One of the questions we get asked almost every day is, “What flea and tick medication do you recommend?”
This year, I completely understand why….
It seems like the ticks are worse than we’ve seen in a long time. I seriously cannot go into my greenhouse without at least seeing one! 🤮
Whether you’re taking your Yorkie on walks, letting them play in the backyard, or traveling this summer, protecting them from fleas, ticks, and heartworms is more important than ever.
So here’s my opinion :
Selamectin (Revolution® or Generic Selamectin)
This has been one of my personal favorites for many years.
What I like:
✅ It’s a topical medication, so there’s no pill to give.
✅ It provides heartworm prevention.
✅ It controls fleas and helps with ear mites and some intestinal parasites.
✅ It has a long history of safe use, which gives me peace of mind. I’ve been using it for years and never had an adverse reaction in my puppies or adults.
Things to know:
⚠️ It doesn’t provide the same level of tick protection as some of the newer oral medications, so if you live in an area with extremely heavy tick exposure, that’s something to discuss with your veterinarian. But that’s a jump I have would take cautiously.
Other options are:
NexGard®
What I like:
✅ Excellent flea and tick protection.
✅ Easy monthly chew.
✅ Works very well for active dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.
Things to know:
❌ You’ll still need a separate heartworm preventative.
❌ Like other medications in its class, it carries an FDA warning about rare neurologic side effects in susceptible dogs. Something to definitely think about!
Simparica®
What I like:
✅ Strong protection against fleas and ticks.
✅ Monthly chew that’s easy to give.
✅ A great option for many dogs with significant tick exposure.
Things to know:
❌ Heartworm prevention is not included unless you’re using Simparica Trio®, which is a different medication.
❌. It has the same FDA warning regarding rare neurologic side effects in susceptible dogs.
Bravecto®
What I like:
✅ One dose can last up to 12 weeks for flea protection.
✅ Excellent tick control.
✅ Wonderful for busy families who don’t want to remember a monthly dose.
Things to know:
❌ You’ll still need heartworm prevention.
❌ It also carries the FDA warning regarding rare neurologic side effects in susceptible dogs.
So…why do I personally recommend selamectin?
Personally, I’ve always appreciated the long safety history of selamectin, especially because it also provides heartworm prevention. That gives me a lot of confidence. Yorkies are a tiny dog and the amount of toxin we introduced them to should be taken, seriously
However, with the unusually heavy tick season we’re seeing this year, it’s worth having a conversation with your veterinarian about whether your Yorkie’s lifestyle calls for a product with stronger tick coverage.
At the end of the day, the best flea and tick medication is the one that you use consistently. Missing doses leaves our little ones unprotected, and prevention is always easier than treating disease.
A Few Friendly Reminders
❤️ Check your Yorkie for ticks after being outdoors.
❤️ Pay special attention around the ears, neck, under the collar, between the toes, and under the tail.
❤️ Keep your yard mowed and remove piles of leaves where ticks love to hide.
Most of all, remember that every recommendation I make comes from the same place—it’s the way I care for my own dogs. My goal has always been to give every Heritage Hill puppy the healthiest start possible and to help each family enjoy many happy, healthy years together.
Featured Pup of the week
Meet our little Zoe! Do you remember my little secret that I revealed a while back? This little traditional girl was born just shy of 2 ounces. I kept her a secret for the first three weeks of her life and finally announced her to my Facebook page on May 10. Getting her to that point took a lot. There were sleepless nights, constant weighing, making sure she was latching and nursing enough, and worrying over every little change. When you’re raising a tiny puppy like this, you never really stop watching or wondering if you’re doing enough. It’s a side of breeding that most people never see, and it can be exhausting and stressful. I guarded my heart the first three weeks because I really didn’t know if she would make it. But today was Gotcha Day. I got to enjoy seeing her join a past Heritage Hill sibling. Her new momma just adores her! 🥰 There’s nothing more rewarding and it makes it all worth it! 🐾❤️🐾
Thank you for trusting me with a small part of your Yorkie’s journey. It truly means the world to me!
With love,
~Kortni
Text me at 816.694.1742 for current availability.