Advocate vs Advantix: Which Flea, Tick & Worm Treatment Is Right for Your Dog?

Parasite prevention is essential for keeping your dog happy and healthy. Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms are more than just nuisances—they can cause serious health problems if left untreated. Two of the most trusted and widely used topical treatments are Advocate (Advantage Multi) and Advantix. But which one is right for your dog?

In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between Advocate and Advantix, their active ingredients, what parasites they target, and which one is best suited for your dog.

✅ Understanding Advocate for Dogs

Advocate is a monthly spot-on solution developed by Bayer (now part of Elanco), offering broad-spectrum protection against internal and external parasites.

✅ Active Ingredients in Advocate:

• Imidacloprid (100 mg/mL) – an insecticide that kills adult fleas on contact.
• Moxidectin (25 mg/mL) – a macrocyclic lactone that prevents heartworms and treats intestinal worms and mites.

✅ What Does Advocate Protect Against?

• Fleas – kills adult fleas and flea larvae
• Heartworm – prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis
• Intestinal Worms – including roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
• Mites – effective against ear mites, sarcoptic mange, and demodectic mange

✅ Benefits of Advocate:

• Offers protection from inside out
• Single monthly application
• Begins working within 3–5 minutes against fleas
• It is ideal for dogs who need heartworm prevention plus deworming
• It is also available for cats, making it a good household solution for multi-pet families

✅ Limitations:

• It does not protect against ticks
• No repellent effect on mosquitoes or flies

✅ Understanding Advantix for Dogs

Advantix, also from Bayer/Elanco, is a topical solution that protects dogs from external parasites. It’s known for its repellent action, which kills parasites and keeps them from biting your dog in the first place.

✅ Active Ingredients in Advantix:

• Imidacloprid (100 mg/mL) – kills adult fleas on contact
• Permethrin (500 mg/mL) – a synthetic pyrethroid that repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and flies

✅ What Does Advantix Protect Against?

• Fleas – kills adult fleas and stops flea reproduction
• Ticks – including paralysis ticks, brown dog ticks, bush ticks
• Mosquitoes – repels and kills to reduce heartworm risk
• Sandflies, Stable flies, and Lice – control other biting insects

✅ Benefits of Advantix:

• Strong repellent action – keeps pests away before they bite
• Begins working within hours
• Great for outdoor and active dogs
• Protects against ticks, which are common in warm, wooded, or grassy areas

✅ Limitations:

• Not effective against internal parasites like heartworms or roundworms
• TOXIC TO CATS – Permethrin is highly toxic to felines, even with contact

✅ Advocate vs Advantix: Quick Comparison

✅ Which One Should You Choose?

The best treatment depends on where you live, your dog’s lifestyle, and the parasites most commonly in your area.

🏝️ If You Live in Warm or Humid Areas:

Here’s what you should consider:

• Choose Advocate if you need comprehensive internal protection, including heartworms and intestinal worms.
• Choose Advantix if your dog is outdoors a lot and needs extra defense against ticks and biting insects.

💡 Tip: Some pet owners in high-risk areas use both products in rotation or combine them under vet guidance. Never mix treatments without consulting your veterinarian.

✅ Can I Use Advocate and Advantix Together?

While both products are topical and effective, they are not generally recommended without veterinary supervision. They share a common ingredient (Imidacloprid), which may increase the risk of side effects when used simultaneously.

Instead, you can explore combination strategies such as:

• Using Advocate for regular monthly protection
• Adding a tick collar or oral tick medication if tick exposure is high

✅ Where to Buy Affordable Pet Meds in the US

Buying from your vet is convenient—but can be expensive. At 79Pets.com, you can get genuine pet medications at much lower prices than brick-and-mortar stores or major online retailers.

We offer trusted brands commonly recommended by veterinarians, sourced from reputable suppliers—at prices that help you save more.

✅ Final Verdict

Advocate and Advantix are effective, high-quality treatments to protect your dog from harmful parasites. The best option varies based on your dog’s individual health requirements and lifestyle.

• Need heartworm protection + deworming? Go with Advocate.
• Need strong tick and mosquito protection? Choose Advantix.

🐶 Protect Your Dog the Smart Way

Your furry friend deserves the best. It's important to speak with your veterinarian before beginning any parasite prevention plan, particularly if your dog has underlying health issues.

👉 Order Advocate or Advantix today from 79Pets.com and keep your pet safe—without breaking the bank.