Advantage®II for Dogs

Advantage®II is a topical treatment so it’s applied to your pet’s skin and will kill fleas through contact. It does not require fleas to bite1 . Oral flea products, in contrast, are active in the bloodstream, which means fleas must bite your pet to be killed.

You can use Advantage®II on puppies seven weeks old and over.

Consult your veterinarian before using this product, or any product, on pregnant or lactating dogs

Sensitivities may occur after using any pesticide product for pets. If signs persist or become more severe, consult a veterinarian immediately. Call 1 888 663 5326 for assistance regarding product use.

Advantage®II is a non-prescription treatment which is available at your pet shop, veterinarian, and online*.

*availability may vary by province

It’s recommended that you avoid bathing your dog for at least three days after treatment.

After three days, it’s fine to give your dog a bath in a non-medicated shampoo made for dogs or cats. Baths can be given as often as once per month without affecting the performance of the product. If more than one bath is given, the product should be reapplied after the second bath.

Note: flea shampoo, medicated shampoos, human shampoo and dish detergents are not appropriate choices when managing fleas with Advantage®II as they may affect the performance of the product.

It’s quick and simple to use Advantage®II, making it a convenient way to treat your pet for fleas year-round. Apply Advantage®II once a month to help protect your pet and home against fleas.

Step 1: Remove your dog’s collar before application.

Step 2: Hold applicator tube upright and pull cap off.

Step 3: Use the opposite end of the cap to break the seal.

Step 4: Part your dog’s hair, starting at the shoulder blades

Step 5: Apply the entire content of the tube evenly to specified spots along your dog’s back between the shoulder blades.

* for dogs less than 25 kg (under 55 pounds): with your dog standing, apply the entire tube to one spot on your dog’s back between the shoulder blades.

* for dogs over 25 kg (over 55 pounds): With your dog standing, apply the entire contents of the tube evenly to 5 spots along your dog’s back between the shoulder blades.

For all size dogs: do not rub in treatment; allow to dry naturally.

Make sure you record the treatment date and repeat monthly.

Note: only apply to intact skin. Keep recently treated animals separated so they can’t groom each other. If you’re unsure how to apply Advantage®II, refer to the product information included in the pack or contact your veterinarian. Choose the correct Advantage®II product suitable for your dog’s weight.

It is recommended that Advantage®II is applied every 4 weeks for the treatment of flea infestations in dogs and the prevention of re-infestation, as well as for the treatment of lice.

A single application lasts for up to four weeks.

Once applied, Advantage®II gets to work quickly. It starts killing fleas within 2 hours2 , and within 24 hours all fleas on your dog will be killed.

To protect against fleas with Advantage®II, you will need to choose the correct product based on your dog’s weight. Use this guide to find which product is right for your dog:

* Dogs weighing under 4.5 kg (under 10 pounds) require Advantage®II for Small Dogs 0.4 mL topical solution

* Dogs weighing between 4.6 kg and 11 kg (10 to 24 pounds) require Advantage®II for Medium Dogs 1 mL topical solution

* Dogs weighing between 11 kg and 25 kg (24 to 55 pounds) require Advantage®II for Large Dogs 2.5 mL topical solution

* Dogs over 25 kg (over 55 pounds) require Advantage®II for Extra Large Dogs 4 mL topical solution

Advantage®II does not expire.

Even indoor pets can get fleas. Fleas can be carried into the home on your clothing, or from other pets that visit the house, putting your dog at risk. That’s why it’s still important to regularly protect your dog with a flea product like Advantage®II for dogs.

No, each dog should receive their own dose of Advantage®II.  Always follow the instructions on the packet carefully and give your dog the correct dosage for their weight to ensure effective treatment. If you’re unsure of how to apply Advantage® II, contact your veterinarian. 

It’s important to treat all household pets with the appropriate flea treatment. When one pet has fleas, other pets in the house will soon be infested as well.

If you’ve recently bathed your dog, it’s recommended you wait at least two days before applying Advantage®II flea treatment.

If you need to bathe your dog between applications, always use a soap-free shampoo. It’s best to wash your dog, wait until they are fully dry and then apply Advantage. For optimal skin health in well dogs, don’t bathe your dog more frequently than fortnightly.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) is an allergic reaction some dogs suffer from when they come into contact with flea saliva as a result of flea bites. It causes dogs to scratch and bite their skin to relieve the extreme irritation. This can lead to hair loss, irritated skin also known as ‘hot spots’ or nasty infections.

If your vet has diagnosed your dog with Flea Allergy Dermatitis, Advantage®II flea treatment can be used as part of a treatment strategy. The active ingredient in Advantage®II kills fleas through contact, meaning they don’t have to bite your dog in order to be killed. This means dogs are less exposed to the saliva they’re allergic to, helping to reduce FAD outbreaks.

IThere are several ways fleas can easily invade your home and your pets:

* If your dog socializes with other dogs when out on a walk, they can easily pick up fleas from their buddies; * Your dog can catch them from other household pets. Even if you haven’t noticed your pet cat or rabbit scratching more than usual, they could still have fleas. If they are not treated, they could easily transfer fleas to your dog;

* Wild animals such as mice and rats, squirrels, groundhogs, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes can transport fleas into your backyard or nearby shrubbery, where they can get transferred onto your dog;

* If you come into contact with fleas yourself, these persistent parasites can hitch a ride on you or your clothing into your home.

If your dog does catch fleas, your home can quickly become infested. The fleas lay eggs on your pet, which fall off throughout your home. These eggs hatch into larvae, which develop into pupae and then adult fleas. Fleas, their eggs, larvae and pupae hide in your carpets, bedding and upholstery. They can also take up residence in the upholstery of your car. Once the adult fleas hatch, they are hungry to feed on any red-blooded mammals they can find, including humans.

Advantage®II kills fleas and stops infestations quickly. If you are still seeing fleas on your pet despite using Advantage® II, it’s likely that these are hitchhiker fleas. Once they jump onto your pet, they, too, will be killed by Advantage®II.

You can, however, put a stop to the flea cycle even faster by washing your dog’s bedding in very hot water (and your bedding as well if your pet sleeps with you) and putting it in the dryer, if possible. Vacuuming your carpets and floors at least once a week can also encourage fleas to seek out the protection of your pet – who has already been treated with Advantage® II.

For more in-depth tips about tackling flea infestations, read our essential guide to evicting fleas from your home.

Advantage®II is available online, through your veterinarian, and in pet stores.