ASK A VET™
Flea, Tick, Worming & Mite Treatment Finder
Answer four quick questions — your pet, its age, what you want to protect against, and how often you’re happy to treat — and I’ll find the products that actually fit, and tell you if one product can cover the lot or you need a combo.
1 Your pet
2 Weight & status
3 Protect against
4 How often to treat?
Longer-lasting products (collars, 3–6 month chews) mean fewer doses but cost more up front.
Browse all products for this species
Quick answer
There is no single best flea and worming treatment for every pet. The right choice depends on your pet’s species and age, what you need to protect against (fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, tapeworm, heartworm or mites), and how often you want to treat. Many pets are covered by one monthly all-in-one plus a three-monthly all-wormer for tapeworm. Use the finder above to match products to your pet, and confirm the final choice with your vet.
How the parasite treatment finder works
Parasite products are not interchangeable. Two chews on the same shelf can protect against completely different parasites, start at different ages, and need re-dosing on different schedules. This tool removes the guesswork. You tell it four things — the species, the age (and ideally the weight), what you want to protect against, and how often you are happy to treat — and it filters the full list down to the products that are actually appropriate, then ranks them.
Because no single product covers every parasite, the finder does something a shelf label cannot: when one product does not cover everything you selected, it builds the smallest sensible combination and tells you exactly which product plugs the gap. It also shows you, for every result, the minimum age and weight, whether it is safe in pregnancy, and how often it needs to be given.
The parasites, and why each one matters
Fleas
Fleas cause itching, hair loss and flea allergy dermatitis, and heavy burdens in small animals can cause anaemia. They also carry tapeworm. Good flea control treats the pet and, over time, breaks the life cycle in the environment.
Ticks, including the paralysis tick
Ticks transmit disease and, in eastern Australia, the paralysis tick can be rapidly fatal. In tick areas, prevention is essential and should be paired with daily physical tick searches. Not every tick product covers the paralysis tick, which is why the finder treats it as a specific target rather than lumping all ticks together.
Intestinal worms
Roundworm, hookworm and whipworm are common, especially in young animals, and some are zoonotic (they can infect people). Puppies and kittens often need worming as early as two weeks of age, repeated frequently, before moving to a routine adult schedule.
Tapeworm
Tapeworm is the parasite most often missed, because many popular flea, tick and heartworm combinations leave it out. The hydatid tapeworm in particular is a serious human health risk in some regions. If you need tapeworm cover, check that your product actually includes it.
Heartworm
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and, untreated, damages the heart and lungs and can be fatal. Prevention is far easier and cheaper than treatment. It is given as a monthly product or, for dogs, as an annual injection, and a heartworm test is advised before starting in an older pet.
Mites, mange and lice
Mites cause mange, ear infections and intense itching. Several spot-ons and chews also treat common mites, which is useful if your pet has a diagnosed mite problem rather than as routine prevention.
Minimum age to start (general guide)
These are typical starting points. Always confirm the exact minimum for the specific product, which the finder shows for every result.
| Protection | Typical earliest start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Intestinal worming | From about 2 weeks | Repeat fortnightly to 12 weeks, then monthly to 6 months, then every 3 months |
| Fleas | Any age to about 8 weeks | A few spot-ons have no lower age limit; most chews start at 8 weeks |
| Ticks | About 7 to 9 weeks | Many products also require a minimum weight of 1 to 2 kg |
| Heartworm | From about 6 to 8 weeks | Start young, or test first in an older pet before beginning |
One product or a combination?
All-in-one products are convenient and reduce the chance of forgetting a dose, but they cost more per dose and the exact mix of parasites they cover varies. A modular approach (for example a flea and tick product plus a separate wormer) can be cheaper and lets you tailor cover, but it is easier to lose track of. Neither is right for everyone. The finder shows you both the best single product and, where relevant, the smallest combination, so you can decide.
Popular all-in-one products at a glance
A quick comparison of common Australian all-in-one and long-lasting products. This is a summary only. Use the finder above for the exact minimum age, weight and coverage of every product, and always confirm with your vet.
| Product | For | Fleas | Paralysis tick | Heartworm | Intestinal worms | Tapeworm | How often |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NexGard Spectra | Dog | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Monthly |
| Simparica Trio | Dog | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Monthly |
| Credelio Plus | Dog | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Monthly |
| Advocate Ultra Chew | Dog | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Monthly |
| Bravecto (chew/spot-on) | Dog | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 3 to 6 months |
| Bravecto Quantum (injection) | Dog | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Up to 12 months |
| Seresto collar | Dog | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Several months |
| NexGard Spectra for Cats | Cat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Monthly |
| Felpreva spot-on | Cat | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 3 months |
| Revolution Plus | Cat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (not tape) | No | Monthly |
| Bravecto Plus | Cat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (not tape) | No | 2 months |
| All-wormer (Drontal, Cazitel, Canex, Milbemax) | Dog / Cat | No | No | Some | Yes | Yes | Every 3 months |
The pattern to notice: the popular flea, tick and heartworm all-in-ones usually leave out tapeworm, while the dedicated all-wormers (Drontal, Cazitel, Canex, Milbemax, Endogard) cover intestinal worms and tapeworm but not fleas, ticks or, in most cases, heartworm. That is why a very common plan is a monthly all-in-one plus a three-monthly all-wormer.
The newest options
The parasite market keeps moving, and a few recent products change what is possible in a single dose. For dogs, Advocate Ultra Chew is one of the broadest monthly chews, covering fleas, ticks, heartworm, all the common intestinal worms including tapeworm, and several mites in one. Bravecto Quantum is a vet-given injection that protects against fleas and paralysis ticks for up to a year, which suits dogs that are hard to dose or owners who want to set and forget. For cats, Felpreva is a three-monthly spot-on covering paralysis ticks, fleas, intestinal worms, tapeworm, lungworm and ear mites, so a cat can be covered for ticks and worms with four applications a year. None of these removes the need for a vet conversation, but they show how much can now sit in one product.
Heartworm testing before you start
Heartworm prevention is important, but there is one safety step owners often miss. If your dog is older than about six months and has not been on continuous heartworm prevention, your vet will usually want to run a quick heartworm test before you start, because starting a preventive in a dog that already carries heartworm can occasionally cause a serious reaction. This is most important before the yearly ProHeart injection. Puppies started young do not need the test. If you are restarting prevention after a gap, ask your vet whether a test is needed first.
Common mistakes owners make
- Assuming a flea and tick chew also worms the pet. Many do not include tapeworm, and some include no intestinal worming at all.
- Starting a product before the pet is old enough or heavy enough for it.
- Using a dog product on a cat. Some dog products can be fatal to cats.
- Stopping tick prevention over winter in a paralysis tick area, or relying on prevention alone without searching for ticks.
- Skipping heartworm prevention for indoor pets, when mosquitoes still get indoors.
- Double-dosing the same active by combining two products that overlap. Check with your vet before stacking treatments.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right flea and worming treatment for my pet?
Start with three things: your pet's species and age, what you actually need to protect against, and how often you are happy to treat. Age and weight matter because most products have a minimum before they are safe to use, and no single product covers every parasite. The finder above filters to products that suit your pet and shows whether one product does the job or you need a simple combination.
Can one product cover fleas, ticks, worms and heartworm at once?
Some come close. Modern all-in-one chews and spot-ons can cover fleas, ticks, heartworm and intestinal worms in one dose, which is why they are popular. The common gap is tapeworm: many all-rounders do not include it, so a lot of owners pair a monthly all-in-one with a separate intestinal all-wormer every three months. The finder flags this for you and suggests the pairing when needed.
What is the minimum age to start flea, tick and worming treatment?
It varies by product. Intestinal worming usually starts very early, often from two weeks of age, because puppies and kittens are frequently born with worms. Most flea, tick and heartworm products start between six and nine weeks, and several also require a minimum weight, commonly one to two kilograms. Always check the age and weight for the specific product, which the finder shows for every result.
Do I need a separate tapeworm treatment?
Often, yes. Many flea, tick and heartworm combinations do not cover tapeworm, and tapeworm (including the hydatid tapeworm, which is a human health risk) needs a wormer that specifically includes it. If you select tapeworm in the finder and your main product does not cover it, the tool will recommend adding a dedicated all-wormer.
How often should I treat my dog or cat?
As a general guide, intestinal worming is every three months for adults, heartworm and most flea and tick products are monthly, and some newer options last three to six months or, in the case of collars, several months. If you prefer to treat as rarely as possible, choose that option in the finder and it will favour the longest-lasting products that still cover what you need.
Are these treatments safe during pregnancy or nursing?
Some are and some are not, and it is product specific. Several intestinal wormers and a number of flea products are considered safe in pregnancy and lactation, while others are not recommended. Turn on the pregnant or nursing option in the finder and it will exclude products that are not recommended and flag any that are only conditionally safe. Always confirm with your vet before treating a pregnant or nursing animal.
What about paralysis ticks in Australia?
Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) along the eastern coast of Australia can kill a dog or cat, so tick prevention there is not optional. If you select ticks in the finder for an Australian pet, it only counts products that specifically cover the paralysis tick, not just the brown dog tick. Prevention does not replace daily tick searching in high risk areas, and any pet with weakness, a change in bark or meow, vomiting or breathing trouble needs an emergency vet.
Can I use dog flea and tick products on my cat?
Not automatically. Some dog products, particularly those containing permethrin, are highly toxic and can be fatal to cats. Never apply a dog product to a cat unless the label specifically says it is safe for cats. The finder only shows products listed for the species you choose.
Do indoor cats and small dogs still need parasite prevention?
Usually yes. Indoor cats can still get fleas carried in on people or other pets, and mosquitoes that transmit heartworm come indoors. Intestinal worms and the occasional flea are common even in pets that rarely go out. The right plan may be lighter than for an outdoor pet, but few pets need nothing at all. Ask your vet what fits your pet's real lifestyle.
What is the longest-lasting flea and tick treatment?
For dogs, the longest options are Bravecto (a chew or spot-on lasting up to three to six months), the Seresto collar (several months), and Bravecto Quantum, an injection given by a vet that protects against fleas and paralysis ticks for up to twelve months. For cats, Bravecto and the Seresto collar last the longest. Longer-lasting products cost more up front but mean fewer doses to remember. Choose the as rarely as possible option in the finder to see the longest-lasting product that still covers what you need.
Is there an injection for fleas and ticks?
Yes, for dogs. Bravecto Quantum is a fluralaner injection given by a veterinarian from six months of age that protects against fleas and paralysis ticks for up to a year (brown dog tick cover is about eleven months). It takes a few days to reach full effect, so it should be given before tick season starts, not after a tick is found. It does not cover intestinal worms or heartworm, so those still need a separate product.
What product covers fleas, ticks, heartworm and worms in one?
Several come close. In dogs, monthly chews such as NexGard Spectra and Simparica Trio cover fleas, ticks, heartworm and the main intestinal worms in one dose, and Credelio Plus covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. The usual gap is tapeworm, which most of these leave out, so many owners add a three-monthly all-wormer. In cats, NexGard Spectra for Cats and Bravecto Plus are the closest all-in-one spot-ons. The finder will tell you when one product does the job and when you need a pairing.
What is Advocate Ultra Chew?
Advocate Ultra Chew is a newer monthly chew for dogs that combines lotilaner, moxidectin and praziquantel, which makes it one of the broadest single products available. It covers fleas, paralysis and other ticks, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm and whipworm, tapeworm, and several mites, all in one monthly chew. Because it includes praziquantel, it is one of the few all-in-one orals that also covers tapeworm, which most flea and tick chews leave out.
Is there a three-monthly flea, tick and worming treatment for cats?
Yes. Felpreva is a cat spot-on that lasts about thirteen weeks (three months) and covers paralysis ticks, fleas, roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, lungworm and ear mites in a single application. It is a good option for owners who want tick and worm cover with fewer applications. It does not cover heartworm, so if your cat needs heartworm prevention as well, that is a separate product. Choose the as rarely as possible option in the finder to surface it.
Do I need a heartworm test before starting prevention?
For a puppy or kitten starting prevention young, no. For an older dog (generally over about six months) that has not been on continuous heartworm prevention, your vet will usually recommend a heartworm test before starting, because giving a preventive to a dog that already has heartworm can occasionally cause a serious reaction. This applies to monthly preventives and especially to the yearly ProHeart injection. When in doubt, test first.
Is this tool a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. It summarises label information to help you compare products and understand your options, but it cannot see your pet's breed sensitivities (for example ivermectin-sensitive breeds), health conditions, current medications or exact weight-band dose. Isoxazoline products (such as NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica and Credelio) are very widely used and generally safe, but should be used with care in pets with a history of seizures. Use this tool to get informed, then confirm the final choice with your vet.
Written and reviewed by Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc (University of Sydney), emergency and general-practice veterinarian and founder of ASK A VET™. General owner guidance based on product label information for products sold in Australia. It does not replace advice from your own veterinarian.
For guidance only. This tool summarises label information for products sold in Australia and does not replace veterinary advice. Product suitability also depends on weight-band dosing, breed sensitivities, health status and drug interactions. Always read the label and confirm with your vet before starting, combining or switching parasite treatments.