Seresto vs Advantix: Which is the Better Flea Medication?

There are many things I love about having dogs in my life; however, fleas and ticks are not one of them.

Fleas and ticks are common pests found everywhere outside.

Your dog only needs to rub up against a bush or take a good roll in the grass to pick up these hitchhikers.

Thankfully there is an abundance of excellent products available that help eliminate the risk of your pup getting infested with fleas and ticks.

This article, Seresto vs. Advantix, compares the two flea and tick options from Bayer to help dog owners make a better-informed choice on which one is best for their dog.

Though they are both effective products, if I had to pick just one, Advantix is the flea and tick product I would recommend.

It is safer around humans and repels fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and biting flies.

Seresto Flea Collar

• Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid and Flumethrin
• Type: Collar
• Duration: 8 Months

Seresto is one of Bayer Animal Health’s flea and tick products. It was introduced to the market in 2011 and is capable of killing and repelling fleas and ticks.

Bayer Animal Health is a globally recognized company that has been in business since 1919.

Unlike most flea and tick products, the Seresto collar lasts up to 8 months^[1]. The collar is made from a polymer matrix which has been manufactured with insecticides infused into it.

The pesticides are slowly released into the dog’s skin then spreads over their entire body. And flea and ticks are not the only things Seresto kills; it also takes care of biting lice and sarcoptic mange.

An additional difference between Seresto and many other flea and tick products is that Seresto kills on contact before the flea or tick bites your dog.

Plus, Seresto not only kills ticks, but it also repels them.

Seresto is water-resistant, so your dog can go swimming, but it does shorten the life of the collar from eight months to six months.

And Seresto is safe to use with dogs as young as seven weeks old.

If Seresto sounds like the product for you, click here to order!

If you still want to learn more, check out our full Seresto review!

K9 Advantix Topical Flea Treatment

• Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid, Permethrin, and Pyriproxyfen
• Type: Topical
• Duration: 1 Month

Advantix is another Bayer Animal Health flea and tick product. Advantix was introduced at the North American Veterinary Conference^[2] in January of 2011 and was made available to the public in March 2011.

Bayer has been in business since 1867, but their pet products were not launched until 1919. Since then, Bayer Animal Health products have been a vital company in keeping our dogs healthy.

Advantix is a topical treatment for fleas and ticks. Once applied to the skin, it spreads through the skin, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles to repel and kill pests.

Unlike other flea and tick products, Advantix is also effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, and biting lice.

Which if you are a camper or hiker, using a product that protects against flies and mosquitoes is a huge bonus.

Advantix does not just kill parasites, but it also repels them. Most flea and tick products kill these pests but do not repel them.

See how Advantix II stacks up against Frontline Plus and Advantage II

If you are ready to order Advantix, click here to get your order started!

Or learn more with our full Advantix review!

Seresto & Advantix Face to Face

Often when comparing products, I find it helpful to look at the key features side by side, to keep from having to scroll or toggle back and forth between screens.

Below I have added a side by side comparison for Seresto and Advantix to compare the two easier.

	Seresto	Advantix
Form	Collar	Topical
Kills Fleas and Ticks	Yes	Yes
Repels Fleas and Ticks	Yes	Yes
Other Parasites	Lice and Sarcoptic Mange	Lice, Mosquitos, and Biting Flies
Active Ingredients	Imidacloprid and Flumethrin	Imidacloprid, Permethrin, and Pyriproxyfen
Duration	8 Months	1 Month
Prescription Needed	No	No
Waterproof or Water Resistant	Water Resistant	Waterproof
Price per Month (Based on a Small Sized Dog)	$4.12	$10.76
Minimum Age Requirement	7 Weeks	7 Weeks

Side Effects

All flea and tick treatments have side effects. The side effects vary depending on how it is administered and the active ingredients.

Here are the most common side effects for Seresto and Advantix:

Winner

Advantix is my first choice between the two products. I chose Advantix vs. Seresto after comparing key features:

Which is Safest?

Advantix has fewer side effects and is safer to use around others, including other pets and humans in the household.

Seresto can pose a health concern, especially in multi-dog households, since there is a possibility of the other pets coming in contact with the collar.

Which Works Fastest?

Advantix kicks in faster than Seresto and starts killing fleas within 12 hours, versus Seresto, which takes up to 24 hours.

Which is the Cheapest?

Seresto is less than half the cost of Advantix.

Which Lasts Longer?

Seresto lasts between 6-8 months, and Advantix lasts one month.

Standout Features

Seresto lasts longer, is effective against sarcoptic mange, and is cheaper.

Advantix repels mosquitos and biting flies, it is waterproof, and it is safer to use overall.

Conclusion

Though Advantix is the overall winner, there are times that Seresto is definitely the better choice.

Use Seresto if:

• You have a single dog household with older kids
• Your dog doesn’t spend a lot of time in the water
• You are looking for an effective, economical flea and tick option

Use Advantix if:

• You have a multi-dog household
• You have small children who may be inclined to play or touch the dog’s collar
• Your dog enjoys swimming
• Your dog enjoys the outdoors where there are mosquitos and biting flies

Overall both products are good choices for protecting your dog against fleas and ticks, though when deciding comparing Seresto vs Advantix, much depends on your dog and lifestyle.

FAQs

Resources

1. https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-019-3393-z
2. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bayer-animal-health-announces-the-launch-of-advantage-ii-and-k9-advantix-ii-114927354.html
3. https://www.petcarerx.com/article/combining-flea-treatments-what-you-need-to-know/140