Table of Contents
What is Advantage Flea Treatment?
Fleas are a common problem for dogs and cats. They can cause itching, skin irritation, hair loss and may even lead to secondary infections in animals.
The flea life cycle is very complex which makes it hard to get rid of the parasites completely. Even if you use spot on treatments or topical solutions that kill adult fleas there will still be eggs left behind that hatch within 7 days after hatching they start laying eggs again. This means that by applying one treatment only once every month you won’t be able to keep your pet free from these pests for long enough time period and your dog might continue suffering from all sort of problems caused by them including allergies.
Advantage is an excellent product because it works fast, killing adult fleas within 3-5 minutes through contact with the animal’s body surface area (skin). It also kills larvae within 20 minutes so no new ones will develop into adults throughout the next 28 days when applied correctly
How does advantage work?
- Vet recommended flea treatment and prevention for dogs at weighing 3 to 10 lbs., at least 7 weeks of age
- Kills adult fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs for total flea prevention and treatment
- Same-day effectiveness, kills fleas within 12 hours of application and keeps working for 30 days
- Easy-to-apply topical treatment, no prescription needed
- Fragrance-free formula, waterproof after 24 hours
Advantage works by preventing the breathing rate of fleas and causing death within 3-5 minutes after contact. It does this through blocking nerve impulses on their body surface area (skin). This is what prevents them from moving so they die due to asphyxiation. It also stops larvae from maturing into adults.
Since advantage kills adult fleas quickly, it’s very important that you apply it correctly in order for your pet to be cured completely . When applied once a month at the same date and time monthly advantage will prevent further infestations caused by eggs already laid before you started using advantage.
Only advantage can effectively break the cycle of flea reproduction because its active ingredient imidacloprid blocks certain chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) between nerves on a flea’s body surface. This stops movement and interrupts the digestion process, preventing continued development of eggs into adults.
Benefits of Advantage
- advantage kills adult fleas quickly, so they don’t have time to lay eggs and reproduce.
- advantage is an excellent product because it works fast, killing adult fleas within 3-5 minutes through contact with the animal’s body surface area (skin). It also kills larvae within 20 minutes so no new ones will develop into adults throughout the next 28 days when applied correctly
- advantage is a topical spot-on medication that can be applied once every month at the same date and time to prevent further infestations caused by eggs already laid before you started using advantage.
- Only advantage can effectively break the cycle of flea reproduction because its active ingredient imidacloprid blocks certain chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) between nerves on a flea’s body surface. This stops movement and interrupts the digestion process, preventing continued development of eggs into adults.
- advantage is very important that you apply it correctly in order for your pet to be cured completely
What are the side effects of advantage for dogs?
The advantage formula for small dogs is an extremely safe and effective way to kill adult fleas on your dog. However, occasionally some pets might show minor signs of skin irritation where the advantage solution has been applied. This is a result of it killing the parasites quickly. It’s completely normal though and will disappear within 4-6 hours from when advantage was used.
Advantage does not affect other insects or mammals that do not have parasitic fleas living on them so your dog can still spend time with you as usual (during day time in supervised areas). If he/she wishes to go outside, advantage makes sure that they return home safely before dark! Also, advantage should never be used on sick animals or newborn puppies less than 14 days old.
Advantage vs Frontline
Advantage: Kills adult fleas quickly, stops eggs from hatching and larvae developing into adults, affect only those parasites that come in contact with the animal’s body surface area (skin)
Frontline: Kills ticks and fleas by entering through your pet’s skin to reach nerve endings and other parts of their body where the parasites live. It takes between 12-24 hours to start working properly which means they can potentially re-infest your house or dog if you don’t use advantage too. Frontline does not kill larvae so it doesn’t stop reproduction as advantage does.
Related: Get 12% off Frontline for Dogs
Here’s a quick comparison table:
Application | Pests controlled | Waterproof? | Recommended age of application | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Advantage II | Effective 1 month; kills fleas within 12 hours | Adult fleas, flea larvae and eggs; chewing lice | Yes | 7 weeks and older |
Frontline Plus | Effective 1 month; kills pests within 24 hours | Adult fleas, flea larvae and eggs; chewing lice; ticks | Yes | 8 weeks and older |
Where to buy Advantage
You can buy Advantage at most local and online pet supply stores. Here are a few quick links based on quantity:
- Advantage Small Dogs/ Pups 1-10lbs Green 6 + 2 Free
- Advantage Small Dogs/ Pups 1-10lbs Green 12 + 4 Free
- Advantage Small Dogs/ Pups 1-10lbs Green 4 Months
- Advantage Multi Advocate Small Dogs 3-9 Lbs Green 6 Doses
Buy on Amazon:
- Vet recommended flea treatment and prevention for dogs at weighing 3 to 10 lbs., at least 7 weeks of age
- Kills adult fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs for total flea prevention and treatment
- Same-day effectiveness, kills fleas within 12 hours of application and keeps working for 30 days
- Easy-to-apply topical treatment, no prescription needed
- Fragrance-free formula, waterproof after 24 hours
- Vet recommended flea treatment and prevention for dogs at weighing 11 to 20 lbs., at least 7 weeks of age
- Kills adult fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs for total flea prevention and treatment
- Same-day effectiveness, kills fleas within 12 hours of application and keeps working for 30 days
- Easy-to-apply topical treatment, no prescription needed
- Fragrance-free formula, waterproof after 24 hours
- Vet recommended flea treatment and prevention for dogs at weighing over 55 lbs., at least 7 weeks of age
- Kills adult fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs for total flea prevention and treatment
- Same-day effectiveness, kills fleas within 12 hours of application and keeps working for 30 days
- Easy-to-apply topical treatment, no prescription needed
- Fragrance-free formula, waterproof after 24 hours
- Vet recommended flea treatment and prevention for dogs at weighing 3 to 10 lbs., at least 7 weeks of age
- Kills adult fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs for total flea prevention and treatment
- Same-day effectiveness, kills fleas within 12 hours of application and keeps working for 30 days
- Easy-to-apply topical treatment, no prescription needed
- Fragrance-free formula, waterproof after 24 hours
- Vet recommended flea treatment and prevention for dogs at weighing 21 to 55 lbs., at least 7 weeks of age
- Kills adult fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs for total flea prevention and treatment
- Same-day effectiveness, kills fleas within 12 hours of application and keeps working for 30 days
- Easy-to-apply topical treatment, no prescription needed
- Fragrance-free formula, waterproof after 24 hours
- Advantage II Ferret is a vet-recommended, leading brand in pet flea treatment and prevention
- Easy-to-apply monthly topical flea prevention and treatment for ferrets, 1+ lbs. and 10 weeks old – no prescription needed
- Same-day effectiveness – kills fleas within 24 hours of application and keeps working for 30 days
- Delivers total flea protection – kills adult fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs through contact
- Fragrance-free and waterproof after 24 hours of application
- For use on dogs over 6 months
- Delivers a whisper-quiet, continuous spray that provides 360-degree coverage while helping to reduce the stress to your dog during treatment
- Aids in the control of flea bite dermatitis by killing fleas
- As part of a complete flea control program, treat your pets, your home and your yard with appropriate products
- Kills fleas and ticks on contact
- Unscented shampoo for fragrance-sensitive pets or owners
- Cleans and conditions your dog’s coat
- For use on dogs and puppies over 12 weeks
- As part of a complete flea control program, treat your pets, your home and your yard with appropriate products
- Once-a-month topical flea treatment for dogs
- Kills fleas before they lay eggs and flea larvae before they hatch
- Safe for all dogs 7 weeks and older and over 56 pounds
- Prevents re-infestation for up to 4 weeks; includes 6 applications
- Please read all label information on delivery
- Kills fleas and ticks on contact
- Unscented shampoo for fragrance-sensitive pets or owners
- Cleans and conditions your cat’s coat
- For use on cats and kittens more than 12 weeks old.
- As part of a complete flea control program, treat your pets, your home and your yard with appropriate products
How to Apply Advantage to my Small Dog?
Advantage for dogs is available in four different color coded packs:
- Green pack – for small dogs and puppies weighing between 1-10 lbs
- Aqua pack – for medium sized dogs weighing between 11-20 lbs
- Red pack – for large dogs weighing between 21-55 lbs
- Blue pack – for extra large dogs weighing over 55 lbs
Application:
- Before you even start, get your pet’s weight. Then choose the best pack according to their size
- Make sure they are standing upright before starting this process.
- Get a clear area on them by brushing away any excess hair from around where we’ll be applying it
- Hold that tub up there for at least 5 seconds so it can stick well enough not to transfer everywhere else when applied onto bare skin of an animal!
When doing all these steps I recommend using gloves as extra protection but only if needed because most pets won’t mind us touching them like this too much since being held down is something many animals dislike very much!
Advantages and disadvantages of advantage flea treatment for small dogs
Advantages of Advantage Flea Treatment for Small Dogs
- advantage is an effective one time treatment that kills insect larvae and stops future infestations from developing.
- advantage kills adult fleas quickly, so they don’t have time to lay eggs and reproduce.
- advantage can be applied once a month at the same date and time monthly. Only advantage can effectively break the cycle of flea reproduction because its active ingredient imidacloprid blocks certain chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) between nerves on a flea’s body surface. This stops movement and interrupts the digestion process, preventing continued development of eggs into adults.
Disadvantages of Advantage Flea Treatment for Small Dogs
- advantage can cause some minor skin irritation where it has been applied, but this is a result of the fleas dying so quickly and will disappear within 4-6 hours from when advantage was used.
What is the Difference between Advantage and Advantix?
Compared to Advantage, Advantix is formulated to kill ticks in addition to fleas, and also repels mosquitoes and sand flies. Advantix is not a once-a-month topical treatment like advantage, but rather a “monthly” topical treatment that is applied every 2 weeks.
FAQ
What advantage products can I use on my small dog?
There are four different versions of advantage you can buy for dogs. The advantage pack will depend on the body weight and size of your dog. Green is for 1-10 pounds, aqua is 11-20 pounds, red is 21-55 pounds and blue is over 55 pounds. These colors correspond to the advantage box label as well as the advantage treatment packets inside the box.
How do I apply advantage?
When applying advantage it's helpful to get your dog to stand upright and get a clear area by brushing their hair away from the skin on their back. You will apply advantage directly onto this bare skin, usually between your shoulders or at the base of their neck. Take advantage and hold it like this for 5 seconds so that it can stick to the skin properly before letting go of advantage and carefully putting it down on a flat surface within arms reach.
How often should advantage be used?
Advantage is typically used every 29-30 days in accordance with whatever date you start using advantage. It's best practice to always use advantage once monthly without interruption if possible or else risk needing another treatment soon or having fleas return!
