DECEMBER 2023

3 Reasons why active ticks and fleas might be spotted on treated dogs and cats

Getting on top of a tick and flea infestation is much harder than it sounds. It can take up to three months of diligent treatment for both pets and the home before gaining the upper hand. We understand the frustration this process can cause, which is why we recommend regular year-round treatment with FRONTLINE^® Plus – which is one of the best anti-flea and tick solutions out there for dogs and cats to prevent infestations from taking hold in your home and on your pet. Understanding what to expect from anti-tick and flea treatments can be helpful. Here are three reasons why active ticks and fleas may still be spotted on treated dogs and cats:

Treated fleas may become more active before they die.

The ingredient in FRONTLINE^® Plus that kills ticks and fleas makes them hyperactive before their demise. You might notice these parasites surfacing on your pet's coat, and your pet may experience slightly more itching than usual until they are eliminated. Anti-tick and flea products don't instantly kill these pests; it takes time for them to come into contact with the ingredient, absorb it, and feel the effects. Similar to catching a cold, there is a time gap between exposure to the infection and becoming ill. While it can happen much faster, it may take up to 24 hours for ticks and fleas that jump onto your pet to be killed. Regardless of the licensed treatment used, no product can prevent them from jumping onto pets, so it is normal to see them on your pet until the treatment eliminates them.

Ticks and fleas are still present in your home and may jump onto your pet.

Typically, your home contains a higher number of immature flea and tick life stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae) compared to adult fleas and ticks on your pet. Flea and tick eggs constantly hatch when the temperature and humidity are favorable, and new adult fleas and ticks continuously emerge from cocoons (pupae). These newly hatched pests only emerge when a host animal (such as your pet) is nearby, as they require a blood meal to survive and reproduce. If your pet is treated with FRONTLINE^® Plus, these fleas and ticks will die within 24 hours, limiting their opportunities to lay eggs (typically starting 24 hours after feeding) and helping control the infestation in your home. The active Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) technology in FRONTLINE^® Plus prevents newly laid flea and tick eggs from hatching and larvae from developing in your home, further aiding in the prevention of infestation buildup.

Your pet may pick up a 'hitchhiker' flea or tick.

Even when you have effectively managed flea and tick infestations in your home, your pet can still pick them up outdoors, such as in your garden or during walks. Flea and tick eggs and pupae can also be brought into the home on shoes or clothing. Regular treatment with FRONTLINE^® Plus ensures that any 'hitchhiker' fleas or ticks will perish within 24 hours of jumping onto your pet. Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day, and even a few fleas or ticks can rapidly establish a population within your home. Regular preventative treatment helps prevent this situation from developing and keeps your pet healthy.

Look for FRONTLINE^® Plus for dogs and FRONTLINE^® Plus for cats in vet clinics and your pet supplies stores.