PetArmor Plus Vs Frontline Plus: What Woof Is The Difference? (We Asked A Vet)
We’re in the height of summer, a time for long walks, and lots of swimming for water-pups. Sounds idyllic right? It’s also prime time for fleas and ticks, unfortunately, summer is open season on our pets. There’s so much information available it can be difficult to decide what product might best suit your lifestyle and your pupper’s needs. So here, we’re giving you the rundown on PetArmor Plus vs Frontline Plus to help you make informed decisions.
What Do PetArmor Plus and Frontline Plus Actually Do?
PetArmor Plus and Frontline Plus are both popular products aimed at controlling flea and tick infestations on our canine companions. Both products are easily administered as topical liquids.
Waterproof, topical parasite preventative, PetArmor Plus protects pets against fleas, ticks, and chewing lice for one month.
Application
What bugs are targeted?
PetArmor Plus targets fleas, ticks, and chewing lice. The whole flea lifecycle is targeted, not just adults. Flea eggs and larvae are also killed by PetArmor Plus.
How does it work?
PetArmor Plus targets fleas, ticks, and chewing lice. The whole flea lifecycle is targeted, not just adults. Flea eggs and larvae are also killed by PetArmor Plus.
How long does it last for?
Each application lasts for up to 30 days, protecting your pet and preventing re-infestation with fleas.
What Are the Active Ingredients in PetArmor Plus?
- Fipronil: Fleas and ticks are killed by disrupting their nervous system’s normal functions.
- (S)-methoprene: Targets flea eggs and larvae by preventing them from developing.
How Are the Ingredients in PetArmor Plus Delivered?
Each pack contains individually dosed pipettes that are easily applied to your pet’s skin where it can be absorbed and stored within the hair follicles of their fur.
How long does it take for PetArmor Plus to start working?
Within 24 hours of application, fleas will start to die and you can expect to see lots of fleas rising to the surface of your fur-iends coat which is a good thing, fleas climb the hair when they’re dying.
Safety, Risks and Possible Side Effects
Luckily, adverse effects are rare and tend to be mild and transient; without the need for veterinary intervention. One of the most commonly seen is redness or itching where the liquid has been applied but these usually resolve within 24 hours. If your pet is experiencing severe or prolonged irritation then you should take them to your veterinarian.
- Budget-Friendly
- Veterinary quality
- Targets all life stages of the flea
- Monthly application required
- Toxic to cats, keep your kitty away from your pup for 24 hours after application
PetArmor Plus is a budget-friendly and waterproof flea and ticks preventative for dogs. Super easy to apply, it breaks the flea infestation by killing adults, while preventing eggs and larvae from developing to the next life stage. PetArmor Plus kills Brown Dog, American dog, and Deer ticks which can transmit nasty diseases to our fur-iends.
Application
Pre-measured pipettes are provided for ease of application; simply part the hair on the back of your pup’s neck/between their shoulder blades and squeeze the contents onto their skin.
What does it kill?
All life stages of fleas and ticks are targeted which helps to break the re-infestation of your pet with fleas by preventing the larvae from developing.
How does it work?
The liquid is absorbed into your pet’s skin where it accumulates within their hair follicles before being slowly released throughout their body over the following 30 days.
How long does it last for?
Breaking the flea re-infestation cycle and protecting your pup from tick bites, even if they love swimming. Frontline Plus works for up to 30 days.
What Are the Active Ingredients in Frontline Plus?
- Fipronil: attacks the nervous systems of adult fleas and ticks to paralyze them prior to death.
- (S)-methoprene: prevents eggs and larvae from developing to the next life stage.
How Are the Ingredients in Frontline Plus Delivered?
Frontline Plus comes as a no-stress topical liquid that you simply squeeze onto your pup’s skin.
How long does it take for Frontline Plus to start working?
Within just 4 hours, Frontline Plus starts to kill adult fleas and you can expect to see lots of fleas climbing to the surface of your pooch’s fur within 24 hours. This is a good sign! Fleas climb towards the top of hair shafts to move away from your pet’s skin before death.
Safety, Risks and Possible Side Effects of Frontline Plus
There are risks to using all products, and topical products tend to cause skin reactions most commonly. Luckily, reactions are rare with Frontline Plus, but when they do occur these tend to be mild and short-lived. Mild itching or redness may be seen at the site of application which typically resolves within 24 hours. Veterinary care should be sought for your pooch if the irritation is severe or persists for longer than 24 hours.
- Can be used on lactating and pregnant bitches
- Veterinary approved
- Works in just 4 hours
- Monthly application required
- Toxic to kitties; keep your cat away from your pup for 24 hours after applying this product.
A waterproof product, Frontline Plus is great for pooches that love to swim or has frequent baths. Available as a convenient, single-dose pipette for monthly application, Frontline Plus is a good product with few, rare side effects. There have been, however some reports of possible resistance developing in fleas toward fipronil, one of the active ingredients.
Remember: Some pets may have reactions to any flea preventative medication; you should select a suitable product in consultation with your veterinarian.
PetArmor Plus vs Frontline Plus II:key differences
Both of these products contain the exact same active ingredients so what differs?
PetArmor Plus vs. Frontline Plus: Effectiveness
Ease of Use
No need to fight with your fur-baby to take a pill or try to sneak it into their favorite treat; both of these products are spot-on formulations. Pre-dosed, handy pipettes that you simply squeeze the contents onto your pet’s skin. The main difference is that PetArmor Plus requires scissors to cut the top off while Frontline Plus is a simple snap-off top.
Which Scores Better on Price?
As these are pre-dosed pipettes; the cost will depend on the size of your pooch. Products for larger pets are more expensive, as expected. Here we compare the costs of these products for small dogs (5-22lbs). PetArmor Plus is available in packages of 3 and 6 pipettes while Frontline Plus also has 8 pipette packets. PetArmor Plus costs approximately $8.50 per pipette while Frontline Plus pipettes cost $10-11. PetArmor Plus is a more budget-friendly for the same products.
Does My Dog Really Need Flea & Tick Medication?
Yup! There’s not a place in the world where fleas and ticks don’t haunt our canine companions. Aside from the obvious irritation that these bugs cause our fur-babies, they also carry some very nasty diseases. Some of these illnesses are fatal with no known treatments, making these preventative medications essential for our fur-iends.
F.A.Qs
Tip From The Vet: Safety Tips for Using Flea and Tick Products
- Always consult your veterinary surgeon before using any flea or tick preventative products. This is particularly important if your pet is pregnant, nursing, elderly, or ill then you should never use any medications without discussing them with your vet first.
- Wash your hands after using (or wear gloves if possible) the products. While reactions are rare, some products can cause skin and eye irritation.
- You should keep other pets away from just treated animals to prevent grooming or stroking the area. You don’t want your pet to swallow the chemicals which may make them ill. These products are also toxic to cats, so you should keep your kitty and pup apart for 24h after treatment.
- Always follow the instructions on the packaging to ensure the safety of both you, your pet, and the environment.
- Once applied, monitor your pet for any signs of a reaction which include redness or itching at the site of application, loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea. Rarely some pets may have depression and seizures.
PetArmor Plus Vs Frontline Plus Final Thoughts
Frontline Plus is also a veterinary strength product that you can now purchase over the counter in many stores. Both products are waterproof within 24h after application and persist for up to 30 days. Cats should always be kept away from your pet after you apply these products as they are toxic to our feline fur-iends.
