Precautions for Using Advantage on Cats

Advantage pest control is a topical flea treatment available for both dogs and cats. Designed to use monthly, Advantage prevents flea infestations on your cat, stops fleas from biting and kills adults fleas and larvae. This waterproof treatment has been recommended to pet owners by veterinarians for years. And though Advantage offers important benefits to your cat, there are precautions you should take to ensure you use it safely.

  1. Candidates for Advantage

    • Read the packaging carefully to make sure Advantage is right for your cat. There are two types of Advantage, the basic form, used for flea control, and Advantage Multi to control fleas, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and other parasites. Neither type controls ticks, however. So if your cat needs tick protection you may want to seek out a different product.

      If you decide to use Advantage, do so only if you cat is within the age and weight requirements the package indicates. For instance, you should only use Advantage on cats eight weeks or older, and make sure you use the right dosage for its weight. To make it easy, Advantage has color-coded packaging. The purple packaging is for cats weighing over nine pounds and the orange is for those nine pounds and under.

      Pay special attention never to give Advantage for dogs to your cat as it could be detrimental. Evaluate to your cat's health before applying Advantage or any other pest control product. If your cat seems unwell, is on medication, or if it is a geriatric cat, ask your vet's advice before using.

    Administering

    • Advantage is a topical product and cats should not ingest it either through eating or bathing the area of application. To administer, part the fur at the base of the skull, where cats cannot reach for bathing, and apply the full dose to the skin. To avoid ingestion by other cats through grooming, separate animals during and after dosing. Make sure to wash your hands after applying. Humans may experience eye irritation if Advantage is handled then rubbed in or near eyes.

      To dispose of packaging, Advantage recommends wrapping it carefully in newspaper then throwing it away. Take special care to keep Advantage and other flea medicines out of reach from children at all times.

    Side Effects

    • Though if applied correctly, Advantage is safe for most cats, there are some side effects to look out for. These include skin irritation and hair loss. If the cat ingests Advantage, drooling, twitching and weakness in the muscles may occur which you should report to your vet. In case of an accidental overdose, consult your vet right away.