About Advantage Flea Protection

Advantage flea protection is a monthly medication applied to dogs and cats in order to protect them and their environment from flea infestations. Advantage is a prescription medication; therefore, it is only available from a veterinarian or an online pet pharmacy.

  1. Function

    • Fleas are a nuisance to any household and an annoyance to pets. Flea bites can cause skin infections, allergies and sores on a dog or cat's skin and can cause itching. Fleas tend to live around 2 to 3 months, and females lay up to 2,000 eggs in that time frame. Advantage is a flea control that protects pets and prevents the spread of fleas.

    Protection

    • Advantage flea protection's active ingredient is imidacloprid, which is used in flea control products, seed treatment, termite control and insecticides. Imidacloprid works by acting on the flea's nervous system, causing paralysis and death. Advantage starts killing fleas an hour after the first application, before they have had the chance to lay eggs.

    Where

    • Advantage is a liquid medication that is applied to the back of the pet's neck. It is necessary to apply small amounts of Advantage in three or four spots on larger dogs between the neck and the base of the tail, along the back bone. Advantage is spread across the skin, causing death in any flea that bites a treated dog or cat.

    Benefits

    • Advantage flea protection has a number of benefits, including killing fleas on household animals before they can lay eggs, relieving pets from painful bug bites and long-term effects, making it necessary to reapply only once each month.

    Warning

    • Advantage flea protection produces sensitivities in certain animals, though these are rare. If a dog or cat seems under the weather after the application of Advantage, it should get checked by a vet. A dog or cat which ingests Advantage orally may be in danger of an overdose and may require a trip to the emergency vet.