Fleas are every pet parent’s worst nightmare – here’s how to get rid of them

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It’s a pet parent’s worst nightmare: fleas. These tiny bugs make cats and dogs uncomfortable, and once an infestation starts, it can be very hard to stop. Getting rid of fleas is a three-step process, according to the veterinarians I talked to: diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and cleaning. Read on to learn exactly what each step involves, products that help you along the way and why vets recommend giving your pet preventative medication year round.

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The best flea treatment and prevention products

Tackling a flea problem involves three steps: diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and cleaning. It’s crucial to approach each one carefully: Cutting corners increases your pet’s chances of reinfection and leaves your home vulnerable to repeated infestation, says Dr. Jennifer Garner , a veterinarian at Chewy Vet Care . ( Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by Chewy in this article was made independently of Garner .) I walk you through what happens during each step below, but first, here are the products you’ll need to successfully complete them.

A note about oral and topical flea preventatives, as well as flea collars: I added options to this list that meet expert guidance; are highly-rated; act as preventatives and treatments; protect against multiple types of parasites; and are EPA- or FDA-approved. A handful of flea products are sold over-the-counter, but many are only available via a prescription, so talk to your vet.

Best flea comb

Pets&Goods Flea Remover Comb

A flea comb like this one is your best friend when it comes to diagnosing fleas. The fine-toothed comb helps you part your pet’s fur to better see their skin and hair follicles, revealing fleas or flea dirt (a.k.a. flea feces). That said, diagnosing your pet with fleas may also require a trip to the vet, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment. In addition to removing fleas, flea eggs and other debris like flea dirt from pets’ hair, this comb doubles as a grooming tool for dogs and cats.

Best flea chew for dogs

NexGard Chewables

NBC Selected updates editor Mili Godio started giving Bella, her now 7-year old, 15-pound havachon, these beef-flavored chews when she was four months old. I’ve also given them to Mabel, my 1-year old, 9-pound mutt, since she was two months old. “Bella is constantly running outside and going to dog parks, and I’ve never had a flea problem,” says Godio. “I love that these chews are so easy to give her every month. I act like they’re a treat , so she actually gets excited to eat them.” NexGard’s bite-sized chews are FDA-approved to kill adult fleas before they can lay eggs, as well as kill black-legged ticks. ( This flea chew requires a prescription from your veterinarian, which the online retailer you purchase from will collect at checkout .)

Best flea chews for cats

Credelio for Cats

Credelio’s chews kill fleas and black-legged ticks, and you have to give them to your pet with food. The chews are small in size so they’re easy for cats to eat. They’re also made with yeast and vanilla to give them an appealing taste. ( This flea chew requires a prescription from your veterinarian, which the online retailer you purchase from will collect at checkout .)

Best flea topical for dogs

Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Dogs

Frontline Plus’ unscented topical solution kills adult fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae, as well as chewing lice and ticks. It’s available in packs of three, six or eight treatments. The solution comes in pre-measured applicators.

Best flea topical for cats

Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Cats

Frontline Plus also offers an unscented topical solution for cats. It kills adult fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae, as well as ticks and chewing lice. The solution comes in pre-measured applications, and it’s available in packs of three, six, eight or 12 treatments.

Best flea collar for dogs

Seresto Large Dog Flea & Tick Treatment and Prevention Collar

Seresto’s dog collar protects against fleas and flea larvae, as well as ticks and lice. The non-greasy, odorless collar is designed with a safety release mechanism that allows it to widen and break off pets’ necks if pulled hard enough.

Best flea collar for cats

Seresto Flea & Tick Prevention Collar for Cats

Seresto’s cat collar protects against fleas, flea larvae and ticks. The collar is designed with a safety release mechanism that allows it to widen and break off pets’ necks if pulled hard enough.

Best flea shampoo

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo

“Flea shampoos work to temporarily decontaminate the surface of your pet, but they don’t offer protection,” says Dr. Douglas Kratt , a small-animal practitioner at Central Animal Hospital in Wisconsin. “They will help get rid of flea dirt, but some of the chemicals used in flea shampoos can be irritating to pets’ skin.” Because of that, you shouldn’t use flea shampoo long-term.

This flea shampoo is made with ingredients that help it kill adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks and lice. It also has soothing aloe vera, lanolin, coconut extract and oatmeal in its formula to make it gentle on sensitive skin. The lightly scented flea shampoo leaves your pet’s coat shiny and soft. You only need to use about 1 ⅓ tablespoons for every five pounds of your pet’s weight, and the brand recommends waiting about seven to 10 days between repeat shampoos, if necessary. Be sure not to get this product near your pets’ eyes.

Best flea spray cleaner

Wondercide Natural Flea, Tick & Mosquito Spray

Cleaning is a whole-home operation when it comes to fleas, says Kratt, so a spray like this one comes in handy. You can use it on carpets, rugs, pet beds and furniture cushions, which are all areas you’ll need to disinfect. “Flea larvae hatch from eggs and then burrow deep into carpets and crevices in furniture where they are hard to access,” says Garner. She specifically recommends spraying the underside of rugs and cushions, which are common areas people miss. Don’t forget about hard surfaces, too, like baseboards and tile , wood or laminate floors. “If there’s crevices, eggs and fleas can get inside,” says Kratt.

Wondercide’s spray takes a natural approach to getting rid of fleas. Instead of hard chemicals, it uses plant-based ingredients to kill fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae upon contact, as well as repel and prevent them, according to the brand. The pet- and people-safe spray also works on ticks and mosquitoes .

Best carpet powder for fleas

PetArmor Home Carpet Powder for Fleas and Ticks

Thoroughly vacuuming carpets, rugs and upholstery is a must since fleas burrow into fabric. Before doing so, you can spot-treat areas with this powder. It kills flea eggs, larvae and pupae, as well as adult fleas and brown dog ticks. The powder also deodorizes carpets to get rid of pet odors. It starts working within an hour of application, but the brand recommends waiting 24 hours before vacuuming.

After you vacuum, make sure you thoroughly clean the appliance to prevent flea eggs and larvae from surviving inside it. If they do, they can reinfect your home. “If your vacuum cleaner has a bag, you must take it outside to the garbage can immediately and tie it up,” says Kratt. “If your vacuum is bagless, you must empty it and spray the internal portion of your canister with a cleanser.”

Best laundry detergent for fleas

Premo Guard Laundry Detergent Additive

“Any bedding , towels , toy or other washable objects your pet regularly comes in contact with should be washed in soapy hot water and dried in a hot dryer,” says Garner. Standard laundry detergent works well, but this scent-free solution is made with ingredients that effectively get rid of fleas to give you extra peace of mind. It also helps eliminate parasites like bed bugs, lice, ticks and mites. You can use the solution with or without laundry detergent.

How to get rid of fleas, step-by-step

Here’s everything you need to know about each step of the flea treatment and prevention process. As you move through them, regularly update your veterinarian. They’re the expert when it comes to your pet’s health and can make recommendations as needed.

Step 1: Diagnose your pet with fleas

Fleas are tiny bugs, but you can see them with the naked eye, especially in cats with light skin or fur, says Garner. They’re usually smaller than a grain of rice (one to three millimeters in length), have a flat body and are brown to reddish-brown in color. But seeing fleas on your pet or in your home isn’t always a guarantee, so it’s important to know what other signs to look for.

How can you tell if your pet has fleas?

How do you use a flea comb on pets?