Difference between Frontline and grocery store brands?

Question

What is the difference between Frontline and the grocery store brands? Do the major brands such as Frontline or Advantage really work better than the cheaper brands I could buy in the grocery store? I would like to keep my dog protected from fleas and ticks, but do I really need to buy the more expensive brands to keep him protected?

Answer 1

Yes there is a major difference. The Frontline, Revolution, and Advantage all get absorbed into the dogs skin layer and distributed through the skin from the inside. After the initial 24 hours you can give the dog a bath, it can go in the rain or swim in a lake without the stuff ever washing off.

Stuff you buy at the grocery store is the same as spraying OFF on the dog, it helps, but it will wash and wear off the animal pretty easy. It also will not cover every inch of the dog as well as the stuff that is absorbed and evenly distributed.

If you are in an area where fleas and ticks are not bad except in the summer only buy the Frontline in the summer. If they are bad year round use it year round. If the animal never leaves your yard, treat the yard for fleas and ticks and that will help more than anything, if it goes on walks you will want more protection for the dog though.

Answer 2

I have 2 labs and a terrier, i used to buy pet shop powders, drops etc. all were useless. When i bit the bullet and went for frontline (spray best and most economical), 3 years ago, i have not seen a flea or tick since. My advice - spend the money once a year instead of experimenting with cheaper products.

Answer 3

Safety and effectiveness is the difference between Frontline and grocery store brands (especially products produced by the Hartz company).

http://lightning.prohosting.com/~maltese/923.html
http://www.elversonpuzzle.com/biospot.html

Answer 4

Do not buy the Hartz brands. This brand can be very deadly to some dogs/cats.

Answer 5

http://www.eurobichons.com/view_topic.php?id=1276&forum_id=40