@eddyandme It's a hot topic for sure. Some pet owners don't believe in using anything, some use a homepathic approach, and others use the commercially manufactured products. Some like oral and some use a collar.
YEARS ago (and I realize you're asking about your dog, not a cat) when DH and I got our first cat, we thought we were doing the right thing when we bought him a flea treatment contained in pendant type thing that attached to a collar. It actually created a very bad sore on the front of his neck. That experience, plus the fact that I've read certain flea collars for dogs aren't very effective, has made me shy away from them.
More currently, when we adopted our Golden Retriever I took him to the vet for a wellness check. She recommended Trifexis (oral flea/tick prevention) and Heartgard (heartworm prevention). I administered both every month believing I was doing the right thing. Then someone posted here in the pet forum about an ingredient in Trifexis and how dogs were dying from this medication. I asked the vet about it and she hadn't heard the same information. I have confidence in her and I had a several month supply of Trifexis on hand. Even so, the information scared me so much that I decided I wouldn't give that to my boy anymore. That started me looking for a replacement for the flea prevention, and I wanted it in a topical form. A groomer suggested K9 Advantix II. I found out that it covers more than just fleas & ticks, and felt that was a plus because we have a wooded area on our property where the dog often goes. I've been giving him the K9 Advantix II ever since (several years) and he does fine with it. No irritation to his skin and I can see it working. When we're in the woods and I can see little gnats and fleas flying around, they almost seem to make a little cloud above or around him, but it's as if he has a protective shield around him because they never land. Ticks are plentious here and I've never seen one on him, whereas DH might come inside with one here and there after being out there. The topical does leave a little oily residue in our dog's fur, but that goes away on its own after a few days or the fur can be spot washed after 24 hrs. I still give him the Heartgard.
One word of caution - you have to be careful about the K9 Advantix II if you also have a cat. It's dangerous for the cat if they lick the wet medicine off the dog. It's best to keep both separated for 24 hrs. After that, you can wash the oily residue from the dog's fur.
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