How to Apply Advantix for Dogs

Fleas and ticks are not only a nuisance for your dog, but can also make him very sick if they remain on his skin. In addition, fleas can easily infest a house and ticks can spread disease to people. For these reasons, it is very important for you, as a responsible pet owner, to give your dog a monthly flea and tick preventative throughout the year. Advantix is a popular product for dogs that kills and repels fleas and ticks in dogs.^{[1]XResearch source} Learning how to properly apply Advantix will ensure that you and your dog reap the best results of flea and tick control and prevention.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Apply Advantix

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1
Select the appropriate Advantix dosage for your dog. Advantix is not a ‘one size fits all’ treatment, so you will need to make sure that you choose the correct dosage. Advantix comes in four dosage levels according to a dog’s weight.^{[2]XResearch source} If you do not know your dog’s weight, contact your veterinarian or refer to the paperwork from your dog’s most recent veterinary visit.
- Advantix comes in packs of four or six.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Small dogs (4 to 10 pounds) – 0.4 milliliters (mL) ^{[4]XResearch source}
- Medium dogs (11 to 20 pounds) – 1.0 mL^{[5]XResearch source}
- Large dogs (21 to 55 pounds) – 2.5 mL^{[6]XResearch source}
- Extra-large dogs (over 55 pounds) – 5.0 mL^{[7]XResearch source}
You can either separate and peel the foil down with your fingers or use scissors to open the foil packaging. Using scissors may be easier and quicker.
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3
Remove the cap from the tube. There is a specific way to remove the cap so that you can dispense the Advantix from the tube; it is not as simple as just twisting off the cap and squeezing out the product. First, make sure that you are holding the tube in the upright position. Next, remove the cap, turn it upside down, and put it back on the tube.
- Placing the upside-down cap back on the tube will break the seal on the top of the tube, allowing you to squeeze out the Advantix.
- When you see that the seal has broken, remove the cap from the tube and lace it to the side.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Applying Advantix

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You will apply Advantix to various locations along your dog’s back. Having your dog in the standing position will help you apply Advantix more easily and accurately on his skin. If your dog tends to be a bit squirmy, you can have someone gently restrain your dog while you apply the Advantix.
2
Part your dog’s fur. Use your fingers to part the fur until you can see the skin. Advantix needs to be applied to the skin for maximum effectiveness. The first location where you will apply the Advantix is at the start of your dog’s back, right near the base of his neck.
- Small and medium dogs will need three Advantix applications along their backs._section_view&id=1040070&findSection=DIRECTIONS+FOR+USE|HOW+TO+APPLY</ref>
- Large and extra-large dogs will need four Advantix applications along their backs.
- If your dog is extremely furry, it may be helpful to clip away a little bit of hair to make it easier to apply the Advantix.
3
Apply the Advantix. Gently place the tip of the tube on your dog’s skin. Squeeze about 1/3 or 1/4 of the Advantix onto the skin, depending on how many applications your dog will need. You want to be careful not to apply too much Advantix to the skin; this could cause the product to get on your dog’s hair and drip down his side. Not only will this waste the product, but it increases the likelihood that your dog may ingest the Advantix.
- Advantix should not be applied if the skin is wet or broken.^{[8]XResearch source} Dry your dog’s skin if it is wet. If the skin is broken, do not apply the Advantix and contact your veterinarian.
- It is not necessary to massage the product into the skin after applying it.^{[9]XResearch source} Another reason not to massage the product into your dog’s skin is that Advantix can be harmful to human skin.^{[10]XResearch source}
- The remaining applications should be spaced at least a few inches apart down your dog’s back. For large and extra-large dogs, the last dose should be near the top of the tail. For small and medium dogs, the last dose should be near the middle of the back.
- Avoid petting the dog for several hours after application, as you may wipe the product off the skin. It might be best to apply Advantix shortly before the dog goes to bed to minimize the chances of accidentally wiping it off.

Part 3

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Finishing Up

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1
Throw away the tube. If you used the entire tube, you can dispense of it by putting it in the regular trash. If you did not use the entire tube, you should still throw it away. However, do not throw the partially-filled tube in the trash or pour it down the drain. Contact your local waste department to learn how to dispose of the partially-filled tube.^{[11]XResearch source}
- The remaining tubes that were not used should be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place.^{[12]XResearch source}
Advantix can be harmful to human skin. Even if you are sure that Advantix did not get on your skin, washing your hands thoroughly is still a good idea after applying a product on your dog’s skin. If you notice that Advantix has gotten on your skin by accident, immediately rinse your skin with water for 15 to 20 minutes. Call a poison hotline or your doctor for further treatment recommendations.^{[13]XResearch source}
3
Do not bathe your dog for two days. The Advantix will need time to be absorbed into your dog’s skin. Bathing your dog would remove the product from your dog’s skin.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Even though Advantix is waterproof, it will take at least two days before it has absorbed enough in the skin so that it will not come off with bathing or swimming.
4
Do not let your dog eat the Advantix. Given that you applied Advantix to your dog’s back, his mouth should not be able to get to the areas where you applied the product. However, if some of the product happened to drip down his sides and land on the floor, he may be able to ingest the product that way. Advantix can be harmful to dogs if ingested, so contact your veterinarian or local pet poison hotline immediately for guidance on treatment.^{[15]XResearch source}
- If you have other pets, keep your dog separated them so that they do not have a chance to ingest the Advantix or get it on their skin.
5
Monitor your dog for side effects. It is rare that Advantix causes side effects in dogs. Potential side effects include lethargy, vomiting and drooling.^{[16]XResearch source} You may notice that the skin is red where you applied the Advantix, which indicates irritation. Your dog may scratch at the application site if the skin is irritated, or he might just look uncomfortable in general.^{[17]XResearch source}
- If your dog has any of these side effects, take your dog to your veterinarian.^{[18]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
Can I touch my dog after applying Advantix?
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
Always let the Advantix dry completely before touching the dog. If you stroke the dog whilst it is still wet, you may wipe the Advantix off. Also, the datasheet recommends not letting children sleep next to a dog with freshly applied Advantix, as a precaution against transference.
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How often can I use Advantix on my dog?
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
This is potentially confusing because the frequency of application depends on which bug species you want to deter. For flea control and certain ticks, monthly application is fine, but for sand flies and mosquitos, every two weeks is advised.
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How long does it take for Advantix to start working?
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
Fleas are killed within 24 hours of exposure to Advantix. However, ticks can take 2 days to die, which means daily ticks checks are still important to remove ticks within 24 hours of attachment to stop them from feeding.
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Tips

Advantix is to be applied once a month. If you a miss a dose, apply the next dose as soon as you can, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Let your know veterinarian know if you have missed a dose.^{[19]XResearch source}
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Advantix can be used in dogs that are seven weeks of age or older.^{[20]XResearch source}
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If Advantix gets on your clothes, remove those clothes and change into clean clothing.^{[21]XResearch source}
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Warnings

Do not give Advantix to your dog if he weighs less than 4 pounds. Advantix is formulated for dogs that weigh 4 or more pounds, so administering it to dogs that weigh less than 4 pounds could lead to serious side effects.^{[22]XResearch source}
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Do not give Advantix to a cat. One of the active ingredients in Advantix, called permethrin, can be fatal for cats.^{[23]XResearch source} There are flea and tick preventatives that are made specifically for cats. Your veterinarian can recommend which preventative to use on your cat.
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Advantix should not be given to female dogs who are pregnant or lactating.^{[24]XResearch source}
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