Reviewed by: Paula Simons, DVM
Depending on what you read, you may think you won’t be able to touch your dog for days after applying K-9 Advantix II. So, when is it safe to touch your dog after applying K-9 Advantix II?
The reality is that you and your children can touch your dog safely once K9 Advantix II has fully dried and absorbed into the dog’s skin.
The amount of time it takes to dry will depend on the length and thickness of his/her fur. In most cases, the medication will dry within a day or 24 hours.
That said, it’s important to note that the remnants stay on your dog’s skin for up to 48 hours.
You will be able to tell just by looking whether the area is still wet or not. If wet, the area will appear darker or slick.
The fur will look a little greasy until the product is fully absorbed. If you can still see the medication on the skin/fur, don’t touch.
In this post, we’ll talk about the side effects of K9 Advantix II. You’ll walk away with a better understanding on how to use it for the best results. Finally, you’ll discover a few other products and how they work to keep your dog from contracting serious disease.
The Importance of Monthly Flea and Tick Prevention
Congratulations for starting your dog on a monthly flea and tick prevention program.
K9 Advantix II is a great topical flea treatment that works in several ways. Not only does it kill and repel fleas, it also does the same for ticks and mosquitos.
There are several topical flea medication products on the market. Finding the one that’s right for your dog has a lot to do with your veterinarian, your dog, and your wallet.
K9 Advantix works wonders, and that’s really the most important thing.
You’ve Had It with Fleas!
There’s no question that fleas are a nuisance. They make your dog itch until he/she bleeds. They get in your house and burrow into your furniture. Worst of all, they carry disease.
Fleas are a class of wingless insect and are about the size of a sesame seed (adult).
You’ve got good reason to be fed up with fleas because they are hard to get rid of. That’s one reason veterinarians suggest you maintain a monthly treatment schedule.
Responsible pet owners like you understand the responsibility. What you may have questions about are the side effects, pros, cons, how to use the product properly, and exactly how it works to kill fleas without harming your dog.
There are more natural ways of killing fleas (further in this post). However, when you’re dealing with a heavy infestation, you’re going to want to kill those fleas ASAP.
Other Parasitic Dangers to Dogs
Fleas aren’t the only you need to protect your dog from. Did you know that mosquitoes can transmit heartworm and common ticks (American Dog Tick and Deer Ticks, for example) can transmit a variety of tick-borne illnesses including Lyme disease?
Maintain a Monthly Routine for the Health of Your Pet!
It’s vital that you maintain a monthly or regular routine to keep fleas and ticks at bay. If you tend to forget, you can easily setup reminders through your phone to contact a veterinarian. Your veterinarian is the best person to consult regarding topical or oral flea and tick preventatives.
How Does K9 Advantix II Work?
Have you ever wondered what happens when you apply a product like Advantix on your pet’s skin or why you’re warned not to touch your dog until the medicine has fully dried?
Here’s why…
It takes time for the product to become fully absorbed through the dog’s skin. Contact with the chemicals agents in the medicine could cause an allergic response in humans.
The remnants of K9 Advantix stay on the skin for up to 48 hours after application.
A single application of K9 Advantix gives your dog 30 days of active protection against fleas, ticks, lice, mites, and mosquitoes.
A warning…
The same ingredients that are essentially harmless to dogs are potentially fatal for cats. For that reason, some veterinarians may advise against using the product, especially if you have cats in the house.
How to Apply K9 Advantix
To apply K9 Advantix, you’ll need to start at the back of your dog’s neck and work your way down the spine.
Start at your dog’s shoulder by parting your dog’s fur until you can see the skin. Apply a drop of K9 Advantix and work your way down the spine until the tube is empty.
Make sure to use the entire contents in an even application at various spots down the dog’s spine. Over the next couple of days your dog’s natural oils will help distribute the product around the body.
The Pros of Using Advantix II
Advantix II is a useful product for dogs that need to get rid of fleas in a hurry. If your dog is covered in fleas, you’ll want to do what you can to stop the infestation.
The pros of Advantix II include:
- Begins to kill fleas within 12 hours of treatment.
- Kills and repels fleas from coming back.
- Kills and repels ticks.
- Repels mosquitoes.
- Fleas and ticks are killed on contact and do not have to bite.
Cons of Advantix II Include:
- Not suitable for use around cats.
- Not suitable for use around children.
- Risk of skin irritation or allergic response
Possible Side Effects of Advantix II in Dogs
Dogs may experience redness on the skin. Other side-effects may include gastrointestinal effects including vomiting and diarrhea.
Other side-effects may include:
- skin irritation
- redness of the skin
- excessive scratching
- gastrointestinal symptoms
K9 Advantix II is an insecticide and should not be given to lactating or pregnant dogs.
Active Ingredients in Advantix II
Fipronil
This Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved product helps dogs with body oils. Fleas die because fipronil attacks their nervous system. It is a way to kill the fleas by exposure. The fleas will die throughout the day, and the product lasts about a month. This product is similar to a flea collar.
Imidacloprid
Dogs will like this product because the larval stage fleas will die from contact with this nervous system treatment. Imidacloprid affects the flea’s nervous system.
Pyrethroid
As mentioned in this article, fleas dislike certain scents. Fleas, ticks, and mites will suffer with this treatment because it kills them in minutes. The product is made from a flower.
Tick Products
Tick and flea products are designed to help your dog kick an infestation while providing another one from forming. These products are your best defense against tick-borne illnesses.
Talk to your veterinarian about the best parasite treatment for your dog. Most dogs benefit from flea, worm, and tick prevention. The risks associated with things like infectious Lyme disease or even a full-on flea infestation can be worse than a few transient side-effects.
The following products are all excellent choices for parasite control and prevention.
Alternative Products for Flea and Tick Control
There are, of course, other products that you can administer to your dog. Chewable tablets are a great option for people with cats and children in the house. Naturally, you’ll want to keep the chewable tablets out of reach of children.
However, because they are ingested, there’s no worry about touching your dog or having your children come into contact with dangerous insecticides.
NexGard Soft Chew for Dogs
This product kills ticks and fleas all month long. This FDA approved medication prevents infections that cause Lyme disease by killing black-legged ticks.
Black-legged ticks (or Deer ticks) are known to carry tick-borne illness.
Most medications used to prevent tick-borne disease work by killing the tick the minute it bites your dog. It takes up to 48 hours for an attached tick to actually transmit disease.
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo
Shampoo products are great for dogs with sensitive skin. It might seem like “just another dog shampoo”, but it contains the active ingredient known to kill fleas. That ingredient is pyrethrin. If you have cats, you may not want to use this product. Cats are not able to metabolize the insecticide in the shampoo.
As a result, cats can become seriously ill or die on contact with the substance.
The good news is that this shampoo is formulated to help kill adult fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and lice. It’s important to understand, however, that this is not a preventative product. Some veterinarians report seeing more side-effects from Adams products.
Sentry Fiproguard Plus for Small Dogs
Sentry Fiproguard Plus comes in formulas for all sized dogs. This product contains Fipronil, a broad use insecticide. The best thing about this product is that it has been deemed safe for use on dogs and cats. It’s also considered safe for the humans handling these animals.
Sentry Fiproguard can be used on puppies eight weeks or older and is designed to:
- kill fleas
- kill ticks
- kill chewing lice
- is waterproof
Frontline Plus
This product protects your companion dog against adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, chewing lice, and ticks. It has two active ingredients including fipronil and (S)-methoprene that help disrupt the flea life cycle.
The best thing about this product is that is actually deters future infestations. This waterproof and fast-acting topical treatment works for 30 days. It can be purchased for dogs of varying sizes as well.
Minor side-effects of this topical treatment could include temporary irritation or itching at the site of application. Unlike some other parasite control medications, Frontline Plus is approved for use in breeding, pregnant, or nursing dogs.
Bravecto for Dogs
Bravecto is a great option to kill fleas and ticks as well as prevent flea infestations. It comes in a chewable form and a topical solution.
One dose protects your dog nearly 3 times longer than one dose of other monthly treatment options.
Not Sure Which Product to Get?
Tick Treatment
Many products (either prescription or over-the-counter) are available in formulas that target ticks, fleas, and heartworm.
Read: Anaplasmosis in Dogs How to Prevent Tick Bites
Other Options for Flea Control in Dogs
One method of killing fleas is the use of hot water and soap. Fleas are trapped easily. Veterinarians may recommend this standard treatment to kill fleas for dogs.
People can use flea shampoo, followed with flea conditioner, and then any flea maintenance product so that the fleas can’t lay eggs. It’s vital that fleas are not permitted to perpetuate their life cycle.
The Risk of Allergic Reaction
Dogs with sensitive skin, underlying conditions, or allergies may suffer some side-effects from topical flea control medication. Some of those side-effects may include:
- Hives
- Red, inflamed skin
- Diarrhea
- Stomach upset
Dogs may experience allergic dermatitis or edema of the face or throat.
The most common side-effect is a slight irritation at the sight of application. If you notice serious adverse reactions including facial swelling or difficulty breathing, get your dog to a veterinarian AS
Active Ingredients in Topical and Chewable Treatments
The main ingredients are chemicals called methoprene, permethrin, pyriproxyfen, and more. It is safe to apply the right dose, or the chemical may harm the dog. The medications are so that the life cycle of fleas is broken. That way, eggs and larvae can’t grow.
More Posts Hand-Picked For You
We thought you might also want to read the following posts:
23 Things You Need to Know About Lyme Disease in Dogs
Anaplasmosis in Dogs: 5 No-Fail Way to Prevent Tick Bites
Bravecto Chews for Dogs: Are They Safe?
Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas on Dogs? 5 Reasons to Reconsider
Summary
When is it safe to touch your dog after applying K-9 Advantix II?
It’s important to carefully read and follow the instructions no matter which flea and tick treatment you chose. If you’re looking for non-prescription products for flea and tick control, check out this post:
Flea Pills for Dogs Available Without a Prescription
The safety of the product you are using has a lot to do with whether your dog has any underlying health conditions. When purchasing products that a veterinarian hasn’t prescribed, it’s especially important to read the insert.
Inserts can provide you with valuable information including whether or not the product can be used on pregnant or nursing dogs. In addition, look to make sure the product is safe to use around cats and children if necessary.
Sources:
Work Cited
https://www.hillspet.com/pet-care/healthcare/flea-and-tick-treatments-oral-topical
https://www.foundanimals.org/get-rid-fleas-medication-ingredients-101/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-flea-and-tick-prevention-products-4167611
https://www.1800petmeds.com/Advantage+II+-prod10433.html