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During a flea infestation, your cat may become unbearably itchy and develop a condition called flea allergy dermatitis (also known as flea allergy hypersensitivity). [1] X Research source Moreover, their fleas can jump onto you and even make you itchy! [2] X Research source Learning how to apply a flea preventative such as Advantage properly will help keep your cat free of fleas.
Steps
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Select the appropriate pack of Advantage for cats. Advantage for cats comes in packs of four or six, and is divided into three weight categories: under 5 pounds (kittens), five to nine pounds (small cats), and over nine pounds (large cats). Advantage for kittens is available in packs of four, and Advantage for small and large cats is available in packs of four or six.
- If you are unsure of cat’s weight, weigh them or look at the medical report from their most recent veterinary visit.
- Advantage should not be applied to kittens under two pounds, or cats less than eight weeks old.
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Remove the tube from the pouch. Slide the tube down to the bottom of the pouch, if it is not already there. Next, use scissors to open the top of the pouch. Remove one tube from the pouch.
- Use only one tube per application of Advantage.
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Remove the cap. Opening the tube of Advantage is not as simple as just untwisting the cap. First, using the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand, hold the tube upright and away from you and your cat’s eyes and face. Then, use your dominant hand to untwist the cap.
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Open the tube. Invert the cap and push it back on top of the tube. To break the seal on the tube, twist the cap. After the seal is broken, remove the cap and place it to the side.
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Part the fur at the base of your cat’s neck. To apply the Advantage, your cat can be lying down or standing up—just make you can keep them still. Use both hands to part the fur at the base of their neck until you can see their skin. The base of their neck is the preferred application site because it is unlikely that your cat will be able to reach that area with their tongue. [3] X Research source
- Make sure your cat’s skin is clean and dry before applying the Advantage. [4] X Research source
- Hold the parted fur with your non-dominant hand so that you can apply the Advantage with your dominant hand.
- Have someone else hold your cat if you do not think you are able to hold them and apply the Advantage on your own.
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Apply the Advantage. With your dominant hand, press the tube directly onto your cat’s skin at the application site. Apply the entire tube of Advantage, without letting it run off their body and onto the floor. If any product lands on another part of their body or on the floor, quickly clean it up with a paper towel or absorbent towel.
- You do not need to apply pressure when touching your cat’s skin with the tube.
- Make sure the Advantage does not get into your cat’s mouth or eyes. If it gets into their mouth, they will probably start to salivate due to Advantage's bitter taste. If it gets into their eyes, do your best to rinse their eyes with cold water. [5] X Research source
- Call your veterinarian if Advantage gets into their mouth or eyes. [6] X Research source
- Wearing gloves is not necessary to apply Advantage. [7] X Research source
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Do not touch the application site. The application site may be sticky for up to several hours after you have applied the Advantage. If you touch the area within these first few hours, you may end up getting Advantage on your skin. [8] X Research source If this happens, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and do not place your fingers near your eyes or mouth. [9] X Research source
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Do not shampoo your cat for at least two days. This will give Advantage the opportunity to absorb fully into your cat’s skin. If you decide to shampoo your cat after two days, make sure to use a soap- or detergent-free shampoo. Shampoos with soap or detergent can strip away the oily layer of your cat’s fur through which the Advantage is absorbed. [12] X Research source
- Vigorous shampooing can also disrupt the oily layer. [13] X Research source
- Your cat probably does not want a bath anyway, so you will likely have no problem waiting two days to shampoo them.
- Advantage is waterproof and will remain effective after a bath.
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Monitor your cat for side effects. Fortunately, side effects of Advantage are uncommon. [14] X Research source One potential side effect is hair loss at the application site. In addition, if your cat manages to lick at the application site immediately after you apply the Advantage, they will probably start to salivate due to the bitter taste. [15] X Research source
- The bitter taste is meant to dissuade cats from licking the application site. [16] X Research source
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Dispose of the Advantage tube properly. If the tube is empty, throw it away or recycle it. If, for some reason, you were not able to empty all of the tube’s contents onto your cat’s skin, contact your local waste and disposal agency for disposal guidance. Do not empty the tube’s contents into an indoor or outdoor drain. [17] X Research source
- You can also call 1-800-422-9874 for instructions on disposing Advantage. [18] X Research source
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Store Advantage away from food and drink products. Advantage may leak from its packaging and contaminate its surrounding area. To avoid food and beverage contamination, store the Advantage in a separate area (preferably not in the kitchen). [19] X Research source
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Wash your hands. Even if you did not get any Advantage on your hands, it is still a good idea to wash your hands following application. It is especially important to wash your hands before eating, drinking, chewing gum, or going to the bathroom. [22] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat does Advantage treat in cats?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.Advantage in cats is a flea treatment. It's licensed as effective against adult flea infestations, with one application being active for three to four weeks in cats.
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QuestionWhat are the side effects of Advantage for cats?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.Advantage is very safe, and the side effects are mostly those of skin irritation. This is down to the alcohol carrier in which the active ingredient is suspended. This can evaporate quickly from the skin, causing a super-cooling effect, which some cats find irritating. If the cat licks the product while it's still wet, they may salivate heavily, but this usually passes without treatment being needed in most cases.
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QuestionHow fast does Advantage II work on cats?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.Advantage II kills adult fleas within 24 hours. The great thing about Advantage II is that it also has an active ingredient that kills flea larvae. This helps stop the next generation of fleas from growing up and causing an itchy nuisance.
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Tips
- If you have multiple cats/pets, apply a flea preventative to all of them at the same time. One untreated pet can become infested with fleas and infect your other pets. [23] X Research sourceThanks
- Apply Advantage to your cat once every four weeks. They may need more frequent application if they have a severe flea infestation. Your veterinarian will advise you on how frequently you will need to apply Advantage to your cat.Thanks
- Advantage should not be applied more frequently than every 14 days in kittens and every 7 days in small and large cats.Thanks
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Warnings
- Advantage can be irritating to your eyes. If you get Advantage in your eyes, keep them open and rinse them gently with water for 15 to 20 minutes. Call a poison control center or your doctor for more medical advice. [24] X Research sourceThanks
- Advantage can be harmful if swallowed. If you swallow Advantage by accident, call the poison control center or your doctor immediately for further assistance. Sip a glass of water if you are able, but do not induce vomiting. [25] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/vet/advantage-ii-large-cat.html
- ↑ http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/flea-prevention
- ↑ http://www.petparents.com/products.aspx/about/advantage-multi-for-cats?subId=howto
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.midhudsonvet.com/page3.html
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/vet/advantage-ii-large-cat.html
- ↑ http://www.petparents.com/products.aspx/about/advantage-multi-for-cats?subId=howto
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.midhudsonvet.com/page3.html
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-waterproof
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-safety
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-safety
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/vet/advantage-ii-large-cat.html
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/vet/advantage-ii-large-cat.html
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-safety
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/vet/advantage-ii-large-cat.html
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/vet/advantage-ii-large-cat.html
- ↑ http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/advantage-flea-control.html#advantage-pregnant
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/vet/advantage-ii-large-cat.html
- ↑ http://www.drugs.com/vet/advantage-ii-large-cat.html
About This Article
Article Summary
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To apply Advantage to cats, start by selecting the package that suits your cat’s weight. Next, remove the tube from the pouch. After untwisting the cap, flip the cap over and push it back on the top of the tube to break the seal. Then, part the fur at the base of your cat’s neck, and apply the entire tube directly to your cat’s skin, making sure none of it runs off its body. Once the Advantage is on, avoid touching this area of your cat for several hours, otherwise you could accidentally wipe some of it off. For more tips from our Veterinary reviewer, including how to watch your cat for side effects from Advantage, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "My new cat us a stray that adopted us. We want to bring Cheeseburger in the house, but don't want fleas infecting our other 2 indoor cats. It was nice to read that the medicine kicks in after 24 hours. We will wait a few days to be sure he is safe." ..." more
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"My new cat us a stray that adopted us. We want to bring Cheeseburger in the house, but don't want fleas infecting our other 2 indoor cats. It was nice to read that the medicine kicks in after 24 hours. We will wait a few days to be sure he is safe."
..."
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"I needed to know where to apply the medicine on the cat's body, since they seem to be able to lick themselves even on their own backs. Finding out the medicine is bitter and thus dissuades them from licking it was helpful to know."
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"Exactly where to place the Advantage was the most helpful to me. I have been doing that but wanted to be sure. My cat was originally infested with fleas and Advantage is a miracle. It is a lifesaver."
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"Excellent! Had no idea Advantage could be used more frequently than 4 weeks. My kitties have suffered so. Thanks so much. We will conquer fleas!"
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"This article simply showed how easy it was to apply the Advantage II, including the importance of keeping it out of our cats' mouths and eyes."
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