Frontline vs. K-9 Advantix:(read on good info)

[cindy0721]

There's this huge debate about what's better...Frontline or Advantix?

*Advantix used to be called Advantage and was marketed for use on dogs and cats. The company has modified their product so that Advantix is only for use on dogs. Advantage can still be used on cats, but I'll concentrate on Advantix here.

What are the similarities and differences?

********The active ingredients are different**********

Frontline uses Fipronyl as their active ingredient while Advantix uses Permethrin and Imidacloprid. These active ingredients are safe for use on all dogs and have been put through clinical testing for years before they came onto the market.

*******************Fleas***********************

Both products have efficacy rates (how effective they are) of 98-100%. Both products break the flea cycle. Both products work so that fleas are killed without having to bite your pet.

********************Ticks***********************

There is a difference here... They both kill ticks when they bite your pet, but Advantix also repels ticks. Many owners report seeing more ticks on their pet with Advantix. This is due to the repellent action this product has. The ticks are unwilling to travel down to the skin, so they "hot-foot" around on the coats surface trying to get away. Ticks will die regardless if they bite with Advantix because they've contacted the product.

********************Mosquitos********************

Advantix repels 98.3% of mosquitos and reduces feeding up to 95.2%. Frontline has NO mosquito protection. Advantix recommends that if using this product mainly for mosquitos to apply every 3 weeks, due to a drop in the protection during the 4th week.

************In what way do they spread?*************

First, you need to know that there are 3 layers of skin. Frontline is spread over the pets body by your pet's natural oils. These oil glands start in the inner most layer of skin. Advantix stays in the top layer of skin, the outer most layer. This difference is important when dealing with animals who have a skin reaction to either product. Because it is in the outermost layer, Advantix can be taken off using a dish soap like Dawn that strips the oil from the top layer. Frontline can't be washed off in this way and may require other treatments that your vet can provide if needed.

****************Are they waterproof?*****************

Yes, both are waterproof... with exceptions. The difference here is in the time. Because Frontline spreads with the oils of the coat, it should not be applied within 3 days if your pet has been bathed or was swimming. A pet also needs to wait at least 24 hours before becoming wet again or the product may wash off before it is dispersed. Advantix can be applied within 24 hours of swimming or bathing because it doesn't use the oils in haircoat, but the animal should still wait to swim or be bathed 24 hours after application.

*************Application and Longevity***************

Basically the same here... Both are topical medications applied to the skin by parting the dogs fur. Both can leave an oily residue shortly after use that disappears within 24 hours. Frontline is applied in one spot between the shoulder blades while Advantix is applied in 2-4 spots down the backbone. Both of these products provide month long protection against fleas and ticks, and 3 weeks of protection for mosquitos with Advantix.
****************Safety for children*******************

These products are safe to use around children. To be absolutely sure, avoid contact between child and pet for the 24 hours necessary for the products to be absorbed into the pet's skin. (Remember, if little Timmy gets into the package and eats the medication, please call poison control.)

*****************Safety for pets********************

Both products are marketed for use on dogs. If the dog licks their hair after application, life won't cease to a halt. The difference here is cats... Advantix CAN'T be used on cats. This product contains Permethrin, which is dangerous when ingested by cats in larger quantities. And since cats lick themselves clean.... well, you do the math. One note though... if your cat occassionaly licks your dog, there isn't a danger...it has to be in large quantities. Advantage is available for cats, which has the Imitacloprid without the Premthrin.
***************Price and Extras*********************

Both these products offer the same deal: Buy 6 doses, get the 7th dose free. They are only legally available at licensed, practicing veterinarians, and neither company sells to Pet Meds or other online pharmacies. Most hospitals sell these products within $1.00 to $2.00 of each other, with Advantix being a bit more expensive due to the added medication/mosquito protection.

Your vet can give you further information about each product.




Cindy

[Sadie's Mom]

Great info...thanks!!

[Kona]

Thanks for that info! Those are questions I was trying to get answered when I was starting flea/tick protection...

[Rae Rae]

Thanks for posting that! We bought Frontline for Rocky, but I think I might get Advantix next time after reading that, even though there werent that many differences. The ticks and mosquitos got me pursuaded

[ARCHIE]

Thank you for the great information. I found it very informative.

[RLC12345678]

That is excellent information! Thanks for sharing!

But I still have a question...does this mean that Advantix is better?? I've just read so many posts on here from YT members saying they prefer Frontline. I dunno. I guess it is just a matter of preference.

[cindy0721]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

That is excellent information! Thanks for sharing!

But I still have a question...does this mean that Advantix is better?? I've just read so many posts on here from YT members saying they prefer Frontline. I dunno. I guess it is just a matter of preference.

I think Frontline is better because if you remember from the paragraph it uses their body oils and absorbs into their second layer of skin and it is harder to wash off with soap unlike advantix, but if you like the mosquito protection well u might prefer advatix but remember it lasts for only 3 weeks!

[4Dogs]

I currently use Frontline and am happy but was wondering if anyone knew if there should be a "detox" period when switching from one to the other? I know sometimes when we switch certain medications we have to stop the one for at least 2 weeks before starting on the new meds to allow the body to clear and hopefully avoid any drug interaction. I wonder if the same caution should be used here?

J

[Mayraeliza26]

Thanks for the info I haven't been very happy with frontline and you help me make up my mind thanks

[Britster]

Thanks for the info!

We used Frontline Plus for two months on Jackson and it didn't seem to work well. I found 4-5 ticks on him in 4 weeks time period.

K9 Advantix has worked great for us, however! No ticks whatsoever. I like that it has mosquito repellent too.