Advantage™ for dogs

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

Every pack of Advantage for dogs contains four single-use pipettes – each pipette protects against fleas for up to four weeks, so a pack gives up to four months’ protection in total.   

Advantage contains the active ingredient imidacloprid. Imidacloprid is able to kill fleas through contact; meaning they do not have to bite your pet to be killed¹. It also kills flea larvae in your home.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) is an allergic reaction some dogs suffer with 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, skin ‘hot spots’ or nasty infections.

Advantage spot-on flea treatment can be used as part of a treatment strategy for Flea Allergy Dermatitis, where this has previously been diagnosed by a veterinary surgeon. The active ingredient in Advantage is able to kill fleas through contact, meaning they don’t have to bite your dog in order to be killed¹. This means dogs are less exposed to the saliva they’re allergic to, helping to reduce FAD outbreaks.

Yes, Advantage for dogs can be used to treat biting lice in addition to fleas. You should book a check-up with your vet 30 days after treatment, as some dogs may need a second treatment to clear up the louse infestation fully.

If your dog does catch fleas, your home can quickly become infested, as fleas lay eggs on your pet, which fall into your home and hatch into flea larvae. These larvae develop into pupae and eventually hatch into adult fleas ready to bite your pet. Flea eggs, larvae and pupae will be hidden in carpets, bedding and upholstery throughout your home

If you are still seeing fleas on your pet despite using Advantage, the likelihood is that these are newly hatched fleas emerging from your home. Of course, once these fleas jump onto your pet, they will be killed by the Advantage, but you can help to reduce the burden that is present in your home as well. 

When a flea infestation has broken out in your home it’s important to act quickly. Ensure you wash animal bedding regularly and hoover your carpets and floors to kill fleas at every stage of their life cycle. 

A veterinary approved household flea spray may also help with flea control.

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

As with any medication, side effects are possible. On rare occasions skin reactions such as hair loss, redness, itching and skin lesions can occur. See the package leaflet for full information on side effects, and always speak to your vet if you have any concerns about your pet.  

The application of Advantage flea treatment is easy and fuss-free.

Step 1: Use the Advantage product that is suitable for the weight of your dog.

Step 2: Hold the tube in an upright position and twist and pull the cap to remove it.  Use the reversed cap to twist and remove the seal from the tube.

Step 3: 

For dogs weighing less than 25kg: The spot-on treatment needs to be applied to the skin between the shoulder blades by parting the fur. Squeeze firmly to empty the contents of the tube. 

For dogs weighing more than 25kg: The spot-on treatment needs to be applied evenly to the skin at three or four spots along the dog’s backline from the shoulder to the base of the tail. At each spot, part the fur until the skin is visible.

Step 4: Record treatment date and repeat every 4 weeks.

It’s important that you don’t apply the treatment to damaged skin and don’t allow recently treated animals to groom each other. If you’re unsure how to apply Advantage spot-on treatment for dogs, refer to the product information included in the pack or contact your vet.