Why I Keep Coming Back to Advantage for My Cats

I've been using Advantage on my two house cats, Sinya and Sonya, for a while now, and I've gotta say, it's been a game-changer. These little furballs have been living with me for less than a year, and they were born just a week before Easter. We spent the whole summer letting them enjoy the freedom of a private house, but only after we'd moved in, finished the renovation work, and sorted out all our belongings. Come autumn, the cats moved into the house, but before that, we made sure to give them a thorough clean, treat them for parasites, and deworm them. Now, all that's left is to spay the cat and neuter the kitten, which is planned for spring. Today, I'm going to share my thoughts on Advantage, a parasite treatment that I've been using on my pets for a while now.

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Advantage parasite treatment / Advantage flea drops

Description

Advantage is a topical treatment for dogs and cats to prevent and treat flea infestations, containing the active ingredient imidacloprid. It's designed to kill adult fleas and their larvae on contact, without being absorbed into the bloodstream, providing protection for up to 4 weeks. It's safe for use on puppies and kittens from a certain age, as well as nursing mothers. The treatment is applied to the skin, where it kills adult fleas and their larvae, and blocks the development of eggs, protecting your pet and its environment from re-infestation.

Price: around 1500 for 4 ampules Place of purchase: Bagira Where to buy: marketplaces, pet stores Quantity: 4 ampules per pack Weight: up to 4 kg Active ingredient: Imidacloprid Country of origin: USA or Germany

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Packaging and appearance

The packaging is a standard-sized cardboard box. On the front, you'll find information on when to use the treatment, how long it lasts, and which animals it's suitable for.

On the back, you'll find all the additional information you need to know, such as how to use the treatment correctly, when it's most effective, how to store it, and how long it remains effective after opening.

Also on the box, you'll find the expiration dates. I've never had any issues with expired products from Bagira – they're a well-known and trusted pet store.

The pack also includes a comprehensive instruction manual with information on dosages, contraindications, side effects, and more. I only read it once, when I first started using the product, but now I more or less remember what's in it.

I was surprised to find four ampoules inside the box, each individually packaged. We could've bought them separately at a lower cost, but now the option's gone due to a QR code on the packaging. I'm glad I got the whole pack, as it'll last my pets for two months.

The packaging has all the necessary information duplicated on it - dosage, expiration date, usage instructions, and more. You can safely dispose of the box to save space.

The ampoules themselves are small plastic tubes, roughly the size of a pinky finger.

Again, the expiration date and storage conditions are duplicated on the ampoule.

The cap has a protective membrane that needs to be pierced with the back of the cap. I'm advised not to store any leftover mixture, or use it based on the pet's weight, or just dispose of it.

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Composition

Composition (in 1ml solution):

Active ingredient: Imidacloprid - 100mg.Excipients: Benzyl alcohol - 832mg, Propylene carbonate - 165mg, Butylhydroxytoluene - up to 1ml.

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Final impressions

My cats, Sinya and Sonya, were left in our care after my sister moved out. She was supposed to take them and their mom to her new place, but we ended up keeping them. My sister took their mom, and we're left with these two adorable furballs.

We kept them outdoors during the summer, and then brought them inside for good in the fall. I didn't even think twice about how to treat them, because we only use Advantix + something for ticks, but mostly it's the same old Milbemax.

We washed all the animals with a special shampoo first, since they were going in and out of the house and coming into contact with our kid. Then we followed the treatment schedule: Advantix every 4 days for 10 days, and Milbemac inside every 10 days. It's really important to bathe them with a parasite shampoo or spray before any treatment, especially if they've been outside or semi-outside. For even better results, do a follow-up treatment with a topical solution 3-4 days after the initial treatment.

We kept them quarantined for 4 days after the bath, and then applied Advantix to each cat on a schedule based on their weight (up to 4 kg). Since they're not quite there yet, we'll be adjusting the dosage soon. The application process is pretty straightforward.

The liquid itself is light and has a greasy consistency, kind of like a thick oil. It doesn't leave any residue on the fur, and it absorbs quickly like a moisturizer. There's a slight oily residue left behind, but it's gone by the next day.

How to use Advantix:

It's pretty simple: I just hold the cat, part their fur on the neck area where they can't lick it off, and squeeze out the entire pipette. Let it absorb for a few seconds, and then repeat the process for the second cat. That's it! For the next 24 hours, try not to touch or pet them, and avoid letting them lick the treated area.

When we first started using Advantix, our cats had fleas but no ticks. It makes sense, since they spent most of their time outdoors where they could pick up all sorts of parasites. So, the first time we treated them, we got rid of most of the parasites. They're not completely dead, but they're close. It's a good idea to keep them isolated for a few days after treatment, away from other clean animals, to prevent them from re-infesting.

By day 2-3, the parasites start to die down, and the scratching decreases dramatically. However, they don't completely disappear. I'm not sure why this happens, but all our cats started scratching again after a week, even though the parasites were mostly gone. I thought maybe the product wasn't working, or that we needed to re-treat them after a week (which is not recommended, as it could cause an overdose).

But if the parasites still linger, you'll need to wait for the repeat treatment and treat your cats again after 28 days. And voilà, all the parasites disappear completely the second time around. Your cats will stop scratching, and there won't be anything suspicious in their fur. Ideally, you should do this treatment every month because sometimes fleas can sneak into your home on your shoes or clothes, and then infect your pets all over again.

After 10 days of using Advantix, you can treat your cats for worms too. Skipping this step isn't ideal, especially if your cat had fleas, which can lead to worms. The flea eats the worm, and then the worm appears in your pet's system. We didn't experience this with our cats, but I'd rather take preventive measures than deal with unwanted consequences later.

As for Advantix, I've got no complaints. This stuff has been tested time and time again, and I know it works because I've used it on countless cats. Sure, if the infestation is severe, you might need a second treatment after some time. But the second time around, your cats will be parasite-free for good.

I also want to mention that we've used Advantix multiple times, not just at home. My aunt and grandma's pets have been treated with it too, and they've all handled it like champions. No adverse reactions, just a smooth, 5+ experience. Although, according to the instructions and some reviews, you might experience some weakness or itching.

We've never had any issues like that, but make sure to apply it to dry, unbroken skin. Don't get it on their fur, and your cats won't even think about licking it off. The first time, I did experience some weakness, but it passed within a couple of hours. No vomiting or any other nasty side effects.

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Final Verdict

I'd say it's pricey, but worth it in the end. As someone who spends a lot of time in a veterinary group online, reading reviews from both vets and pet owners, I've noticed that most people swear by Advantix for dealing with ticks and other parasites. It's definitely one of the best products out there, and I've been happy with it so far. I've tried a few alternatives, but I'm hesitant to switch due to the risk of adverse reactions in my cats.

Pros✅

You can buy it on marketplaces too;It's great for getting rid of the most common parasites, not just ticks;It applies quickly and easily;My cats have taken it well without any issues;No side effects to speak of;

Cons❌

It's pricey if you're treating more than one pet at a time;It doesn't always work on the first try;