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Frontline Versus Advantage For Cats

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Cat Care: Fleas & Parasites : Frontline vs. Advantage for Cats

With so many different flea treatments available on the market, finding the right one can be tricky. We have put together this list of some of the best and most effective flea treatments for dogs and cats to get you started, but discovering which works best for you and your pets may require some trial and error.

Symptoms Of Flea & Tick Infestation

Excessive Scratching, Nipping & Head Shaking Fleas bite and crawl over your dogs skin causing your dog to excessively scratch at its body to relieve the itch.

Ticks, on the other hand, seek out the damp, dark areas of your pets body like the armpit, groin, and ears.

Dogs who begin excessively shaking their head may be doing so in an attempt to dislodge a troublesome tick inside its ear canal.

Irritated Skin Fleas and ticks bite the skin causing irritation and characteristic bite marks.

If you notice redness, puffiness, bumps or a bullseye-shaped bruise your pet may have contracted fleas or a tick.

Hair/Fur Loss Pets infested with fleas or ticks often lose fur in infested areas as a result of excessive scratching and biting.

Pale Gums Pets with uncharacteristically pale gums are exhibiting signs of blood loss as a result of severe flea or tick infestation.

If you notice that your pet has pale gums, we recommend bringing them to the vet immediately.

Flea Dirt Fleas are very small and hard to see, but they leave gross traces of their presence in the form of flea dirt.

Flea dirt is actually flea feces, and it is a sure sign of flea infestation. Flea dirt can show on your dogs fur as well as infested homes.

Fever Pets infested with ticks and fleas often exhibit signs of fever, including weakness, loss of appetite, shivering and heavy panting.

How To Spot Fleas

Usually, the first sign of a fleaor other pestinfestation is your pet frequently and aggressively scratching. Also, keep your eyes open for flea dirt, small black flecks that youll see on the floor and furniture . If youre worried that your dog or cat might have fleas, check their fur using a flea comb, paying attention to the base of the neck near the shoulder blades, as well as the tail and tummy. Remove as many as you can before giving your pet a bath and treating them with flea and tick medication.

Fleas rise to the top of your pets fur when they die, so dont worry if you see their remains after applying treatment. But if you continue to see living fleas in your home, its possible that flea eggs existed before you started using flea medication. Some owners may also skip treatments, thinking their pet was in the clear. But if the fleas havent been completely eradicated, they can multiply again. So be sure to keep up your treatments for as long as your vet recommends.

People think because they dont see fleas, that their cats and dogs dont have fleas, Price said. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you discover fleas on your pet, you discover only 5% of the infestation, echoed Welser of Mars Veterinary Health. The other 95% is hiding throughout your home in the form of eggs, larvae, and pupas.

  • The best way to prevent a flea infestation is to give your pet a flea preventative. But if the pests have already arrived, heres how to get rid of them.

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What Pet Owners Need To Know

If you have questions about the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar, or any other flea-control product, speak to your veterinarian for advice. Regardless of what type of flea-control product you choose for your cat, the EPA urges pet owners to read the entire label before using the product, follow all directions carefully, and monitor your pet after treatment.

There are also reports of counterfeit Seresto collars on the market, particularly through online retailers. Petco and Petsmart, major suppliers of pet products, told us that they purchase Seresto collars directly from the manufacturer, Elanco. It’s important to purchase from a reputable website, brick-and-mortar store with a guarantee program, or for the most assurance, directly from your veterinarian. Before placing a Seresto collar on your pet, we also recommend that pet owners call Elanco product support to verify the authenticity of the product’s serial number.

If you suspect that your pet is having an adverse reaction to a flea collar, immediately remove the collar and call your veterinarian. Carroll also advises pet owners to contact theNational Pesticide Information Center, which is an EPA information-sharing partner with staff who are specially trained to respond to pesticide exposure incidents, as well as to report adverse reactions from flea collars and topical treatments on the EPA’s website.

Advantage Ii And Frontline Plus For Dogs Performance

Advantage Vs Frontline Plus For Cats

Now for the efficacy, it may vary because there is always mixed reviews among users but it seems for the dog variants Advantage II is more effective at dealing with the fleas. The solution is fast acting and reliable in killing the fleas completely while providing quite the protection too for at least 30 days after application. The solutions are both waterproof and not safe for cats but Frontline Plus for Dogs are also killing ticks in addition to fleas in which the Advantage II is not.

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Back To Comparing Flea Meds For Cats

We said wed compare Frontline Plus and Revolution Plus for Cats, and thats what well continue to do. Other considerations that cat owners may want to look at here include:

  • Frontline Plus is proven safe for pregnant cats, while Revolution Plus is not
  • Revolution Plus starts working more quickly killing fleas within 6 hours, as compared to 12 for Frontline
  • There are reports of a considerable number of pets that have skin reactions to Frontline Plus, while there is no such feedback for Revolution Plus.

Another factor that you might want to consider is that while Revolution is a more multi-threat medication for parasites, Frontline is effective at repelling mosquitoes. These airborne pests are particularly bad in certain areas of North America in the summer, so thats something that may sway you as well.

Finally, well get to a big-time factor for many people price. Indeed, the cost of the medication is going to be an integral part of whether they decide on Revolution Plus or Frontline Plus for cats. Well, Frontline Plus is generally slightly less expensive than Revolution Plus for individual package purchases but when youre buying in quantity the opposite tends to be true Revolution Plus is less expensive.

Any Effect On Other Parasites

Advantage II can control lice.

Frontline Plus can control lice and is also reported to help with mange.

Advantix II has the edge in this category by repelling lice and a good number of other biting flies as well.

Therefore, Advantix II is the more potent and complete treatment, fighting against the highest number of parasites.

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How Effective Are They For Fleas

Based on manufacturer claims and my research, all three are highly effective at killing fleas, though certainly not all equal.

All 3 claim to kill all fleas within 12 hours.

K9 Advantix II and Advantage II also claim to kill re-infesting fleas within 2 hours.

K9 Advantix II is the only that actually repels fleas as well as kills them.

This is a big benefit so your dog gets less bitten, less irritated and will have a lower chance of any further parasite related complications.

However, If you feel speed is of the essence when it comes to a flea medication and the time it takes to start working, then you should lean toward Frontline Plus.

What To Look For In A Good Flea Treatment

Cat Care: Fleas & Parasites : Best Flea Medicine for Cats: Advantage or Frontline?

The best flea treatments will share some of the same attributes. They will use safe and effective ingredients, provide protection against multiple pests, and maintain their efficacy for the full duration of the treatment. Most importantly, they will also work wonderfully for the individual needs of your particular pup.

Every flea prevention product uses a separate active ingredient depending on how the treatment is administered. For example, oral medications will require different ingredients than a topical solution to work properly. Since the method of delivery is different, oral versus topical, the ingredient will need to be different, too.

Another vital consideration is the number and type of pest covered by the treatment. A few products defend against fleas only, while many others will protect against ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies, and lice. For most environments, it is wise to select a treatment that guards against at least fleas and ticks.

To ensure that your pet is adequately shielded from pests, check the duration of the treatment, as it will vary from product to product. The majority of treatments need to be given every 30 days however, a few other products last for 12 weeks or even eight months. Remember that flea treatment should be administered year-round to prevent infestations.

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Veterinarian Discusses Flea And Tick Treatment In Durham

Fleas and ticks are annoying and they can carry disease. While tick season runs from about March through November and fleas appear most often from August to November, these parasites can appear in Durham all year long.

There are more than 2,000 species of fleas in the world, according to PetMD, with more than 300 living in North America. Purdue University says there are 899 species of ticks worldwide with more than 90 in the continental United States. It only takes one type of flea or tick infestation, however, to cause misery to you and your pet.

Fleabites are itchy and sometimes painful. Scratching and chewing can be extremely irritating to the skin. Some dogs and cats develop allergies to flea saliva, which leads to flea bite dermatitis, scabbing on your pets head, face, or neck, or at the base of the tail. Fleas also carry tapeworms that can live in your pets intestines. Ticks can spread diseases, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichia, with symptoms like fever, anemia, paralysis, lameness, and other problems.

Do Not Use Advantix Ii On Cats It Is Highly Toxic To Them

This is because cats are unable to metabolize permethrin and it poisons them, it can even lead to death.

So if you wish to use K9 Advantix II and there are cats in your home, you need to keep your dog and cat completely separated for at least 24 hours.

You might want to opt for Frontline or Advantage instead because accidents happen so why take the risk?

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Most Adverse Reactions Are Due To Incorrect Dosage

It has been reported that some dogs suffer a loss of appetite, restlessness, becoming nervous and other forms of strange behavior as side-effects.

Mostly this is seen as a result of an incorrect dosage being applied.

In all three ranges, there are different sized doses that are meant for dogs of different sizes for small, medium, large and extra large dogs.

Applying too little makes it in effective, applying too much for example using a large dog dose on a small dog can result in the adverse reactions described.

Make sure to read the instructions carefully, follow them to the letter and you will be fine.

Advantage And Frontline Pricing Comparison

Frontline Spot On (Top Spot) for Cats

Advantage is offered in four sizes based on the pets weight and is sold in packs of either four or six treatments. The price remains the same no matter the weight range, though the six-dose box is more expensive than the four-dose box. Per treatment, the pack of six doses is more economical even though it is more costly upfront.

Of these two products, Advantage is more economical. The four-dose pack of Advantage is less expensive than the three-dose box of Frontline, and the six-dose box of Advantage is less costly than the same quantity of Frontline. Per treatment, Advantage is approximately four dollars less than Frontline, making it a more cost-effective option.

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Which Treatment Is The Best Priced

Advantage is about $20 cheaper on average for six treatments. One thing youll also have to consider is the vet visit required to get a prescription for Revolution. Its going to cost a bit more, but overall, Revolutions price includes far more treatments than Advantage. With Advantage, youll also need to have treatments for other types of pests.

Revolutions extended treatment may cost more, but it is going to cover more, which may end up being cheaper in the long run. If you dont need any other treatment, it could really cut down on long-term costs.

Vet Describes Flea And Tick Treatments

There are a number of flea and tick treatments available. Some work by killing ticks and fleas already living on your pet, and a few kill their eggs through use of an insect growth regulator. Our vet can help you decide which is right for your animal companion.

Topical products like Frontline Tritak, Frontline Plus, Advantage/k9 Advantix, and Revolution are applied to a small area of your pets back. These spot on chemicals spread over your dog or cats body and settle into the oil glands, which release the active ingredients over several weeks. Frontline , protects against fleas and ticks k9 Advantix protects against fleas, mosquitoes and ticks. Advantage protects against fleas Advantage Multi and Revolution are both topical options for dogs and cats that prevent fleas, heartworms, and intestinal parasites.

Oral medications are some of the most effective flea medications currently available. Nexgard kills fleas and ticks, while Trifexis prevents fleas, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Bravecto also prevents fleas and ticks, and is given only once every 3 months. For cats the only oral option currently available is Comfortis, which is a flea-only preventative.

Flea and tick shampoos only get rid of adult pests already living on your pet they do not prevent fleas and ticks from returning, but can be useful to help knock down an existing flea problem.

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Flea Shampoos Are Unnecessary

“Nowadays, flea shampoos are rarely if ever needed because the topical and oral flea products are much more effective and safer,” Sawyer said. “For flea-infested animals, we typically give a fast-acting oral product such as nitenpyram and follow with a bath in Dawn dish detergent or another mild cat shampoo. You can use a flea comb to assist in removing dead fleas and flea dirt .”

I See They Are Plus And Version Ii Are There Standard Versions

Cat Care: Fleas & Parasites : Comparing Advantage, Frontline Plus & Revolution for Cats

There is a standard Frontline, as well as a Bayer Advantage and a K9 Advantix, the difference being that the Plus and mark II versions are newer and more effective

The main difference between Advantix and Advantix II is the addition of IGR, Insect Growth Regulator, that not only attacks live adult parasites, but also their eggs and larvae.

To be honest, I dont see the point in further discussing the older versions in this article

If you have the very real problem of parasites on your dog and perhaps in your home, why would you opt for an inferior, older product that have more powerful, up to date and more highly effective versions available?

So Ill leave that discussion here.

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Which Is Better For Cats Frontline Or Advantage

If you are looking for a quick answer to this question, I might disappoint you by saying that none of these is better than the other. They are both effective flea treatments that work for most cats.

However, in my own personal experience, and while I was practicing, I will say that I was more likely to recommend Advantage II rather than Frontline.

How We Picked And Tested

To find the best flea and tick treatments, we spoke with six pet and pesticide experts about medications, side effects, active ingredients, and regulatory concerns. Our two veterinarians shared their personal product recommendations and shopping advice, which guided us in this review. They agreed that flea and tick treatments should both kill and protect against these bugs and work for at least 30 days. They also shared the favorite treatments they recommend to their own clients. We cross-referenced their advice with dozens of treatments sold across retailers like 1-800-PetMeds, Amazon, Chewy, Petco, and PetSmart, among others.

We categorized our search by orals/chews, topicals, collars, sprays, and shampoos. We dismissed sprays and shampoos because they offer protection for only days or a week at a time, and pet owners are more likely to misuse them compared with other products. That left us with eight brands of chews, topicals, and collars for cats or dogs. We selected the four brands that were highly recommended by our experts, that kill and protect against a wide range of pests, and that are sold across retailers at a variety of budgets.

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How To Decide Between Frontline Vs Advantage For Cats

Wondering how to choose between Frontline vs. Advantage for cats? Both medications are effective at stopping flea growth and development, but there are a few key differences that should be addressed:

  • Frontline Plus will kill flea growth and inhibit further development within 24 hours of application, and continue working for one month .
  • Frontline Plus will also protects against ticks and lice.
  • Advantage II begins working within 12 hours of application, and will also continue to kill fleas/eggs for one month post application.
  • Advantage II does not kill ticks or lice.

These days, cat owners have more tools than ever to control parasites. Makers of such parasite control products have improved their formulations to be more effective at keeping your cat pest free. However, just because the medication has gotten more effective does not mean that pet parents dont need to compare flea treatments for cats. There are so many to choose from, like Advantage Multi for cats or Revolution for cats, it is important to know what they all do. Two popular examples are Advantage for Cats and Frontline for Cats, but what exactly is the difference between them? Which medication comes out on top in Frontline vs Advantage?

Below, we outline the particular benefits of these improved productsAdvantage II for cats and Frontline Plus for Catsso you can make an informed decision about which will be best for your cat.

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