Our House

Advantage & K9 Advantix for Fleas

- Flea control with imidacloprid -

Summary: Advantage and K9 Advantix are flea control medications that are applied directly to the pet's skin (spot-on). Advantage is available for both dogs and cats but K9 Advantix should not be used on cats because it contains permethrin.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)

What is Advantage and K9 Advantix?

Advantage and K9 Advantix are spot-on flea control medications for dogs (Advantage or K9 Advantix) and cats (Advantage only). K9 Advantix should not be used on cats because it contains permethrin which is toxic to cats.

Both Advantage and K9 Advantix are very effective for fleas. Advantage is similar to Frontline Top Spot in terms of how it works and both control fleas on dogs and cats without exposing the household to permethrin.

K9 Advantix adds permethrin to the basic ingredient in Advantage in order to control ticks and mosquitoes on dogs. However, since permethrin is toxic to cats you may not want to use K9 Advantix in households with cats. If you have both cats and dogs use only Frontline or Advantage for flea control.
Adult cat flea (original photo by Ken Gray)
Adult cat fleas (1/5" - 1/10") move between the host animal and "nest" (pet bedding, etc).
 
Imidacloprid, the active ingredient in Advantage and K9 Advantix, is not readily absorbed so there is less chance of side effects compared to systemic flea control medications. Package instructions say that monthly applications are allowed; however, unless fleas are frequently re-introduced into the pet's environment, or continuous tick protection is needed, monthly applications probably are not needed. Re-apply when fleas, "flea-dirt" or ticks are found.

If you live in a region where heartworm has been reported your pets should be protected from this serious, often fatal, parasitic infection. Even though heartworm is transmitted by mosquito bites we believe that systemic heartworm medications are better protection than topically-applied mosquito repellents such as K9 Advantix. See the heartworm page for additional information.

Where to purchase Advantage & K9 Advantix

Both products are available without a prescription from your local veterinarian clinic and online. Our online sources are generally much less expensive than clinics.

Be sure to order the right dosage for your pet based on the pet's weight. Use the table and links below for more information and to order from Amazon. We have only listed 6-dose packs. Other pack sizes are available.

Advantage & K9 Advantix @ Amazon

We use Amazon as our online retailer. Amazon continuously screens their 3rd party suppliers and only uses those that offer competitive prices and excellent delivery history. Be sure to check the "More Buying Choices" box on the right side of the Amazon screen for additional, and sometimes cheaper, sources. Links open in a new window.

Advantage for dogs (6 dose) and cats (4 dose)
Dogs
Cats
your cat's weight:

less than 9 lbs

over 9 lbs

K9-Advantix (dogs only) 6-Dose Packs

Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.

Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.

Please see the Disclaimer statements as well.
Copyright 2004-2008 LivingWithBugs, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page Updated: 5/8/2008