Cats are known to have good manners. It is important to act when you notice that your cat begins displaying erratic behaviors like constantly scratching their skin, wincing, or rubbing their skin against surfaces. It could be the reason that the cat is infested with fleas. Therefore, you should not ignore your cat in such situations.
There are different dangers that the fleas pose. First, they cause a lot of pain to the cat, which may make your pet unhealthy. Also, fleas and ticks feed on the cats’ blood by biting them and can make your pets develop anemia due to loss of blood.
Moreover, since ticks and fleas feed by biting the host, they cause intense itching and scratching. It, in turn, results in the skin breaking open, which can lead to infections. Aside from skin irritations, they can lead to other internal infections, such as tapeworms.
Besides, fleas multiply fast, and they can become a nuisance to your entire household as well as a health risk. They can transmit diseases such as cat scratch fever and murine typhus. Hence, you should not take them lightly. Eliminating and preventing an infestation should be done using effective products.
Advantage flea treatment for cats is among the best products for getting rid of fleas. Therefore, in this article, I have created Advantage II for cats review to enlighten you about the effectiveness of the treatment.
Advantage 2 Reviews for Small and Large Cats
Advantage II is among pest control medications that don’t disappoint. It is manufactured in two forms, one for small cats, and another version is intended for large cats. I analyzed both types deeply, including their effectiveness, ease of use, safety, and price. Below are the comprehensive Advantage reviews.
Bayer Advantage II – For Small Cats
Specifications:
- Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid 9.10%, Pyriproxyfen 0.46%
- Age Range Description: Small Cats
- Number of Pieces: 6 Dose
- Item Weight: 0.1 Pounds
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 6.5 x 1 x 4.25 inches
Is your cat between around 5 to 9 pounds, and you need a product that can effectively kill the fleas on it? You should consider this item by Bayer Animal Health. A benefit of using this product is that fleas do not have to bite your cat for them to die. Fleas are killed when they come into contact with the medicine.
Effectiveness
How does Advantage II work? It has an active ingredient called imidacloprid. It kills fleas that come into contact with it. When applied on the cat’s skin, it gets absorbed and stays into the fatty layer. It kills fleas in any of the developmental stages, including eggs and adults. When the cycle of the flea is terminated, the chances of future infestations are reduced, making this product effective.
So, how long does Advantage take to work? When you apply the product once, it begins working after 12 hours. It effectively kills fleas for 30 days. Consequently, you get value with every purchase you make.
Ease of use
Even if you are not an expert in the management of pets, you can use this product. It is created in the form of a topical liquid making its application easy for you. Therefore, you should not have any fears about the use of this item.
Safety
“Can Advantage make my cat sick?” No. The product is made with the pet in mind. However, you should call a vet and Bayer support line once you notice any unusual signs on the pet after applying for the medicine.
Price
The product is relatively affordable, but it depends on where you purchase it. Regardless, the item works well and delivers value for the money.
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Bayer Advantage II – For Large Cats
Specifications:
- Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid 9.10%, Pyriproxyfen 0.46%
- Age Range Description: Adult
- Number of Pieces: 6
- Item Weight: 0.8 Ounces
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 6.5 x 1 x 4.25 inches
If you are looking for a product that can help eliminate from 95% to 100% of the fleas in your cat within 12 hours, this is the brand that you should purchase. In 20 minutes, it eliminates 99% of the flea larvae. With that, it means the reproduction cycle of the fleas is terminated.
Effectiveness
The product is water-proof. It can stay in the cat’s skin for 4 weeks. Within that period, it immediately kills any flea that comes into contact with the cat. Imidacloprid is the active ingredient of this product. It works fast and kills fleas on contact. The fleas are eliminated within 2 hours, which is a sign that the product is effective in killing these pests.
Moreover, Advantage flea treatment for cats kills fleas in their different developmental stages from the eggs to adults. When the life cycle of the fleas is broken, you can be sure that the infestation is controlled for the next 30 days.
Ease of use
How should you apply the Bayer Advantage II flea control treatment for cats? The product is sold in a beautifully designed tube. Hence, it is easy to apply. Apply a drop on the back of the cat around the neck area.
Safety
Is Advantage safe for cats? Given that it is meant for pets, you are assured of its safety. However, this medication is only suitable for cats over 9 lbs. Nonetheless, you have to monitor your pet, and if you notice any strange signs, you should call a vet. Also, it is safe to use if you have kids at home. However, as a safety measure, ensure that your kids do not play with the product’s tube.
Price
The price of the product is fairly reasonable, depending on where you purchase it. However, its effectiveness justifies the cost. You spend reasonably and get excellent results.
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A Guide for Purchasing Advantage Flea Treatment
It is important to choose a perfect remedy for fleas. What works in one situation may not be effective in another. There are several factors that you should consider selecting flea treatment products. Here are the most crucial ones:
Effectiveness of the Product
You should not waste your money on purchasing a drop that may not help in your situation. Therefore, effectiveness is an aspect that you cannot ignore as you purchase these products. You are likely to encounter many flea products. While some are effective, others may not work as you expect.
As a pet owner who wants to get the best results, take time, and understand how the ingredients that are in different products work. For instance, you should know the difference between Advantage and Advantage II. It is known that products that contain imidacloprid are effective for flea treatment.
Species of the Fleas
Before you choose a given flea product, you should learn the species of the fleas that are attacking your cat. With that knowledge, the vet you go to can easily suggest a product that can work for your cat. Some flea products have ingredients that can only deal with specific flea species. That means they cannot work if the fleas on your cat are different.
Weight and Age of the Cat
When flea treatment products are manufactured, they are formulated with the age and weight characteristics of the cats in mind. The ingredients in the flea chemicals meant for older cats are stronger. Given that kittens have sensitive skin using the flea products that are meant for older cats may negatively affect their skin.
Check the age and weight specifications before purchasing a given flea product. For instance, you should assess Advantage vs Advantage II as you make your purchasing decision.
Side Effects
All cats do not react to flea products in the same way. Ensure that you select a product that is safe for the cat. Assess the ingredients and pick a product that does not affect your cat.
Flea Products to Use with Advantage for Better Results
It is advisable to use Advantage with other treatment products to get remarkable results. Since the product doesn’t kill flea eggs, you should use it alongside sprays that kill eggs. Remember, you want long-lasting results, and if eggs aren’t eliminated, they will hatch and develop into adults.
Also, Advantage topical application only kills fleas but doesn’t repel them. Therefore, you can use it with other flea repelling products such as collars. Also, since the item is water-proof, use it with shampoo to get rid of fleas that could be hiding in the cat`s fur.
Comparison Between the Advantage 2 and Its Competitors
There are many other flea treatment products available on the market. Some of them deliver remarkable results as well. So which one should you choose, Advantage or the others? Here is a comparison of this product with the top competitors.
Advantage vs Frontline for Cats Treatment
Specifications:
- Active Ingredient: Fipronil 9.8%, (s)-methoprene – 11.8%
- Age Range Description: All Life Stages
- Number of Pieces: 6
- Item Weight: 0.01 Pounds
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 5.7 x 1 x 4.5 inches
Which brand should you purchase, Frontline or Advantage II for cats? While these products are applied in the same way for control of fleas, they have different ingredients. Pyriproxyfen and imidacloprid are the key ingredients in advantage, while fipronil and methoprene are the active components in Frontline.
Both products contain strong insect growth regulators that offer great protection. Also, Frontline protects against fleas, lice, ticks, sarcoptic mange. Advantage, on the other hand, only protects against fleas. Advantage claims to work within 12 hours, while Frontline kills fleas within 24 hours. All in all, I’d choose Advantage if your pet is only exposed to fleas, and go for Frontline if there’s a risk to get ticks or lice.
Seresto vs Advantage II for Flea Treatment
Specifications:
- Scent: Odorless
- Age Range Description: All Life Stages
- Item Weight: 0.22 Pounds
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 4.75 x 4.75 x 1.5 inches
- Target Species: Fleas, Ticks
Seresto vs Advantage II is a tough war. Seresto is a cat collar that provides 8-month protection. Advantage, on the other hand, offers only 30 days protection, and hence you need to apply it monthly. Also, Seresto acts as a repellant for both ticks and fleas. Therefore, Seresto is the winner.
FAQ
Advantage II is a great flea product, but the manufacturer may not give all the information you require. I conducted a survey, and I found that the majority of buyers have common questions. I managed to find the correct answers, and here are they:
1. How long does Advantage take to work?
After applying the product on the cat, the killing action begins within 12 hours on adult fleas. It kills the larvae within 20 minutes.
2. What is the difference between Advantage and Advantage II?
Although they have similar ingredients, Advantage II is more effective than Advantage. It delivers better results faster. Also, Advantage II breaks the flea life cycle which makes it much more effective.
3. Is Advantage safe for cats?
Since the product is made with a cat in mind, it is usually safe. However, it should be applied in places where a cat can’t lick because ingestion can lead to adverse effects. However, always call a vet if you notice severe side effects.
The Final Word
While there are many flea treatment products, they work differently. What can effectively treat fleas in one cat may not work in another case. Therefore, you should be cautious as you select your product.
From analysis and experience, I found that Advantage II works effectively and does not cause any serious side effects. However, nothing has to be ignored. You should call a vet when you notice any unusual signs on the cat after applying the medication. Also, for better results, use it with other products such as collars and sprays.
Which combination of flea treatment approaches do you use on your cat? How effective is it? Leave a comment below.
References:
- Products & Services for Farm Animals (Elanco):
https://elanco.com/welcome - Contact Us (ElancoDVM):
https://www.elancodvm.com/contact-us - Fleas (Purdue University):
https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/flea.html - Insect Growth Regulators (Oregon State University):
http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/igr.html
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Appreciate your articles and reviews, thank you.
I was wondering about what you recommend for multiple cats with ear mites. Is there a topical treatment or a collar I can use?
Also, can they ( mites) live in carpets where they sleep?
Thank you for your time.
🙂