Puppy Flea Treatment, Control and Prevention

The minimum age of flea medication for puppies varies by product. It’s important to always check the product information for the minimum age and weight for the product to be used.

Fleas can cause skin disease and they can also transmit infectious or parasitic diseases, some of which are a risk to people too. That’s why it’s important to keep on top of flea control for puppies.

In general, the options for puppy flea treatments will be the same as treatments for fleas in adult dogs.

• Chewable flea treatments: NexGard^® for Dogs and NexGard SPECTRA^® for Dogs are highly effective chewable flea treatments that kill fleas within 6-8 hours of administration. Adult fleas are killed before they can lay eggs which helps to prevent flea infestations in the environment. It is recommended to treat monthly to keep your pet and home flea free. NexGard can be used in puppies from 8 weeks of age and from 2 kg bodyweight. NexGard SPECTRA can be used from 8 weeks of age and from 1.35 kg bodyweight.
• Flea powder and shampoos: Instead of using old-fashioned treatments like flea powder or flea shampoos, it’s best to use an effective and proven flea treatment such as NexGard for Dogs or NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs.
• Flea spray: A flea and tick spray called Frontline^® Spray is available that can be used in puppies from two days of age. For more information visit https://frontlinepetcare.com.au/
• Natural flea treatment: There is a lack of evidence on the safety or effectiveness of using natural remedies to treat flea infestations. Please speak to your vet if you have questions about the most appropriate options for parasite control for your puppy.

In addition to using a product that is highly effective at killing fleas, such as NexGard^® for Dogs and NexGard SPECTRA^® for Dogs, general recommendations to control flea infestations include:

• Discard all flea infested items (e.g., bedding) where practical.
• Vacuum regularly; steam clean where possible. This will assist with removal of eggs and stimulate fleas to emerge from any pupae present in the environment.
• Clean between floorboards and in cracks between tiles and pavers.
• Wash pet bedding and blankets regularly in water above 60°C for at least 10 minutes.
• Place any household items that come into contact with pets and cannot be washed (e.g., rugs, cushions, door mats) in direct sunlight for as long as possible, as this may assist with killing flea eggs and larvae.
• Prevent your pets accessing areas of potential flea contamination (e.g., block access to under the house or veranda and keep moist shady areas free from debris).
• Where possible, prevent untreated animals from entering your home environment. 

When it comes to fleas, prevention is definitely better than cure. By the time you see adult fleas on your puppy, it’s most likely they have already started laying eggs to infest your home! Monthly treatment with NexGard^® for Dogs or NexGard SPECTRA^® for Dogs prevents flea infestations by killing fleas on the dog before they can lay eggs and replenish an environmental infestation.