Confused about Frontline vs Advantage products? As dog and pet owners, we want what’s best for our furry friends. This includes providing them with upmost comfort and high quality pet and tropical treatments.
Here is a comparison between Frontline and Advantage products. This can help you find the best product for your pup and get rid of those pesky parasites!
What is Frontline Plus?
Frontline is a big name in the flea prevention and treatment market. Frontline Plus is built upon the original product (Frontline). It was designed as added protection to eliminate fleas and break the life cycles of those pesky parasites. The advanced Frontline Plus also repels ticks, controls lice, and even treats severe infestations.
With thousands of positive reviews, it is estimated that puppies and dogs treated with Frontline Plus had 98-100% of their fleas killed within the first 24 hours of application. It’s no wonder Frontline is such a trusted brand within the dog parent and vet community.
Not to mention that it is a highly available product in local grocery stores. Plus, applying the treatment is a quick and easy application process.
Is Frontline Plus Safe For Dogs?
Yes! That is if the dosing is administered properly. The Frontline Plus box comes with various tubes filled with a tropical application that is made up of 2 active ingredients, (Fipronil and S-Methoprene). These 2 ingredients are largely considered safe for both dogs (eight weeks of age and older) and humans.
After applying the treatment to your dog, avoid petting the area of application. Also avoid giving your dog a bath for at least 24 hours (give time for the treatment to set in). Discourage any rolling, scratching or rough playing.
What is Fipronil and S-Methoprene?
Inside of each tube of Frontline’s parasite killing treatment is a mixture of active and inactive ingredients.
- Each tube contains approximately 9.8 percent Fipronil and 8.8% of S-Methoprene. The inactive ingredients make up everything else.
- The inactive ingredients are to preserve the product and is no danger to dogs or humans.
The active ingredients are the real pump and gas of the product. They are the ones that do all the heavy lifting. These ingredients are what kill fleas starting from flea eggs all the way to adult fleas. This puts a stop to the flea life cycle.
The product Frontline Plus also kills ticks that may be attached to your dog, however it’s not as quick as it is when killing fleas (takes about 24-48 hours).
How to Apply Frontline Plus to Your Dog
You’d be surprised by how simple the application instructions on the Frontline box are!
Flea preventative Frontline Plus comes in 4 different dosing strengths (depending on the weight of your pup). This makes it very easy to know which product to choose.
- For a small dog: 5-22 pound box
- For a medium dog: 23-44 pound box
- For a large dog: 45-88 pound box
- For an extra large dog: 89-132 pound box
If you have a small dog, simply open the Frontline box and squirt the liquid on your pup’s neck and in between the shoulder blades.
If you have a large or extra large dog, instead squeeze the liquid various times all the way down to the top of the tail. Make sure to place directly onto the skin and not onto the fur. This way, the tropical treatment can seep deep into the skins oil glands.
There is no need to rub it in. The treatment will begin to kill fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae other parasites, repelling mosquitoes and ticks almost instantaneously.
What is the difference between Frontline and Frontline Plus?
Original Frontline is meant to only kill adult fleas, ticks, chewing lice and protect against flea allergy dermatitis. Newer Frontline Plus does the same except it contains Methoprene, which kills fleas and ticks in all life stages.
What is Advantage II?
Advantage, just like Frontline, is a well known name in the flea prevention market. It is a highly effective tropical treatment that kills adult fleas on contact without the need for fleas to bite into the skin.
Advantage II is an updated version of the original (Advantage). It has an extra ingredient (Pyriproxyfen), along with the main ingredient (Imidacloprid),which helps kill fleas at the egg and larvae stage.
The flea/tick prevention Advantage is a highly available flea prevention treatment, with multiple products on every store pet shelf designed to cater to you and your pets needs.
The updated Advantage II claims to eliminate all fleas within 12 hours. Advantage II kills fleas in all life stages including adult fleas, eggs, larvae and chewing lice. It also reduces the outbreak of flea allergy dermatitis. However unlike Frontline, Advantage II does not treat or kill ticks.
Is Advantage II Safe For Dogs?
Yes! The new Advantage II is safe for dogs of all sizes 7 weeks or older and for dogs that weigh above 3 pounds!
Now the recommended dosage does depend on your dogs weight. Advantage II for dogs comes in 4 dosage strengths . It comes available in quantities of 4 to 6 monthly treatments but you may encounter other quantities.
You should read the instructions carefully and ensure that you are following the guidelines the box states. It is important to monitor your dog for 24 hours post application to ensure your dog is not ingesting any of the treatment.
Ingestion may only cause mild symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. It is best to contact your vet for professional advice if you see your dog licking or biting over the application area.
What is Imidacloprid and Pyriproxyfen?
Flea killing Advantage II carries two main ingredients. Imidacloprid, which is approximately 9.8% of each tube, and Pyriproxyfen, which is approximately 0.46% of each tube.
- Imidacloprid kills fleas by attacking the flea nervous system.
- Pyriproxyfen is used as an insect growth regulator and kills fleas in the immature stages of their life cycle (when they’re itty bitty babies).
How to apply Advantage II to Your Dog
The instructions that Advantage provides on their packaging are just as simple and easy as they are on Frontline products!
The product Advantage II boxes come in 4 different dosing strengths (depending on the weight of your pup), making it very easy to know which product to use.
- For a small dog: 3-10 pound box
- For a medium sized dog: 11-20 pound box
- For a large dog: 21-55 pound box
- For an extra large dog: 55 pounds and above
If you have a small dog, simply open the box and apply the treatment by parting the fur on your dog’s neck and in between the shoulder blades, releasing the liquid onto the skin.
If you have a larger dog, you will repeat the same process as stated above yet instead of releasing the entire tube onto the neck, apply the medication four or more times along your pup’s back before reaching the tail.
Advantage II vs K9 Advantix II vs Advantage Multi
Is there a difference between Advantage II and K9 Advantix II?
Yes, although all 3 products are highly efficient and kill fleas within 12 hours, there are some differences.
The original Advantage is approved for both dogs and cats, while K9 Advantix II is intended for dogs only. The ingredients inK9Advantix II can cause permethrin toxicity in cats.Unlike Advantage II, K9 Advantix II kills and repels fleas, mosquitoes and ticks.
Advantage Multi carries Moxidectin, which treats sarcoptic mange, several types of worms and microfilaria.
So Why Use K9 Advantix II at All?
Among all three of these products, it has the greatest power and the strongest effectiveness. Unlike other repellents such as fleas and lice, the repellent also targets ticks and mosquitos. The bacterial spore must be in contact with the dog before it can be effectively killed. If you don’t have an adult cat this could be the perfect choice.
How to Decide: Frontline vs Advantage
Frontline Pros in Frontline vs Advantage:
If you are looking for an all-in-1 treatment for ticks, fleas and chewing lice, choose Frontline Plus. Frontline Plus not only works in eliminating fleas but also prevents future infestations.
- The products Frontline and Frontline Plus kill fleas on contact whereas other treatments require the fleas to bite which can cause discomfort for your puppies.
- Preventative nature helps to avoid future discomfort for you and your dog.
- Application instructions are very simple. Reapplication necessary only once every 30 days.
- Stops those biting fleas and lice cold in their life cycle.
- The Frontline products vs Advantage products are slightly less expensive and provide a broad spectrum protection. Whereas, in comparison, most Advantage products are slightly more expensive but only takes care of fleas and lice.
- Safe for dogs and cats over 8 weeks old.
- Pest prevention Frontline products can last a very long time, they do not expire. If you’re only treating one dog, one box of Frontline can last up to 6-8 months (depending on the quantity of tubes that come in the box).
Frontline Cons:
- The box for Frontline doesn’t list the names of the inactive ingredients on the product packaging. This can be frustrating for many pet parents, however it is a very common occurrence among flea and tick medicines.
- The expanded Frontline Plus kills ticks but at a slower rate than it kills fleas (takes about 24-48 hours to do so). A study from 2003 found that Frontline Plus was actually less efficient at killing ticks than K9 Advantix II.
- Depending if your dog has sensitive skin, the process of application, and if your dog ingests the medicine, there may be side effects such as skin irritation, redness, drooling, vomit and diarrhea.
Advantage Pros with Frontline vs Advantage:
Both Frontline and Advantage are highly effective at killing fleas, but if you’re looking for a speedy flea extermination, Advantage is the better choice.
- Advantage kills fleas and lice much quicker than Frontline, killing fleas within 12 hours to exterminate them from your pups body.
- Kills adult fleas on contact and prevents flea eggs and and larvae from maturing, sparing your dog from the discomfort of more fleas hatching and biting.
- Safe for dogs and puppies older than 7 weeks and over 3 pounds.
- Application instructions are very simple like Frontline products. Medication only needs to be applied once every 30 days.
- The Advantage products can last a very long time, and they also do not expire. If you’re only treating one dog, one box of Advantage II or K9 Advantix II can last up to 6-8 months (depending on the quantity of tubes that come in the box).
Advantage Cons:
- Unlike Frontline, Advantage II and Advantage Multi does not kill ticks. If you want to use an Advantage product that kills ticks, you might want to consider buying K9 Advantage II.
- Advantage products are slightly more expensive than Frontline Products.
- Depending on your dogs skin sensitivity and how medicine is applied, side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, redness of the skin, excessive scratching and lethargy may ensue.
Some Dogs May React Badly to Any Flea Treatment
Regardless of the Frontline vs Advantage comparison, we must remember that any flea treatment can cause a reaction for some dogs. Make sure to carefully follow the instructions provided on both the Frontline or Advantage box. It is absolutely necessary to have an accurate weight before purchasing any flea or tick medication.
Be sure to take precautions and monitor your dog for 24-48 hours after the application. Make sure that your dog is not ingesting any of the medication and watch out for any side effects like vomit, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy or skin rashes.
Dog owners with small, sensitive dogs should be extra careful. The most serious cases of side effects on a dog who used flea and lice mediations weighed between 10-20 pounds. In a 2009 EPA study, Chihuahas, Shih Tzus, miniature poodles and Dachshunds were among the breeds who were more likely to experience problems.
When to seek a Veterinarian
Before purchasing any tropical treatments for your pet, it is best to seek professional advice from your veterinarian to ensure that the product you are using will benefit your dog. If you notice your dog licking the area of application or showing any side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, itching, scratching or lethargy, take your pet to the nearest animal hospital.
Now you’ve learned more about Frontline vs Advantage flea prevention for your dog! For other ways to treat your canine pet right, find out how to make healthy dog treats!
