Frontline Plus for Dogs Dosage

frontline plus for dogs box

Summary

Frontline Plus for dogs and puppies is available in four products, each corresponding with a specific weight range of dogs. 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 Frontline Plus for Dogs has the same active ingredients at less than half the cost.

Details

Frontline Plus for Dogs
Dosage by Weight

Dog Weight Monthly Dose
5 to 22 lbs 0.67 mL (0.023 fl oz)
23 to 44 lbs 1.34 mL (0.045 fl oz)
45 to 88 lbs 2.68 mL (0.091 fl oz)
89 to 132 lbs 4.02 mL (0.136 fl oz)

Frontline Plus for Dogs
Product Information Chart

Dog Age 8 weeks or older
Dog Weight see chart above
Monthly Dose see chart above
Kills adults, eggs & larvae
Dose Duration 30 days
Ingredients 9.8% fipronil
8.8% (S)-methoprene
81.4% inert ingredients
Product Label view
MSDS view
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Apply the Correct Dosage

Flea medications can fail. The infestation may continue if the manufacturer’s instructions aren’t adhered to. These drops are precisely formulated and tested for dogs in specific weight ranges. The full correct dose needs to be administered. Pet owners will sometimes under-dose their animals when they’re concerned about toxicity or if they’re trying to save money by splitting treatments.

References

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  • M Cagnetto August 19, 2016, 1:15 am

    My dog weighed 44.9 pounds today at the vet. I am concerned about not under dosing her or over dosing as she is on the cusp of each. She is 1 1/2 years old.
    Thanks,
    MC

    • Adam Retzer August 21, 2016, 9:27 pm

      Based on the product label, I think you’d be okay using either formulation, without worrying about under-dosing or over-dosing.

    • Jane March 25, 2018, 6:30 am

      I have 2 dogs, one is 13 pounds and the other is 6.2 pounds. I use the frontline plus for up to 22 pounds , can I split a dose between the 2 dogs?

      • Adam Retzer April 12, 2018, 12:26 pm

        It should be safe to use the up 22 pounds product on both dogs, since both fall in this weight range. However, splitting a single treatment between two dogs will likely lead to underdosing. As a result, it may not effectively control the fleas. Adhering to the labeled instructions is the best way to to control fleas.

  • Kelly August 29, 2016, 11:01 pm

    My English mastiff weighs 170 lb. Do I increase the dosage?

    • Adam Retzer August 29, 2016, 5:46 pm

      Hi Kelly, good question. Unfortunately, I lack the qualifications to address queries related to off-label use. I recommend contacting your pet’s veterinarian. Alternatively, you can contact Merial directly. Here’s Merial’s customer service phone number: 1-800-660-1842 (from the official Frontline Plus website).

    • Linda M September 8, 2016, 9:56 pm

      Based on their dosage chart, your dog is equal to 2 large size dogs. According to their ranges the high end of large is 88# so x 2 would be 176#. You should be safe using 2 size large doses which would be 5.36 ml. I’m no vet and you should confirm with yours but that’s the math using their charts 😉 One would hope that the math holds true since the dosage for each category is double the amount of the previous one. That’s one big dog you’ve got, I hope the fleas don’t match!

      • Adam Retzer September 9, 2016, 11:54 am

        Thanks Linda. I’d just like to reiterate, anyone doing off-label use needs to contact their veterinarian first. There could be unforeseen toxicity issues. Due diligence should be done to keep pets safe.

  • Mary September 13, 2016, 11:14 am

    My youngest dog is only 3 pounds. She is 3 years old and in terrific health. How much Frontline Plus do I give her.

    • Adam Retzer September 13, 2016, 3:55 pm

      Hello Mary. Unfortunately, I can’t help much. You’ll have to contact your dog’s veterinarian so they can determine a safe dose. Off-label usage could lead to toxicity issues without the guidance of a trained professional.

  • Christian October 22, 2016, 10:00 am

    Hi! I have 9 shihtzus, and all of them are under 10kg. can i buy the large breed size (which is the violet one) then divide it by four? So i will administer 0.67ml on each dog. So that i can save a couple of bucks?

    • Adam Retzer October 29, 2016, 3:26 pm

      I can’t recommend off-label use of the products. But if your dogs are under 10kg, then you are correct, they should receive a 0.67 ml dose, based on the product label.

  • J Grimes November 10, 2016, 6:46 pm

    My dog is 6 months old and weighs 44.4 lbs. We have two other dogs that use the 45-88lb frontline. Would my dog, who weighs 44.4 lbs be okay using the 45-88 lbs frontline?

    • Adam Retzer November 11, 2016, 3:34 pm

      I’d recommend following the product guidelines. I don’t have the credentials to offer off-label advice for insecticide products. You may want to contact your dog’s vet for recommendations, as the dog’s weight is right in-between products.

  • Laurie March 20, 2017, 12:21 am

    I have a puppy a chihuhua about 5 or 6 months old but she only weighs 4 1/2 pounds the frontline plus i got says 5 pounds i know its only a half pd less but im still concerned can i give her the front line plus for 5pds?

    • Adam Retzer March 20, 2017, 6:58 pm

      The only thing I’m qualified to say is follow the labeled instructions. I’m sorry I can’t help more. You may want to contact your vet if you’re concerned or want more clarification.

  • Ron May 11, 2017, 8:20 am

    I have a dose 3 pack for small dogs.023 floz.Can I give these to my 89 lb golden retriever safely?Thank you

    • Adam Retzer May 12, 2017, 4:51 pm

      Ron, unfortunately I am unable to answer any questions related to off-label use.

  • Annie Rivas May 19, 2017, 5:54 pm

    My Australian Shepherd is 45lbs and he is almost 9 months old. I am unsure on which frontline to buy for him?

    • Adam Retzer May 23, 2017, 2:40 pm

      The 45 to 88 lbs product would be the correct one, based on your dog’s weight.

      Your dog’s weight is close to being on the borderline between two of the products. If you have further concerns, I recommend contacting your vet. I can’t offer advice that differs from the labeled instructions.

  • Herbie July 18, 2017, 11:17 pm

    I have 2 yorkies. One is 2 1/2 lbs, the other 3 1/2 lbs. I could only purchase the flea meds for dogs 5 lbs up. I was worried about their weight and using a full vile on each so I put half on one dog and the other half on the other because of them being small. Did I do the right thing ? Trying to be safe. The price is no problem. Will the medication be effective by doing it, divided between both ? Thanks

    • Adam Retzer July 30, 2017, 2:11 pm

      Herbie, I can’t advise you on off-label usage, for legal reasons. I’d recommend you contact your dogs’ veterinarian with this concern.

      • Garfie November 6, 2017, 1:02 pm

        I tired splitting between two emperial toy Shih Tzus, just as you are considering. Both Tzus now have fleas and are getting ticks. I am a medical professional. Mathmatically everything checks out. For me it didn’t work.

  • Michele Odle July 22, 2017, 12:50 pm

    My dog Penelope is losing her hair badly. We gave her Comfortis June 17 and has got worse. We think that maybe she is allergic to what is in it. Can you recommend anything else. When using frontline plus will i give her the whole 5-22 pound tube. She only weighs 8 pounds and is a Shih Tzu. Thank you

    Michele Odle

    • Adam Retzer July 30, 2017, 2:53 pm

      Yes, the full 5-22 lb. tube of Frontline Plus should be given if your dog is 8 pounds.

      Another option is Advantage II for Dogs. You can also find cheaper, generic versions of Frontline Plus and Advantage II. Take a look at Advecta II for Dogs (same ingredients as Advantage II) and Fiproguard Plus for Dogs (same ingredients as Frontline Plus).

      If you are worried that your dog is allergic to Comfortis, avoid any other treatments with spinosad as the active ingredient. You may also want to talk to your vet about this.

  • Linda R August 10, 2017, 9:12 am

    I bought the frontline plus for 23-44lbs but my dog is around 18.8 is he too small. Can I just give him half?

    • Adam Retzer August 13, 2017, 4:54 pm

      I am sorry, but I can’t legally recommend any off-label use. I can only advise to follow the labeled instructions and to use the correct product that corresponds to your dog’s weight.

  • Courtney Adair August 24, 2017, 12:51 pm

    We adopted a rescue last week and he has fleas. The shelter tech said he received frontline 3.5 weeks ago. Is it ok for me to apply a petlock max topical treatment right away?

    • Adam Retzer September 28, 2017, 11:44 am

      I would wait the extra few days, as per the Frontline instructions for the dosing schedule. I can’t advise any off-label use. I apologize for the delayed response.

  • Oscar Blas October 8, 2017, 5:39 pm

    My pug is 21 pounds. If I can’t find the proper weight Frontline, can I get her the Frontline that’s 23+?

    • Adam Retzer October 16, 2017, 2:38 pm

      I can only advise to get the treatment that correctly corresponds to her weight. Advising off-label use is against the law. It would be better to address this issue with your dog’s veterinarian.

  • Serena October 10, 2017, 5:58 pm

    My dog weighs around 20lbs but my mother bought it for 45lbs-88lbs and put the medicine on her, is my dog in danger?

    • Adam Retzer October 16, 2017, 2:52 pm

      Yes, this could result in toxicity issues. Contact your dog’s veterinarian for further information about possible concerns and actions you need to take.

  • Rachael Humphrey October 22, 2017, 4:48 am

    My dog is 5 months and only weighs 4 pounds and since the frontline plus is for 5-22 pounds, I decided to give my dog a half dose thinking it would be fine. I’ve seen one flee on him and since giving frontline I still see the one. Is there something I can give him that is safe? It has only been 8 days since I have had him on frontline. Can I just give him the rest of the dose?

    • Adam Retzer October 24, 2017, 2:30 pm

      I’d recommend contacting your veterinarian for advice about giving him the rest of the dose. You may be underdosing the dog, but I don’t want to give potentially hazardous advice. Plus, I can’t legally give any recommendations that deviate from the labeled instructions.

      Keep in the mind, 95-99% of infestations are eggs, larvae, and pupae living in the environment (usually carpets). As these stages mature and emerge, they will jump onto the treated dog. So it’s normal to see fleas on pets, even after they are properly treated. It can take a few hours for the fleas to succumb to the insecticide, but they shouldn’t be able to survive long enough to lay eggs. It takes around 8 weeks for infestations to end, and it’s normal to see fleas here and there until then.

  • Douglas Kelban November 7, 2017, 12:45 pm

    Hi, and thanks in advance. I have a 23 pound Bichon Frise. Should I give him the “up to 22 pounds”, or the next higher dose. He is 9 years old and in good health.

    • Adam Retzer November 13, 2017, 12:16 pm

      Douglas, I am not a veterinary professional, so I can only advise to follow the labeled instructions. So, I’d say use the product for 23 to 44 lb. dogs. However, your dog is right on the borderline. If you are worried about toxicity and over-dosing, or under-dosing with the 5 to 22 lb product, I’d advise you contact your dog’s veterinarian.

  • Hannah November 28, 2017, 1:16 pm

    My almost 5 month old puppy was 21.8lbs when I weighed him at the vet two days ago. I have two questions: my puppy is infested with fleas at the moment, he was last treated 19 days ago, I’ve read that you can reapply frontline after two weeks but that was only one source. Do you happen to know if that is safe or should I hold out until the 30 day mark hits? Second, since he’s around the cusp between the 5-22lb and the 23-45lb and places rarely sell the single does, would it be safe to give him the dose from the 23-45lb package since he’s only 1.2lbs shy of meeting that weight range?

    • Adam Retzer November 29, 2017, 4:45 pm

      Advantage II for Dogs and K9 Advantix II both have it written on their product labels and directions that you can retreat early if necessary. Unfortunately, Frontline Plus doesn’t have this included in the directions, perhaps because of the difference in active ingredients. I can’t legally give advice that deviates from the label. However, your dog’s veterinarian should be able to advise you about retreating early.

      With regard to the weight questions, again I can’t offer advice that deviates from the label. I apologize. This is probably another question only a licensed veterinarian can answer.

  • Mike March 10, 2018, 11:36 am

    Can i safely use this on my 3.5 lb., 4 month old dog(puppy)

    • Adam Retzer April 12, 2018, 12:23 pm

      Mike, according the label, you shouldn’t use this product until the dog is at least 5 pounds. It would be best to contact your veterinarian for treatment advise.

  • Jill McGregor March 26, 2018, 6:43 am

    My Cairn is 7.8 kilos I put 10 kilo treatment on him , spilt a bit on my hand . Will he be ok ?

    • Adam Retzer April 12, 2018, 12:27 pm

      I can’t provide any insight into an issue that differs from the label, as it may affect your dog. I would recommend contacting your veterinarian.

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