What to do when Frontline is not working

Frontline and Frontline Plus are among the most popular topical flea control products. Yet over and over again on discussion boards and in forums, you see comments from dog and cat owners claiming that Frontline isn’t working. Commercial topical products such as Frontline, Advantage, K9 Advantix, and Revolution are, of course, formulated to control fleas. Each of them contains different chemicals, many of which are hazardous. (See the post about dangerous chemicals.) Some of these chemicals may be more effective than others in flea control. A flea is a very resilient creature — difficult to control because it reproduces so rapidly, and difficult to kill because of its bodily structure. Can a flea build up a resistance to chemicals such as fipronil, a key ingredient in Frontline? Quite possibly. Evidence exists that insects can become immune to certain chemicals over time. If you are using a commercial topical product like Frontline, be sure you are following the manufacturer’s application instructions precisely. If you suspect it is not controlling your pet’s fleas, you may, in certain cases, be able to reapply it in as little as two weeks and try again. Speak to your veterinarian about this first. One alternative is to switch to another topical product. Another alternative is to supplement the topical product with another product that works internally, such as Capstar. Natural Flea Control Products We Recommend: Capstar for Dogs Over 25-lbs 6-count Capstar for Small Dogs and Cats 2-25-lbs 6-count Capstar for Small Dogs and Cats 2-25-lbs 60-count Based on the research conducted for our Flea Control book, however, we believe the best alternative is a natural one. We...