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Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control
- Adds methoprene to the ingredient in Frontline Top Spot -
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Summary: Frontline Plus (tm) is a very effective, spot-on flea and tick control medication for pets. The "Plus" part refers to the addition of methoprene to the basic formula of Frontline Top Spot. Methoprene, however, is better when it is applied to the "nest" rather than to the pet itself.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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What is Frontline Plus?
 Frontline Plus (tm) adds methoprene, an insect growth regulator, to the basic ingredient in Frontline Top Spot (tm). Frontline Plus enjoys all of the advantages of Frontline Top Spot including: can be safely used on both cats and dogs, effective against fleas for 90 days and ticks for 30 days, is waterproof, and does not contain permethrin which is toxic to cats.
However, I believe methoprene is works better when applied as a separate off-animal treatment rather than along with Frontline (see Why Methoprene Works Better as a "Nest" Treatment). So, while Frontline Plus would be a excellent choice for anyone that did not want to bother with a separate methoprene treatment, I prefer to apply these treatments separately.
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Adult cat fleas (1/5"-1/10") move between the host animal and "nest".
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| Frontline comes in small, measured-dose applicators where the amount of liquid is matched to the weight of the animal. Once applied the insecticide quickly spreads over the skin providing protection from bites for at least a month. Be careful to apply the liquid to the pet's skin not to the fur; see How to Apply Spot-on Flea Control. Also, please read over the General Information and Precautions before using any of the flea control products. |
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Fipronil, the active ingredient in all Frontline products, is not readily absorbed through skin 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 monthly applications probably are not needed. Re-apply only when fleas, "flea-dirt" or ticks are found.
If you live where heartworm has been reported your pets should be protected from this serious, often fatal, parasitic infection (see What is Heartworm?). Even though heartworm is transmitted by mosquito bites we believe that systemic heartworm medications like Heartgard are better protection than topically-applied mosquito repellents such as K9 Advantix.
Frontline products are available without a prescription from your local veterinarian clinic and online. Online sources generally are less expensive than vet clinics.
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