Frontline Plus Review

I've been using Frontline Flea and Tick Preventative since it came on the market.

Unlike the over-the-counter (OTC) products you can find in pet product areas in stores, Frontline is only sold through veterinary practices.  The difference between this and the OTC flea or tick products are two-fold:

First, Frontline stays in the animal's pores and is not absorbed through their skin.  This makes it more effective since it stays where it's needed, and it's safer, since the other pesticides that are absorbed through animal's skin must be metabolized (processed) by their kidneys and liver.  Over time, these products will compromise your pet's organs and cause damage, probably shortening their lives.

Second, Frontline is the only product that protects against both fleas (90 days) and ticks (30 days).  Other products treat only one or the other.  I live in a residential area and only use it in the early spring and again at the end of the summer.  I've never (knock on wood) had a flea issue, and I've had as many as 5 dogs and 3 cats at one time.  The only tick issue we ever had was my old Labrador Retriever, who twice got herself into seed tick hatchings and was covered in them within an hour (you can't even imagine unless you've been there).  

I believe Frontline is worth the expense since it protects my dogs from parasites that can cause skin problems and tick-borne infections and disease, and it saves me the expense of having to treat my house for parasite infestations.  It's also convenient and easy to use.

The cost is not really an issue if you have only one dog or smaller breeds, but I will be honest that if you have multiple large dogs, it can get expensive.  That's why I use it sparingly.  I do live in a residential area with other well-cared for dogs around us, and we walk in areas that are maintained.  If you live in a rural area, you may have to apply it every 30 days for maximum benefit.