• Oral medications are one way to prevent fleas on your dog and in your home.pills and pill bottle image by Effie White from Fotolia.com
  
  Fleas can be bothersome parasites that can cause itchiness, redness and even cause internal worms in dogs and cats, which is why prevention is important in maintaining a healthy pet. Fleas can also spread around your home and bite you, so preventing them not only benefits your pet, but you as well. Discovering some information on different types of flea prevention medications is the first step in taking control of these pests in your home, and keeping them at bay.
  
  

Topical Medications

• Topical medications are commonly used to prevent fleas. These medications are administered once a month to every couple of months, depending on the brand. Applied to the back of the neck, the medicine will help kill off any fleas and their larvae and keep them away. You can find a topical flea medication at most pet stores, or acquire a prescription from your vet.
  
  

Oral Medication

• Oral flea medications in the form of pills are another popular prevention tool to keep fleas out of the home and off of your pet. Depending on the medication brand, this form of medicine can be administered monthly or daily. Oral medication can usually only be acquired through a veterinarian, so head to your local vet if you are interested in this kind of flea prevention.
  
  

Flea Baths

• Flea bath shampoos contain chemicals that can assist in preventing fleas from festering and populating on your pet. These shampoos should typically be used in conjunction with another form of flea prevention medication, such as oral or topical medications. Flea baths are good to use in between monthly treatments, to prevent any fleas your pet may acquire from reproducing before medication can get to them.
  
  

Flea Collars

• Flea collars are another form of medicated prevention that you can try. Like flea baths, flea collars should be used in conjunction with another treatment, either oral or topical. These collars emit insecticides that get absorbed in your dog's skin and can help kill fleas that jump on your dog immediately, whereas medication can take a little longer.