Bravecto for dogs: 12 Weeks of Powerful Flea and Tick Protection
- We Walk Woofs
- Feb 27
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 28
This article is designed as a source of information only and discusses Bravecto, its uses and its suitability for dogs. Bravecto is used fas a flea and tick treatment in dogs, but it should only be used and administered under the direction of your vet and via a veterinary prescription after a thorough consultation to discuss your dog's symptoms and whether Bravecto would be suitable for your animal. Always consult with a vet before giving your dog Bravecto.

When the Summer months are approaching and it becomes time to consider protecting your pets from fleas and ticks, finding a safe, effective and long-lasting solution becomes super important. Bravecto chewable tablets are a popular choice for dog & cat owners looking to deal with flea and tick infestation in dogs without worrying about monthly dosing and applications. This innovative oral treatment provides owners and pets with extended protection that is way more convenient and reliable than other monthly options.
If you've ever had to deal with an ongoing flea infestation in your pets and home, you are well aware of how frustrating it can be for both you and your dog. These tiny insects multiply rapidly, quickly turning the odd flea into a sometimes overwhelming problem. Bravecto was created to specifically address this challenge and provides pet owners with powerful, sustained protection that makes it a frequently prescribed solution for total control of tick and fleas in dogs.So, let's take a look at Bravecto, what it is, how it works, what you need you be aware of and how it can help your pets this Summer.
Pros
✅ Long-lasting (12 weeks) protection
✅ Rapid action
✅ Easy & tasty to administration
✅ Comprehensive parasite coverager
Cons
❌ Prescription required
❌ Possible digestive side effects
❌ Not for all dogs
❌ Higher upfront cost

Bravecto For Dogs
10. Bravecto for dogs FAQ
Bravecto for dogs - Chewable flea and tick tablets - What exactly is Bravecto?
Bravecto for dogs is a vet-prescribed medicinal product that contains fluralaner, an innovative ectoparasiticide that is indicated for the treatment of flea infestations and multiple tick species in dogs. What makes Bravecto different to most other flea treatments is its length of action. Unlike other monthly treatments, a single dose of Bravecto can provide continuous protection for up to 12 weeks against fleas and most tick species, though for certain ticks protection lasts 8 weeks which is still admirable. Developed after rigorous clinical field testing, Bravecto is designed to be well accepted by most dogs thanks to its tasty, palatable and chewable form.
The active ingredient in Bravecto, fluralaner, works systematically through your dog's bloodstream to kill parasites quickly and effectively. Bravecto has become commonly and widely prescribed by vets to pet owners since its introduction and has a reputation for reliability and more importantly, convenience. The chewable tablet eliminates the usual flea treatment concerns about application site wetness or transfer that come with topical treatments, making it particularly appealing for families with children or multiple pets.

What forms does Bravecto come in?
Bravecto comes in a variety of formulations to suit different pets and owners' preferences. The most popular variety comes as a pork-flavoured chewable tablet, which can be administered orally based on your dog's weight. The tablets come in various strengths, from smaller tablets for smaller breeds to the 500mg option for dogs weighing between 10-20 kg and all the way up to 1400mg. For those dogs that struggle with tablets, Bravecto also comes as a spot-on topical solution applied directly to the skin similar to treatments like Frontline. The main ingredient in all Bravecto products is fluralaner, with the appropriate strength selected based on your dog's weight. Both the tablets and topical solution provide up to 12 weeks of protection against most parasites, making Bravecto an ideal choice for long-lasting flea and tick control.
Did You Know? 🐶 Bravecto is the first and only treatment that has been shown to kill fleas and multiple tick species, as well as demodectic mites, sarcoptic mites, and ear mites for 12 weeks in a single dose |
What does Bravecto do?
Bravecto protects a range of parasites that are common in dogs. Its main use is to control tick and flea populations, killing adult fleas before they can lay their eggs and breaking the flea lifecycle. By doing this Bravecto can prevent flea re-infestation for up to 12 weeks, while also killing ticks within 12 hours of them attaching to your dog. This rapid action can significantly reduce the risk of the transmission of serious tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease which is a major concern for many dog owners. Additionally, it is effective against Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis (mange mites), providing effective relief for dogs suffering from this uncomfortable condition.

How does Bravecto work?
Bravecto works by targeting a parasite's nervous system. Once the active ingredient, fluralaner, is in your dog's bloodstream, the compound is ingested by fleas and ticks when they bite your dog. The fluralaner attacks the parasite's nervous system by blocking GABA and glutamate-gated chloride channels—receptors that don't exist in mammals. This highly selective method is why the drug is lethal to parasites but has a wide safety margin for dogs. Once the parasites are affected, they undergo uncontrolled nervous system activity which leads to paralysis and death. Fleas generally die within 8 hours and ticks within 12 hours of ingesting Bravecto. The medication's 12-week protection comes from its unique pharmacokinetic properties as it is stored and slowly released from fat tissues over 12 weeks.
Bravecto safety and contraindications?
Bravecto has been extensively tested and has been proven safe for most dogs when used as prescribed. During the extensive clinical field testing, treated dogs of various breeds, ages, and sizes showed minimal side effects. However, there are important things that owners must bear in mind. Bravecto should not be used in dogs that are sensitive to fluralaner, in puppies less than 8 weeks old, or dogs that have the deficient multidrug-resistance-protein 1 (MDR1) gene mutation without strict vet guidance. No significant interaction with other routinely used veterinary medicinal products was observed, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the coumarin derivative warfarin.
How do I get Bravecto?
Bravecto requires a valid prescription from your veterinarian, who'll assess your pet's needs and determine the correct dosage based on body weight. Once prescribed, you can purchase it directly from your vet's office or through licensed online pharmacies, but always store the product in the original packaging until use to prevent children from getting direct access.

Bravecto dosage
Bravecto® chewable tablets | Fluralaner (mg) |
For Very small dogs (2 – 4.5 kg) | 112.5 |
For small dogs (> 4.5 – 10 kg) | 250 |
For medium-sized dogs (>10 – 20 kg) | 500 |
For large dogs (> 20 – 40 kg) | 1000 |
For very large dogs (> 40 – 56 kg) | 1400 |
Potential side effects of Bravecto
While Bravecto is usually side effect-free and well-tolerated by most dogs, some may experience mild adverse reactions including vomiting, diarrhoea, inappetence (loss of appetite), lethargy and drooling. These adverse events typically resolve themselves without treatment, but if your dog displays any concerning or persistent symptoms after administration, it is important to contact your vet immediately to determine whether the symptoms are related to the medication.

Bravecto overdose
In testing, Bravecto has been administered at up to five times the maximum recommended dose in healthy dogs with good tolerance and minimal side effects. However, if an accidental overdose does occur (such as when one dog enjoys the flavoured tablets too much!), contact your vet immediately for guidance, as signs of potential toxicity might include vomiting, diarrhoea, or neurological symptoms, though serious complications from Bravecto overdose are rare.
Did You Know? 🐶 Fluralaner, the active ingredient in Bravecto, works by over-exciting the nervous system of fleas and ticks when they bite, causing paralysis and death |
Bravecto For dogs - Summary
Bravecto is one of the leading brands of parasite treatments for dogs because of its single-dose extended protection against fleas and ticks. Bravectos active ingredient, fluralaner, works systematically via your dog's blood, killing ticks and fleas quickly and preventing reinfestation for up to 12 weeks which is a lot longer than other monthly applied treatments. Bravecto is a very safe and effective treatment for dogs of all sizes and ages and whilst it is generally well-tolerated by most dogs, owners should be aware of its potential mild side effects and contraindications, especially for puppies under 8 weeks and dogs with certain genetic conditions. The ease and convenience of the extended 12-week protection along with its rapid flea and tick-killing action makes Bravecto a leading recommendation for many veterinarians and dog owners seeking effective, long-lasting parasite control.

FAQ's
❓Can you use it if your dog is pregnant?
Bravecto is safe for pregnant and lactating dogs and breeding animals, with no evidence of reproductive toxicity.
❓What are the disadvantages of Bravecto for dogs?
Requires prescription for access, possible mild side effects, higher initial cost, and unsuitable for dogs with the MDR1 mutation.
❓What happens when you give your dog Bravecto?
Once administered orally, it circulates in the bloodstream, quickly killing parasites and preventing further infestation.
❓What is the best natural flea treatment for dogs?
Essential oil shampoos, diatomaceous earth, and apple cider vinegar sprays can help with prevention, but require frequent application and testing.
❓Can a dog still get fleas while taking Bravecto?
Dogs might briefly pick up fleas that haven't ingested the medication yet, especially in heavy infestation environments.
❓Do I need a vet prescription for Bravecto?
Yes, a valid prescription is required to ensure appropriate use for your specific dog.
❓Do vets recommend Bravecto?
Most vets recommend it for its effectiveness, 12-week protection period, and convenience for pet owners.


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