What's the Difference Between Frontline vs. Advantix?
While both medications can help keep your dog safe from pests, the main difference between Frontline vs. Advantix are as follows:
- Advantix kills fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and chewing lice and also repels ticks, fleas, biting flies, and mosquitoes. If you live in an area with lots of mosquitoes or flies, this may be the best choice. You should consult your veterinarian before using Advantix on a pregnant dog.
- Frontline Plus kills fleas, ticks, and chewing lice, and prevents fleas from laying new eggs. Frontline is approved for use on pregnant dogs.
Other differences between the two medications, as well as additional details (such as side effects, dosage, etc.) are covered below.
Biting pests like fleas and ticks can mean unwanted pain and discomfort for dogs, and some serious illnesses can result—some tick bites can lead to Lyme disease or other diseases, and fleas can carry tapeworm.
Protecting your dog is a no-brainer, but how do you know which repellent will work best for your dog? With so many options, like Comfortis and Revolution for dogs, it can be tough to discern which medication is right for your pooch.
You’ve probably been recommended Frontline Plus or K9 Advantix 2, or heard about one or both. Depending on what pests your dog is exposed to, how old your dog is, and what your dog’s lifestyle is like, one brand might be better suited to your pet than the other.
Frontline Vs Advantix: How long does a dose last?
Both products last one month after application, and both are waterproof, so they’ll keep working if your dog goes swimming or needs a bath.
Should my dog be kept inside or alone after the dose?
- After applying K9 Advantix, wait 48 hours before bathing your dog or letting it swim in a lake or pond—the medicine is dangerous to aquatic life.
- K9 Advantix cannot be used on cats, and you should keep your dog away from any cats for 24 hours after applying the dose.
- After applying Frontline Plus, don’t let your pet get wet until the product is dry, which usually takes 24 hours.
Are there any side effects to Frontline Vs Advantix?
Both products may cause some temporary skin irritation. If this persists or worsens after a few days, you should talk to a veterinarian.
My puppy is only a few weeks old. Can I still use K9 Advantix or Frontline Plus?
K9 Advantix can be used on dogs at least 7 weeks old, and Frontline Plus can be used on dogs at least 8 weeks old.
My dog is pregnant or nursing. Can I still use one of these medications?
- Frontline Plus is approved for use on dogs that are pregnant, lactating, or breeding.
- You should consult a veterinarian before using K9 Advantix on pregnant or nursing dogs.
Frontline Vs Advantix: How do they work?
- Both products are topical medications, meaning you place the medicine on your dog’s skin. You’ll have to brush aside your dog’s hair and be sure the medicine is applied directly to the skin, to prevent it from coming off.
- When applying Frontline Plus, apply the entire dose to one spot on your dog’s shoulder blades.
- When applying K9 Advantix to a dog that weighs up to 20 pounds, apply the dose to 2 or 3 spots on your dog’s back from the shoulder blades to the base of the tail. If your dog is over 21 pounds, separate the dose into 4 to 6 spots along the back from the shoulder to the tail.
Having a dog that’s suffering from fleas and ticks can be stressful on you as well as uncomfortable and dangerous for your dog. Be sure to treat your pet for the pests in your area, and you’ll both be happier and healthier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, K9 Advantix II or Frontline Plus?
According to Dr. Lindsay Bisset, Both Frontline Plus and K9 Advantix II are effective products for treating dog parasites. The best product depends on your dog's specific needs and the parasite populations in your geographic location. K9 Advantix II has a broader spectrum of activity than Frontline Plus, as it kills and prevents ticks, fleas, chewing lice, mosquitoes, and biting flies. On the other hand, Frontline Plus only kills and prevents ticks, fleas, and chewing lice. So K9 Advantix II is better if mosquitoes or biting flies are an issue in your area. K9 Advantix II is slightly more expensive than Frontline Plus, but the higher cost of K9 Advantix II is justified by its broader coverage. Frontline Plus kills fleas within 24 hours and ticks within 48 hours, whereas K9 Advantix II starts to kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes within 12 hours. A small number of Frontline Plus users reported side effects like redness and itching at the application site. K9 Advantix II users reported irritation at the application site, vomiting, and diarrhea. Side effects for both medications are rare, generally mild, and resolve quickly. Frontline Plus is safer for households with cats, as K9 Advantix II contains permethrin, which is toxic to cats. Also, Frontline Plus is better for dogs that love to swim. Although both products are waterproof, frequent water exposure may reduce the effectiveness of K9 Advantix II before the full 30 days.
Which is better, Frontline Plus or Advantage II?
Advantage II and Frontline Plus are both effective medications for eliminating fleas in all life stages and also last up to a month. Dr. Kim Podlecki, DVM, says that Advantage II is generally more affordable, with potential discounts for larger purchases and the availability of online coupons or deals. FRONTLINE Plus is widely available in various stores and online, including pet supply pharmacies and veterinary offices, compared to Advantage II, which is less commonly found. Both products are applied topically, with clear instructions for usage. Neither has an advantage in terms of ease of application. For Advantage II, users appreciate its ease of application, affordability, and non-greasy feeling on the pet’s fur. However, some users report ineffective flea control despite following recommendations. Frontline Plus users generally praise its efficacy, affordability, and availability. Some express concerns about its active ingredient, Fipronil, but still find it effective, although occasionally ineffective for the entire month.
Is K9 Advantix the same as Frontline Plus?
Even though K9 Advantix and Frontline Plus are anti-parasite medicines, there are differences in their composition and effectiveness. As per Dr. Bisset, Frontline Plus is a topical medication used to treat and prevent ticks, fleas, and chewing lice in dogs and is suitable for dogs that are older than 8 weeks and weigh at least 5 pounds. The active ingredients in Frontline Plus are Fipronil and (S)-Methoprene. Fipronil kills adult fleas, ticks, and chewing lice by affecting their nervous system, while (S)-Methoprene prevents the development of flea eggs and larvae, interrupting the flea life cycle and preventing re-infestation. Frontline Plus comes in five different pipette sizes, each corresponding to a specific weight range. To use Frontline Plus, open the pipette, part your dog’s hair, and apply the medicine directly to the skin between your dog’s shoulder blades in one spot. After application, Frontline Plus quickly covers the entire dog, collects in the sebaceous glands, and is slowly released into the surrounding skin and hair follicles. The medication provides protection against parasites for 30 days, and fleas and ticks are killed on contact and do not need to bite the dog to die. K9 Advantix II is also a topical medication that kills and repels ticks, fleas, mosquitos, biting flies, and chewing lice on dogs, so it is effective for a wider range of parasites. One application of K9 Advantix II provides protection for 30 days. The active ingredients in K9 Advantix II are imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen. Imidacloprid and permethrin disrupt the nervous system of parasites, causing paralysis and eventual death, while Pyriproxyfen prevents flea eggs and larvae from maturing into adult fleas, breaking the flea life cycle and preventing re-infestation. K9 Advantix II comes in four different pipette sizes, each corresponding to a specific weight range. To use K9 Advantix II, apply the contents of the pipette to the skin along the top of your dog’s back, from the shoulders to the base of the tail, in four to six spots.
Is K9 Advantix II a good flea medicine?
K9 Advantix II is an effective flea treatment with a status of killing 98-100% of the fleas on dogs within 12 hours and continues to prevent infestations for at least four weeks. The medication also kills fleas before they lay eggs and kills flea larvae upon contact.
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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.
