Review: Frontline Plus for Dogs Weighing 23 to 44 Pounds

Our Pitbull mix Max is a sensitive dog. He doesn't like to be given medicine. He doesn't like anyone to touch him except my husband and me, and only for wrestling, pets, hugs and kisses. As you will see in the video review below, Max wasn't too pleased about being the flea medicine recipient. He has to receive the flea treatment no matter what, and what better example of how easy or difficult a product is to use than testing it on a difficult pet?

We don't know Max's history. He literally walked up our front porch steps one summer day a year ago, made friends with our older and large dog Roscoe, and he's been in our family since. The veterinarian believes Max is 2-years-old. We cope with his fears and sensitivities like we would that of any family member, human or animal.


We treat our cat and dogs, wash pet and people bedding, vacuum and treat the environment on the same day. If the dogs continue to have fleas after these steps are done, we assume the Frontline Plus for Dogs has failed.

Frontline Plus for Dogs containing fipronil 9.8 percent and S-methoprene 8.8 percent should be used on dogs and puppies 8 weeks or older. The liquid insecticide for dogs 23-44 lbs is available as 1.34 ml applicators. The product is sold in with 3 doses, which lasts 3 months. The retail price for this product ranges from $38.99 to $53.74, depending where you purchase. The product is available at retail and online stores.

Hound and Home gives this product 3.5 stars based on past and current results, and because the same ingredients can be applied easier with the PetArmor Plus for Dogs applicator.

How to Apply Frontline Plus for Dogs

I like to shave a small section of fur so that the spot-on treatment is certain to be absorbed into my dog's skin. If the product is placed on dense fur, it will not be absorbed properly and more likely to fail.

Place the applicator tip through your dog's fur, to the skin, between his or her shoulder blades. Apply the entire contents of the applicator. Use only one applicator per treatment.

Frontline Plus for Dogs Ingredients

Frontline Plus for Dogs is made by the pharmaceutical company Merial. It contains an insect growth regulator called S-methoprene that kills flea eggs and larvae. It is also effective against all life stages of the brown dog tick, the American dog tick, the deer tick and the lone star tick.

Frontline Plus for Dogs Benefits

There are five key benefits to using this product:

1. Kills fleas on your pet within 12 hours
2. One dose provides protection for one month
3. It aids in the control of sarcoptic mange infections
4. It is waterproof
5. Kills ticks and chewing lice

How Frontline Plus for Dogs Works

Frontline Plus contains fipronil, an insecticide that disrupts the central nervous system of fleas and ticks. It causes paralysis and death. The product also contains S-Methoprene, an insect growth regulator that kills flea eggs and larvae. These active ingredients are applied as a spot-on and enter your pet's bloodstream via the skin. The active ingredients are stored in your pet's sebaceous glands, which are small skin glands that secrete a lubricating oil (sebum) into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin and fur.

Side Effects and Warnings

Your dog may experience temporary irritation at the site of the spot-on application. While our larger dogs don't, our small dogs do have redness and irritation after application. If the irritation becomes more severe following application, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Wait 24 hours to for the flea treatment to fully dry before allowing your dog to swim or bathe. Do not reapply for 30 days.

This product is for external use on dogs and puppies only. It will kill cats or kittens (Merial makes a separate flea treatment for felines). Frontline Plus is approved for use on breeding, pregnant, or nursing animals. Ask your veterinarian before using this product on dogs taking medication or dogs that are using other pesticide products, or on debilitated or aged animals.

Frontline Plus is harmful to humans if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. It can also cause eye injury. Call a physician or poison control center for advice. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling, or wear gloves.

To dispose of the used product, wrap original container in layers of newspaper and throw in the trash. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Flea Control Tips

It is important to treat all pets in your household for fleas at the same time, as well as vacuum carpets, wash pet and human bedding, and treat the outside of your home. It's a lot of work, but if everything is done the same day, you should be flea free within a day or two. Since the flea treatment lasts only 30 days, you will need to repeat these steps monthly.