🐾 Advantage II vs. Frontline Plus vs. Revolution Plus

When it comes to protecting your pets from pests like fleas, ticks, and other parasites, choosing the right product is crucial for their health and comfort. Advantage II, Frontline Plus, and Revolution Plus are three of the most popular flea and tick treatments on the market, but which one is the best for your furry friend?

Key Takeaways: Quick Answers to Common Questions

• Which treatment works fastest on fleas? Advantage II starts killing fleas within 12 hours.
• Which product is most comprehensive for parasites? Revolution Plus covers fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites.
• Which is the best for cats only? Revolution Plus is specifically designed for cats and offers the broadest protection.
• Is Frontline Plus waterproof? Yes, Frontline Plus is waterproof after 24 hours.
• Which one is safest for puppies and kittens? Revolution Plus is safe for kittens from 8 weeks old, while Advantage II can be used on puppies and kittens as young as 7 weeks.

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What’s the Difference Between Advantage II, Frontline Plus, and Revolution Plus? 🤔📊

Each of these treatments targets fleas and ticks, but they vary in the range of parasites they protect against, how quickly they act, and whether they’re suitable for dogs, cats, or both. Understanding these differences is key to selecting the best product for your pet.

Product	Main Active Ingredients 🧪	Protection Coverage 🛡️	Speed of Effect ⏱️	Waterproof? 🌊
Advantage II 🐕🐈	Imidacloprid, Pyriproxyfen	Fleas, flea larvae	Fleas start dying within 12 hours	No, avoid water exposure
Frontline Plus 🐕🐈	Fipronil, (S)-Methoprene	Fleas, ticks, lice, flea eggs/larvae	Fleas start dying within 24 hours	Yes, waterproof after 24h
Revolution Plus 🐈	Selamectin, Sarolaner	Fleas, ticks, ear mites, heartworms, intestinal parasites (cats)	Fleas start dying within 6 hours	Yes, waterproof after 24h

💡 Pro Tip: Revolution Plus offers the broadest spectrum of coverage, making it ideal for multi-parasite protection, especially for cats. However, if your pet has frequent exposure to water, Frontline Plus is a good waterproof option.

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Which Treatment Is Fastest at Killing Fleas and Ticks? ⏱️

Speed is often a deciding factor when pets are suffering from flea infestations. In terms of how quickly each product works:

• Advantage II begins killing fleas within 12 hours and continues killing all life stages of fleas.
• Frontline Plus starts working within 24 hours for fleas and 48 hours for ticks.
• Revolution Plus acts the fastest for fleas, starting to kill them in as little as 6 hours, while also providing tick protection within 24 hours.

If you’re dealing with an active flea infestation, Advantage II or Revolution Plus are your best bets for rapid relief. However, Revolution Plus goes beyond fleas, addressing multiple parasites, making it ideal if your pet is exposed to ticks, mites, and intestinal parasites as well.

💡 Pro Tip: If you need fast action, especially in severe flea infestations, Revolution Plus is the quickest, but Advantage II provides a strong second option for rapid flea control without the broader coverage.

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Which Product Offers the Broadest Protection Against Parasites? 🛡️

When it comes to comprehensive protection, Revolution Plus leads the pack. It protects against fleas, ticks, ear mites, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms (in cats). This broad coverage makes it a popular choice for cats who are often exposed to various parasites.

Product	Fleas	Ticks	Heartworm	Mites	Intestinal Parasites
Advantage II	Yes	No	No	No	No
Frontline Plus	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Revolution Plus	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

While Advantage II focuses solely on flea control and Frontline Plus covers fleas and ticks, Revolution Plus is the only one that offers protection against heartworms and intestinal parasites, making it the best choice for cats who need broader coverage.

💡 Pro Tip: If your pet spends time outdoors or has contact with other animals, Revolution Plus offers the most protection across multiple parasites, particularly for cats that may be exposed to heartworm-carrying mosquitoes or intestinal worms.

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Is Revolution Plus Better for Cats than Frontline Plus or Advantage II? 🐈

For cat owners, Revolution Plus is often considered the superior choice due to its broad spectrum of protection. Unlike Advantage II and Frontline Plus, which are safe for both dogs and cats, Revolution Plus is specifically formulated for cats and targets a wider range of parasites, including heartworms, intestinal worms, and mites—in addition to fleas and ticks.

Factor	Advantage II 🐈	Frontline Plus 🐈	Revolution Plus 🐈
Fleas	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ticks	No	Yes	Yes
Heartworm	No	No	Yes
Ear Mites	No	No	Yes
Intestinal Parasites	No	No	Yes

For cats, Revolution Plus covers the most parasites, including heartworms, which are a serious risk for outdoor or indoor cats in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent. Additionally, its protection against ear mites and intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms makes it an all-in-one solution.

💡 Pro Tip: If your cat is primarily indoors, Advantage II or Frontline Plus may be sufficient. However, for outdoor or high-risk cats, Revolution Plus offers the best all-around protection.

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How Safe Are These Products for Puppies, Kittens, and Pregnant Pets? 🐾👶

It’s important to choose the right product based on the age and condition of your pet, especially if they are young or pregnant.

• Advantage II: Safe for puppies and kittens as young as 7 weeks.
• Frontline Plus: Safe for puppies and kittens from 8 weeks old. It is also safe for pregnant or lactating dogs and cats.
• Revolution Plus: Safe for kittens from 8 weeks old and weighing at least 1.25 kg (2.8 lbs), but it’s only approved for cats, so it should not be used on puppies.

Product	Age Safety 🐶🐱	Pregnant/Lactating Safety 🍼
Advantage II	From 7 weeks old	Safe for pregnant and lactating pets
Frontline Plus	From 8 weeks old	Safe for pregnant and lactating pets
Revolution Plus (Cats)	Kittens from 8 weeks old	Not tested for pregnant or lactating pets

💡 Pro Tip: Always follow the product guidelines carefully. If your pet is pregnant or nursing, Frontline Plus is a better choice as it’s specifically tested and deemed safe for pregnant pets.

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Which Treatment Is Best for Pets Who Swim or Get Bathed Frequently? 🌊🐾

If your pet spends a lot of time in water, the waterproof capabilities of a flea and tick treatment are critical.

• Advantage II is not waterproof, so it’s not ideal for pets that swim frequently or need regular baths.
• Frontline Plus is fully waterproof after 24 hours, making it the best choice for pets that spend time swimming or regularly get bathed.
• Revolution Plus is also waterproof after 24 hours but is more suited for cats and doesn’t have the same level of waterproofing robustness as Frontline.

💡 Pro Tip: For dogs or cats that swim or get wet often, Frontline Plus is the top choice. Ensure that pets stay dry for at least 24 hours after application to allow the product to absorb fully.

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Final Thoughts: Which Product Is Right for Your Pet?

Choosing between Advantage II, Frontline Plus, and Revolution Plus depends on your pet’s specific needs and lifestyle. Advantage II is excellent for fast flea control, Frontline Plus offers robust tick protection and waterproof features, while Revolution Plus provides the broadest parasite protection, especially for cats. Consider your pet’s environment, health conditions, and age when making your decision.

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Quick Recap: Key Points to Remember

• Advantage II: Best for fast flea control, but doesn’t protect against ticks.
• Frontline Plus: Great for flea and tick control, waterproof after 24 hours.
• Revolution Plus: The most comprehensive, ideal for cats, covering fleas, ticks, heartworm, and more.
• Waterproofing: Only Frontline Plus and Revolution Plus are waterproof, making them better for pets that swim.
• Safety: All are safe for young pets, but Frontline Plus is ideal for pregnant and lactating animals.

By focusing on these factors, you’ll be able to select the treatment that best suits your pet’s lifestyle and health needs. 🐕🐈

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Comment 1: “Which product is best for a multi-pet household with both dogs and cats?”

When managing flea and tick prevention in a multi-pet household that includes both dogs and cats, it’s important to find a solution that works across the board while ensuring safety for all pets. Let’s break down the products for this specific scenario:

1. Advantage II is safe for both dogs and cats, making it a flexible choice for households with multiple pets. However, it only targets fleas (adult fleas, larvae, and eggs), so if tick prevention is a concern, you may need to supplement it with a tick-specific product for dogs.
2. Frontline Plus is another multi-species option that works for both dogs and cats. Its advantage over Advantage II is that it targets fleas, ticks, and lice, making it ideal for preventing tick infestations in addition to fleas. Plus, it’s waterproof, so pets that frequently get wet won’t require reapplication.
3. Revolution Plus is exclusively designed for cats, so if you have a mixed household, you would need to use Revolution Plus for your cats and a separate product (like Frontline Plus) for your dogs. The benefit for cats is that it offers comprehensive parasite protection, including heartworms, intestinal parasites, and ear mites.

💡 Pro Tip: For a mixed pet household, Frontline Plus may be the most convenient and broad-spectrum solution since it covers both fleas and ticks for dogs and cats, offering cross-protection without needing different products for each pet.

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Comment 2: “Are there any risks or side effects to using these treatments on my pet?”

All three flea and tick treatments—Advantage II, Frontline Plus, and Revolution Plus—are generally safe when used as directed, but like any medication, there are potential side effects to be aware of.

• Advantage II: This product is typically well-tolerated, but some pets may experience mild skin irritation at the application site. In rare cases, pets may show signs of lethargy or excessive scratching at the application site.
• Frontline Plus: Some pets might also experience skin irritation after applying Frontline Plus. Occasionally, there may be temporary hair loss at the application site, and in very rare cases, vomiting or diarrhea can occur if the pet licks the area before it dries.
• Revolution Plus: Since Revolution Plus is a broad-spectrum product, it covers more parasites, which may lead to additional side effects, such as temporary lethargy, digestive upset, or in very rare instances, neurological symptoms (tremors or seizures). However, these reactions are extremely rare and usually occur in pets with underlying sensitivities.

In all cases, be mindful of overdosing (using more than the prescribed amount) and avoid applying dog-specific treatments to cats, which can lead to severe reactions. Always use products appropriate for your pet’s species, age, and weight.

💡 Pro Tip: If your pet shows any signs of adverse reactions—like excessive drooling, lethargy, or skin irritation—after applying any flea or tick treatment, consult your vet immediately. To reduce the risk of side effects, ensure the product is fully absorbed before allowing other pets or children to touch the area.

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Comment 3: “How do these treatments affect indoor-only pets? Are they necessary?”

Even if your pet stays indoors, flea and tick prevention is still important because fleas, ticks, and other parasites can easily find their way into your home. Fleas can hitch a ride on your clothing, shoes, or any items brought in from the outside. Ticks can come inside through open windows, other pets, or be transported from a trip to the garden or balcony.

• Advantage II is an excellent option for indoor cats or dogs because it offers flea-specific protection without additional parasite coverage that may not be necessary for strictly indoor pets.
• Frontline Plus is ideal for pets that have occasional outdoor exposure (such as lounging on a porch or balcony). It offers broader protection against fleas and ticks, which are more of a concern for pets with any level of outdoor access.
• Revolution Plus is beneficial for indoor cats who may still be exposed to fleas, mites, and heartworms through mosquitoes. Heartworm protection is critical for cats, even those who live indoors, because a single mosquito bite can transmit heartworm.

💡 Pro Tip: Indoor pets may not need tick prevention year-round, so if your pet is strictly indoors and never encounters other animals or outdoor environments, Advantage II or Revolution Plus (for cats) may be enough. If they’re exposed to outdoor environments even occasionally, Frontline Plus offers additional protection from ticks.

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Comment 4: “Can fleas and ticks become resistant to these treatments?”

While flea and tick resistance to topical treatments is rare, it can occur over time, especially in areas where these products have been used heavily for many years. Resistance typically happens when the same product is used continuously without rotation, allowing fleas or ticks to develop immunity to the active ingredients.

• Advantage II targets fleas using Imidacloprid and Pyriproxyfen (an insect growth regulator), which disrupts the flea lifecycle. Flea resistance to Imidacloprid has been reported in isolated areas, but it’s not common.
• Frontline Plus uses Fipronil and (S)-Methoprene, and although there have been rumors of flea resistance to Fipronil, clinical studies suggest that it remains effective in most cases. However, tick resistance to Fipronil has been reported in certain regions with heavy tick populations.
• Revolution Plus uses Selamectin and Sarolaner, which are newer-generation treatments that combine flea, tick, and heartworm protection. Fleas are less likely to develop resistance to this combination because of its broad action on multiple parasite species.

To reduce the risk of resistance:

1. Rotate products periodically: Switching between Advantage II and Frontline Plus can help if you notice that fleas or ticks persist despite regular use.
2. Follow the proper dosage: Under-dosing can encourage resistance, so ensure you’re applying the correct amount based on your pet’s weight and species.
3. Clean the environment: Flea eggs and larvae can survive in the environment, so wash bedding, vacuum regularly, and treat your home if necessary to break the flea lifecycle.

💡 Pro Tip: If you suspect fleas or ticks have become resistant to the treatment you’re using, speak with your vet about switching to a different product or combining topical treatments with oral flea preventatives to attack the problem from multiple angles.

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Comment 5: “How do I apply these products to make sure they’re most effective?”

Proper application is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of these flea and tick treatments. Here’s how to maximize the benefits of each product:

• Advantage II: Part the fur on the back of your pet’s neck (between the shoulder blades) and apply the entire tube directly onto the skin. Be careful not to apply it on top of the fur, as it won’t absorb properly. Advantage II spreads through the skin’s natural oils and should not be washed off within 24 hours.
• Frontline Plus: Similar to Advantage II, you’ll want to apply Frontline Plus at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades. After applying, avoid bathing your pet or allowing them to get wet for 24 hours to allow the product to spread across the skin fully. This ensures the waterproof formula works effectively after the first day.
• Revolution Plus: For cats, part the fur and apply Revolution Plus to the skin at the base of the neck. Like the other treatments, ensure it’s not washed off for at least 24 hours after application. Revolution Plus is also absorbed systemically, meaning it not only stays on the skin but enters the bloodstream to fight internal parasites.

💡 Pro Tip: After applying any topical treatment, keep pets from licking the area for at least a few hours by distracting them with toys or treats. For multi-pet households, separate pets until the product dries to avoid one pet grooming the other and ingesting the medication.