About Advantage For Cats
Advantages main ingredient is imidacloprid. Imidacloprid works to kill fleas by acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the central nervous system, essentially causing paralysis and death of the flea.
Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Your Cat
Advantage spot-on products are applied to the surface of a small target area or spot of the skin, usually in front of the shoulders at the back of the neck.
Advantage collects in the oils of the skin and hair, allowing for continual release, lending to its 30 day period of efficacy. Per the product label, a single application of Advantage can start killing cat fleas within 2 hours and can kill all adult fleas within 12 hours. It must continue to be applied once a month to prevent the chance of further infestations.
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It is important to note that while these pesky pests are affected by Advantage by coming in contact with the skin, and dont have to actually bite a kitty to die, Advantage products for cats do not provide true repellency that would prevent fleas or ticks from coming in contact with a pet.
Can Cat Fleas Live On Humans
There are about 2,000 types of fleas and only one of those can live on humans, so it’s extremely rare. Fleas don’t live on humans for long periods of time as they can’t survive on human blood but can be transmitted from pet to pet by people, as they are capable of leaping long distances.
If they are able to travel onto your body, they can bite and cause irritation or rashes. If you’re concerned, contact your GP.
What Users Have To Say About Advantage Flea And Tick Treatment Shampoo For Cats And Kittens
The cat doesn’t mind the shower because it’s warm and she likes to take a bath in it, but the fleas and ticks do die and fall, so I poor them.
I used half of the product to lather our cat, then rubbed his neck for 5 minutes, before I washed it, to make sure it wasn’t too dry.
This is the best flea and tick control brand out there, however you need to follow it up with other flea treatments in your home, as well as shampooing the cat.
It works to kill fleas but it doesn’t work all the time. It is a little oily at the touch but it doesn’t leave a bad smell and it lasts a long time.
This is a great product to use on your pet, especially if you have a cat or dog.
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How To Choose The Best Cat Shampoo For Fleas: The Buying Guide
How do you choose the cat shampoo for fleas? You must consider many things, such as the brand name, price, and product quality. In addition, you should also consider whether it is suitable for your needs or not.
So how do you choose the right cat shampoo for fleas? Here are some tips that you can use to help you find a good product:
What you Should Keep in Mind When Buying cat shampoo for fleas
When shopping for a cat shampoo for fleas, there are several things to consider. You need to think about the quality of the product, the price, and even how much it will benefit your life. However, you also need to keep these factors in mind:
Which Is Better For Cats: Advantage Or Frontline

Both Advantage products and Frontline products have different combinations of ingredients, so they can have different applications. Instead of thinking about which product is better, consider which product is more appropriate to your kittys needs.
Advantage II kills adult fleas and also targets flea eggs and larvae. Advantage Multi targets only adult fleas, but the moxidectin component can also kill ear mites and provide prevention for mosquito-borne heartworms and the internal parasites roundworms and hookworms.
The Frontline products Frontline Plus and Frontline GOLD contain fipronil, which kills fleas but also kills ticks, lice, chiggers, and even the sarcoptic mange mite. Both Frontline products also contain -methoprene, which targets flea eggs and larvae. Like Advantage II, Frontline GOLD also contains pyriproxyfen, making its effect on killing fleas more efficient.
In terms of the time it takes to kill fleas, Frontline GOLD starts killing fleas within 30 minutes, Advantage II within 2 hours, and Frontline Plus within 4 hours. Frontline Plus kills all fleas within 12-18 hours. Advantage II can kill all fleas within 12 hours and Frontline GOLD is likely comparable.
So all the products do very similar things as far as addressing fleas minus Advantage Multi which can only kill adult fleas.
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About Dr Chris Vanderhoof Dvm Mph
Dr. Chris Vanderhoof is a 2013 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a Masters in Public Health. He completed a rotating internship with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and now works as a general practitioner in the Washington D.C. area.Dr. Vanderhoof is also a copywriter specializing in the animal health field and founder of Paramount Animal Health Writing Solutions, which can be found at www.animalhealthcopywriter.com. Dr. Vanderhoof lives in the Northern Virginia area with his family, including 3 cats.
How To Apply Advantage For Cats
The tip of the cap is then inserted onto the tip of the vial and twisted to break the seal. The entire contents of the vial can then be applied by parting the fur and applying to the skin along the back of the neck in front of the shoulders where a kitty cannot reach to lick it off of himself.
While Advantage products are considered to be waterproof, make sure not to bathe your kitty within at least 24 hours of application. Bathing shortly before application may also reduce its effectiveness.
If for some reason you are unsure if the product was administered correctly or whether all of it was applied, it is usually safest to not apply an additional dose.
If you have any questions about application or safety for Advantage products or any topical product, make sure to get in touch with your veterinarian.
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Top Questions About Advantage Treatment Spray For Cats
How to spray for fleas:
For best results, especially on heavy-coated cats, direct spray for fleas against the natural lay of the hair, spraying the ruffled hair directly behind the hand. Make sure the spray thoroughly wets ticks. When used on cats, towel-dry the animal after ½ hour if not totally dry. Take care to avoid contact with genitalia.
Sensitivities may occur after using any pesticide product on pets. If signs of sensitivity occur, bathe your pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water. If signs continue, contact your vet immediately.
Be sure to thoroughly read product label directions and precautionary statements before use.
This flea spray for kittens may be used on kittens over 7 months. To use:
Be sure to thoroughly read product label directions and precautionary statements before use.
What Does Advantage Ii Do For Cats
Advantage II contains imidacloprid, which works relatively fast to kill adult cat fleas by acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the central nervous system, essentially causing paralysis and death of the flea.
Advantage IIs second ingredient, pyriproxyfen, is an insect growth regulator that also targets flea eggs and larvae. Advantage II is thus effective against the entire flea life cycle, which is more effective at stopping flea infestations more quickly and reducing the likelihood of reinfestation.
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Flea Treatment For Cats And Kittens
If your cat has fleas, you should contact your vet to ask about the best flea treatment and how often to give it. There are lots of products available in pet shops and supermarkets but ‘spot on’ treatments, flea tablets and injections from your vet are the best effective long-term methods of flea control.
You’ll usually need to give your cat this treatment, regularly. For example, most spot on treatments recommend that they are applied every month.
Important
Most flea treatments are only suitable for kittens aged over eight weeks old. Call your vet for advice urgently if your younger kitten has fleas, as blood loss from flea anaemia can be fatal.
What Does Advantage Do For Cats
Advantage products contain imidacloprid, which works relatively fast to kill adult fleas.
Advantage II, which has essentially replaced Advantage, additionally contains pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator that also targets flea eggs and flea larvae. By targeting multiple life stages, Advantage II is thus effective against the entire flea life cycle, which is more effective at stopping flea infestations more quickly.
Advantage II additioinally targets flea eggs and flea larvae, so by targeting multiple life stages it is effective against the entire flea life cycle.
Advantage Multi is a different combination product that contains imidacloprid plus moxidectin. The addition of moxidectin provides a spectrum of action against ear mites, mosquito-borne heartworms, and the intestinal parasites roundworms and hookworms. Advantage Multi does not contain pyriproxyfen, so it is not effective against flea eggs and larvae, only the adult fleas.
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Is Advantage For Cats Effective
The ingredients in Advantage II for cats appear to be effective against fleas and assisting in clearing out flea infestations.
However, the question of flea resistance to products like Advantage II and the idea that they dont work comes up often. The 2017 article Perception vs. Reality: Insecticide Resistance in Fleas from DVM360 that refers to an article published in American Veterinarian that same year addresses this topic.
An entomology professor from the University of California heavily investigated this question and concluded that while resistance has been seen to some flea control or prevention products, true chemical resistance in fleas with fipronil, imidacloprid, and some other newer products on the market has not yet been demonstrated.
In many cases, when a pup or kitty parent is still seeing live fleas on their pet after a product has been applied, this issue can most often be traced back to incorrect use or application of the product, as well as poor expectations.
Following are some common errors or misperceptions.
Is Advantage Safe For Cats Using Caution With Other Flea/tick Products

When selecting a flea/tick product for your kitty, always make sure the product includes a picture of a cat and indicates the product is specifically for cats.
While Advantage II for Cats has been established as a safe product, the active ingredients may be found in other products in combination with other ingredients that are not safe for cats. This is especially the case with dog products like K9 Advantix II, which has a similar name and similar-appearing packaging. K9 Advantix II contains permethrin, which is extremely toxic to cats.
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Fortunately, these products are now required to include a warning against use in cats. But just to be safe, when selecting a flea/tick product for your kitty, always make sure the product includes a picture of a cat and indicates the product is specifically for cats.
It is also always advisable if you have a pup and kitty who like to hang out together or groom each other, to separate them for 24 hours after applying a topical product to your dog, especially if the product contains permethrin.
If you have any concerns for potential toxicity, even if you think your kitty might have just licked some Advantage off her fur and is having a bitter taste reaction, it is always best to contact your veterinarian, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for further advice.
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Side Effects Of Advantage Ii For Cats
Most common side effects can include skin irritation and scratching at the application site, and sometimes digestive upset signs like excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.
When used properly, side effects to Advantage II for cats are uncommon. Advantage II is labeled only for cats aged 8 weeks of age and older. Topical products like Advantage II should never be ingested.
According to the product label for Advantage II, the most common side effects, though generally uncommon, include skin irritation and scratching at the application site. Digestive upset signs like excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea have also been reported.
Imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen as found in Advantage II are generally quite safe, even if a little is accidentally ingested.
However, the product is very bitter tasting. If a kitty were to lick recently applied Advantage II off either themselves or a housemate, the bitter taste alone can lead to excessive drooling, agitation, and sometimes even vomiting.
According to DVM360s article Toxicology Brief: The 10 most common toxicoses in cats this effect is typically not a true toxicity, but a sometimes dramatic reaction to the bitter taste. Providing milk or liquid from a tuna can help resolve the signs in short order.
What Is The Difference Between Advantage And Advantage Ii
The original Advantage was effective in killing adult fleas within 12 hours of application. Advantage II still provides adult flea relief within 12 hours, but the new formula also provides extra protection. Advantage II breaks the flea life cycle by preventing flea larvae from developing.
Can I give my cat Advantage chips twice a month?
can you use before 30 days. Under normal conditions, this product is effective for one month. However, in case of severe flea infestation, a retreatment may be necessary before 4 weeks. Remove no more than once every 14 days for kittens or once every 7 days for small and large cats.
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What Is The Difference Between Advantage I And Advantage Ii
The original Advantage product contained only imidacloprid, which can only kill adult fleas. In 2011, Advantage II was released containing the additional ingredient pyriproxyfen, which can also kill flea eggs and larvae. Because Advantage II is more effective at addressing the entire flea life cycle and ending infestations, Advantage II has largely replaced the original Advantage product.
Side Effects Of Advantage For Cats
When used properly, side effects to Advantage products for cats are uncommon. Advantage II is labeled only for cats less than 8 weeks of age and Advantage Multi is only for cats less than 9 weeks of age. Topical products like Advantage should never be ingested.
According to the product label for Advantage II, the most common side effects, though generally uncommon, include skin irritation and scratching at the application site. Digestive upset signs like excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea have also been reported.
Advantage Multi reports similar side effects with the addition of a small number of cats showing signs of behavioral change like agitation and excessive grooming, as well as lethargy.
Imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen as found in Advantage II are generally quite safe, even if a little is accidentally ingested.
However, the products are very bitter tasting. If a kitty were to lick recently applied Advantage II off either themselves or a housemate, the bitter taste alone can lead to excessive drooling, agitation, and sometimes even vomiting.
According to DVM360s article Toxicology Brief: The 10 most common toxicoses in cats this effect is typically not a true toxicity, but a sometimes dramatic reaction to the bitter taste. Providing milk or liquid from a tuna can help resolve the signs in short order.
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Top Questions About Advantage Treatment Shampoo For Cats & Kittens
The ingredients in Advantage® shampoo for Cats and Kittens are specially formulated to kill fleas and ticks on cats and kittens over 12 weeks. The active Advantage® flea shampoo ingredients are Pyrethrins, Piperonyl butoxide and N-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, which are a mixture of chemicals that are toxic to insects like fleas and ticks.
Be sure to thoroughly read product label directions and precautionary statements before use.
Advantage® Treatment Shampoo can be used on kittens over 12 weeks. Be sure to thoroughly read product label directions and precautionary statements before use.
No, the Advantage® Treatment Shampoo for Cats & Kittens should not be used on your dog. It is formulated for cats and kittens over 12 weeks. Be sure to thoroughly read product label directions and precautionary statements before use.