If you have pet dogs and cats, you will inevitably have to contend with flea infestations during your pet ownership journey. Fleas can be a nuisance and a health risk not only to your furry friends but also to your household.
These indiscriminate parasites essentially feed off all types of pets as well as humans. Even though they do not have wings, they have very long legs and flat bodies that enable them to jump extended distances from one pet or person to another.
Common signs of flea infestations in pets include:
- Abnormal scratching, licking or biting their fur excessively
- Persistent itchiness
- Consistent hair loss
- Swelling or redness on the underbelly
- Visible flea eggs or dirt
Failure to deal with flea and tick infestations can cause great distress and discomfort to your pets. If left untreated, fleas can cause health problems such as bubonic plague and tularemia, in pet animals. Considering this, it is important to treat your pets using potent flea control products by Frontline.
What is Frontline?
Frontline is a registered trademark of a pharmaceutical company known as Merial. The company manufactures various effective treatment and preventative products for flea control in cats, dogs and other pets.
The products essentially kill and destroy fleas, lice and ticks in pets within a matter of hours while providing protection for 30 days or more. Frontline products also destroy flea eggs and larvae on dogs and cats, thereby preventing flea infestations.
Some of the most popular Frontline products for flea control include:
- Frontline
- Frontline Plus
- Frontline Spray
- Frontline Gold
Frontline
Frontline is a spot-on treatment that kills adult fleas and ticks on your pet dogs and cats within 12 hours add 48 hours after application, respectively. The treatment contains an active pesticide ingredient called Fipronil, which is responsible for killing a wide range of pesky pests such as fleas, ticks, lice and mites.
Notably, Frontline is a topical product, meaning that you have to apply it onto the skin of your pet, at the back of the neck. When applied, your pet’s oil glands will absorb the active ingredient Fipronil, and distribute it to the skin through the hair follicles, targeting fleas and ticks. The product will stay active on the skin for 30 days, killing any fleas and ticks that jumps onto your pet.
Frontline Plus
Frontline Plus is an upgrade of Frontline®. Interestingly, Frontline Plus works in a similar manner and contains the same active ingredient as the previous Frontline formula. The only major difference is that Frontline Plus is a topical treatment that contains an insect growth regulator (IGR) that kills the next generation of fleas by decimating flea eggs and larvae.
The insect growth regulator known as S-methoprene provides double the action. Besides killing fleas and ticks, the ingredient in combination with Fipronil interrupts the life cycle of fleas and ticks by preventing their eggs from hatching. Considering this, most pet owners prefer Frontline Plus to the original spot on formula given that it offers more all-round protection against fleas and ticks.
Frontline Spray
Merial also manufactures Frontline Sprays for both dogs and cats. The Frontline spray contains the active ingredient Fipronil that is highly effective in killing adult fleas and ticks. Furthermore, it is available in 100 ml, 250 ml and 500 ml spray bottles.
Regrettably, the Frontline spray does not contain the insect growth regulator methoprene, meaning that it is not able to prevent flea eggs from hatching. However, the product is safe and highly effective, and it is ideal for adult pets as well as puppies and kittens.
Unlike Frontline and Frontline Plus that last for 30 days only, Frontline Spray protects your pets from adult fleas for 3 months in dogs and 2 months in cats. Moreover, you can use it to protect your pets from other dangerous pests such as the brown dog tick and the paralysis dog tick.
Frontline Gold
Frontline Gold is the ultimate flea control product by Merial. This topical treatment not only kills fleas, ticks and lice, but also decimates their eggs and larvae. What makes Frontline Gold different from other Frontline flea treatments is that it works nearly twice as fast.
In essence, Frontline Gold kills fleas faster than any other Frontline product given that the treatment has three active ingredients, including Fipronil, S-methoprene and Pyriproxyfen.
However, you still have to apply Frontline Gold every 30 days for it to work effectively and deliver desirable results. Moreover, Frontline Gold may have adverse side effects on pregnant and lactating dogs hence it is important to seek the advice of a veterinarian before using the product on your pets.
Frontline Plus Ingredients
Frontline Plus has two potent ingredients that work effectively to kill and prevent flea infestations. The two active ingredients include:
- Fipronil
- (S)-methoprene
Fipronil is a compound that kills adult fleas, ticks, lice and mites. It works by interfering with the central nervous system of these pesky, blood-sucking pests before paralyzing and killing them. On the other hand, (S)-methoprene is an insect growth regulator that destroys flea eggs and larvae. The substance prevents the eggs of fleas from hatching subsequently disrupting their lifecycle.
When applied to the skin of your pet, these two active substances are absorbed into the sebaceous glands and spread to the rest of the skin through the hair follicles, thus providing the ultimate protection from flea infestations for up to 30 days.
Is Frontline Still Effective?
Frontline is just as effective as any other Frontline products for flea control. The topical treatment contains Fipronil, which works effectively to kill adult fleas and ticks in dogs and cats for up to 30 days. However, you have to apply the treatment to the coat of your pet after every 4 weeks for the product to work effectively.
The only downside is that Frontline only kills adult fleas and ticks. It does not eliminate immature fleas. For this reason, most pet owners prefer Frontline Plus to the original Frontline since Frontline Plus is capable of killing adult fleas as well as flea eggs and larvae.
Frontline Plus Side Effects
Frontline Plus does not have any noticeable side effects. The product contains active ingredients that are safe for use in dogs and cats of all ages. However, you should never use Frontline Plus on kittens and puppies aged below 8 weeks.
While Frontline Plus is considerably safe, the treatment does not work the same way on all pets. Apparently, some pets may experience temporary side effects during initial use. The good news is that these side effects are not adverse and they normally subside after a few hours.
The most common Frontline Plus side effects include:
- Temporary irritation and sensitivities
- Loss of appetite
- Itching
- Swelling
- Redness on skin
- Lethargy
In case these side effects persist, you should consult your veterinary doctor as soon as possible.
How to Apply Frontline Plus for Fleas?
Applying Frontline Plus for fleas is simple and straightforward. However, you must first confirm the weight of your dog or cat before applying the treatment. The amount you need to apply will depend on the weight of your pet.
Fortunately, Frontline Plus comes in an applicator tube tailored for pets of various ages and sizes. Once you’ve established all the crucial details, you can proceed to apply the treatment. Here are the steps on how to apply Frontline Plus:
- Remove the applicator tube from the pack
- Snap the tip to open the applicator
- Part your dog’s or cat’s hair between the shoulder blades
- Place the applicator tip to the skin level and squeeze
- Apply the entire treatment in a single spot to the skin of your pet
- Do not apply to the hair coat and make sure your pet cannot lick the treated area
- Use one applicator per treatment and avoid contact with the treated area until it is dry
You should allow at least 24 hours for the solution to dry before bathing or grooming your dog or cat. Moreover, you can only use the Frontline Plus for flea control on your pet once every 30 days.
Can You Use Frontline Plus for Small Dogs?
Frontline Plus is safe and ideal for dogs of all sizes. The solution is available in 0.67 ml, 1.34 ml, 2.68 ml and 4.02 ml applicator containers tailored for use in dogs weighing from 22 lbs.
However, Frontline Plus flea control treatment is only ideal for small dogs and puppies aged 8 weeks or older. Applying the treatment to dogs under 8 weeks or below 22 lbs could have adverse side effects on the health of your pet.
Is Frontline Good for Cats?
Frontline is a topical flea control treatment recommended for both dogs and cats. However, each pet has its own special treatment in the sense that you cannot use Frontline for dogs to treat your cats. Each animal has its own flea control solution and dosage.
Moreover, the percentage of the active ingredients (Fipronil and S-methoprene) varies depending on the pet. Frontline for cats has a lower percentage of active substances compared to Frontline for dogs, considering cats have a smaller body. Using the wrong medication may lead to an overdose and might cause potential harm to your feline friends.
Is Frontline Safe for Puppies?
As mentioned before, Frontline is 100% for use on pets of all ages and sizes. Nevertheless, you may only use this treatment on puppies 8 weeks of age or older. Apparently, the high percentage of Fipronil and other active substances could irritate your young pups and cause various health problems.
If you have puppies under 8 weeks old, you may use Frontline Spray to kill fleas and other pests. Frontline Spray has a lower percentage of Fipronil, which makes it safe for use on puppies from 2 days old!
Is Frontline Effective for Flea Control?
Frontline is one of the most effective treatments for flea control in dogs, cats and other domestic pets. The Frontline products for flea control contain tough, active ingredients that have been clinically tested and proved as safe for use on pets.
Moreover, these active substances not only kill adult fleas, but also prevent flea eggs from hatching, and larva and pupae from developing into adult fleas. The best part is that Frontline products work effectively for 30 days further preventing re-infestations.
Frontline Sprays work for longer (up to 12 weeks in dogs and 8 weeks in cats), providing your pets the ultimate protection from flea infestations.
Does Frontline Kill Ticks?
One of the most interesting aspects about Frontline is that not only kills fleas, but also eradicates ticks and other pests as well. The product consists of an antiparasitic treatment that kills ticks within 48 hours.
Moreover, the ticks do not have to bite your pet for the treatment to work. Just being in contact with the treatment is enough to kill the ticks.
How Long Does it Take For Frontline Plus To Work?
On average, Frontline requires about 12 hours to kill all adult fleas and 48 hours to kills all ticks and chewing lice on your pet.
However, Frontline products such as Frontline Gold require as little as 30 minutes to kill all fleas and ticks. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the product depends on the severity of the infestation.
Conclusion
Pet cats and dogs are not only loyal but form very good companions. However, having these lovely animals as pets comes with great responsibility. You must feed, take care and shower them with love and affection just as the rest of the family. This includes bathing and grooming them as well.
However, if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, then you should be prepared to deal with flea and tick infestations. These annoying pests can be uncomfortable and cause all sorts of health problems.
Thankfully, by investing in Frontline products for flea control, you can always be sure that you pets are safe and protected from flea and tick attacks. The best part is that you have so many options to choose from, including Frontline Top Spot Original, Frontline Plus, Frontline Spray and Frontline Gold, among many others. So take the next step and protect your pets from flea infestations.