Frontline vs Advantage Flea treatment is one of the most common comparison of the best dog flea treatment available in the market today. In this quick review, I want to make the comparison of Frontline vs Advantage Flea treatment outlining the benefits of each and why you should consider one over the other.
Dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) and ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) are parasites that feed on mammal blood, especially dogs, and cause discomfort to the dog and their owner. Fleas are nearly microscopic with no wings but have strong hind legs that allow them to easily hop from one dog to another.
They can spread Dipylidium caninum, a type of tapeworm that affects and is dangerous to dogs. Fleas have a dark copper color while ticks can differ from shades of brown to red color. Fleas mostly infest your dog along the skin while ticks prey in warm moist areas like the neck, armpits and inner thighs.
Signs of flea or tick infestation
Hair/Fur Loss– extreme scratching and biting causes your dog to loose fur around he infested areas.
Skin marks– Fleas and ticks bite the skin causing irritation and also leave behind noticeable marks such as redness, puffiness, bumps or bullseye-shaped bruises.
Pale Gums– pale gums are a characteristic of blood loss which can be caused by severe tick or flea infestation. If your dog has this condition, it is important to make a vet visit for checkup and advice.
Excessive scratching, nipping or head shaking– fleas crawl on your dog’s skin causing irritation or discomfort that leads them to excessively scratch their body in an effort to relieve the itch. Ticks infest the damp and dark areas like the armpit and ears. You may observe your dog trying to excessively shake their head in an attempt to get rid of a disturbing tick inside its ear canal.
Flea Dirt– Fleas are nearly microscopic hence hard to see. However, they leave infestation traces in the form of flea dirt. The dirt is basically faeces which is visible can show on your dog’s fur and surfaces around your house.
Fever –signs of fever such as weakness, loss of appetite, shivering and heavy panting may be seen on a pet infested with parasites.
Dangers of flea infestation on dogs
Alopecia- the continued biting and sucking of blood by fleas on your dog can cause irritation due to certain compounds found in flea saliva. This causes scratching as an attempt to relieve the itch which in turn could lead to hair loss in patches.
Tapeworms- Fleas often contain tapeworm eggs that hatch and mature then feed on your dog for nourishment. They can grow to several feet causing your dog to have fatigue and gastrointestinal problems. You may even notice small white worms in your dog’s poop if the infestation is high.
Flea allergy- this is a common eczematous dermatitis skin disease in dogs caused by flea bites. It is characterized by severe itchiness and excessive hair loss around the neck, down the back of the legs, lower back and upper tail. If left untreated, this condition can lead to bacterial infections.
Anemia– this refers to a condition of reduced red blood cells that transport oxygen. Flea bite anemia is more likely to develop in puppies and small dog breeds that have low blood volume as well as senior dogs due to their poor immune system. However, large breeds can also contract anemia if the infestation is severe. Pale gums is an indication of anemia.
Death– severe cases of anemia can be fatal.
There are many remedies that can be used against fleas and other parasites. You can choose one remedy to help your dog break free from the annoying, unpleasant and dangerous parasitic attack. This will require you to understand your dog’s parameters such as weight, size, allergic reactions and degree of infestation among others.
There are many brands that promise to protect your dog from fleas and ticks by producing quality treatment products. Among them are widely-known and time-tested Frontline and Advantage flea treatments. They are both effective ways to prevent fleas from infesting your dog and your home. Understanding the small yet significant difference between the two and choosing the one that best suits your dog can be a rather difficult process.
Below is a detailed description of each and well laid out differences between one and the other.
Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment
Produced by an animal health company, Merial, Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment is trusted by veterinarians for flea and tick control in dogs and puppies above 8 weeks of age. The product eliminates 100% adult fleas within the first day of topical application and stubborn ticks within two days. It consists of two active ingredients, fipronil which attacks fleas and ticks and (S)-methoprene which attacks flea eggs and larvae. They both work together to eliminate and prevent infestation for a whole month. The long-lasting formula is stored in the sebaceous glands of the dog’s skin.
The formula works by attacking the parasites’ nervous system causing them paralysis and instant death. It spreads across your dog’s entire body continuously via your dog’s natural body oils.
Key features
- Key ingredients: fipronil and methoprene
- Eliminates fleas of all stages (eggs, larvae, pupa and adults)
- Prevents infestation by ticks which may cause diseases
- Provides waterproof effectiveness
- Offers effective protection for 30 days
- It is also an effective treatment against lice and sarcoptic mange
- Prevents mosquito bites
- It is waterproof allowing your dog to freely enjoy water activities
- Applicator included for topical application
Pros
- Packaging includes applicators for up to six months of use
- Protects against different types of parasites
- Waterproof
- Safe for use on both dogs and cats.
- Prevents future infestation.
Cons
- Expensive
- Can cause allergy reactions and rashes
Bayer Advantage II Topical Flea Treatment
Advantage II topical flea treatment is formulated to help eradicate fleas on medium dogs weighing 11 to 20 pounds, it is vet-recommended for monthly application and kills fleas through contact. Advantage II kills fleas in multiple life stages (eggs, larvae and adults) thus effectively breaking the flea life cycle to prevent future flea infestation on your dog.
This flea treatment entails four doses that come in a convenient topical liquid form for easy application. It is fragrance-free, waterproof after 24 hours and starts working in 12 hours of application keeping fleas away for up to 30 days. The treatment works through contact hence the fleas don’t have to bite for it to take effect.
Key features
- Active ingredients: imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen kill fleas of all stages
- Waterproof
- Kills all flea life stages (egg, larva and adults)
- Kills fleas within 12 hours of initial application
- Kills re-infesting fleas within 2 hours
- Works through contact, so fleas don’t have to bite to die
- Remains effective for up to 4 weeks.
Pros
- Advantage II is also available in a formula for cats.
- Acts on lice
- Prevents re-infestation
- It is cheaper and less chemically harsh
- Safe for use on a 7-week old puppy
Cons
- Does not kill ticks
- Effective against mosquitoes
Key Differences between Advantage and Frontline
Frontline and Advantage are both flea treatments that offer a fair amount of protection for both dogs and cats. They have tiny differences;
Level of Protection– Advantage protects your dog from fleas only whereas Frontline II prevents infestation by fleas, ticks, lice and sarcoptic mange.
Price– Advantage is more affordable compared to Frontline.
Active Ingredients– Advantage is a combination of Imidacloprid and Pyriproxyfen while Frontline offers better protection through a combination of Fipronil and Methoprene.
- Advantage: Imidacloprid is an insecticide that is designed to imitate nicotine. It thus disrupts the flea’s nervous system from sending impulse to the rest of its body resulting to death. Pyriproxyfen on the other hand is a growth inhibitor that disrupts an insect’s life cycle preventing it from maturing and reproducing and consequently causing future infestations.
- Frontline: Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide used for control of a number of insects including fleas, ants, beetles, cockroaches, ticks, termites and many others. Just like pyriproxyfen, Methoprene is a growth inhibitor and works with Fipronil to cut the lifecycle of flea eggs and larva, preventing them from hatching or causing future infestation.
Multi-functionality– unlike Frontline Plus, Advantage II does not kill or prevent any other parasite. FRONTLINE Plus kills fleas, ticks, mange and repels mosquitoes.
Effectiveness– FRONTLINE Plus and Advantage II are both effective treatments for all life stages of fleas on dogs. They both feature three-way prevention that offers protection for up to a month. In the case of severe infestations and broad-spectrum protection however, FRONTLINE is a much better choice between the two due to its broad-spectrum nature.
Conclusion
Frontline and Advantage are both vet-recommended topical treatments that you use once per month for a lasting solution against fleas. Advantage II is more affordable but always keep in mind that purchasing the best product for your dog ensures comfort and maximum protection. If you are looking for protection against a variety of pests then we recommend Frontline Plus. Advantage II features ingredients that are gentler and has fewer side effects thus ideal for sensitive dogs.
Whichever product you choose to use, we would like to recommend that you visit a vet or pet professional before using any treatment on your dog for their safety and health advice.
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Dr. Candy, a holistic veterinarian and certified raw dog food nutrition specialist, graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2009 with a DVM and has since specialized in companion animal nutrition, advocating for species-specific diets. With a background in wildlife rehabilitation and oil spill response, she combines holistic health and conventional medicine in her unique approach to treating chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions in pets. As the owner of a veterinary practice in Colorado and an author, Dr. Candy is dedicated to educating pet parents and improving the health and happiness of animals.
