With pets come fleas and ticks in the yard and home. For years the only option was to spray or wash the pets with flea and tick control and use flea collars. I couldn’t tell if any of these products had killed a single flea or tick. Washing was your best bet to rid flea infestations until now. Today we regularly use Advantage and Frontline flea kits purchased online. Here are my suggestions for buying and using these economical flea kits.
How Advantage and Frontline Plus Flea Kits Work?
Bayer Advantage’s active ingredient is imidacloprid and Frontline Plus by Merial contains the chemical fipronil. Both are strong pesticides that absorb into the animals skin and is passed through the oil glands to the hair follicles for up to a month killing all fleas in a day and ticks in two days. Basically once the pest bites your treated pet it becomes paralyzed and dies.
What is the Proper Dosage of Bayer Advantage and Merial Frontline Plus for Dogs and Cats and How to Apply Correctly?
First, Advantage and Frontline Plus are both waterproof, but should be applied 24 hours AFTER washing your pet and you shouldn’t wash your pet for 24 hours AFTER you apply the medication for best results.
When purchasing Bayer Advantage and Merial Frontline Plus flea kits on EBay or elsewhere you will get a dosage sheet, 1.0ml syringe, and glass vile. Dosage can be tricky; because too much is dangerous for your pet and too little will be ineffective. Below is an accurate dosage chart for both Advantage and Frontline flea kits. You may have to adjust dosage to get the most out of your kits as this is a guide.
Advantage dosage
Cats up to 9 pounds – 0.4ml
Cats 10+ pounds – 0.8ml
Dogs 11-20 pounds – 1.0ml
Dogs 21-55 pounds – 2.5ml
Dogs 55+ pounds – 4.0ml
Bayer Advantage dosage by weight:
0.4ml = 0-10#
0.8ml = 11-20#
1.2ml = 21-30#
1.6ml = 31-40#
2.0ml = 41-50#
2.4ml = 51-60#
2.8ml = 61-70#
3.2ml = 71-80#
Merial Frontline Plus dosage guidelines:
Cats 0.5ml
Dogs 11-22 pounds – 0.67ml
Dogs 23-44 pounds – 1.34ml
Dogs 45-88 pounds – 2.68ml
Dogs 89-132 pounds – 4.0ml
To Apply
We have Canadian Lynx, house cats in an outside cage and dogs that we treat. Fleas and pest are everywhere, even in my reptile cages. It’s important that the treatment is put between the shoulder blades and applied directly to the skin. Pets can be leery of syringes, but usually won’t be bothered by this treatment if stimulated in other ways. It may be necessary to slowly apply the treatment, because the product doesn’t absorb into the skin fast enough. If too much is absorbed into the hair it won’t be as affective and may require another treatment.
If you have rowdy dogs or cats, separate them long enough for the pesticide to dry completely before allowing playing together.
Where to Buy Bayer Advantage and Merial Frontline Plus Flea Kits and What to Watch Out For?
Typically, I shop EBay for flea kits and fish food that I talk about in my article, Where to Buy Cheap Fish Food ,Tropical Fish Flakes and Algae Wafers in Bulk Online . I like to use the same sellers, so I know what type of package I will receive and delivery time. I’ve learned from other sellers to pay attention to more than prices, because there are knockoffs of Frontline and Advantage flea products. Also, flea control products expire, so make sure you are not receiving an expired product.
Multiple pet owners will benefit from buying larger supplies. Twelve month and six month supplies are commonly offered online, but be aware if it’s for cats or dogs and the animal dosage size. When buying a kit they give you this break down, but if you already have the kit and want more supply you can shop other sellers.
How Much Advantage and Frontline Plus Flea Kits Cost?
My last purchase on EBay was for Frontline Plus for Dogs 6-Packs 6-Months (89-132 Lbs) and I paid $54.39 total (free shipping). This is average cost for a six month supply, but you may save more buying a twelve month supply (Not always). Advantage is usually about $2 cheaper for 6 doses, but I can’t always find the right seller.
My Results Using Bayer Advantage and Merial Frontline Plus Flea Kits and How Often I apply.
I have read debates comparing the two products, but personally feel Advantage flea control products are more effective. I’ve had to reapply Frontline Plus after only a week on my shih-tzu that is first to become infested and the fleas can easily be spotted on her. When treated properly and working effectively you should only spot a couple of fleas or dead fleas after the first full day and dogs and cats with a buildup of flea eggs in their coat should clear in a week after brushing or grooming.
Both products are strong pesticide, so I still have worries about over applying and long term use. I accidently touched my lip after applying once and it tingled for the whole day. Some pets may have an allergic reaction, but mine have not and I have read that some animals become tolerant of Frontline making it less effective, which might explain the lower success rate. Both products have worked for me though and are far superior to any spray or flea collar for total removal of pest.
Personally, I don’t reapply Fronline Plus or Advantage every 30 days as suggested. I reapply every other month in the summer months and once in the winter months when pest are less active to prevent infestations. This method has worked well and prevents outbreaks on my pets as well as saves in cost. $55 generally gets me through most of the year treating six pets. (Mostly small)
Please visit my DIY website @ DIYforanyone.com for more money saving ideas and pet care tips.
