What Is the Difference Between Advantage for Dogs & for Cats?

As a pet owner, you may be wondering if you can save money by using Bayer Advantage products to treat both your dogs and your cats. However, the Advantage formulas for dogs should only be used on dogs and the Advantage formulas for cats should only be used on cats. This will help keep your animals safe when taking medications.

  1. Age Limits for Medication

    • One of the most important differences to remember is that the age requirements for puppies taking Advantage is different for kittens taking Advantage. Puppies are allowed to take Advantage II for Dogs once they turn seven weeks old. Kittens, on the other hand, are allowed to take Advantage II for Cats once they turn eight weeks old. Although the difference may seem slight, this is an important difference to highlight to ensure that your animals do not suffer serious adverse health effects.

    Ear Mite Infestations in Cats

    • Although dogs and cats do share some common health and infestation problems, such as flea infestations, there are some health problems that are much more common in cats than in dogs. For this reason, Bayer created a product specifically for cats called Advantage Multi for cats that treats ear mite infestations that cats are more prone to suffer from. The Advantage Multi product for dogs does not contain medication to combat ear mite infestations.

    Lice Infestation in Dogs

    • Dogs are more likely than cats to suffer from lice infestations because, in general, a dog's hair is much longer and thicker than a cat's hair, making lice more attracted to dogs. For this reason, Bayer incorporated lice treatment into the Advantage II medication for dogs. This treatment is not included in the Advantage II treatment for cats, however, because the cats are much less likely to ever need this treatment.

    Control of Worms in Dogs

    • Another common health problem that dog owners face for their pets that cat owners do not have to worry about as much are problems related to worm infestations. The Advantage Multi for Dogs prevents heartworm disease, as well as treats and controls intestinal worms like hookworms and roundworms. The medication treats and controls whipworm. Cats do not need this much prevention, treatment and control of worms, thus the Advantage formula for cats focuses on different aspects of health.