Bravecto vs Frontline: Best Flea and Tick Treatment

The main difference between Bravecto and Frontline is that Bravecto comes in both chew and topical form for all sizes of dogs and has better protection against fleas and ticks than Frontline Plus. They are odourless and non-greasy which is ideal for picky dogs. It is best suited for dogs living in the highly infested regions.

Bravecto is a flea and tick medication that comes for dogs of every size from Toy (weighing 4.4-9.9 lbs), Small (weighing 9.9-22 lbs), Medium (22-44 lbs), Large (44-88 lbs), and Extra Large (88-123+ lbs). It is available as both an oral and topical treatment.

Fluralaner is an active ingredient present in Bravecto, which belongs to the isoxazoline medication class. Sarolaner and afoxolaner are two more drugs in this class.

When Bravecto Oral chew is digested in your dog’s stomach, the active ingredient present gets absorbed through the intestinal lining and then enters into your dog’s bloodstream. It spreads throughout your dog’s body and is swallowed by a feeding parasite, and they are killed.

Bravecto chews are a simple treat to give to your dog, and most dogs enjoy its pork flavor. You may break the chew and combine it with your dog’s favorite food if necessary, but you need to make sure they consume all of it to get an effective dose.

Bravecto vs Frontline

Bravecto is a flea and tick repellent that has also effectively worked against demodectic mange in dogs.

These chews act quickly, starting to work against fleas and ticks within 2 hours of consumption. Bravecto topical is as effective as the oral version, killing 100% of fleas and 90% of ticks in 72 hours.

The flea and tick protection lasts 12 weeks, while the lone star tick protection lasts 8 weeks.

The European Medicine Agency released a statement between February 2014 and August 2017 that 1,265 deaths had been reported worldwide after using Bravecto. However, the adverse cases that were reported are extremely rare. It is less than 1/10,000 (less than 0.01%) of given doses.

However, the Change.org petition with 18,773 signatures demanded to remove Bravecto completely from the market.

There have been many concerning reviews from dog owners saying that their dogs had severe side effects like renal failure, liver failure, seizures, and even death. People have also made several Facebook pages posting photos, stories, and videos of their pets with side effects.

Bravecto and Frontline were compared in a randomized, investigator-blinded, multi-center field research. Bravecto chews (fluralaner) given once to privately owned dogs were very effective against fleas and ticks for about 12 weeks. They were considerably non-inferior (ticks) and superior (fleas) when compared to topical Frontline (fipronil) given three times consecutively.

Research by FDA in 2014 concluded that the compounded medication Bravecto was safe for general use. However, a quick check at the warning label indicates that the fluralaner should be handled with care. Depending on the dog’s weight that requires treatment, the dose of fluralaner in Bravecto varies from 112.5 mg to 1.4 g. It may be concluded that Bravecto is safe for dogs even at its highest dosage.

The best thing about Bravecto topical is that it is odorless, non-greasy, and dries quickly, unlike Frontline Plus. Bravecto chews are best for dogs who do not like to have a greasy and wet solution on their skin.

According to Sparkle213 on Chewy says (rephrased), this treatment is best for dogs that live in highly infested areas and could easily kill ticks, fleas, and larva even when their pet stays outside for long hours. It can also be used on dogs of all types of fur and all sizes.

It saves your dog from Alopecia, diarrhea, lethargy, inappetence, rashes, and flatulence. It is also safe for dogs having extreme skin allergies like Folliculitis, Impetigo, Ringworm, Mange, and Yeast infections.

Bravecto topical is water-resistant and does not come off or lose its effect after repeated bathes like Frontline Plus.

Frontline Plus comes for dogs of every size from Small (weighing 5-22 lbs), Medium (23-44 lbs), Large (45-88 lbs), and Extra Large (89-132 lbs).

These pre-measured pipettes are a topical treatment that is simply applied to the area between your dog’s shoulder blades. Cut the top off of the pipette, split your dog’s hair, and gently apply the liquid on their skin.

Frontline Plus is designed to kill fleas and ticks. The addition of (s)-methoprene, an insect growth regulator, breaks the re-infestation cycle by targeting the eggs and juvenile life cycle of fleas. It also helps to kill ticks and fleas that may transmit Lyme disease to your dog.

Each pipette carries a precise dose based on your dog’s weight, and the solution is quickly absorbed in the skin. The active ingredients spread within your dog’s hair follicles and are progressively released into their hair over the next month.

Frontline Plus protects against fleas and ticks for 30 days.

Frontline Plus has two active ingredients: Fipronil and (S)-Methoprene. Fipronil kills adult fleas and ticks, while (S)-Methoprene prevents pupae, larvae, and flea eggs from developing to the next life stage.

The liquid takes 24 hours to get absorbed into the skin completely. The ingredients start working as soon as a flea or tick comes into touch with their fur. Fipronil works on the nervous system of parasites, causing them to die, whereas (s)-Methoprene works as an insect hormone, preventing the juvenile stages from progressing to the next developmental stage.

Fleas begin to die in 4 hours after Frontline Plus is applied to your dog, and 100% of fleas die in 12 hours. Ticks begin to die within 24-48 hours after the application. According to one research, fipronil is 100% effective against brown-dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)

Uncoordinated movements, unresponsiveness, seizure, coma, and even death are some of the major side effects of Frontline.

Negative reviews concentrate more on Frontline’s inefficiency to fight fleas and ticks after consequently years of successful usage, rather than on organ failure, seizures, or death.

According to research conducted in 2014 and 2016, Frontline’s ineffectiveness can be related to a variety of user faults, including uneven treatment, incorrect storage, and failure to protect the surrounding environment.

It is easy to use and has no strong odors, other than a slight alcohol smell. You can even bathe your dog after 24hours of its use to get off dead fleas and flea.

Some dogs may get irritated as there is a slight burning sensation when applied for the first time. However, it goes away after a few minutes.

It is best for dogs who frequently swim as it is water-resistant. It works like a charm for the dogs who love to go on hikes with their owners.

Frontline is best for light to medium thick coats. It could have been better if it protected against mosquitoes, heartworm, and ear mites.

Final  Verdict

Whether you choose Bravecto or Frontline, your dog might experience some side effects or difficulties because flea and tick treatments use tons of chemicals through different acaricides and pesticides. It is always best to consult your vet before starting any flea and tick treatment.

Bravecto is highly effective in killing fleas, ticks, demodectic mange, and other active infestations. It is available in both tasty chews and topic solutions for all sizes of dogs. The best part of using this treatment is that you do not need to worry about giving your dog treatment for 12 weeks. It is water-resistant, starts acting within 2 hours, and safe for pregnant and lactating dogs. It also quickly absorbs in your dog’s skin, and you do not have to wait for it to dry like Frontline.

The Frontline also protects against fleas and ticks for 30 days. However, it could have been better if the solution was not greasy, and you have to avoid touching your dog for straight two days until it fully absorbs. It is also water-resistant like Bravecto, but its effectiveness decreases with multiple baths. It starts acting within 4 hours and is great for dogs having light to medium coat thickness.