Frontline vs Advantage is a battle that comes up all the time when people are shopping for pet flea treatments for dogs & cats. Frontline and Advantage have both been around the the longest time and are therefore the most well known flea medications. Although these 2 products are often grouped into the same category, they do have differences.
To be clear the 2 products we are comparing in this report are Frontline Plus for dogs and Advantage II for dogs. There are variants of these product such as Frontline top spot & Advantage Multi (Advocate). But Frontline Plus and Advantage II are the most popular flea medicines in this group. Frontline and Frontline Plus are made by
Merial. Advantage II and Advantage Multi (Advocate) are made by
BAYER ANIMAL HEALTH.
The first Major difference is Frontline Plus not only treats for fleas but it also treats for paralysis ticks and brown dog ticks for 2 weeks. Frontline Plus also treats for all flea stages in the pet's surroundings including flea eggs and flea allergy dermatitis. Frontline Plus also controls sarcoptic mange and lice. Advantage will kill fleas, kill flea larvae, control flea allergy dermatitis and control lice.
Frontline and Advantage both come as liquid form in tubes that is placed on the back of the dogs neck and will treat fleas for 1 month at a time. Frontline Plus can be used on puppies from 8 weeks of age and Advantage can be used on puppies from 6 weeks of age. They are both water resistant for 1 month 24-48 hours after application.
You can buy Frontline Plus in single doses (1 month supply), 3 packs (3 month supply), 6 packs (6 month supply) and 12 packs (12 month supply). Advantage can be bought in single doses (1 month supply), 4 packs (4 month supply), 6 packs (6 month supply) and 12 packs (12 month supply). They both cater for puppies and small dogs to x-large breed dogs.
Frontline Plus vs Advantage? who is the overall winner? well overall Frontline Plus looks better on paper, but Advantage seems to be more effective in how well it actually works to treat for fleas. If you need to treat for fleas & ticks then Frontline Plus for dogs is the best way to go. If you just need to treat for fleas, using Advantage for dogs would be best, as it is more effective and cheaper. But every situation is different, so you need to decide what will suit you and your dog best. But this product comparison should help you better decide which direction to go in.
Frontline vs Advantage Comparison Chart
| Component |
Advantage for Dogs |
Frontline Plus for Dogs |
| Adult Fleas |
Yes |
Yes |
| Flea Eggs |
No |
Yes |
| Adult Larvae |
Yes |
Yes |
| Adult Allergy Dermatitis |
Yes |
Yes |
| Ticks |
No |
Yes |
| Heartworm |
No |
No |
| Roundworm |
No |
No |
| Hookworm |
No |
No |
| Whipworm |
No |
No |
| Tapeworm |
No |
No |
| Sarcoptic Mange |
No |
Yes |
| Earmites |
No |
No |
| Lice |
Yes |
Yes |
| Insects |
No |
No |
| Price Monthly From |
$10.95 |
$13.95 |