Waterproof Protection from Biting Insects for Dogs

For various reasons, some dogs spend a lot of time outside. Whether with their owners for hiking trips or hanging out in the backyard, some dogs are outside even more than they are inside. Even a completely outside dog, however, still needs protection from fleas and ticks. Although a dog who lives outside is less likely to bring his fleas and ticks into the house where it can bother his family, outside dogs are just as susceptible as inside dogs to pest-borne diseases. Owners owe it to dogs who spend a lot of time outside to provide them with waterproof protection against biting insects.

K9 Advantix

K9 Advantix is one such type of protection. It protects dogs against almost every type of pest for one month and, thanks to being waterproof, it's perfect for inside dogs who are outside a lot as well as purely outside dogs.

Advantix protects dogs against the following pests:

. Fleas at all stages of development, from eggs to adult fleas
. Deer ticks, dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks
. Mosquitoes
. Lice
. Biting flies

Once applied, Advantix will kill 98 - 100% of fleas within just twelve hours. Meanwhile, it is one of the few pet medications of its class to repel flies and mosquitoes. Although mosquitoes may seem to be benign compared to a flea infestation or disease-carrying ticks, dog owners should remember that mosquitoes can transmit the heartworm parasite. K9 Advantix is not a substitute for a monthly heartworm preventative, but when combined with a preventative, it dramatically decreases a dog's risk for heartworm.

How Advantix Works

The active ingredients in K9 Advantix are imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen. Imidacloprid is a chemical pesticide that is harmless for mammals in small doses but is a deadly neurotoxin for most insects. Before it was ever used as a pest repellant for dogs, it was used in fields and forests to protect against the bugs that devastate trees.

Permethrin is a fairly common synthetic insecticide and acaricide (a chemical that kills ticks and mites). Most mammals cannot be harmed by permethrin, but it is highly toxic for cats and fish. For this reason, Advantix absolutely must not be used on cats or even near cats.

The last active ingredient in Advantix, pyriproxyfen, is a type of organic pesticide that mimics an insect growth hormone. It prevents immature insects from developing into sexual maturity so that they cannot reproduce. It is thanks to pyriproxyfen that immature fleas and lice cannot develop on a dog protected by Advantix.

Is Advantix Safe for Humans to Handle?

Generally speaking, the pet medications provided to dogs and cats are also safe for humans to be around and handle. However, to be on the safe side, it is not wise for pregnant women and toddlers to be around spot-on flea medications such as Advantix. When possible, pregnant women should have another adult apply the medication. If they do have to apply the medication themselves, they should thoroughly wash their hands after use. The risk is negligible, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

Have you used K9 Advantix with one of your dogs? What's your opinion on its effectiveness? Would you recommend it to fellow dog owners? Share your experiences below.