Advantage II for Dogs Dosage

advantage 2 for dogs box

Summary

Advantage II for dogs is available in four products, each corresponding to specific weight ranges of dogs and puppies. There’s one for small dogs (3 to 10 lbs), medium dogs (11 to 20 lbs), large dogs (21 to 55 lbs) and extra large dogs (over 55 lbs). The dosage is higher for heavier dogs. See the dosage by weight chart below. The active ingredient concentration is the same in all four products. View the full product label for application information.

Related page: Generic Advantage II for Dogs has the same active ingredients at less than half the cost.

Details

Advantage II for Dogs
Dosage by Weight

Dog Weight Monthly Dose
3 to 10 lbs 0.4 mL (0.014 fl oz)
11 to 20 lbs 1.0 mL (0.034 fl oz)
21 to 55 lbs 2.5 mL (0.085 fl oz)
over 55 lbs 4.0 mL (0.135 fl oz)

Advantage II for Dogs
Product Information Chart

Dog Age 7 weeks or older
Dog Weight see chart above
Monthly Dose see chart above
Kills adults, eggs & larvae
Dose Duration 30 days
Ingredients 9.1% imidacloprid
0.46% pyriproxyfen
90.44% other ingredients
Product Label view
MSDS view
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Apply the Correct Dosage

Advantage II products are specially formulated and tested for dogs of certain weights. The full dose of the correct product needs to be administered on a monthly basis. The infestation may continue if the manufacturer’s instructions aren’t followed. Don’t under-dose or over-dose pets. Under-dosing commonly occurs when pet owners split treatments between different animals. Toxicity concerns can also lead to under-dosing.

Re-dosing Early

Do not apply more than one tube per treatment, even for larger dogs. Under normal conditions, one dose will last 4 weeks. However, in severe infestations, it may be necessary to retreat the dog earlier in order to attain control. In these situations, do not retreat more often than once every 7 days. Once flea control is established, return to the monthly re-treatment schedule.

References

Have an unrelated question?

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  • Jodi July 24, 2016, 3:05 pm

    How soon to having pups can I treat a dog?

    • Adam Retzer July 24, 2016, 9:33 pm

      Hello Jodi, this question should be addressed to your veterinarian. However, I’ll provide some relevant information.

      From the product label:
      “Do not use on puppies under 7 weeks of age or weighing less than 3 lbs. As with any product, consult your veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, pregnant or nursing dogs. Individual sensitivities while rare, may occur after using ANY pesticide product for dogs. If signs persist, or become more severe, consult a veterinarian immediately. If your dog is on medication, consult your veterinarian before using this or any other product.”

      Here’s a summary of the reproductive toxicity of imidacloprid (the active ingredient in Advantage):
      Pesticides News No. 62, December 2003, pages 22-23
      Laboratory studies on imidacloprid have shown it can have an impact on reproduction. Imidacloprid fed to pregnant rabbits between the sixth and eighteenth days of pregnancy caused an increase in the frequency of miscarriages and an increase in the number of offspring with abnormal skeletons. These effects were observed at a dose of 72mg/kg per day. In rats, a two-generation feeding study found that rats fed imidacloprid gave birth to smaller offspring; their weight was reduced at a dose of 19 mg/kg per day.

      Imidacloprid – Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment USDA
      “These studies… were conducted to fulfill EPA requirements for testing as part of the pesticide registration process. In summary, imidacloprid was not found to affect reproductive variables or cause birth defects at doses which did not cause maternal toxicity, when the pregnant animals were exposed via gavage during the critical developmental phases of their pregnancy. However, imidacloprid may adversely affect reproduction and cause developmental delays as a result of maternal toxicity. A developmental neurotoxicity screening study in rats suggests that imidacloprid may also cause neurotoxicity in offspring born to imidacloprid-exposed mothers at doses which do not cause maternal toxicity.”

      Therapy and Prevention of Parasitic Insects in Veterinary Medicine using Imidacloprid
      Dermal application (10% spot-on) to pregnant or lactating bitches up to three times the recommended dosage twice two to four weeks apart did not cause any side effects at various stages of lactation and gestation.

  • patti August 28, 2016, 9:12 pm

    How is it that my dog weight 110 and the chart says to use an extra large dose (55 and over) but it says nothing about a dog that weighs double. I don’t want to make her sick. Do I give her 4.0 or 6.0 or even 8.0. Please help!!!!

    • Adam Retzer August 30, 2016, 12:16 am

      Hello Patti, unfortunately I’m not qualified to answer this question. Your veterinarian can address this question. Alternatively, you can visit Bayer’s contact us page. Here’s the excerpt and phone number found on that page:

      If you have a question about one of our products, please contact a member of our Veterinary Technical Services team at (800) 255-6826.

  • DeAnn Murtle September 11, 2016, 3:04 pm

    Does this product have am experation date?

    • Adam Retzer September 12, 2016, 1:11 pm

      No. There’s no expiration date required by the EPA for Advantage II. It should stay effective if stored in a cool, dry place that is protected from freezing.

  • Jerry brown September 15, 2016, 2:39 pm

    what is the dose per pound for dogs

    • Adam Retzer September 15, 2016, 3:10 pm

      There’s no “dose per pound” measurement. If your dog falls outside of the given specifications on the labels, then it’s best to contact your veterinarian for determining a safe and effective dose.

  • Michele Acosta October 20, 2016, 3:53 pm

    My pup is about 7 pounds 5 months old and I have k9 advantix for medium-sized. My question is could I give her half of the dosage

    • Adam Retzer October 20, 2016, 5:07 pm

      I can’t recommend off-label use of an insecticide product. However, if you look at the dosage chart, the small dog dose is 40% of the dose of the medium dog, not 50%.

  • Leeane October 31, 2016, 7:31 pm

    I have a 7-8 lbs chihuahua that I treated last night and then my daughter treated her today not realizing she had already been treated. What should we do, would it be toxic to her?

    • Adam Retzer November 1, 2016, 4:51 pm

      It’s possible there may be toxic effects. I’d recommend consulting your dog’s veterinarian.

  • Bobbie February 6, 2017, 4:24 am

    My dog was given 5.5 instead of 2.5 ….I did not realize this mistake from my vet….she started getting sores…hair loss…loss of appetite …depression…lethargy…every treatment she was sick…. I brought her to the vet and injection were given antibiotic and cortisone…I asked if it was the advantage and told no… I found an old tube and then seen it was more then double dosage. Last advantage given now has been over a month, how long before it leaves her body and will there be any long term health issuesl I did not take her to the vet after last treatment…
    Thank you
    Bobbie Paquette and Taz

    • Adam Retzer February 6, 2017, 6:13 pm

      The main active ingredient in Advantage II is imidacloprid. You can view our page on this compound: Imidacloprid toxicity. According to the research I’ve seen, any imidacloprid that enters the body will metabolized quickly. It will be completely excreted within 48 hours.

      Most of those adverse symptoms you describe don’t sound like they’re from Advantage, from what I understand. However, I can’t be certain. I am not a veterinarian or expert. I’d suggest contacting your veterinarian again with further concerns. Or you can contact Bayer directly.

  • Lee February 20, 2017, 5:36 pm

    I apply K9 Advantage II monthly to my 90 lb Lab yet I still see fleas on her and they annoy her quite a bit. Should apply more frequently than every 4 weeks? Would it hurt her to also use a spray on her underside and legs?

    • Adam Retzer February 22, 2017, 3:14 pm

      As per the instructions, you can re-treat your dog once every 7 days in severe infestations. However, once control is established, you should return to the monthly re-treatment schedule. I can’t give any specific advice beyond this, as I’m not qualified.

      It’s possible that the dog is sufficiently protected, and you’re just noticing the fleas before they succumb to the insecticide. Usually the imidacloprid kills new fleas within a few hours, but occasionally it can take a bit longer. Use your judgement here to determine if early re-treatment is necessary or not.

      You shouldn’t need to use spray on your dog in conjunction with the Advantage. The Advantage incorporates into the animal’s sebaceous layer. As a result, it gets transported in the dog’s natural oils across the skin and hair. The treatment should cover the dog’s entire body 24 hour after application.

  • Gary Smith March 2, 2017, 5:36 am

    My dog weighs 9 lbs would. .8ml b safe

    • Adam Retzer March 2, 2017, 5:37 pm

      Gary, I can only advise you to follow the labeled directions. Beyond that, I’m not qualified. You may want to consider contacting your dog’s vet if you’re worried that 0.4 mL (small dog product) isn’t sufficient.

  • Nick lietzau April 13, 2017, 9:19 am

    I have a large breed dog, and my girlfriend has a small breed, can I use large breed advantix on her small breed dog?

    • Adam Retzer April 14, 2017, 3:48 pm

      No, it would be too much product. Use the correct product (as per the label) for the dog’s weight.

  • Shirley Murphy April 14, 2017, 5:37 pm

    I bought the Advecta for dogs over 55lb dogs. Can i use it on a 50lb. Dog?

    • Adam Retzer April 21, 2017, 10:11 pm

      The only advice I can give is to adhere to the labeling. Otherwise, you can contact your veterinarian for more specific questions. Unfortunately, I’m legally unable to offer any off-label advice.

  • lauren April 29, 2017, 7:03 pm

    I had a flea infestation and hd the home treated and gave my dog Advantage. She is on Trifexis and the vet said it’s OK to give her Advantage as well. She is a senior dog, but healthy. My question is whether I can give her another does of Advantage and when. It’s been 12 days since the last does and she still has some fleas biting her, but the environment is under control. I just hate to see her so itchy! Thank you!

    • Adam Retzer May 2, 2017, 3:16 pm

      Lauren, yes, you can retreat her earlier than 30 days in order to establish control. See the Re-dosing Early section on this page, or corresponding data on the product label. Dogs can be retreated early, but not more often than once every 7 days. Once flea control is established, return to the monthly re-treatment schedule.

      However, the fleas that are bothering the dog are likely emerging from the environment, and will likely continue to do so for a few weeks. The home treatments will prevent new eggs from surviving, but immature stages already in the environment can escape treatment. You’ll have to wait for them to mature, emerge, and then die. The Advantage should kill them, but they may have time to bite before succumbing to the insecticide (can take up to 12-24 hours). Retreating early won’t prevent this.

  • Pat May 15, 2017, 9:02 am

    Will advantix11 cause hair loss?

    • Adam Retzer May 15, 2017, 3:09 pm

      In most cases, it shouldn’t cause hair loss if used as labeled. However, I’ve read a few anecdotal reports of this happening. It’s hard to know exactly what is going on in these situations, since they are reported with little information.

      The active ingredients are imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen. These are well tested compounds, and there have been few cases of adverse skin reactions, from what I’ve read. But I’d urge you to do your own research.

      Here’s a snippet from Toxicology of newer pesticides for use in dogs and cats about imidacloprid:

      “Clinical effects from Advantage are expected to be mild and caused primarily by the carrier or other ingredients in the formulation… Animals exhibiting hypersensitivity reactions to the topically applied product should be bathed with a noninsecticidal shampoo and treated symptomatically and supportively.”

      Also, keep in mind, fleas themselves can cause hair loss in pets, especially for animals with flea allergy dermatitis.

  • Sherry May 25, 2017, 4:19 am

    I have a 150 pound great Dane I’ve been giving her one application is that enough? Your boxsays 55 and over boxy weight? It didn’t have max weight or a guideline??

    • Adam Retzer May 29, 2017, 12:44 pm

      Sherry, you may want to contact your dog’s veterinarian for dosing information, as your dog may be an exception. I am not a licensed professional and can only refer you to the label.

  • Alexandria May 25, 2017, 11:57 am

    I bought advantage II for large dogs. My cockapoo is about 22 pounds. Do I put the whole tube on her?

    • Adam Retzer May 29, 2017, 12:46 pm

      Yes. Use the whole tube of Advantage II for Large Dogs if your dog is between 21 and 55 lbs. Refer to the label for specific application instructions.

  • Dinah Barriere July 8, 2017, 8:56 am

    Can I use a portion of the extra large dog treatment for a smaller dog?

    • Adam Retzer July 30, 2017, 1:57 pm

      I don’t recommend any off-label use of insecticide products. If you’re considering doing this yourself, ensure you pay very close attention to dosage and insecticide concentration. Luckily, the active ingredient concentrations are the same in all of the products.

  • Katherine Griffin July 10, 2017, 12:56 am

    I have a puppy he is 9 weeks old can I use medium but only half on him. I seen son on him I comb him wash him and picking them off. Help Please! Thank you ahead of time

    • Adam Retzer July 30, 2017, 2:04 pm

      Advantage II can be safely used on dogs over 7 weeks of age. The full dose of the product corresponding to the dog’s weight should be administered. Using half of the labeled dosage will result in under-dosing and may not be effective. If you have concerns related to off-label usage, I’d recommend contacting your dog’s vet.

  • Crystal banks July 30, 2017, 12:02 pm

    My dog weighs 18 lbs but I bought her medicine for dogs that weight 21 lbs – 55 lbs. If i use this will it harm her

    • Adam Retzer July 30, 2017, 8:01 pm

      It’s possible to overdose or underdose pets if the labeled instructions aren’t followed. If you are worried about this, and potential negative effects, then I’d recommend contacting your dog’s veterinarian.

  • Josie September 3, 2017, 9:33 pm

    My dog weight 11.5 pounds, which type i should use, 4_10 pounds or 11_20 pounds

    • Adam Retzer September 28, 2017, 3:52 pm

      Hello Josie, your dog would require the 11 – 20 pound product, the one labeled “medium dog” (teal colored label).

  • Katrina walker September 24, 2017, 2:07 am

    Can i get this produced to last a year yes or no

  • Angy October 21, 2017, 5:11 pm

    I bought Advantage II for 21-55 lb dogs. I came home weighed the dog and she only weighs 17lbs. Is it safe to use this?

    • Adam Retzer October 24, 2017, 2:08 pm

      I can only advise to follow the labeled directions and to use the correct product which corresponds to your dog’s weight. If you have toxicity concerns or are considering off-label use then you should contact your dog’s vet.

  • Gwynn Evans December 4, 2017, 2:48 pm

    I have a 125 pound Great Pyr and the one tube for a 55+ pound dog, just doesn’t hack it. Can I double the dosage as his weight is easily two times the 55 pound weight? Should I treat him more often until the fleas are all gone? Once they are under control, I think the one dose will work once a month.

    • Adam Retzer December 4, 2017, 6:43 pm

      I am not a licensed veterinary professional, and thus can’t legally advise any off-label usage. However, as per the label, you can re-treat early to establish control, which may be an option for your large dog. Still, it would be best to ask your veterinarian for the recommended course of action.

  • Pam Gladish January 4, 2018, 12:55 pm

    My Caviliar weighs 24 lbs. Is it harmful to use the medium dosages (21-55 of K9 advantix II. If so what type of complication can it cause?

    • Adam Retzer January 5, 2018, 12:44 pm

      It should not be harmful to use the medium dog (21-55 lbs.) dosage on your dog that is 24 lbs. That is the correct product size to use.

      As far as possible complications, it would be best to contact your veterinarian about that. Or you can research the toxicity information of the active ingredients. In K9 Advantix II, the ingredients would be imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen.

  • Maria January 4, 2018, 11:33 pm

    I applied the flea medicine on my dog while she was sleeping is that ok?

    • Adam Retzer January 5, 2018, 12:34 pm

      I can’t think of any reason why this would cause problems, provided all of the application instructions were adhered to.

  • chris Osterman February 8, 2018, 7:01 am

    My 130lb German shepherd gets a 4ml tube every 3 weeks but after 1 week he as starts scratching can I apply more single cell he is such a large dog? Please advise

    • Adam Retzer February 8, 2018, 2:09 pm

      Unfortunately, I can’t legally give advice that deviates from the labeled instructions. However, this is a valid concern about under-dosing with such a large dog, so I’d recommend contacting your veterinarian.

  • Kat March 18, 2018, 9:59 am

    Is it mainly for liability that it says “do not use on cats”?
    I buy the large dog box for our dogs, and measure it out for my cats (0.4ml for small cat, 0.8ml for big fat cats!) .. been doing that for years now … why does box say “no cats?”

    • Adam Retzer April 12, 2018, 12:35 pm

      I would assume it is for liability reasons. Even though the ingredients are same in Advantage II for Dogs and Advantage II for Cats, there are different dosages for each animal. This could lead to overdosing and toxicity issues if users don’t do their research. Also, other flea products for dogs sometimes contain permethrin, (e.g. K9 Advantix II) and this active ingredient in highly toxic to cats. Thus, giving cats a dog’s treatment could be lethal if a thoughtless habit is formed.

  • Tammy March 23, 2018, 1:59 pm

    hello… My dog is rate on the cusp of the medium dog and large dog weight for Advantage 2… My dog weighs 21 lb… Should I use the medium for dogs up to 20 lb or the large for dogs 21 to 55 lb… Just don’t want to overdose him

    • Adam Retzer April 12, 2018, 12:38 pm

      Tammy, in tricky borderline situations like this I’d recommend asking your veterinarian. I don’t want to provide any advice that could do potential harm to your dog.

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