Advantage XD vs. Comfortis Comparison

Advantage XD

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Comfortis

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NexGard COMBO Topical Flea & Tick Protection plus Heartworm Disease Preventive for Cats

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Kills Fleas

Repels Fleas

Kills Flea eggs and Larvae

Kills Ticks

Repels Ticks

Kills and/or Repels Mosquitoes

Prevents Heartworm

Other Parasites Information

Advantage XD kills lice, but does not treat any internal parasites like heartworms or intestinal worms.

Waterproof (shampooing once a week can reduce effectiveness)

Yes, Advantage XD is waterproof. Do not bathe your cat or allow them to get wet for at least 24 hours after applying Advantage® XD. Frequent shampooing can reduce effectiveness. See product label for more information.

N/A

Safe for pregnant or nursing Pets

Consult your veterinarian for pregnant or nursing cats.

Consult your veterinarian

How long does it take to work

30 minutes to 4 hours.

Kills fleas within 30 minutes.

Taste

Not applicable (topical treatment).

Beef Flavor

Active Ingredient(s)

Spinetoram

Spinosad

RX Required

Dosage

Apply one applicator every 2 months.

Usage

Video

Coming soon

Vet Review

The fast-acting nature of Advantage XD is one of its standout features, as it starts killing fleas within 30 minutes to 4 hours, providing rapid relief for cats. Its long-lasting formula is another major benefit, offering protection for up to two months per application, which is twice the duration of many other flea treatments. The active ingredient, spinetoram, is derived from natural soil microbes, making it a preferred option for veterinarians concerned about using harsh chemicals on sensitive pets. However, as with any topical treatment, some cats may experience mild skin reactions like irritation or hair loss at the application site. Despite this, Advantage XD remains a top choice for its effectiveness and ease of use, though in cases of severe infestations, veterinarians may recommend additional environmental flea control measures.

I have started to use this product over the past several months and have mixed feelings about it. A big advantage is the ease of administering the beef and pork flavored tablet but it should be administered on full stomach. And while it avoids the oily liquid pesticides on the back that many clients don ' t like, if a pet is allergic to beef or pork this is a big disadvantage. The best thing about this product (which is similar to Capstar) is the quick kill of adult fleas working within 30 minutes and being almost 100 percent effective against fleas within 4 hours of giving it, and lasting for a month!!! (much longer than a Capstar pill.) A big problem is not only the expense but it also has no tick coverage. In my experience and opinion, I have also seen several dogs vomit when given this pill and it is really not supposed to be used in patients with seizure disorders, which is also a concern of mine in terms of safety. Along the same line, it is not supposed to be used in pregnant or nursing females, as from what I understand when the product was tested there were supposed loss of litter during pregnancy, poor weight gain of puppies and vomiting, the latter symptom which I have seen in clinical practice. In general I am always a little worried about products not approved for young puppies, as the puppies have to be at least 14 weeks of old, according to the label use of this product. It is not a cheap product, and for the above reasons I don't use it often even though it is tremendously effective against fleas. For the reasons stated above, I therefore give this product an overall rating of 2 with effectiveness (for fleas) of 4, the ease of use a 5, and the taste a 4. I still prefer Front line, Advantage and K9 Advantix despite the oily spot because of the increased coverage of parasites, and my concerns about safety

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.