Compare: Advantage II vs Frontline for Dogs Top of the Line Flea and Tick Protection

BY | August 21 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY
Compare: Advantage II vs Frontline for Dogs
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When it comes to dealing with fleas and ticks, the best answer is prevention. Here, we compare two of the best protection products on the market to help you decide which one is right for your dog, based on their lifestyle and where you live.

Sooner or later, most dogs get a case of creepy crawlies. Fleas, ticks, and other pests are all attracted to our four-legged friends. Fortunately for us, products like Advantage II for Dogs and Frontline Plus for Dogs provide us with a powerful weapon against pests. So when you’re deciding between Advantage II and Frontline for your dog, what should you know?

When choosing one of these products, consider their particular advantages as well as your pet’s lifestyle and location.

Advantage II for Dogs

Fleas reproduce very quickly, which is why the makers of Advantage II for Dogs have included a few different parasite control agents in their formulation. Once Advantage II is applied to your dog’s coat, the contact formula begins killing adult fleas within 12 hours. Any fleas that re-infest are killed in the following 2 hours.

After that, a second ingredient in Advantage II, a flea growth inhibitor, starts to work. This growth inhibitor interferes with the viability of flea eggs, killing them before they hatch. Advantage II for Dogs works for a full month after each application.

This product is also effective against lice. In addition, because Advantage II is waterproof, reapplication isn’t necessary after baths or if your dog goes swimming.

This product should only be used on dogs and puppies that are at least 7 weeks old.

Frontline Plus for Dogs

When Meriel, the makers of Frontline products, replaced Frontline with Frontline Plus, they also added a growth inhibitor to their product. Thus, Frontline Plus is effective for a full month after application and also works to interrupt the flea lifecycle.

Frontline Plus begins to kill adult pests within 24 hours of application. This includes the killing of fleas as well as chewing lice and the dreaded carriers of Lyme disease, ticks.

Since Frontline Plus is waterproof, dogs who swim will stay protected. You won’t have to reapply after bathing your dog, either.

You can begin to treat your dog with Frontline Plus when he or she is 8 weeks of age or older.

Which Product is Best for Your Dog?

These leading brands are at the top of the list for pest control and are relatively similar, with a few key exceptions. Some tests have shown that Frontline kills live adult fleas more quickly than Advantage, but only by a few hours.

Another consideration when choosing between Frontline Plus and Advantage II for Dogs is your pet’s risk of exposure. Are you in an area that has a high tick population? Does your dog go outside a lot in these areas? If so, you might consider Frontline Plus. If your area doesn’t have a tick problem, or if your dog is mostly a homebody, then you may prefer Advantage II, which has a simpler formula.

Get advice from your vet as to which product he or she thinks would be best for your dog. Also, be sure to discuss any health conditions your dog has and whether that might affect your use of parasite control products.

Frontline vs. Advantage


Frontline Plus: Effective 1 month; kills pests within 24 hours: Adult fleas, flea larvae, and eggs; chewing lice; ticks. Waterproof. For pets 7 weeks and older.

Advantage II: Effective 1 month; kills fleas within 12 hours: Adult fleas, flea larvae, and eggs; chewing lice. Waterproof. For pets 7 weeks and older

Application

Pests controlled

Waterproof?

Recommended age of application

Advantage II

Effective 1 month; kills fleas within 12 hours

Adult fleas, flea larvae, and eggs; chewing lice

Yes

7 weeks and older

Frontline Plus

Effective 1 month; kills pests within 24 hours

Adult fleas, flea larvae, and eggs; chewing lice; ticks

Yes

8 weeks and older

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from Advantage to Frontline?

It's generally safe to switch from Advantage to Frontline or vice versa. Both Advantage and Frontline are effective against fleas and ticks, but they have different active ingredients and modes of action. Advantage contains imidacloprid, which kills fleas on contact, while Frontline contains fipronil, which spreads through the oils of the skin and hair follicles to kill fleas and ticks. So, switching between the two products may be useful if your pet develops resistance to one of them. However, according to the manufacturer's instructions, Frontline products should not be used in conjunction with Advantage or Advantix products, as it can lead to overdosing and potential adverse effects on your pet's health. Additionally, it's recommended to wait at least 24 hours after applying any flea or tick treatment before giving your pet a flea bath or using other flea and tick control products.

Why do I still see fleas after using Frontline?

The active ingredient in Frontline, fipronil, works by affecting the nervous system of fleas, making them hyperactive before dying. After treatment, dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's hair coat, which can make it seem like there are still fleas present. However, this is a sign that the product is working, and the fleas will eventually die and fall off your pet. It can take up to 24-48 hours for Frontline to kill fleas, and newly hatched fleas can continue to jump onto your pet even after treatment. Even with regular treatment of your pet with Frontline, there may still be fleas in your pet's environment, such as in carpets, bedding, or other areas your pet frequents. These fleas can jump onto your pet, leading to re-infestation. Also, Flea eggs can remain dormant in your pet's environment for several weeks and then hatch all at once, leading to a sudden increase in the number of fleas on your pet. This is why it's essential to continue using Frontline regularly as directed to prevent new flea infestations. In rare cases, fleas may develop resistance to Frontline or other flea and tick prevention products, making them less effective at controlling flea infestations.

Can fleas live in human hair?

Fleas are primarily external parasites of mammals and birds, and they feed on blood to survive. While fleas typically infest pets, they can also bite humans and feed on their blood. However, fleas do not live on human hair, as human hair is not a suitable environment for them to live and reproduce. In rare cases, fleas may jump onto a human's hair to feed, but they will quickly jump off after obtaining a blood meal. Unlike pets, humans do not have the dense fur or hair coat that fleas need to live and breed.

Why is Frontline not prescription?

Frontline is classified as an over-the-counter (OTC) product, which means that it can be purchased without a prescription from a veterinarian. This is because the active ingredient in Frontline, fipronil, is considered safe and effective when used as directed and is unlikely to cause harm to pets or humans when used appropriately.

What is the generic brand for Frontline?

Fiproguard is a generic flea and tick prevention product that contains fipronil as its active ingredient, just like Frontline. Fiproguard is available for both dogs and cats, and it is sold over the counter without a prescription. Like Frontline, Fiproguard works by killing fleas and ticks through their nervous system, preventing them from feeding on your pet and reproducing. Fiproguard is applied topically to your pet's skin, typically between the shoulder blades, and it provides protection for up to 30 days. While Fiproguard and Frontline contain the same active ingredient, it's important to note that there may be differences in their inactive ingredients and formulations. Additionally, different pets may respond differently to different flea and tick prevention products, so it's always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before switching to a new product.

More on Fleas and Ticks

25 Startling Flea and Tick Facts
Understanding Fleas and Ticks
Get Rid of Fleas In 8 Steps - Infographic

This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.

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