Frontline Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Written by Austin S.
Updated: April 5, 2022
© Chutima Chaochaiya/Shutterstock.com

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Frontline is known as the number one name in flea and tick protection. They have proven solutions to protect pets everywhere.

Frontline has been around since 1970. Frontline products kill adult fleas, larvae, and eggs effectively breaking the flea life cycle with formulas that provide flea and tick protection for a full thirty days.

Lyme disease poses a serious risk to your pet’s health. All Frontline products offer monthly protection by helping kill ticks that may transmit Lyme disease.

Did you know the threat of ticks isn’t limited to the heat of summer? Adult ticks can feed in the fall and into winter. Colder weather doesn’t always mean fewer ticks. This is why choosing the year-round protection of the number one name in flea and tick protection.

Year-round flea control starts by eliminating existing fleas and putting a stop to future infestations. End the flea life cycle by choosing the proven protection of the number one name in flea and tick protection Frontline Brand Products.

If you thought dogs and cats could only acquire fleas in the great outdoors, think again. These persistent pests can live and develop inside your home. Fleas and their eggs can be carried in from your pet or on your clothing and shoes. They can be found in carpets, sofas, and even the cracks of your wood floors.

Frontline is known for its flea and tick products for your dogs and cats. Some of Frontline’s best-selling products include; Frontline Plus for Dogs, Frontline Plus For Cats, Frontline Shiel for Dogs, Frontline Gold for Dogs, and Frontline Gold for Cats.

Frontline Plus For Dogs

This treatment is made for dogs and puppies, who are eight weeks or older. There are two active ingredients called Fipronil and (S)-methoprene, which is what stops the infestations and helps prevent new ticks and fleas to get to your pets.

This flea and tick protection is fast-acting, it kills fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks, which includes those that may transmit Lyme disease. You apply this product on a single point on your pet, the treatment covers your dog’s entire body very quickly and goes into the sebaceous glands.

These glands work as a reservoir, to continue treatment even if your dog is wet. One dose of Frontline Plus will last thirty days.

Best for Dogs
Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs
  • Contains Fipronil and (S)-methoprene
  • Fast-acting
  • Kills fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks
  • Last thirty days
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Frontline Plus For Cats

Frontline Plus for Cats is a waterproof, fast-acting flea and tick treatment, which kills fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks, and includes those that may transmit Lyme disease to your cat.

This product is specifically used for cats and kittens who are eight weeks or older and weighing at least 1.5 pounds or more.

This product is also made with the two fast-acting ingredients, as stated above, fipronil and (S)-methoprene, which helps stop the infestations and as well prevent new flea and tick infestations from happening.

One dose will last you 30 days, and even if your pet is wet, you can apply the treatment solution and the treatment will still work.

Best for Cats
Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats
  • Waterproof
  • Fast-acting
  • One dose will last 30 days
  • Stop infestations
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Frontline Shield for Dogs

Frontline Shield for Dogs is another top seller with Frontline. The way it works is just two days after applying, Frontline Shield has extra-strength protection for dogs using a 3-in-1 formula that will start killing fleas in as short as five minutes and starts killing ticks within just one hour.

Another great benefit of Frontline Shield it also repels mosquitoes, ticks, and stable flies, and helps prevent fleas from developing. This flea and tick protection for your dog kills and repels all stages of ticks, including the ticks that may have Lyme disease.

This product is very easy to use, and simple to apply, it stays waterproof for up to a day after applying. One dose will protect your dog from fleas and ticks for up to thirty days.

Best Shield for Dogs
Frontline Shield Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs
  • Kills all stages of ticks and fleas
  • Repels mosquitoes and stable flies
  • Simple to apply
  • Protect dog for 30 days after application
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Frontline Gold for Dogs

Another top seller with Frontline is their Frontline Gold for Dogs, it is formulated with three active ingredients that help stop the cycle of fleas for your dog.

This simple application helps kill adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, chewing lice, and ticks. Kills all life stages of fleas to help prevent future infestations. You can apply while your dog is wet, so you don’t have to worry about keeping your energetic friend from keeping dry.

Gold Option for Dogs
Frontline Gold Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs
  • Three active ingredients
  • Stop the life cycle of fleas
  • very easy to apply
  • Waterproof
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Frontline Gold for Cats

Is your cat struggling with fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, chewing lice, or ticks? if you said yes then your cat needs Frontline Gold for Cats. This triple-action formula kills flea eggs and flea larvae to help prevent any future re-infestations.

Some great bonus factors of this flea and tick treatment for your pet are you can apply it to your cat even if they are wet. It is pretty simple to apply and it is made for cats and kittens eight weeks or older and has to weigh at least 1.5 pounds or more.

Gold Option for Cats
Frontline Gold Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats
  • Triple-action formula
  • Prevent future re-infestations
  • Waterproof
  • Last for one month
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Key Features

  • Fast-acting flea and tick formula for your pet.
  • Long-lasting, keeps preventing tick or flea infestation in your pet for 6 months.
  • Waterproof flea and tick protection.

What Type of Animals/Breeds are Frontline Best suited for?

Frontline products are specifically formulated for cats and dogs. It will specifically say on each product however what age the animal should be and the weight if they’re any restrictions.

In our research, it seems most Frontlines products for flea and tick protection for your pets need to be at least eight weeks old.

Frontline: Where to Buy

You can buy Frontline products at most of your typical brand pet stores such as Chewy, Petco, Amazon, which we have linked for you. As well you can go to your local stores and buy in-store usually. You can also buy it straight from the Frontlines website.

  1. Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs
    • Contains Fipronil and (S)-methoprene
    • Fast-acting
    • Kills fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks
    • Last thirty days
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats
    • Waterproof
    • Fast-acting
    • One dose will last 30 days
    • Stop infestations
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. Frontline Shield Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs
    • Kills all stages of ticks and fleas
    • Repels mosquitoes and stable flies
    • Simple to apply
    • Protect dog for 30 days after application
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Frontline Gold Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs
    • Three active ingredients
    • Stop the life cycle of fleas
    • very easy to apply
    • Waterproof
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  5. Frontline Gold Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats
    • Triple-action formula
    • Prevent future re-infestations
    • Waterproof
    • Last for one month
    Check Chewy Check Amazon

Frontline Recalls & Controversies

In our research, we did not find any Frontline recalls. However, there were a few controversies stating that some people are out there trying to sell fake Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Products.

If you’re ordering Frontline online or picking it up at the store, the following tips will help you determine if the product is real or counterfeit. But the easiest way to spot a fake product would be to take it to your veterinarian or call the company for their opinion.

  • Compare the lot number on the package to each individual applicator within the package; they should match.
  • Look for the instruction pamphlet; fake Frontline Plus may not include the pamphlet inside the package.
  • Check to see if the applicators are child-resistant.  There should be instructions on how to open the product.
  • Compare the packaging and applicators you brought home, or received in the mail, to the ones you have used in the past to see if they look the same. 
    • Is the writing in English? 
    • Is there an EPA registration number? 
    • A statement warning you to keep the product out of the reach of children?
    • Are the measurements on the package in pounds?
    • Are there stickers blocking labeling in a foreign language (or a foreign address)?
  • You get what you pay for – if the price is significantly lower than the retail price should raise a red flag.

Of course, if none of these steps work, contact your veterinarian or the company that makes Frontline products.

Products For This Review

Bottom Line

Frontline is recommended by vets and loved by dogs, Frontline gets rid of pesky fleas so pet owners can focus on the fun stuff. As part of the Merial portfolio of products, billions of doses have been administered since the 1970s.

The company focuses on developing the best products with maximum safety, effectiveness, and ease of use.

Some of their best-selling products include; Frontline Plus for Dogs and Cats.

Frontline Plus features a combination of powerful, yet safe, ingredients that work to end fleas in multiple ways. Not only does it kill adult fleas and ticks, but it breaks the flea life cycle by killing the eggs and larvae and preventing another generation.

Frontlines products work for usually thirty days, and a great feature is their flea and tick protection treatment formula is waterproof to allow your pets to keep living their best lives while making sure they stay free and safe from fleas and ticks.

In fact, studies show that it starts killing adult fleas within 12 hours of application, which means relief is always very near with Frontline Plus products.

We recommend using any Frontline products to help prevent flea and tick prevention in your pets. So they can live a fun, happy, flea and tick-free life.

About the Author

Growing up in rural New England on a small scale farm gave me a lifelong passion for animals. I love learning about new wild animal species, habitats, animal evolutions, dogs, cats, and more. I've always been surrounded by pets and believe the best dog and best cat products are important to keeping our animals happy and healthy. It's my mission to help you learn more about wild animals, and how to care for your pets better with carefully reviewed products.

Frontline Guide: Everything You Need to Know FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Is Frontline good for dogs and cats?

Yes

Has Frontline ever had a recall?

Not any we could find in our research.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.