# Which flea and tick preventative is best? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 20, 2006, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433 "2006-04-20T05:46:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/1 "2006-04-20T05:46:14Z")
From the Drs. Foster and Smith catalogue, I can choose from Frontline, K9 Advantix and Advantage. I’ve had great results from Frontline, but the other two are less expensive. Also, has anyone bought the largest size of Frontline and divided it between two dogs? A syringe would do it easily, I think. I’m currently unemployed, and need to reduce expenses where I can. StG ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/2 "2006-04-20T12:17:43Z")
I’m a cat owner, but I treated my animals with Frontline about a week ago and I still see them scratching (although I don’t see fleas). I’ve always used Advantage in the past and been very pleased with it. The only reason I didn’t use it this time was because my mom gave me some free Frontline. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/3 "2006-04-20T14:09:46Z")
Advantage works on fleas but not ticks, so if it is important to protect against both, Advantage won’t do it. It works absolutely wonderfully on fleas, though, while some fleas seem to be immune to Frontline. ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/4 "2006-04-20T14:15:34Z")
The three products you list seem to work well for most folks. 🙂 PSA MOMENT: Whatever you do, NEVER, EVER, _EVER_ USE HARTZ FLEA/TICK PRODUCTS. EVER. Promise me! All of you. PLEASE. I have seen and heard of way too many brushes with death because of their flea and tick collars and products. I always wonder why in hell that stuff is still on the shelves. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/5 "2006-04-20T16:41:07Z")
Just don’t waste your money on Program/Capstar. Leaving the fleas a note to please go away would work better. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/6 "2006-04-20T21:52:36Z")
If ticks are not a problem, I would go with Bayer’s Advantage. If ticks are a concern, Frontline is the way to go. And I also would say that Hartz should not get anyones business. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/7 "2006-04-20T21:54:30Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > I’m a cat owner, but I treated my animals with Frontline about a week ago and I still see them scratching (although I don’t see fleas). It bears mentioning that the pruritis caused by a flea allergy will persist after the fleas are gone, if there are dermatologic changes. Usually the dermatitis needs to be addressed in cases of flea allergy. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/8 "2006-04-20T22:43:55Z")
Thanks, everyone. Ticks are a big problem here in TN. Flease won’t generally be a problem until about July, but I already am pulling ticks off the dogs and my horse. What about splitting up a big dose between two dogs? StG ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/9 "2006-04-20T22:47:23Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Thanks, everyone. Ticks are a big problem here in TN. Flease won’t generally be a problem until about July, but I already am pulling ticks off the dogs and my horse. What about splitting up a big dose between two dogs? > > StG I would eat Ramen Noodles for dinner first. The problem is that ticks can lead to serious problems / disease in your dog. The subsequent vet bill is definitely going to eat up any savings you might get from skimping on your Frontline. That’s just my pessimistic outlook - I’m not trying to preach to you on doggy care. But I am a dogowner who spent an assload of money at the vet. Better to pay a little up front than a lot later on. The Doctor ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/10 "2006-04-20T23:26:03Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Thanks, everyone. Ticks are a big problem here in TN. Flease won’t generally be a problem until about July, but I already am pulling ticks off the dogs and my horse. What about splitting up a big dose between two dogs? > > StG I’ll tell you, I’m pretty good at drawing up liquids due to working as a hospital pharmacy tech for a long time, and thought about doing this. But even the large doses look like a real bear to draw up exactly to me. I would not do this, personally. I have a shar-pei with flea allergy dermatitis, and I use Frontline Plus (different then plain Frontline, which I think is also called “Topspot”). It works great on all of my animals and especially him. I never see fleas or ticks on anyone. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/11 "2006-04-21T00:06:13Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > What about splitting up a big dose between two dogs? > > StG If I had to pay for the product, that is what I would do. Frontline and Advantage are not sold according to how much product you are getting, but rather are sold in dose friendly packaging. I have a friend with many cats. I sell her the largest dog size of Advantage and she treats many cats with one tube. Of course, the manufacturer does not advise this. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/12 "2006-04-21T00:23:52Z")
**Vetbridge** - I thought hte cat and dog varieties were different chemicals. If I can do the cats, too that’s even better. I figure the dosage probably isn’t too exact, when they have such a wide range of weights one dose will do - the largest size will do between 89-132 lbs. My dobe is about 85 lbs, my standard poodle about 45. Plus the three cats. Can I use the same Frontline on dogs and cats? StG ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/13 "2006-04-21T00:36:33Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > I have a friend with many cats. I sell her the largest dog size of Advantage and she treats many cats with one tube. Of course, the manufacturer does not advise this. I would really hesitate to do this, beacuse I wouldn’t know how to properly measure how much each animal should get. How do you know you’re giving the proper dose? Couldn’t the animal get sick from getting too high a dose, or get an infestation from a dose too small? ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/14 "2006-04-21T02:41:49Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > **Vetbridge** - I thought hte cat and dog varieties were different chemicals. If I can do the cats, too that’s even better. I figure the dosage probably isn’t too exact, when they have such a wide range of weights one dose will do - the largest size will do between 89-132 lbs. My dobe is about 85 lbs, my standard poodle about 45. Plus the three cats. Can I use the same Frontline on dogs and cats? > > StG It specifically says on the Frontline NOT to use the dog formula on cats. I personally would never do this, but that’s just me, I guess. \>shrug\< ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/15 "2006-04-21T13:06:54Z")
**PapSett, Lissa, StGermain,** … Note that I specifically said “Advantage”, NOT Frontline, Advantix, etc. Other than wasting $$, there is no problem with applying a full tube of Great Dane **Advantage** to a cat. In fact, the proprietary carrier compound is more toxic than the imidacloprid. All one needs to do is look at what volume you desire to apply and measure it (with an insulin or TB syringe). Both canine and feline Advantage are 9.1% imidacloprid. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/16 "2006-04-21T14:08:32Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > **PapSett, Lissa, StGermain,** … > > Note that I specifically said “Advantage”, NOT Frontline, Advantix, etc. Other than wasting $$, there is no problem with applying a full tube of Great Dane **Advantage** to a cat. In fact, the proprietary carrier compound is more toxic than the imidacloprid. All one needs to do is look at what volume you desire to apply and measure it (with an insulin or TB syringe). Both canine and feline Advantage are 9.1% imidacloprid. Are the dosages listed on the box by weight? The syringe I have which I got when the puppy needed a liquid medicine is measured in CCs-- would it say how many CCs to apply? ( As in: “Apply 30 CCs to a 20 lb. dog”.) ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/17 "2006-04-21T14:20:53Z")
What is the general consensus on Sentinel? That is what I give my dog - am I missing out on something for my little buddy? ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/18 "2006-04-21T14:30:21Z")
Sentinel is a heartworm/flea combo product that has Milbemycin oxime for heartworm prevention and Lufenuron for gflea control. Milbemycin is great for heartworm, and is contain in the product Interceptor, which I reccommend. It also has action against intestinal parasites. Lufenuron, on the other hand is a worthless (IMO) flea product that acts through its mechanism as an insect growth regulator. It used to be marketed on its own as a flea product, but sales plummeted. So Sentinel is basically a way for the company to market a lousy product tagged to a great one. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/19 "2006-04-21T14:32:21Z")
> [@Lissa](#): > > Are the dosages listed on the box by weight? The syringe I have which I got when the puppy needed a liquid medicine is measured in CCs-- would it say how many CCs to apply? ( As in: “Apply 30 CCs to a 20 lb. dog”.) I am not comfortable posting directions for doing something that is extralabel. But if you email me I would be happy to discuss your question. Cool? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433/20 "2006-04-21T14:41:14Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > So Sentinel is basically a way for the company to market a lousy product tagged to a great one. I know that you are not my vet, so I am asking for an opinion not advice- What are the most important things to protect against? I assume heartworm is number 1, but what comes after that? I live in Texas, and I know fleas are here and I assume that there are ticks as well, but I’ve never encountered them. Goliath has had fleas in the past- and it caused his dislike of being brushed. What would be his ideal protection? I did just renew his perscription to Sentinel, but if you suggest something different, I’ll talk to my vet. Thanks. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-flea-and-tick-preventative-is-best/353433.md?page=2)