How Long Does It Take for Nugard to Work on Fleas?

Nugard for pets is a simple to use topical flea and worming treatment that’s effective in keeping your pet safe and healthy. It is suitable for use on cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies.

Nugard For Pets

The topical nature of the treatment means it is user friendly and time saving (no more washing your fur baby with that weird smelling flea shampoo!). Simply administer the gel by parting the fur of your pet between the shoulder blades and placing the product directly on the skin of your animal. 

In the hours immediately after application be sure to keep that area dry and make sure no other pets lick off the treatment to give it a suitable amount of time to work. 

How It Works

The active ingredients used in Nugard (imidacloprid and moxidectin) will begin to work immediately after being administered. The topical nature of Nugard for pets kills fleas on contact with their fur; they don’t have to bite your dog or cat for it to take effect, which makes for a happier fur baby!

Existing fleas are killed within 12 hours, and after this time re-infesting fleas are killed within 1 hour. The active ingredient, imidacloprid, is shed with the natural shedding of your pet’s skin and fur, killing flea larvae in the environment and breaking the flea lifecycle making your (and their) home flea-free! 

As flea eggs can lay dormant in your house for long periods of time, hatching when triggered by movement or heat, it is still important to treat your pet once a month as advised by Nugard. 

If you find your pet is still scratching considerably after administering the treatment, do not worry. As the treatment works, the fleas get agitated and move around more within your pet’s coat causing discomfort which is usually met with a lot of scratching.

If the scratching continues into the next day, it could be a sign of a separate skin condition for which you should take your pet to the vet for further investigation.

What to Expect After Applying Nugard

In the first day after application, you may notice fewer live fleas on your pet, along with a gradual improvement in skin comfort. Redness or irritation caused by flea bites may take a little longer to settle, especially if your pet had a heavy infestation before treatment.

Dead fleas may fall off naturally, or you may notice them when brushing your pet’s coat. Regular grooming can help remove dead fleas and flea dirt, making your pet more comfortable during the recovery phase.

Does Nugard Prevent Future Flea Infestations?

Yes, when used consistently every month, Nugard helps prevent future flea infestations. Any new fleas that jump onto your pet after treatment are killed quickly, often within an hour, before they can lay eggs. This ongoing protection plays an important role in reducing flea populations over time.

However, because flea eggs and larvae can survive in carpets, bedding, and furniture, environmental cleaning is still recommended. Washing pet bedding, vacuuming floors, and treating severe household infestations can speed up results.

Monthly Use for Best Results

For best flea control, Nugard should be applied once every month, even if you no longer see fleas. Skipping doses can allow newly hatched fleas to survive and restart the infestation cycle.

Consistent monthly treatment ensures continuous protection and helps maintain a flea-free environment for both pets and owners.

Final Thoughts

Nugard works quickly to eliminate fleas—starting within hours and killing existing fleas within 12 hours. With regular monthly use, it provides ongoing protection, helps break the flea life cycle, and supports your pet’s overall comfort and wellbeing.

If flea problems persist despite treatment, or if your pet shows signs of ongoing skin irritation, consulting a veterinarian is always the best next step.

For further questions or advice on using Nugard spot-on treatments, contact our trusted vets today!