If you have been trying different flea control methods with no luck I suggest trying a Topical Flea treatment, they are also referred to as Spot Ons. Fleas are annoying insects that can cause a lot of harm to your pet. Keeping them off your pet should be your top priority. I recommend trying the more natural methods first but sometimes they just don’t work as well, especially if the infestation is severe. This article will help you make an educated decision on what topical flea treatment to use.
Safety First
Topical flea treatments are the fastest way to kill fleas on your pet. Unfortunately, some animals may have a bad reaction. Including skin rashes and skin redness 
around the applied area. The overuse of topicals can also cause toxicity. Make sure you know your pets correct weight to avoid overdosing or underdosing. If you are treating multiple pets at the same time keep them separated until the topical solution is completely dry. Furthermore, topical flea treatments should not be used for long term flea prevention. It is recommended by veterinarians to change flea treatments after several months. This will also help to keep fleas from becoming immune to what you are using.
Never and I repeat never put a dog topical on a cat and vice versa. They are formulated differently for each species.
Tips while using Topical Flea Treatments
- Allways follow the directions on the label.
- If your pet is on any kind of medications ask your veterinarian if applying a topical is safe.
- Use the appropriate dose according to your pet’s weight.
- Do Not mix Topicals with other flea treatments on your pet.
- Continue with in-home and yard flea preventions.
- Wait around 6 hours after bathing to apply
Another Word of Caution
Beware of fake products. People will make counterfeit look-a-likes of the top brand topical flea treatments. They do not work and may even harm your pet. I also recommend staying away from the cheaper brands, remember you get what you pay for.
How Topicals Work
Once applied to your pet the topical solution will get absorbed by the oils of the skin then into the bloodstream. Hense, the reason why it must be applied to the skin and not the hair/fur. As it enters the blood stream it will circulate throughout the entire body of your pet giving him/her 100% flea protection.
Topical Flea Treatment Brands
Searching for the right topical can be a daunting task because there are so many brands to choose from. I want to help narrow down your search by presenting you with the best Topical Flea Treatments available today. This information is based on facts from information I found while researching and also from my personal experience using topicals on my pets and my customer’s pets.
Advantage II for Dogs and Cats
The entire line of Advantage topical flea treatment is the most popular brand on the market today. The line is owned by the Bayer Company who has been in the pharmaceutical business since 1863.
This topical is formulated with two main ingredients, one for killing fleas and one that stops the growth stages of immature fleas. Also featuring a waterproof formula to keep working even if your pet gets wet. Most pet owners have found that Advantage II works the fastest and last longer than any other brand. Furthermore, it seems to have fewer side effects than most of the popular topicals if all directions are followed correctly.
Best price found on Amazon
Pros
- No prescriptions needed
- Kills all flea life stages
- Waterproof formula
- Fast acting
- Low to no side effects
- Available for dogs and cats of all sizes
Cons
- Toxic if ingested
- Formula is greasy
- Does not repel ticks
Active Ingredients for Dogs
- Imidacloprid 9.10%
- Pyriproxyfen .46%
- Other ingredients 90.44%
Frontline Plus for Dogs and Cats
Frontline comes in second place as far as topicals go. It is owned by the Merial Company which was established in 1997 after a merging of two global healthcare companies.
Frontline Plus has a waterproof formula to repel and kill all stages of fleas, ticks, and chewing lice. Most of the reviews on Frontline are positive with a few saying that it didn’t work or last the entire month. The side effects have also been minimal. If you are dealing with both fleas and tick I recommend giving Frontline a try.
Best price found on Amazon
Pros
- No prescription needed
- Kills all life stages of fleas, ticks, and lice
- Waterproof formula
- Low to no side effects
- Available for dogs and cats of all sizes
Cons
- Toxic if ingested
- Formula is greasy
Active Ingredients
- Fipronil 9.8%
- S-Methoprene 8.8%
- Inert Ingredients 81.4%
Pet Armor Plus for Dogs and Cats
Pet Armor Plus is the runner up under the two most popular brands in topical flea treatment. It is owned by FidoPharm, Inc. a manufacturer of pet health products. The company was incorporated in 2008 with their headquarters based in Pennsylvania. They quickly became popular because they are committed to offering quality pet products at a lower cost.
This topical is formulated with the same ingredients as Frontline. Pet Armor Plus is waterproof, repels and kills all stages of fleas, ticks, and chewing lice. The reviews have been positive with most saying that it worked almost as well as Frontline. The only negative things I read was that it did not last as long as other brands. Very few claimed that it did not work at all. If you are on a budget I recommend giving this a try.
Best price on Amazon
Pros
- No prescription needed
- Kills all life stages of fleas, ticks, and lice
- Waterproof formula
- Low to no side effects
- Available for dogs and cats of all sizes
Cons
- Toxic if ingested
- Formula is greasy
- Has had more complaints than the leading brands
Active Ingredients
- Fipronil 9.80%
- S-Methoprene 8.80%
- Other ingredients 81.40%
Conclusion
The most important thing is to completely eliminate fleas from your pet no matter what products you choose to use. Unfortunately, this will not happen overnight and will take some work on your part. Staying consistent with flea treatments will eliminate flea infestations. Knowing the fleas life cycle will help you better understand how to eliminate them. You will also know how to spot the first signs of fleas and take action before it becomes an infestation. I know your pet’s health and safety is important to you. Remember to follow all directions on any product that you use on your pet.
If you have any questions or need some help please leave me a comment.
Happy pet grooming,
Thank you for the great information about topicals. We are going shopping for flea treatments today so it was timely as well as informative. We have used Frontline over the years with good but not perfect results and now I understand the fleas may have become immune to it. We will look for Advantage II to try instead, and then mix it up over the coming months.
Hi Robert,
I’m glad you found this information to be helpful and seems like just in time. LOL! Yes, fleas do get immured to the chemicals used in topical flea treatments. This is why changing them after several months will help a lot. I would like to know how the Advantage II worked for you. Please drop me another comment after a few months of using it. Thanks for the visit! 🙂