Which tick treatment actually works for dogs?

Shampoos don't prevent ticks. Which spot-on or tablet to use for your dog in Hyderabad, how to get the dose right, and when to see a vet.
By Cuddle Paws Co
5 min read
A yellow Labrador standing on a balcony while a person's hands check the fur on its neck.

Anti-tick shampoos and powders don't stop ticks. They kill the ticks on your dog that day, then stop working. To keep ticks away, use a spot-on, a tablet or a tick collar, and keep it going all year, not only in the monsoon.

Key Takeaways

  • Shampoos and powders only treat ticks already on your dog. Spot-ons, tablets and collars prevent new ones.
  • Buy the dose for your dog's weight. A dose made for a smaller dog won't protect a bigger one.
  • Check your dog after walks and wash bedding in hot water, because most fleas live in the house.

Why ticks get worse after the rains

Ticks and fleas breed fastest in warm, damp weather. The ones that hatch during the rains reach dogs in the weeks after, which is why late August and September are our busiest time for tick fever.

Tick fever is the real danger, more than the itching. Ticks carry blood infections, and the early signs are easy to miss: a tired dog, a smaller appetite, a mild fever. By the time the gums look pale, your dog needs blood tests and weeks of treatment.

Which product to use

Spot-ons. A few drops between the shoulder blades, once a month. This is the cheapest real protection. Savavet Fiprofort Plus starts at Rs 194 for small dogs and goes up to Rs 515 for the largest. It also stops flea eggs from growing into adults, not just killing the fleas you can see.

Monthly tablets. A chewable tablet once a month. These suit dogs that swim, get bathed often, or cuddle small children, because nothing sits on the coat to wash off or rub onto anyone. Simparica costs Rs 546 to Rs 637 a tablet, depending on your dog's weight.

Three-month tablets. One tablet protects for about three months. Bravecto starts at Rs 1,650. Month for month it costs about the same as a monthly tablet, and you can't forget a dose you only give four times a year.

Shampoos and powders. Use these when a dog already has a lot of ticks. A medicated bath or Extick powder at Rs 170 clears the ticks on the dog today. Then start a spot-on or tablet. They are step one, never the whole plan.

Get the dose right

Every product is dosed by weight. A dose meant for a smaller dog won't protect a bigger one, and then it looks as if the product doesn't work. If you're not sure what your dog weighs, we'll weigh them at the counter. It takes a minute.

Check these before you buy:

  • Puppies: most products have a minimum age, often eight weeks.
  • A cat at home: some dog tick products are poisonous to cats, even through touching the dog. Tell us if you have a cat.
  • Dogs that swim or get bathed every week: choose a tablet, because water washes spot-ons off.
  • Pregnant, nursing or unwell dogs: ask a vet first.

Two habits that stop ticks coming back

Check your dog by hand after walks: between the toes, inside the ear flaps, under the collar and in the armpits. Ticks go for thin skin. You're feeling for a small bump, anything from a sesame seed to a grape.

Clean the house as well. Most fleas don't live on your dog. They live in bedding, carpets and sofa gaps. Wash bedding in hot water, vacuum well, and empty the vacuum outside. Skip this and the fleas come back a couple of weeks after a treatment that seemed to work.

How to remove a tick

Use fine tweezers or a tick hook. Grip the tick close to the skin and pull straight up, slowly and steadily. Don't twist or jerk.

Don't use kerosene, petrol, nail polish or a match. They make the tick push its gut contents into the bite, which makes infection more likely, not less.

If the head stays in, leave it. It works its way out like a splinter. Clean the spot and keep an eye on it.

When to see a vet

Book a visit if your dog stays tired for more than a day, stops eating, or has pale gums, nosebleeds or bruising on the belly. Tick fever treats well when it's caught early.

Our clinic is next to the store in Gachibowli, so we can weigh your dog, check them and start the right product in one visit. Call ahead if you'd like us to keep a size aside for you.

The research behind this

Most of this page comes from what we see at our clinic after every monsoon, and from the product labels. Two points are worth their source.

Only adult fleas live on the animal. The European parasite guideline, ESCCAP, says "only the adult stages are found on the host with eggs and immature stages being found in the environment." That is why cleaning the house matters as much as treating the dog.

Some dog tick and flea products contain permethrin, which is poisonous to cats. The PDSA notes that a cat can be poisoned "if a cat comes into contact with permethrin on a dog, for example when grooming or sharing a bed."

Frequently Asked Questions

Does anti-tick shampoo prevent ticks?

No. It kills the ticks on your dog during the bath and then stops working. Use a monthly spot-on, a tablet or a collar to keep new ticks off.

How often should I use a tick spot-on on my dog?

Once a month, all year round. In Hyderabad ticks stay active well beyond the monsoon, so stopping in the cooler months leaves a gap.

Which is better for dogs, a tick tablet or a spot-on?

Both work. Tablets suit dogs that swim, are bathed often or live with small children, because nothing stays on the coat. Spot-ons cost less.

What are the signs of tick fever in dogs?

Tiredness, a smaller appetite and a mild fever come first. Pale gums, nosebleeds or bruising mean your dog needs to see a vet quickly.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

क्या एंटी-टिक शैम्पू से टिक दोबारा नहीं आते?

नहीं। शैम्पू सिर्फ़ उसी दिन कुत्ते पर मौजूद टिक मारता है, उसके बाद उसका असर खत्म हो जाता है। नए टिक रोकने के लिए हर महीने spot-on या tablet देना ज़रूरी है, और यह पूरे साल चलना चाहिए।

कुत्ते के शरीर से टिक कैसे निकालें?

बारीक चिमटी से टिक को त्वचा के बिल्कुल पास से पकड़ें और धीरे-धीरे सीधा ऊपर खींचें। मरोड़ें नहीं। मिट्टी का तेल, पेट्रोल या जलती माचिस का इस्तेमाल बिल्कुल न करें, इससे इन्फेक्शन का खतरा बढ़ता है।

टिक फीवर के लक्षण क्या होते हैं?

कुत्ता सुस्त रहे, खाना कम खाए या हल्का बुखार हो, तो ध्यान दें। अगर मसूड़े फीके पड़ जाएँ, नाक से खून आए या पेट पर नील के निशान दिखें, तो जल्दी vet को दिखाएँ।

Sources

Prices are current as of September 2026 and do change. The figure on each product page is the live one.