Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM

Flea & Tick Prevention Online

Q: Do I need a prescription for flea medication?

The most effective flea and tick products require a veterinary prescription. Over-the-counter products exist but are less effective and protect against fewer parasites.

Protect your pet year-round. A licensed vet can prescribe the right flea and tick prevention during a quick video visit — delivered to your door. Starting at $64.99.

Get Flea & Tick Prevention View Pricing

Why Flea & Tick Prevention Matters

Fleas and ticks are more than a nuisance — they carry diseases that can seriously harm your pet. Fleas cause intense itching, allergic reactions (flea allergy dermatitis), and can transmit tapeworms. Ticks carry Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Year-round prevention is the standard of care recommended by veterinarians. Prescription-strength preventatives are more effective than over-the-counter products and protect against a wider range of parasites.

Prescription vs Over-the-Counter

Factor	Prescription (Vet-Prescribed)	Over-the-Counter
Effectiveness	95-100% kill rate within 24 hours	Variable, often 70-85%
Duration	1-3 months per dose	Requires frequent reapplication
Parasites covered	Fleas, ticks, heartworm, intestinal worms	Usually fleas only
Safety profile	Vet-matched to your pet's weight and health	One-size-fits-all, risk of misuse
Application	Oral chew (easy) or topical	Mostly topical (messy)
Vet oversight	Prescribed with dosage guidance	No professional guidance

Popular Prescription Preventatives

Product	Type	Covers	Duration	For
Simparica Trio	Oral chew	Fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworms, hookworms	Monthly	Dogs
NexGard	Oral chew	Fleas and ticks	Monthly	Dogs
Bravecto	Oral chew or topical	Fleas and ticks	3 months	Dogs & Cats
Revolution Plus	Topical	Fleas, ticks, ear mites, roundworms, hookworms	Monthly	Cats
Credelio	Oral chew	Fleas and ticks	Monthly	Dogs & Cats

Your vet will recommend the best option based on your pet's species, weight, age, health history, and lifestyle. All prescriptions require a veterinary consultation.

How It Works

Book a Video Visit

Schedule a consultation with a licensed vet — available 24/7. Tell them you need flea and tick prevention.

Get Your Prescription

Your vet recommends the best preventative for your pet and writes the prescription during the same visit.

Medication Delivered

Prescription filled through RexVetRx with delivery to your door, or sent to your local pharmacy for pickup.

Get Started — $64.99

Signs Your Pet Has Fleas or Ticks

Flea Signs

• Excessive scratching, especially at the tail base
• Small dark specks in fur (flea dirt)
• Red, irritated skin or hot spots
• Hair loss around tail and lower back
• Visible tiny brown insects moving in fur
• Restlessness and discomfort

Tick Signs

• Small bump on skin (embedded tick)
• Redness or swelling around a bite
• Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite
• Joint stiffness or limping (Lyme disease)
• Head shaking (ticks in ears)
• Check after walks in tall grass or wooded areas

See any of these signs? A vet can assess your pet via video and prescribe treatment immediately. If your pet already has fleas or ticks, treatment and prevention can start the same day.

Flea & Tick Prevention FAQs

Can an online vet prescribe flea and tick prevention?

Yes. Licensed veterinarians can prescribe prescription-strength flea and tick preventatives like Simparica Trio, NexGard, Bravecto, and others during a video consultation in Florida, New York, and Virginia.

Do I need a prescription for flea medication?

The most effective flea and tick products (like Simparica Trio, NexGard, and Bravecto) require a veterinary prescription. Over-the-counter products exist but are less effective and protect against fewer parasites.

How often should my pet get flea and tick prevention?

Most vets recommend year-round monthly prevention. Some products like Bravecto last 3 months per dose. Your vet will recommend the right schedule based on your pet's risk factors and location.

My indoor cat — does it need flea prevention?

Yes. Indoor cats can still get fleas from other pets, visitors, or fleas that enter on clothing and shoes. Indoor cats are also less likely to have built up any resistance, making infestations worse when they occur.

What's the difference between prescription and store-bought flea medication?

Prescription products typically kill 95-100% of fleas and ticks within 24 hours and protect against more parasites (including heartworm in some products). Store-bought products often have lower efficacy and cover only fleas.