K9 Advantix is one of the most common used once monthly topical pesticides used for external skin parasite control, covering fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. One of the nicer benefits is that it will still be effective even after washing and bathing (wait 24 hours after applying), and has additional benefits of not only quickly killing mature and immature fleas and ticks, but in also repelling these parasites from biting as well. It comes in very convenient dosing packaging for dogs up to 10 pounds, dogs from 11-20 pounds, dogs from 21-55 pounds, and dogs over 55 pounds.
If your pet is on the border of these dosage cut offs, you can always start with the lower dose of K9 Advantix, however, if effective pest control is not seen, than giving the higher dose is certainly safe in most pets. It is not necessary to separate dogs after dosing them topically with this product, however, if dogs are actively playful and/or licking one another, it may be best to have them apart for a few hours, until the product has had a chance to dry.
| A few years ago, it was recommended not to purchase this product if an animal guardian also had cats due to their sensitivity to the permethrin insecticide in this product. However, that labeling has now changed and it is ok to use in households with cats, as long as animal guardians wait until the product is completely dry on the dog before exposing them to household cats. |  |
I have not heard of its use in other species, although an animal guardian of exotic pets can certainly contact Bayer to find out if this is possible. Side effects are rare, but may include (in sensitive pets):
- Contact irritation/allergy causing hair loss at site of application
- Digestive upset
- Neurological reactions such as seizures (rarer cases)
If this should occur, changing to a different topical pesticide like Frontline Plus or trying a natural alternative may be helpful. I never recommend using two topical pesticides at the same time such as Frontline Plus or K9 Advantix. However, if one is not working for an animal guardian, make sure one is treating the home adequately for fleas, as well as one could change from one product to another. It is typically not harmful to humans unless the product is swallowed or gets in one’s eyes. But I have heard of isolated reports of skin numbness following contact with the product, thus animal guardians should always wear gloves when applying this or any topical pesticide in my opinion.
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11 Comments
I absolutely concur regarding over the counter or non name . brand flea and tick topical products. My Mother purchased (by mail order) some kind of alternate product-and now both dogs are a mess of fleas and ‘itchies\. I never had a problem (even in Virginia, which seems to be the flea capitol of the world) when I was using the name brand products.
Listen up people before you have dogs in agony like mine!
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I agree with Nina. You think you are saving on generic or cheap dollar store brands but they either never work, halfway work or cause bad reactions. I am a vet tech and I only use and recommend K9 Advantix to patients. Even though my boss hates that I do it; I always tell patients to search for the best deal online. You can save a lot with all the competition online.
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Hi, I have a question, is it safe to use a topical flea and tick medicine (advantage) with an additional store bought flea collar? I am concerned that the dog may have adverse reactions with mixing flea and tick meds.
My husband just applied a topical med. (advantage) last week to our 60 lb. Catahoola Leopard dog Koda. Today I found my dog with a flea collar around his neck. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
October 23rd, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I would not use both as too much pesticide. Stick with advantage and treat home for fleas. Can use oral capstar and/or oral program if needed from 1800petmeds if heavy infestation
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The label on Advantix says not to touch your dog after it has been applied….but how long do I have to wait before I can hold and pet her? She is a little chihuahua that cannot sleep unless she’s under your blankets…so I want to know when it’s safe for her to be in my bed. Thanks!
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I bought k9 advantix and it says not get on skin but how long before I can touch my dog after applied?
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
March 13th, 2011 at 11:30 am
As soon as the product dries within a few hours you should be fine
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I just purchased the new Advantix II, I have two large dogs and i have always used Advantix on them. After i applied this new product i noticed one of my dogs started acting very strange, he started panting and acting very irritated. He keeps moving around and wont lay still. My other dog seems to be fine, and she is acting normal. Im not sure what is going on or what to do with him. Like i said i have always used Advantix and this has never happened before.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
April 7th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
There is extra ingredient in the advantix II that may be causing the reaction in your pet. Every animal is a unique individual. I would change back to advantix or go to front line
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I just picked up my dog’s next heart worm pills and was told by the folks there that my vet does not recommend flea and tick collars. Then I saw all these horrors stories posted online about dogs getting really sick or dying from Hartz collars. I just took it off my 65lb lab puppy. How long should I wait to put the k9 advantix on him and is there anything else I should do? He has worn the collar for about two weeks..we did notice he doesn’t eat like he was eating before…and drinks a lot more..but then it has been really hot here lately…..
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I have been using advantix on my pomeranian since she was a pup with no problem. Now the last two months she has been having fleas. I just put drops on her two weeks ago and she had enough fleas that the groomer had to give her a flea bath. I am thinking of switching to frontline plus to see if she could be getting immune to the advantix. How long will I have to wait till it is safe to put the frontline plus on her. She still has fleas. I also bought capstar. When is it safe to give her any more meds?
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
June 11th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
You can wait 2 weeks after last topical flea application to change to different brand. Remember to also treat the home environment as well which is where much of flea life cycle occurs.
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I applied K9 Advantix II 10 pounds and under to my dog. My daughter did not know I had already done it and I discovered that she put some on him later that same day. So he was double dosed. Do I need to do anything?
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
August 1st, 2011 at 11:49 am
I would try and wash dog however product is supposedly water proof. Most likely your dog will be fine. I would just monitor and observe for any lethargy or digestive upset, etc
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I applied K9 Advantix to our Jack Russell 3 weeks ago and I think I have seen a flea or 2 in the last 2 days. Is it OK to reapply even though a full month has not passed? She is a small 12 lb dog. Also, it is hard to really separate her fur completely when applying it because her fur is so short. The flea med. does get on her fur. Does that matter and could that effect the absorption of the med.?
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
August 6th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
Not applying the product completely on the skin can affect absorption and sometimes efficacy. I have had clients use the product a week early so go ahead and reapply. Also make sure to treat home environment of pet where much of flea life cycle occurs.
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