Frontline Plus vs the other for Flea-control, Which way to go?
Written: Jun 02 '09 (Updated Jun 05 '09)
Product Rating:
Pros: Easy to apply, controls fleas under moderate conditions
Cons: Expensive, didn't protect for a full month, doesn't protect from mosquitoes
The Bottom Line: Both top flea control products work but we’ve found Frontline Plus less effective for a full month and ineffective against mosquitoes.
pestyside's Full Review: 6 Month Frontline Plus for Dogs 45 88lb
Fleas were never a problem for us while living in Colorado but they were a rude introduction to Texas when we first moved here in the mid-90s. After trying multiple over-the-counter treatments, shampoos, and dips, and after losing a dog to complications from age and flea infestations, we opted for something considerably more expensive (although not in the long-run) but only available at the time through Veterinarians. We began with a pill, but over the years flea control products improved considerably and today the two top products, K9 Advantix and Frontline Plus, compete for our flea-control dollars. At first glance they seem similar.
Over the past few years I’ve opted for K9 Advantix 55 Plus over Frontline Plus for Dogs 45-88 pounds for a few reasons. In many ways they are similar. Both are monthly topical flea and tick preventions for dogs, both kill flea eggs and flea larvae, both claim to be waterproof, and both kill ticks. Both are based on insecticides (remember that all insecticides are poisons). Neither can be used on puppies under seven or eight weeks.
They have differences too. They are both good, high quality flea-control products. Frontline Plus contains Fipronil and S-Methoprene. Fipronil is a broad-spectrum, slow-acting insecticide designed to disrupt the flea’s and tick’s central nervous system and kill them. S-Methoprene acts as an insect growth regulator that kills the eggs and larvae of fleas. K9 Advantix contains Imidacloprid and Permethrin (also an insecticide), which kills and repels fleas and ticks as well as mosquitoes. These ingredients also attack the insect’s nervous system. This repels and kills ticks before they attach to your pet and mosquitoes before they bite and it kills chewing lice.
Both products require special cautions. They both ~ can irritate the skin, both dog’s and human’s, ~ require brief waiting periods between application and shampooing/swimming, ~ are applied from an applicator between the shoulder blades, ~ can be purchased without a prescription, over the counter or through on-line pet supply stores, ~ have warnings for overdoses and for storage (storing in a cool dry place) and should be used only as directed, ~ leave an oily patch on the back and sometimes leaving a flaky residue behind that persists for several days, ~ are equally expensive (approximately $80 to $85 for six months) and come in one-month doses, packaged for multiple months (K9 Advantix has 4, 6 and 12 dose packages; Frontline Plus has 3, 6 and 12 dose packages).
(Additionally: I've never dealt with these products on small dogs and even though the formulation is designed for small dogs, some might be just too small. And as with all topical treatments, we always need to be aware of any reactions.)
With all of these similarities one might ask why select one product over the other.
When we moved to Illinois we were using Frontline Plus and continued for a while but noticed that the dogs were scratching a lot within a few weeks of application. They could NEVER last until the next scheduled application and our vet strongly advised that we didn’t move the dosage up. She said something like remember this is an insecticide and can not be used with other treatments and can not be applied before scheduled, that could create an overdose situation, especially in my aging Labrador. Then we discovered that mosquitoes were becoming a huge problem -- they were constantly buzzing their faces and biting my chocolate lab’s exposed tummy. Mosquitoes were a serious problem in our swampier east-central Illinois area. His coat isn’t very thick, especially on his abdomen, and it offered little protection. It was at this time our vet recommended K9 Advantix – not necessarily because she sold one rather than the other. She sold both although we didn’t buy through her; we always bought our flea-control products through on-line stores. In addition to killing fleas and ticks it repels those horrible biting flies.
For the record I never saw a tick on the dogs with either product (although they've had ticks while not protected) and I've yet to see a flea on them with K9 Advantix. I'm the one that gets mosquito bites these days and as far as we know lice have never been concerns.
Today we continue using K9 Advantix rather than Frontline Plus primarily because of the additional protection for mosquitoes and flies, but also because of the lengthier protection from fleas. My chocolate Labrador is seriously allergic to fleas and will literally scratch non-stop until he digs a hole in his skin. He is overly dramatic and rolls all over the floor, flailing his legs in the air while whimpering for mercy. The blond labrador is just a tough old girl and very little bothers her.
If you face mosquito problems consider K9 Advantix. If they aren’t a problem and your flea problem is moderate rather than severe, either product will work. If your pet is allergic to Imidacloprid and Permethrin, the active ingredients in K9 Advantix, you might want to consider Frontline Plus, which contains Fipronil and S-Methoprene. Personally I’d rather not have to apply either, but I witnessed what happened to my older dog when he was overcome by fleas. I could treat the entire yard with strong insecticides, but then I’d have to shoot all of the squirrels and rabbits before entering the yard. That in my mind is the tradeoff. Additionally the dogs would have to remain sequestered inside the fence never to see a sidewalk or trail again. Hmmm, that would cause a major canine uprising.
It seems preferable to apply one product for multiple pests than several products that address those same multiple pests. Select the treatment that serves your specific pest control needs and your pet’s sensitivities as well as your budget, but for the reasons stated above we continue to opt for K9 Advantix over Frontline Plus.
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Kills Fleas, Flea Eggs & Ticks Find a wide variety of Household & Pet Products at drugstore.com, where you get 5% back and free shipping!More at drugstore.com
When you apply Frontline, fipronil, the active ingredient, is stored in the oil glands under your pet's skin. It is then distributed continuously to t...More at Walgreens
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