Advantage flea treatment for cats: a complete guide
Advantage flea treatment for cats is a monthly spot-on containing imidacloprid. It kills adult fleas on your cat within a day and also kills flea larvae in the places your cat sleeps. It is sold without a prescription in the UK, but choosing the right size and applying it correctly makes all the difference.
Quick answer
- Advantage contains imidacloprid and kills adult fleas within about 24 hours, then protects for 4 weeks.
- Use Advantage 40 for cats under 4 kg and Advantage 80 for cats 4 kg and over.
- It does not kill ticks or worms. For worms as well, ask your vet about Advocate.
- Suitable from 8 weeks of age; no bathing for 48 hours after applying.
What is Advantage flea treatment for cats?
Advantage is a spot-on flea treatment made by Elanco (previously Bayer). Its active ingredient, imidacloprid, attacks the nervous system of insects. Mammals have a very different type of nerve receptor, which is why it is considered safe for cats at the correct dose.
After application, imidacloprid spreads across the skin within about 24 hours. Fleas die when they come into contact with the treated coat, often before they get the chance to bite. Hairs and skin flakes that fall off a treated cat also kill flea larvae in its bed and favourite resting spots, which helps reduce the number of fleas developing in your home.
Advantage for cats is available without a prescription from pet shops, pharmacies and online retailers. For a comparison with every other option, see our guide to flea treatment for cats.
Advantage 40 vs Advantage 80 for cats
| Product | Cat weight | Imidacloprid per pipette |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage 40 Spot-on for small cats, small dogs and rabbits | Under 4 kg | 40 mg (0.4 ml) |
| Advantage 80 Spot-on for large cats and rabbits | 4 kg and over | 80 mg (0.8 ml) |
Advantage flea treatment for cats under 4 kg
Kittens, young cats and many slim adult cats weigh less than 4 kg, so they need Advantage 40. Using the larger dose on a very small cat is not recommended. Weigh your cat on bathroom scales by weighing yourself holding it, then without it, and subtracting the difference. Our cat weight checker shows typical weights for every breed.
How to apply Advantage spot-on
- Remove the pipette from the pack and hold it upright. Twist or pull off the cap and reverse it to pierce the seal.
- Part the fur on the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, until the skin is visible.
- Squeeze firmly several times to empty the pipette onto the skin in one place.
- Keep the area dry and stop your cat or other pets licking it.
- Wash your hands after use, and avoid stroking the area until it has dried.
- Repeat every 4 weeks.
If the liquid runs off into the fur, the dose may be reduced. It helps to have someone gently hold the cat, or to apply the treatment when your cat is relaxed or eating.
How fast does Advantage work on cats?
Advantage starts killing fleas on your cat within a few hours, and most are dead within 24 hours. It then continues to kill new fleas for up to 4 weeks. Because imidacloprid also kills flea larvae in your cat's surroundings, it helps to reduce the number of new fleas developing in your home.
Even so, flea pupae can sit in carpets for weeks or months before hatching. Expect to see some fleas for 4 to 8 weeks after starting treatment, and keep going monthly for at least three months. Vacuum daily, wash bedding at 60°C and treat every pet in the household.
What Advantage covers and what it doesn't
| Parasite | Advantage for cats |
|---|---|
| Adult fleas | Yes, kills within about 24 hours |
| Flea larvae in the cat's environment | Yes |
| Biting lice | Yes |
| Ticks | No |
| Roundworms, tapeworms, lungworm | No |
| Ear mites | No |
Advantage's sister product, Advocate for cats, combines imidacloprid with moxidectin to add roundworm, hookworm, ear mite and lungworm cover, but it needs a vet prescription. For tapeworm, you will still need a separate wormer: see our cat worming guide.
Advantage flea treatment for kittens
Advantage is licensed for kittens from 8 weeks of age. For kittens younger than 8 weeks, comb fleas out daily with a fine-toothed flea comb, treat the mother cat and the home, and ask your vet about products licensed for younger kittens. Heavy flea burdens can make young kittens anaemic, so don't delay getting advice if a kitten seems weak or has pale gums.
Advantage vs Frontline for cats
Advantage and Frontline for cats are the two best-selling non-prescription spot-ons in the UK. Here's how they compare:
| Advantage | Frontline Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Imidacloprid | Fipronil + (S)-methoprene |
| Kills fleas within | About 24 hours (starts within hours) | About 24 hours |
| Ticks | No | Yes |
| Effect on eggs and larvae | Kills larvae near the cat | Stops eggs and larvae developing |
| Lasts | 4 weeks | 4 weeks for fleas |
| Prescription | No | No |
Neither is universally better. If you have used one correctly for three months and still have fleas, switching to a product with a different active ingredient, or asking your vet about a prescription option such as Bravecto, often solves the problem.
Is there an Advantage chewable for cats?
Many owners search for an "Advantage chewable for cats", but at the time of writing the chewable Advantus tablet is licensed for dogs only in the UK. Never give a dog tablet to a cat. If you would rather avoid spot-ons, your options include:
- Capstar: a tablet that kills fleas within 30 minutes but only lasts around 24 hours.
- Prescription flea tablets from your vet that last about a month.
- A flea collar such as Seresto, which lasts up to 8 months.
Our guide to flea tablets for cats compares oral options in detail.
Side effects of Advantage for cats
Advantage is well tolerated by most cats. Possible side effects include:
- Temporary greasiness, clumping or a white residue on the fur where it was applied.
- Mild itching or redness at the application site.
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth if the cat licks the application site. This is due to the bitter taste and usually stops quickly.
- Rarely, temporary restlessness or vomiting.
If your cat shows twitching, trembling or wobbliness, contact a vet straight away and take the packet. Make sure no dog product has been used by mistake, as permethrin-containing dog spot-ons cause exactly these signs in cats.
Advantage for cats: bathing, rain and other pets
Water can reduce how well spot-ons work. Avoid bathing your cat for 48 hours after applying Advantage, and if your cat gets soaked in the rain soon after application, don't apply an extra dose: just continue with the normal monthly schedule. Frequent shampooing during the month can shorten protection.
Advantage 40 and 80 are also licensed for rabbits, and Advantage has separate dog products. Treat every pet in your home at the same time with the right product for that species. Our guide to whether dogs can get cat fleas explains why treating every animal matters.
How much does Advantage for cats cost?
Advantage for cats typically costs £4 to £7 per pipette in the UK, depending on pack size and retailer. Packs of 4 or 6 usually offer better value than single pipettes. Buy from vets, pharmacies or well-known pet retailers to avoid counterfeit spot-ons sold through unofficial online sellers.
If you treat several cats, a pack of 6 pipettes covers two cats for three months, the minimum time it usually takes to clear an infestation. Our guide to combined flea and worm treatment explains how to line up flea and worm doses on the same day each month.
Tip: set a recurring monthly reminder on your phone for the day you apply Advantage. Missing doses is the most common reason fleas return.
FAQs
How long does Advantage flea treatment take to work on cats?
Imidacloprid starts killing fleas within a few hours of application, and most fleas on the cat are dead within 24 hours. New fleas that jump on are killed for up to 4 weeks. You may still see fleas for several weeks while eggs and pupae in your home hatch, which is normal.
Which Advantage is for cats under 4 kg?
Advantage 40 is for small cats and kittens weighing up to 4 kg. Advantage 80 is for cats weighing 4 kg or more. If your cat is close to 4 kg, weigh it before buying.
Does Advantage kill ticks on cats?
No. Advantage treats fleas and lice but not ticks. If ticks are a problem where you live, choose a product that covers ticks, such as a fipronil spot-on, a Seresto collar or a prescription product from your vet.
Is there an Advantage chewable for cats?
Not in the UK at the time of writing. The chewable version (Advantus) is licensed for dogs only. For an oral flea treatment for cats, see Capstar (fast, short-acting) or ask your vet about prescription flea tablets.
Can I use Advantage on a pregnant cat?
Advantage is generally considered suitable for pregnant and nursing cats, but always check the current product leaflet and ask your vet before using any medicine during pregnancy.
Is Advantage better than Frontline for cats?
They contain different active ingredients. Advantage (imidacloprid) kills fleas slightly faster and also kills larvae around the cat, while Frontline (fipronil) also covers ticks. Neither treats worms. If one is not working for your cat after correct use, switching ingredients or asking your vet for a prescription product often helps.
Sources and further reading
This guide is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice from a vet. Medicines, doses and costs change: always follow your vet and the product leaflet. If your cat is unwell or you think it has eaten something toxic, contact your vet or an emergency vet straight away.
