Many pet owners ask if they can use two or more flea and tick products simultaneously on their pet. We generally recommend using only one flea and tick control product on the pet at a time. In the past, more than one product was often needed if you wanted to kill both the adult and developing fleas but today, many of the newer flea and tick products that kill adult fleas and ticks also prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing, so only one product is needed.
However, there are some situations in which using two products together on the pet may be more effective. An example would be tick prevention in a heavily tick-infested area. In such cases, we might recommend using two products - such as a topical and a tick collar - if they are administered differently and have different mechanisms of action. Here are some ground rules:
- Do NOT use two topicals together.
- We do NOT recommend using more than two flea and tick products together on a pet.
- Flea and tick dips should always be used alone. The usual method is to bathe, dip, and wait a week before repeating the procedure. If you feel the need to re-dip your pet more often, please consult your veterinarian.
The combinations included in the following chart are guidelines. They should be safe for most pets, however, every animal is different and two animals can react very differently to the same product. If you have any questions, or if a pet is old, sick, pregnant, or nursing, you should talk with your veterinarian before using more than one product.
Any flea and tick product listed in the chart below can be used along with a heartworm preventive, such as
Heartgard,
Interceptor, or
Sentinel. (Note: Sentinel is actually Interceptor plus Program.) The rapidly growing selection of flea prevention products may be confusing to the average pet owner. We believe that the more understanding a pet owner has about these products, the more success he will have in making the right product selection.
Compatibility of Flea and Tick Products for Cats and Dogs
Note: Some products listed below cannot be used on cats, see Active Ingredients in Flea & Tick Products.
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Adams
Collar |
- |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
M |
M |
M |
N |
N |
Y |
N |
M |
Y |
Advantage for Dogs & Cats
|
N |
- |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
M |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Bio Spot SPOT ON
for Cats* |
N |
N |
- |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
Y* |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y* |
N |
Y |
Bio Spot SPOT ON
for Dogs |
N |
N |
N |
- |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
M |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Capstar
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
- |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Defend
|
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
- |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
M |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Frontline
Plus for Dogs & Cats |
M |
N |
M |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
- |
N |
N |
N |
M |
Y |
N |
M |
Y |
Frontline
Top Spot for Dogs & Cats |
M |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
- |
N |
N |
M |
Y |
N |
M |
Y |
K9
Advantix |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
- |
M |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Preventic
Plus Collar |
N |
M |
N |
M |
Y |
Y |
M |
M |
M |
M |
M |
M |
- |
Y |
M |
M |
Y |
Program
for Dogs & Cats |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
- |
Y |
N |
Y |
Pyrethrin Containing Products** |
N |
N |
Y* |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
N |
M |
Y |
- |
N |
Y |
Revolution
for Dogs
& Cats |
N |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
M |
M |
N |
N |
M |
N |
N |
- |
N |
Sentinel
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
- |
| Y = Yes; in healthy animals, these products can generally be used together safely.
M = Maybe. These products have not been approved by the manufacturer for use together, and no information on the safety of using them together is available
N = No. We do not recommend using these products together. Both products may contain similar ingredients, or there may be a risk of an interaction between them. Consult with your veterinarian if you have questions.
*If Bio Spot SPOT ON for Cats is used with the Flea Halt Towelettes, do not use any other product with it. NOTE: Flea Halt Towelettes are now labeled to be used for fleas and ticks in cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils. For cats and ferrets, use the liquid plus the towelette, for the others just the towelette.
**Pyrethrin containing products include Adams Flea & Tick Dip, Adams Flea & Tick Mist, Bio Spot Flea & Tick Mist with Nylar for Cats, Bio Spot Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs, Drs. Foster & Smith Flea & Tick Shampoo, Flys Off Spray, Flys Off Ointment, Mosquito Halt for Dogs, PreStrike Mosquito Repellent for Dogs, and Flea Halt Towelettes.
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PRODUCTS RELATED TO:
Flea & Tick Control
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