PetArmor Plus Vs Frontline Plus: What Woof Is The Difference? (We Asked A Vet)

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petarmor plus vs frontline plus

We’re in the height of summer, a time for long walks, and lots of swimming for water-pups. Sounds idyllic right? It’s also prime time for fleas and ticks, unfortunately, summer is open season on our pets. There’s so much information available it can be difficult to decide what product might best suit your lifestyle and your pupper’s needs. So here, we’re giving you the rundown on PetArmor Plus vs Frontline Plus to help you make informed decisions.

Table of Contents

What Do PetArmor Plus and Frontline Plus Actually Do?

PetArmor Plus and Frontline Plus are both popular products aimed at controlling flea and tick infestations on our canine companions. Both products are easily administered as topical liquids.

What Do PetArmor Plus and Frontline Plus Actually Do

Waterproof, topical parasite preventative, PetArmor Plus protects pets against fleas, ticks, and chewing lice for one month.

Our Ratings
4.1/5

PETARMOR Plus for Dogs 23-44lbs

Application

PetArmor Plus is a topical parasite preventative. Available in pre-dosed pipettes, simply snap off the top and squeeze the contents onto the skin between your pup’s shoulder blades.

What bugs are targeted?

PetArmor Plus targets fleas, ticks, and chewing lice. The whole flea lifecycle is targeted, not just adults. Flea eggs and larvae are also killed by PetArmor Plus. 

How does it work?

PetArmor Plus targets fleas, ticks, and chewing lice. The whole flea lifecycle is targeted, not just adults. Flea eggs and larvae are also killed by PetArmor Plus. 

How long does it last for?

Each application lasts for up to 30 days, protecting your pet and preventing re-infestation with fleas.

What Are the Active Ingredients in PetArmor Plus?

How Are the Ingredients in PetArmor Plus Delivered?

Each pack contains individually dosed pipettes that are easily applied to your pet’s skin where it can be absorbed and stored within the hair follicles of their fur.

How long does it take for PetArmor Plus to start working?

Within 24 hours of application, fleas will start to die and you can expect to see lots of fleas rising to the surface of your fur-iends coat which is a good thing, fleas climb the hair when they’re dying.

Safety, Risks and Possible Side Effects

Luckily, adverse effects are rare and tend to be mild and transient; without the need for veterinary intervention. One of the most commonly seen is redness or itching where the liquid has been applied but these usually resolve within 24 hours. If your pet is experiencing severe or prolonged irritation then you should take them to your veterinarian.

What we like about PetArmor Plus
What we don't like about PetArmor Plus
A Vet’s note

PetArmor Plus is a budget-friendly and waterproof flea and ticks preventative for dogs. Super easy to apply, it breaks the flea infestation by killing adults, while preventing eggs and larvae from developing to the next life stage. PetArmor Plus kills Brown Dog, American dog, and Deer ticks which can transmit nasty diseases to our fur-iends.

PetArmor Plus Vs Frontline Plus for dogs
Frontline Plus is a licensed product to treat and prevent tick bites and flea infestations.
Our Ratings
4.1/5
Price Range: $$

Frontline Plus for dogs 89-132lbs

Application

Pre-measured pipettes are provided for ease of application; simply part the hair on the back of your pup’s neck/between their shoulder blades and squeeze the contents onto their skin.

What does it kill?

All life stages of fleas and ticks are targeted which helps to break the re-infestation of your pet with fleas by preventing the larvae from developing.

How does it work?

The liquid is absorbed into your pet’s skin where it accumulates within their hair follicles before being slowly released throughout their body over the following 30 days.

How long does it last for?

Breaking the flea re-infestation cycle and protecting your pup from tick bites, even if they love swimming. Frontline Plus works for up to 30 days. 

What Are the Active Ingredients in Frontline Plus?

How Are the Ingredients in Frontline Plus Delivered?

Frontline Plus comes as a no-stress topical liquid that you simply squeeze onto your pup’s skin. 

How long does it take for Frontline Plus to start working?

Within just 4 hours, Frontline Plus starts to kill adult fleas and you can expect to see lots of fleas climbing to the surface of your pooch’s fur within 24 hours. This is a good sign! Fleas climb towards the top of hair shafts to move away from your pet’s skin before death.

Safety, Risks and Possible Side Effects of Frontline Plus

There are risks to using all products, and topical products tend to cause skin reactions most commonly. Luckily, reactions are rare with Frontline Plus, but when they do occur these tend to be mild and short-lived. Mild itching or redness may be seen at the site of application which typically resolves within 24 hours. Veterinary care should be sought for your pooch if the irritation is severe or persists for longer than 24 hours. 

What we like about Frontline Plus
What we don't like about PetArmor Plus
A Vet’s note

A waterproof product, Frontline Plus is great for pooches that love to swim or has frequent baths. Available as a convenient, single-dose pipette for monthly application, Frontline Plus is a good product with few, rare side effects. There have been, however some reports of possible resistance developing in fleas toward fipronil, one of the active ingredients. 

Remember: Some pets may have reactions to any flea preventative medication; you should select a suitable product in consultation with your veterinarian. 

PetArmor Plus vs Frontline Plus II:key differences

PetArmor Plus vs Frontline Plus II:key differences

Both of these products contain the exact same active ingredients so what differs?

PetArmor Plus vs. Frontline Plus: Effectiveness

PetArmor Plus and Frontline Plus both contain the same concentrations of (S)-methoprene and fipronil so there shouldn’t be any difference in efficacy. The main difference we see is that PetArmor Plus appears to take longer to kill fleas (up to 24 hours).

Ease of Use

No need to fight with your fur-baby to take a pill or try to sneak it into their favorite treat; both of these products are spot-on formulations. Pre-dosed, handy pipettes that you simply squeeze the contents onto your pet’s skin. The main difference is that PetArmor Plus requires scissors to cut the top off while Frontline Plus is a simple snap-off top. 

Which Scores Better on Price?

As these are pre-dosed pipettes; the cost will depend on the size of your pooch. Products for larger pets are more expensive, as expected. Here we compare the costs of these products for small dogs (5-22lbs). PetArmor Plus is available in packages of 3 and 6 pipettes while Frontline Plus also has 8 pipette packets. PetArmor Plus costs approximately $8.50 per pipette while Frontline Plus pipettes cost $10-11. PetArmor Plus is a more budget-friendly for the same products.

Does My Dog Really Need Flea & Tick Medication?

Does My Dog Really Need Flea & Tick Medication?

Yup! There’s not a place in the world where fleas and ticks don’t haunt our canine companions. Aside from the obvious irritation that these bugs cause our fur-babies, they also carry some very nasty diseases. Some of these illnesses are fatal with no known treatments, making these preventative medications essential for our fur-iends.

F.A.Qs

My puppy is only a few weeks old. Can I still use PetArmor Plus Or Frontline Plus? Puppies must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 5lbs before you can use either of these products.
My pregnant/nursing dog has fleas, Can I use these products? Frontline Plus is licensed for use on pregnant and nursing bitches. PetArmor Plus should only be used on nursing/pregnant bitches following consultation with your veterinarian.
Can I Combine Flea Treatments? No, you should never combine flea treatments as this increases the risk of negative reactions. It’s particularly important with these two products as they both contain the same active ingredients in the same concentrations. If you mix these products you significantly increase the risk of overdosing your pet which can be fatal.
Is This Product a Child Safe? None of these products should be administered by children. After application, don’t let children pet your dog until the site is completely dry. Adverse effects in humans are also very rare, but small children may ingest or rub their eyes after handling the product which can cause irritation.

Tip From The Vet: Safety Tips for Using Flea and Tick Products

Safety Tips for Using Flea and Tick Products

PetArmor Plus Vs Frontline Plus Final Thoughts

PetArmor Plus Vs Frontline Plus Final Thoughts
So, what’s the final word on PetArmor Plus vs Frontline Plus? Both of these products contain the same concentrations of the active ingredients fipronil and (s)-methoprene so there shouldn’t be any difference between them. Yet there are some subtle individual characteristics of each product including the price.
PetArmor Plus for is budget-friendly and while the active ingredients are the same, there are different inactive ingredients that may cause adverse reactions. Some consumers report that it can take up to 48 hours for the product to fully take effect against fleas.

Frontline Plus is also a veterinary strength product that you can now purchase over the counter in many stores. Both products are waterproof within 24h after application and persist for up to 30 days. Cats should always be kept away from your pet after you apply these products as they are toxic to our feline fur-iends.

Photo of author
Since graduating from Dublin, Ireland in 2013 with an honors Veterinary Medicine degree, Edele has enjoyed working with as many species of animal as possible. Edele is currently working in clinical practice while studying towards Advanced Practitioner status with the RCVS in the UK. Passionate about education and writing, Edele’s goal is to maximize the pet-owner bond and welfare through education accessible to everyone. Never found without her middle-aged Weimaraner, Purdy (who still thinks she’s 18 months old), Edele spends her limited time outdoors with her horses, hiking and traveling home to Ireland to spend time with family.

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