Frontline Plus Vs. Advantage Flea & Tick Medication

Summer is here and so are those pesky little four-legged critters. Now is the perfect time to treat all of your pets as well as your yard and your pet's sleeping quarters for fleas and ticks and make sure that your dog continues with his/her monthly heartworm medication throughout each year. There are many types of flea control products available out there and my personal opinion is that Frontline Plus & Advantage are two of the best flea control products ever.

We all love it when friends and family visit our homes, but there are some guests which are not welcome into our homes. Fleas, those tiny pests infest both dogs, cats and can invade your homes if left untreated. Fleabites can cause discomfort for your pet, and all of the constant scratching and itching can cause skin infections, which will lead to allergic skin reactions. Fleas can also cause other disease-causing organisms, including tapeworms. It is very important to get rid of fleas as quickly as possible and prevent their return to ensure that your pet stays healthy. Fleas are a terrible nuisance for your dog and if left untreated, flea infestation can pose serious health risks.

Frontline Plus and Advantage flea products are a very effective method of canine and feline flea control, and they are waterproof so they are especially useful for outdoor dogs that enjoy getting wet. The product still remains effective even after shampooing since it is absorbed through the skin two hours after application.

Advantage does have a much stronger medicine odor to it than Frontline Plus does but both do an excellent job on getting flea problems under control. Advantage leaves an oily patch at the application spot on the animal, where as with Frontline Plus there is no oily residue left behind on the animal even right after application.

Frontline Plus is the most complete flea and tick control available for your dog's care. Not only does Frontline Plus kill 98-100% of adult fleas on your pet within 24 hours, it also contains a special ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae to keep ALL stages of fleas from developing and bothering your pet and your family. Frontline Plus completely breaks the flea life cycle by effectively stopping the development of new fleas. Frontline Plus kills all stages of 4 major ticks, including the one which may carry Lyme disease. Frontline Plus remains waterproof for 30 days, even if your dog swims or is bathed, and is gentle enough for use on puppies 8 weeks of age or older.

Frontline Plus is designed for cats and dogs 8 weeks old or older and effectively kills fleas and tics. Within 24 hours of application Frontline Plus not only kills fleas and ticks, it also kills the flea eggs and larva. It is effective for at least 30 days and may last as long as 3 months for dogs. But using Frontline Plus every 30 days is recommended to receive the ultimate effect against fleas and ticks. Even though Frontline Plus it is water proof and will remain effective even if your pet goes swimming, avoiding bathing right away will allow it to spread throughout the surface of the body. Frontline Plus will work its way over your pet's body by collecting in the oil glands.

Frontline Plus collects in the oil glands of your pet's skin and spreads over the body by translocation. When fleas come in contact with Frontline, they die within 18 hours.

Frontline Plus kills up to 100% of existing fleas in less than 24 hours and continues to provide fast-acting, long-lasting flea and tick control from the very first application.

Fipronil, the active ingredient in all Frontline Plus Brand Products, is stored under the animal's skin, in the oil glands, so once Frontline Plus is applied, it continuously reapplies to the skin and adheres to the hair follicles which makes this flea medication waterproof. The great thing about Frontline Plus when compared to Advantage is that the fleas do not have to bite the animal first to die. When you treat your dog/cat with Frontline Plus, once fleas get on an animal that has been treated with Frontline Plus, the flea dies.

Directions for use are on the package as follows:

Remove applicator from child-resistant package. Use scissors, or lift and remove plastic tab to expose foil, then peel down. Open applicator. Hold upright and snap applicator tip away from face and body. Place applicator tip through your pet's hair right next to the skin between the shoulder blades. Squeeze applicator, applying entire contents in a single spot to your pet's skin.

ADVANTAGE:

Advantage topical flea medication works by being absorbed directly through your dog's skin and then entering your dog's bloodstream. Any medication that gets absorbed by your dog's hair or coat will prevent it's entry into your dog's bloodstream. Gently spread your dog's coat apart at the site of application, and gently squeeze the entire medication onto your dog's skin.

The active ingredient in Advantage is imidacloprid, which attacks the nervous system of fleas and causes paralysis and eventually death. Advantage kills fleas before they lay eggs, so their life cycle is cut short. It also kills flea larvae within 20 minutes of contact.

For dogs less than 21 lbs, the entire tube of liquid is applied directly onto the skin at the back of the neck. For dogs over 21 lbs, you can apply the solution to two spots or up to 4 different spots, starting at the back of the neck and ending at the base of the tail.

Both Frontline Plus & Advantage flea medication is a very effective method for flea control when used properly and can keep your dog virtually flea-free all year round. But you need to apply the medication correctly for it to be most effective. Frontline Plus kills both fleas & ticks but Advantage only kills fleas. Talk to your local veterinarian to see what type of flea control is best to use for your pet & their fleas.

NOTE:

Try to limit your dog's activities after your first apply topical flea medicine because this will give the flea medication enough adequate time to be absorbed into your dog's skin. If you dog/cat loves to roll around on its back or if the area of application becomes wet or soiled, this will negatively and dramatically impact the medications absorption and performance. Be sure and do not pet or hold your dog/cat until the area of application of the flea medication has fully dried. You can apply Frontline Plus & Advantage in two spots on your pet which reduces the amount of medication that is absorbed into their coat. Just squeeze half the medication right next to the skin on a spot between your dog's shoulder blades, and squeeze the remaining medication just above your dog's tail.

Before applying Frontline Plus, Advantage or any other type of flea medication to your dog, give them a good flea bath first. A dog that has a clean coat and skin will allow the medication to be absorbed much more effectively and will work much better in ridding your pet of fleas and or ticks. Avoid bathing your pet for at 24 to 48 hours after applying Frontline Plus or Advantge. As with any flea prevention, there can be side effects from using them on your pets. Your pet can have severe salavating or heavy breathing. Read the precautions listed on the package before using any type of flea medication and it is best to talk to your local vet first before applying or giving any type of medicine to your pets.

Sources:

I worked as a veterinary technician for 10 years & learned a lot of valuable information.

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a licensed vet but I did learn many useful tips and information during my years working for one. The above information is intended for educational purposes only and shall not take the place of seeking professional medical advice from a licensed veterinarian.