Fleas, ticks, and worms aren’t just annoying—they carry risks to your pet’s health and comfort, and in some cases even affect human health too. There are many options available to help, and it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you, your family and your pet.
We’ve put together a guide to parasite control in the UK and some options with our advice regarding them.
Why Parasite Control Matters
Parasites can cause everything from a minor skin irritation and upset stomachs to anaemia in severe cases, lung disease, or even life-threatening infections. They’re not always easy to spot, pets can carry worms or fleas without obvious signs—so prevention is often better than cure.
Treatment Options Available in the UK
There are three main categories of parasite treatments available to UK pet owners:
1. Over-the-Counter Treatments (OTC)
Available from pet shops, supermarkets, or online without a prescription.
✅ Pros:
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Easily accessible
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Budget-friendly
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Often fine for low-risk pets with no history of issues
❌ Cons:
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Many don’t contain prescription-strength ingredients
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May not cover all parasites (e.g. lungworm)
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Effectiveness varies—some fleas are resistant to older products
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Incorrect dosing is a common risk
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Less support if something goes wrong
🧴 Common Examples:
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Frontline (fipronil): Often used for flea and tick control; some resistance reported
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Bob Martin: Low-cost flea products with varying reviews on effectiveness
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Drontal: Available OTC for worming but must be carefully dosed
2. Veterinary-Only Medications (Prescription or POM-V)
Available from your vet following a health check or prescription.
✅ Pros:
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Stronger, more targeted ingredients
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Covers a wider range of parasites, including lungworm and mites
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Tailored to your pet’s weight, age, and health
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Regular monitoring by your vet
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Safer for pets with medical conditions or sensitivities
❌ Cons:
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Requires a veterinary prescription (often after a health check)
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Slightly more expensive than OTC options
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Needs to be kept up monthly or quarterly to be effective
💊 Common Prescription Products:
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Prinovox: Spot-on for fleas, roundworms, lice, and mites (cats and dogs)
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Cat Credelio : Chewable tablets for fleas & ticks
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Dog Credelio / Credelio Plus: Chewable tablets for fleas & ticks, (Credelio Plus also covers roundworms)
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Milbemax: Broad-spectrum worming tablet (cats and dogs), covers roundworms and tapeworms.
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NexGard Spectra: Chewable covering fleas, ticks, roundworms (dogs only)
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Stronghold / Advocate: Spot-on for fleas, mites, lice and roundworms (cats & dogs)
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Bravecto / Bravecto Plus: Covers fleas & ticks, as a chewable tablet (dogs), and a spot-on solution (dogs & cats). (Bravecto Plus also covers roundworms)
Not all products are suitable for every pet—your vets can advise on the best fit.
3. Natural or Alternative Remedies
Often marketed as chemical-free or holistic parasite control.
✅ Pros:
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May appeal to owners looking for a more natural approach
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Can be used alongside conventional treatment in some cases (e.g. flea-repelling shampoos)
❌ Cons:
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Not clinically proven to prevent or treat infestations
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Not effective against serious risks like lungworm or tick-borne diseases
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May provide a false sense of security
If you’re considering a natural option, always speak to your vet first to avoid gaps in protection.
📋 How to Choose the Right Option
Your choice depends on your pet’s age, lifestyle, health history, and risk exposure. For example:
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Outdoor cats or dogs who walk in long grass are at higher risk of ticks and mites
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Puppies, kittens, and older or larger pets may need more frequent protection
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Pets who swim or bathe often may benefit from oral treatments over spot-ons
Consistency is key—incorrect dosing, missing doses or choosing ineffective products puts your pet at risk. If you’re unsure, we can help build a simple, effective plan.
Let Us Take Care of It For You
If remembering monthly doses or keeping track of parasite products sounds stressful, we’ve got a solution.
Our First Klass Health Plan includes regular parasite protection as part of a monthly subscription, using trusted, vet-approved products:
✔️ What’s included:
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For Cats: Prinovox Spot-On or Credelio Tablets, with Milbemax for worms
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For Dogs: Credelio Plus (combined coverage) or Prinovox Spot-On with Milbemax for worms
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Delivered to your door every 3 months
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Annual Vaccinations
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Free weight checks
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Discount on vetsure* Pet Insurance
It’s designed to keep things simple and ensure your pet is always protected—without the guesswork. You can find out more here.
Still have any questions regarding our plan? email us on plan@vetsklinic.co.uk
*conditions apply
