Dog Flea, Tick and Worming Treatments
113 productsAustralian dogs face fleas, ticks, intestinal worms and heartworm all year round. The right cover depends on where you live and how your dog spends their days. Shop flea treatments, tick treatments, wormers and heartworm prevention, or a single all-in-one monthly chew from NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica Trio and Advocate.
Which parasites does your dog need protection from?
Dog parasite prevention covers four main threats, and most dogs need year-round cover for all of them:
- Fleas cause itching and can trigger allergies.
- Ticks range from irritating to life-threatening, depending on the species.
- Intestinal worms (roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm) affect the gut and can spread to people.
- Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and is far easier to prevent than to treat.
Your dog's risk depends on their environment, so the goal is a plan that covers the parasites they are actually exposed to.
“Over the years, I’ve found a few products that I consistently recommend to my clients… NexGard Spectra, Advocate, Bravecto and Drontal… The most important piece of advice I can give is this: speak to your vet to get a tailored parasite prevention plan, and stick to it. Every pet is different, and their parasite prevention plan should reflect that.”
— Dr Jane Miller, BVSc, Veterinarian & Vets Love Pets Partner
Read the full guide: Best Flea & Tick Treatments for Dogs in Australia.
The paralysis tick: why year-round tick cover matters in Australia
The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) lives along Australia's east coast, and it is the one that makes tick prevention non-negotiable. Its toxin causes progressive paralysis, and a single tick can be fatal to a dog. Tick season now stretches across most of the year in many areas, so dogs in and around tick country need continuous cover, not just a summer treatment. Choose a dog tick treatment that specifically lists paralysis ticks, and if you ever find a tick on your dog, contact your vet straight away.
All-in-one or separate treatments?
The first real decision is whether one product can cover everything your dog needs, or whether you combine two. It comes down to coverage:
- All-in-one monthly chews like Simparica Trio and NexGard Spectra cover fleas, ticks, heartworm and intestinal worms in one dose. That is the simplest way to avoid gaps.
- A flea and tick product plus a separate wormer suits dogs already on a preventative that does not cover worms. It also works if you prefer to worm on your own schedule.
- Mind the gaps: some popular spot-ons, including Advocate, cover fleas, heartworm and intestinal worms but not ticks. In tick areas, pair them with a separate tick product.
If you are unsure whether your current product covers everything, check the label against the four parasites above, or ask your vet.
Choosing a format: chews, spot-ons and collars
Parasite treatments come in a few formats, and the best one is the one you will actually keep up with:
- Chews suit dogs who swim or dislike spot-ons; NexGard is monthly, while Bravecto chews cover fleas and ticks for up to three months.
- Spot-ons are applied to the skin monthly and suit dogs who will not take a tablet.
- Collars like Seresto give hands-off flea and tick cover for months at a time, useful for dogs in high-tick areas.
Longer-interval products mean fewer doses to remember, which is often what keeps protection consistent.
Treating your home, not just your dog
If your dog already has fleas, treating the dog alone rarely clears the problem, because most of a flea population lives in your home rather than on your pet. The adult fleas you see are only part of it; the eggs, larvae and pupae developing in carpet, bedding and floorboards are the reservoir that keeps re-infesting your dog. Pupae can also lie dormant in their cocoons for weeks before hatching, which is why fleas seem to reappear once you think they have gone. To break an active infestation, treat every pet in the home at once with a flea treatment, keep them all on prevention, wash bedding in hot water and vacuum floors and furniture regularly. A heavy infestation can take a couple of months to fully clear, so consistency matters more than any single dose. If you keep seeing fleas despite regular prevention, it usually means the environment still needs treating or the product is not the right fit for your dog, so check with your vet.
Worming: intestinal worms and heartworm are not the same
It is a common mix-up, so worth being clear: intestinal worms and heartworm need different prevention. Intestinal wormers, usually given as all-wormer tablets such as Milbemax, Drontal and Milpro, treat roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm in the gut. Most adult dogs need a worming tablet every three months. Heartworm prevention is separate and protects against a mosquito-borne worm that affects the heart and lungs. Many all-in-one chews cover both, but if you use a basic wormer, check that heartworm is handled separately.
Trusted parasite brands
Australia's leading parasite brands differ mainly in what they cover and how often you give them:
- NexGard and NexGard Spectra: monthly chews, flea and tick, with Spectra adding heartworm and intestinal worms.
- Bravecto: flea and tick cover for up to three months per chew or spot-on.
- Simparica Trio: a monthly all-in-one chew covering fleas, ticks, heartworm and worms.
- Advocate: a monthly spot-on for fleas, heartworm and intestinal worms (no tick cover).
- Seresto: a long-lasting flea and tick collar.
Is parasite prevention safe for herding breeds?
Some herding breeds, including Collies, Australian Shepherds and their crosses, carry the MDR1 gene variant, which changes how they process certain drugs. The reassuring part is that today's common flea, tick and worming preventives, given at the correct weight-based dose, are considered safe for dogs with the MDR1 mutation at label doses. The real caution is high-dose ivermectin, such as some mange treatments and livestock wormers, rather than the standard preventives on this page. Always dose to your dog's weight, and if you have a herding breed, check with your vet before using any off-label or high-dose parasite product.
Parasite protection for puppies
Puppies need earlier, more frequent cover than adults, because they are more vulnerable to worms and fleas. Worm every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly to six months, and use only products labelled for puppies at the right weight. In tick areas, start tick prevention early with a puppy-approved product. Browse puppy flea and tick options, and confirm the schedule with your vet.
Whichever products you choose, parasite prevention works best as part of your dog's broader health routine, alongside a complete dog food and our wider dog health products range.
Want to learn more?
- Our vets' guides to each parasite: Fleas on Dogs, Ticks on Dogs, Worms in Dogs and Heartworm in Dogs.
- Read Tick, Flea, and Worm Hotspots: Year-Round Parasite Prevention in Australia.
- Treating a cat too? See cat flea, tick and worming treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, several all-in-one monthly chews cover protection across fleas, ticks, worms and heartworm, including NexGard Spectra and Simparica Trio. They are the simplest way to avoid gaps in protection. If you use a single-purpose product instead, check the label and pair it with whatever it does not cover, especially ticks and heartworm.
Most adult dogs need intestinal worming every three months, while puppies need it far more often. Worm puppies every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until six months. Heartworm prevention is separate and usually given monthly, or as a yearly injection through your vet.
If you miss a dose of your dog's parasite treatment, give it as soon as you remember, then continue the regular monthly schedule from that date. A gap of a few days rarely compromises monthly protection, but a longer lapse can leave your dog exposed, so check the product's guidance or ask your vet. Setting a phone reminder or using auto-delivery helps keep cover consistent.
Most dog flea, tick and worming treatments in Australia are available without a prescription, including all-in-one monthly chews, spot-ons and collars. A few specific products may need your vet's authorisation, and heartworm prevention is best started on your vet's advice, particularly for a dog that has not been on continuous cover. If you are unsure, check the product details or ask your vet.
To apply a spot-on, part the fur at the base of your dog's neck where they cannot lick it off, and squeeze the pipette onto the skin rather than the coat. Avoid bathing your dog for about 48 hours either side, unless the label says otherwise. Chews are given by mouth with or after a meal, which aids absorption and makes them easier to offer. Always follow the dose on the pack for your dog's weight.
Paralysis tick signs in dogs include wobbly or weak back legs, a change in bark or breathing, vomiting, drooling and reluctance to move. Signs can appear days after a tick attaches and worsen quickly. This is an emergency, so contact your vet immediately if you see them or find a tick.
Yes, quality collars like Seresto give months of flea and tick protection in one application, which suits dogs in tick-heavy areas or those who dislike chews. Collars generally do not cover intestinal worms or heartworm, so they work best as part of a broader plan. Choose a collar that specifically lists paralysis ticks if you are in tick country.
Natural or chemical-free flea and tick products for dogs tend to give only limited, short-lived repellent effects, and none reliably prevent serious threats like paralysis ticks or heartworm. Registered veterinary treatments are tested for efficacy and are the dependable choice for real protection. If you would prefer a lower-chemical approach, ask your vet about the safest effective option rather than relying on unproven products.
If your dog reacts to a parasite treatment, stop using the product and contact your vet, noting the product name, your dog's weight and the symptoms. Reactions are uncommon but can include skin irritation at a spot-on site or digestive upset. Your vet can recommend a suitable alternative.
