

Dogs only

all shown above

9 weeks and 5 lbs

1 month

Fiproguard, PetArmor, EasySpot (cats), Parastar (dogs), Effipro (cats), Ectoadvance Plus

Fipronil

Topical or spray

Dogs and Cats

all shown above

8 weeks

1 month

Vectra 3D, SimpleGuard 3*, FirstShield Trio*

Permethrin

Topical

Dogs only (feline product does not include a tick ingredient)

all shown above

7 weeks and 2.5 lbs

1 month

Catego

Fipronil

Topical or spray

Cats Only

all shown above

8 weeks and 1.5 lbs

1 month

Activyl Tick Plus

Permethrin

Topical

Dogs only

all shown above

8 weeks and 4 lbs

4 weeks

Bravecto Chew

Fluralaner

Oral

Dogs only

all shown above

6 months and 4.4 lbs

12 weeks (8 weeks for lone star tick)

Bravecto Topical

Fluralaner

Topical

Dogs and Cats

American Dog ticks, Deer ticks

6 months and 2.6 lbs

Deer ticks: 12 weeks,
American Dog ticks: 8 weeks

Bravecto Plus

Fluralaner

Topical

Cats Only

American Dog ticks, Deer ticks

6 months and 2.6 lbs

2 months

Nexgard

Afoxolaner

Oral

Dogs only

all shown above

8 weeks, at least 4 lbs

1 month

Simparica

Sarolaner

Oral
(flavored chewable)

Dogs

American Dog tick, Brown Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick and Gulf Coast Tick (not shown)

6 months

1 month

Simparica Trio

Sarolaner

Oral

Dogs

deer tick, Lone star tick, Gulf coast tick, American Dog tick, Brown dog tick

8 weeks, 2.8 lbs

1 month

Seresto

Flumethrin

Collar

Dogs and Cats
but each has own product

all shown above

7 weeks old and 18 lbs for dogs,
10 weeks for kittens

8 months (5 months if pet swims or bathes once a month or more), 30 days for lice

Credelio

Lotilaner

Oral

Dogs

all shown above

8 weeks, at least 4.4 lbs

35 days

Credelio Feline

Lotilaner

Oral

Cats

Black Legged ticks (deer ticks)

6 months (younger for fleas)

1 month

 

 

TABLE 2

Waterproof or water resistant?

Approved for Pregnancy and Lactation?

Time to Reach Maximum Effect

Other parasites controlled or repelled:

Other active ingredients:

K9Advantix II, Paradefense for dogs, Provecta for dogs

water resistant

No

98% dead within 48 hours

fleas, flies, mosquitoes

imidocloprid

Resultix

Not meant as a lasting product

Not specified by label

kills ticks within 3 hours

Toxic to fish and to invertebrates

Inert

Revolution, Paradyne, Revolt, Selarid

water proof

Yes

48 hours

ear mites, fleas, sarcoptic mange mites, heartworm

none

Revolution Plus

Selamectin is waterproof, suralaner is water resistant

No

Ixodes scapularis ticks: ≥93.3% effectiveness 48 hours post re-infestation for a month. Amblyomma maculatum: ≥91.6% effectiveness 48 hours post-infestation for a month. Dermacentor variabilis: At 72 hours post-infestation, ≥93.5% effectiveness for a month.

fleas, hookworms, roundworms, ear mites, heartworm

none

Scalibor Collar

water resistant (remove collar for bathing)

Not specifically labeled against, veterinary consultation recommended

2 - 3 weeks

fleas killed, flies and mosquitoes repelled

none

Preventic Collar

water resistant (remove collar for bathing)

Not specifically labeled against, veterinary consultation recommended

100% dead in less than 24 hours

none

none

Effitix

water resistant

no

By 9 days after treatment killed at least 98% of 4 species of ticks

fleas, kills and repels mosquitoes

none

Frontline Gold

Waterproof but wait 24 hours before bathing or swimming

Yes

24 - 48 hours

fleas, chewing lice

methoprene, pyriproxyfen
(both are flea sterilizers)

Frontline Shield

Waterproof but wait 24 hours before bathing or swimming

Not specifically labeled against, veterinary consultation recommended

24 - 48 hours

fleas, chewing lice, flies, mosquitoes

methoprene
(flea sterilizer)

Fiproguard, PetArmor, EasySpot (cats), Parastar (dogs), Effipro (cats), Ectoadvance Plus

waterproof

Yes for topspot, no for spray

24 - 48 hours

fleas

methoprene in Frontline Plus, Fiproguard Plus, PetArmor Plus and Ectoadvance Plus

Vectra 3D SimpleGuard 3*, FirstShield Trio*

water resistant

no

98% dead within 48 hours

fleas, flies, mosquitoes

dinotefuran, pyriproxifen (former kills fleas, latter sterilizes them until former product kills them)

Catego

water resistant

no

98% dead within 48 hours

kills fleas and lice

dinotefuran, pyriproxifen (former kills fleas, latter sterilizes them until former product kills them)

Activyl Tick Plus

waterproof (wait 24 hours before swimming/bathing)

no

98% dead within 48 hours

fleas

indoxacarb (kills and sterilizes fleas)

Bravecto Chew

waterproof

yes

88% in 4 hours, 100% in 12 hours

fleas

none

Bravecto Topical

water resistant

no

deer ticks: >94% dead in 48 hours
American Dog Ticks: >98% dead in 48 hours

fleas

none

Bravecto Plus

has not been evaluated

no

deer ticks: >98.1% dead in 48 hours
American Dog Ticks: >90% dead in 48 hours

fleas

moxidectin

Nexgard

waterproof

no

24 hours to 100% tick kill

fleas

none

Simparica

Waterproof

no

>99% ticks dead in 48 hours when applied to a dog with ticks, >96% ticks dead in 48 hours when new ticks attach to a treated dog

fleas,
Sarcoptic mange mites

none

Simparica Trio

Waterproof

no

>99% ticks dead in 48 hours when applied to a dog with ticks, >96% ticks dead in 48 hours when new ticks attach to a treated dog

fleas

Moxidetin and
Pyrantel pamoate

Seresto

water resistant

no

within 48 hours (after that new ticks killed within 6 hours)

chewing lice (dogs only)

none

Credelio

Waterproof

no

>97% ticks dead within 48 hours

fleas, Demodectic Mange Mites, Sarcoptic Mange Mites

none

Credelio Feline

Waterproof

no

>97% of ticks dead within 72 hours

Fleas, Ear mites

none

 

 

TABLE 3

Prescription Drug or Insecticide?

Toxicity/LD 50
(what is LD 50?)

Manufacturer & product web site

Additional Cautions

K9Advantix II, Paradefense for dogs, Provecta for dogs

insecticide

Imidacloprid Dermal Dose: >5,000 mg/kg in rats Imidacloprid Orally: 450 mg/kg in rats >4,000 mg/kg in rats for Permethrin

Bayer
CAP IM Supply, Inc.
CAP IM Supply, Inc.

Permethrin is toxic to cats, use feline product only for cats. Avoid cat/dog snuggling.

Resultix

Insecticide

> 5,050 mg/kg

Bayer Animal Health

Do not spray near eyes.
Do not use on irritated skin

Revolution, Paradyne, Revolt, Selarid

prescription drug

>1,600 mg/kg in rats

Zoetis

Dog should test negative for heartworm before using

Revolution Plus

prescription drug

Selamectin: >1,600 mg/kg in rats.  Sarolaner: LD50 in rats, for skin exposure is >2020 mg/kg. Product doses are typically <100mg per dose.

Zoetis

Caution in cats with concurrent neurologic disease, adverse reactions can rarely include: lethargy, tremors, appetite loss, seizures. Wash hands after using product, as it is irritating to your eyes.

Scalibor Collar

insecticide

oral LD 50 for dogs is 300 mg/kg, the dermal LD 50 in the rat is greater than 2,940 mg/kg

Merck

Deltamethrin is toxic to cats. Avoid cat/dog snuggling.

Preventic Collar

insecticide

> 2,000 mg/kg in rats for Amitraz

Virbac

Amitraz is associated with an assortment of drug interactions, check with your vet. Also, collar is toxic if swallowed.

Effitix

insecticide

Fipronil Dermal Dose: >5,000 mg/kg in rats: Fipronil Orally: 750 mg/kg in rats; >4,000 mg/kg in rats for topical Permethrin

Virbac

Canine product cannot be safely used on cats

Frontline Gold

insecticide

Fipronil Dermal Dose: >5,000 mg/kg in rats Fipronil Orally: 750 mg/kg in rats Methoprene Orally: >34,600 in rats (virtually non-toxic)

Boehringer Ingelheim

none

Frontline Shield

insecticide

Fipronil Dermal Dose: >5,000 mg/kg in rats Fipronil Orally: 750 mg/kg in rats Methoprene Orally: >34,600 in rats (virtually non-toxic)
>4,000 mg/kg in rats for Permethrin

Boehringer Ingelheim

Permethrin is toxic to cats

Fiproguard, PetArmor, EasySpot (cats), Parastar (dogs), Effipro (cats), Ectoadvance Plus

insecticide

Fipronil Dermal Dose: >5,000 mg/kg in rats Fipronil Orally: 750 mg/kg in rats Methoprene Orally: >34,600 in rats (virtually non-toxic)

Sentry Fidopharm Novartis Novartis Virbac
Virbac

none

Vectra 3D SimpleGuard 3*, FirstShield Trio*

insecticide

>2,400 mg/kg in rats for Dinotefuran, >4,000 mg/kg in rats for topical Permethrin

Ceva

Permethrin is toxic to cats, use feline product only for cats. Avoid cat/dog snuggling.

Catego

insecticide

Fipronil Dermal Dose: >5,000 mg/kg in rats Fipronil Orally: 750 mg/kg in rats;
>2,400 mg/kg in rats for Dinotefuran

Ceva

none

Activyl Tick Plus

insecticide

Indoxacarb is inert in the mammal body, > 4,000 mg/kg in rats for Permethrin

Merck Animal Health

Toxic to cats

Bravecto Chew

prescription drug

Dermal LD50: >2000 mg/kg (rat), Oral LD50: >2000 mg/kg (rat)

Merck Animal Health

none

Bravecto Topical

prescription drug

Dermal LD50: >2000 mg/kg (rat), Oral LD50: >2000 mg/kg (rat)

Merck Animal Health

none

Bravecto Plus

prescription drug

Fluraner: Dermal LD50: >2000 mg/kg (rat), Oral LD50: >2000 mg/kg (rat)
Moxidectin: 106 mg/kg orally

Merck Animal Health

May promote seizures in cats already predisposed to seizures. Adverse reactions can include: lethargy, tremors, appetite loss.

Nexgard

prescription drug

LD50 > 1000 mg/kg in rats

Boehringer Ingelheim

May promote seizures in dogs already predisposed to seizures. Adverse reactions can include: lethargy, tremors, appetite loss.

Simparica

prescription drug

approx 783 mg/kg in the rat (over 300 times the therapeutic dose in the dog)

Zoetis

Should not be used in dogs with known seizure disorders, wash hands after using product. Adverse reactions can include: lethargy, tremors, appetite loss.

Simparica

prescription drug

approx 783 mg/kg in the rat (over 300 times the therapeutic dose in the dog)

Zoetis

Should not be used in dogs with known seizure disorders, wash hands after using product. Adverse reactions can include: lethargy, tremors, appetite loss.

Seresto

insecticide

imidacloprid dermal dose: >5,000 mg/kg in rats
Imidacloprid orally: 450 mg/kg in rats, flumethrin: ld50 oral rat (male) 258 mg/kg, ld50 dermal rat > 150 mg/kg

Bayer

Safety features of collar present so that collar breaks off if caught

Credelio

prescription drug

>2000 mg/kg in rats

Elanco

History of seizures, must give with food. Adverse reactions can include: lethargy, tremors, appetite loss, seizures.

Credelio Feline

prescription drug

>2000 mg/kg in rats

Elanco

History of seizures, must give with food. Adverse reactions can include: lethargy, tremors, appetite loss, seizures.

   

Prescription drug or insecticide; LD50 (lethal dose to 50% of the population); Manufacturer and product website; Additional cautions

As of spring 2011, Pfizer has discontinued the manufacture of Promeris (active ingredients: amitraz and metaflumizone)
As of 2016, Merial stopped production of Frontline Tritak. (active ingredients: fipronil, cyphenothrin or etophenprox, methoprene)

* VCA Animal Hospitals and Banfield Pet Hospitals market some products under their own hospital private label, made by the same manufacterer as the original product. It is the same product (made by the same manufacturer) but with a different name.

 

The Pet
Web Library

Pharmacy
Center

Flea Product
Comparison

Heartworm
Comparison

 

For general tick information including how to remove ticks, U.S. maps showing prevalence of tick-borne disease, and other general information, please visit:     www.dogsandticks.com

Page last updated: 2/7/2024