Activyl and Frontline are two of of the most popular and widely used products for treating and preventing fleas in pets. While both products are designed to break the life cycle of fleas for up to 30 days, there are some notable differences between the two that shouldn’t go unnoticed. If you own a dog or cat that’s suffering from a flea infestation, you should consider using one of these products.
Activyl
The main ingredient in Activyl is a chemical known as indoxacarb. It was originally created by scientists to overcome insect resistance in crop protection; however, scientists soon discovered its potential for use as a powerful flea treatment application.
Here are some key points about Activyl:
- Offers up to 30 days protection against fleas.
- Can only purchase Activyl from a professional veterinarian.
- Prevents fleas and flea larvae from developing, breaking the life cycle.
- Quick-drying and waterproof.
- Costs slightly more than Frontline.
Frontline
The main ingredient in Frontline is fipronil. It’s oftentimes viewed as one of the most effective flea medications on the market, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice. Owners should do their homework before using any flea treatment product or medicine on their pets.
Here are some key points about Frontline:
- Sold at both veterinarians and pet suppy stores.
- Begins killing fleas within 12 hours of application.
- Prevents all stages of the flea from developing (eggs, larvae and pupae).
- Waterproof
So, which product is more effective at treating fleas? A recent study performed by Merck Animal Health found Activyl to be the winner. According to the study, a 2-month application of Activyl eliminated over 99% of fleas on pets, whereas a 2-month application of Frontline eliminated 54% of fleas on pets. Of course, this is just one study, so you have to take it with a grain of salt.
“The pets in this study had the largest natural flea burdens the investigators had ever seen and were under continual reinfestation pressure. The data clearly show that Activyl was still able to effectively control the flea infestations. Following monthly treatments, pets treated with Activyl saw a reduction in fleas of 95 per cent at one month and 99.1 per cent at two months. In contrast, pets treated monthly with Frontline Plus saw a reduction of 49.5 per cent at one month and a reduction of 54.8 percent at two months,” said Kathleen Heaney of Merck Animal Health.
Do you prefer Activyl or Frontline for the treatment and prevention of fleas? Let us know in the comments section below!