Can I Reapply Flea Treatment Early?
If you’re finding adult fleas on your pets after a recent flea control treatment, you may find yourself asking, “What happens if you apply Frontline too soon?”
It can be tempting to reapply the treatment if you see it hasn’t worked, but this in general isn’t recommended.
In some rare cases, reapplying topical flea medications too frequently can lead to an overdose in your pet. Small dogs and cats are particularly susceptible to the sometimes strong side effects of common active ingredients.
The best way to prevent any health issues when medicating your pet is to follow the label’s instructions carefully. Frontline recommends that you reapply every 30 days for best results in preventing fleas with both cats and dogs.
The two active ingredients in the formula are fipronil, which targets live fleas and ticks, and (S)-methoprene, which destroys flea eggs and larvae.
An overdose of either of these ingredients can result in:
● Loss of coordination
● Excitability or agitation
● Convulsions and seizures
● Drooling, vomiting, or changes in eating habits
It’s best to wait the recommended period before reapplying to reduce the risk of an overdose. If your pet does show any toxicity symptoms after being medicated, you should go immediately to your vet or the closest emergency vet clinic.
Why Do I Still See Fleas After Treatment?
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Even if you apply Frontline as directed, you may still see fleas in your pet’s fur or on your pet’s skin after treatment.
If you see them surface directly after application, this could simply be because fleas travel to the coat’s surface as they die.
If you continue to see fleas on your pet or around your home, it’s likely there’s another issue at play.
Knowing what happens if you apply Frontline too soon, a second treatment isn’t an option for pets that remain infested. Instead, you may have to resort to other flea treatment methods such as flea shampoos (careful not to get it into your dog’s eyes!) or manual removal.
It’s important to understand why you continue to see fleas after treating your pet if you want to take control of the issue. There are a couple of common reasons that may end up being the root of your flea problem.
You Applied The Frontline Solution Incorrectly
Most of the time, failed flea treatments result from incorrect application. While topical flea medications may seem simple enough, you must follow the instructions on the packaging to a T prior to applying if you want the solution to work properly.
Frontline comes in a small tube applicator with a snap-off tip. Simply remove the tip manually, part your pet’s hair at the shoulder blades, and apply the entire bottle directly to the skin in that area.
It’s best to apply between the shoulder blades because your pet won’t easily lick or scratch at the area.
Too many pet owners make the mistake of applying flea medication to the hair instead of the skin. The active ingredients must reach the sebaceous (oil) glands to travel throughout the body.
Otherwise, you’ll only end up killing fleas on a single patch of hair.
You should also make sure to use the entire tube to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Frontline carefully measures each tube to work for an entire 30 days, and so you need the entire dosage for the treatment to last. It’s also important to choose the correct medication for your pet’s size and species.
You Should Be Using A Different Medication
If your Frontline treatment isn’t working despite your best efforts, then it may not be the right medication for your pets.
Fleas can develop resistance to certain active ingredients, and so different topical flea treatment brands tend to work best in different regions.
Fortunately, Frontline is generally a good choice for pet owners living in the US. If it’s not working for you, you can talk to your vet about other options available.
They may have recommendations better suited to your area or your pet’s personal needs, such as a flea collar or medicine.
The Problem Is Coming From Inside The House
Frontline kills fleas on contact, but it doesn’t work to repel them. If you treat a flea-infested pet without also treating your house, you’re inviting a second infestation.
Fleas can hide out in all sorts of dark corners, from closets to mattress pads- and even in seemingly clean clothing.
Flea eggs can also live for days in just about any conditions, hatching only once conditions are favorable. This gives them enough time to wait until the Frontline is out of your pet’s system to attack.
After treating your pet with Frontline, you should also give your home a deep clean to prevent the pests from making a resurgence.
Make sure to vacuum every corner of your house, including floors, mattresses, and upholstery, to get rid of any hidden eggs. It’s also best to wash all bedding and linens in hot water.
In extreme cases, you may have to turn to chemicals to tackle your flea problem. You can spray problem areas with insecticide, or you can simply start fresh by having a professional tent and bug bomb your house.
Other Pets Are Bringing In Fleas
If you have more than one pet, it could be the culprit you least expect bringing new pests into the house.
Even if one pet appears to be unaffected, it only takes one or two fleas brought in from the garden to start a whole new infestation.
When you treat one pet in your household with Frontline, you should make sure to medicate every other pet as well. You should also work to keep your hair and clothes clean and avoid walking through brushy areas that might be home to unwanted hitchhikers.
Even if you only have one pet at home, it could be another furry creature exacerbating your pest problem. Mice, shrews, and other small pests attract fleas, and they can easily bring them into your home if left unchecked. If you see signs of a rodent infestation, be sure to nip it in the bud before you’re dealing with fleas around the house as well.
In Summary
So, what happens if you apply Frontline too soon?
Well, if the concentration of chemicals is large enough- or if your dog is small enough- it could result in some nasty side effects for your precious pup.
These can include symptoms such as loss of coordination, excessive drooling, vomiting, excitability, convulsions and even seizures! If your dog shows any of these signs at all, the best thing to do would be to take it to the vet immediately.
If you are still seeing fleas after treatment with Frontline, this could mean one of 4 things:
- You’ve applied the solution incorrectly
- Frontline is ineffective for your pet
- There are fleas residing inside your home
- Other pets are bringing in the fleas.
It’s important to find out the exact reason as to why fleas still exist in your home, as by doing so you can then remove them effectively.
When you find that Frontline just isn’t working, click here to read our extensive guide on the 8 Great Alternative Flea Prevention Methods that are readily available!
Heather Abraham is a professional blogger who owns two dogs, a cat, a parrot, and a leopard gecko. She has a connection with animals since she was a child. She shares her love for all pet breeds and provides information on pet food, toys, medications, beds, and everything else.
She is committed to learning about the internal workings of animals. Her work permits her to work closely with knowledgeable vets and obtain practical expertise in animal care. When she is not working, her love of animals continues in her writing. Her goal is to educate and uplift readers who also have a passion for animals through her writing.