Activyl vs. Certifect for Dogs Comparison

Activyl

Learn More

Certifect for Dogs

Learn More

Flea4X for Dogs

Learn More

Kills Fleas

Repels Fleas

Kills Flea eggs and Larvae

Kills Ticks

Repels Ticks

Kills and/or Repels Mosquitoes

Prevents Heartworm

Other Parasites Information

Kills and controls chewing lice and controls sarcoptic mange infestations

Kills chewing lice and controls mites that may cause sarcoptic mange.

Waterproof (shampooing once a week can reduce effectiveness)

Safe for pregnant or nursing Pets

How long does it take to work

Reapply Activyl every 30 days.

Kills fleas, flea eggs and larvae with the same efficacy as Frontline Plus®. Begins killing ticks in 6 hours and kills up to 100% of ticks in 18 hours - current standard for tick-killing efficacy is 24-48 hours.

Kills fleas and ticks with the same efficacy as Frontline Top Spot.

Taste

Applied to skin

Applied to Skin

Active Ingredient(s)

indoxacarb

Fipronil/(S)-Methoprene/Amitraz

Fipronil

RX Required

Dosage

Usage

Video

Coming soon

Vet Review

Another recently available new topical flea preventative for dogs and cats. This new product works by being activated by only the flea's enzyme systems into a flea specific mechanism which paralyzes and kills the adult flea. The company claims that it does not get into the blood stream, but stays only in the superficial skin layers of the pet. Any adult fleas which come into contact with this product are quickly killed so that fleas do not have to actually bite the pet, which is tremendously helpful in those flea-allergic pets, where it only takes a few flea bites to set off an extensive itchy allergic reaction. Another wonderful benefit of this product is that it is waterproof, which is especially helpful in those active outside pets who are exposed to rain or like to swim. This effective product starts working within 12 hours of application, where over 90% of adult fleas are killed. Another excellent benefit of this product is that it also inhibits the development of flea eggs and larvae in the environment, which is a big bonus since much of the flea life cycle occurs in the home environment. While Activyl is very safe and effective for most pets, I have seen occasional rare reactions in sensitive pets, which most commonly is seen as irritation or excessive itchiness at the site of application. While the company says that it is odorless, some of my clients have said that they do sense an odor within the first several days of application, as well as leaving an occasional oily film for the first day or two following application. This film, however usually quickly disappears. The only other very rare reactions include digestive upset and/or drooling/neurological reactions, and certainly if a pet has any chronic digestive weaknesses or history of seizures, etc then the local veterinarian should be consulted before applying the product. I give this product an overall rating of 4, with an ease of use of 4.

Certifect is the new flea and tick control product by Merial, the makers of Frontline® Plus. It is EPA-approved for sale in the USA. It is new to the market and not yet rated.

I recently completed a small clinical trial using Flea 4X topical product for dogs in my veterinary clinic. And I must say that the initial reports on efficacy and safety has been excellent. With the main ingredient being the tried and tested fipronil, this product is very effective in controlling fleas, ticks, chewing lice and mosquitoes. It is also labelled to control mites that cause sarcoptic mange in dogs as well. This product is a wonderful generic alternative to the Frontline product that has been out for years. Clients have loved the economic savings of this product over similar topical flea and tick preventatives. It is manufactured exclusively in the United States, as well as having the trustworthy and reliable 1800petmeds label on the packaging. It is also water proof for those canine patients who spend a lot of time outside and/or swimming during the summer months. Clients are reporting back to me quick flea and tick killing that lasts up to several weeks in treated pets. I highly recommend this product to those canine guardians seeking out an effective and economic alternative to similar products on the market.

Our expert panel consists of licensed veterinarians and the knowledgeable staff of PetMed Express, Inc. d/b/a 1-800-PetMeds. Neither the Company nor any of its employees or consultants make any warranties, expressed or implied, or representations about the accuracy or completeness of the content or the content of any site or external sites. Likewise, no legal liability or responsibility is assumed for the accuracy or completeness of any information, or usefulness of products discussed. While every effort has been made to accurately represent the qualities and characteristics of each product, which for the most part were taken directly from the websites of the manufacturers, we are not responsible for any errors. The information presented is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.