Frontline spray is a topical application spray manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim (formerly Merial) that is used to kill fleas and ticks, as well as provide prevention against infestations by fleas and ticks and the diseases they cause.
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In this article, you’ll learn what Frontline spray for cats targets, how it differs from regular Frontline spot-on products, potential side effects, and some frequently asked questions.
About Frontline Spray for Cats
Like the traditional Frontline spot-on products, Frontline spray’s active ingredient is fipronil. Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole antiparasitic agent, and is technically classified as a pesticide. In invertebrates (including insects like fleas and arachnids like ticks and mites), it interrupts GABA-regulated nerve channels, causing neurologic overexcitement, disruption, and death.
However, unlike the spot-on products, like Frontline Plus and Frontline GOLD, Frontline spray is not applied to a single spot at the base of the neck. In the case of Frontline Spray for cats, the product is applied more liberally depending on a pet’s weight, in several places and worked into the fur coat to ensure wide coverage.
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What Does Frontline Spray Do for Cats?
Frontline Spray contains only fipronil, which means that it doesn’t provide as much prevention coverage as the newer spot-on product innovations Frontline Plus and Frontline GOLD.
Fipronil kills all life stages of ticks, including the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum), and deer ticks/black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). It is used to treat tick infestations and prevent reinfestation.
As a flea control product, fipronil can only kill the adults. Since it doesn’t contain an insect growth regulator like (S)-methoprene or pyriproxyfen like Frontline Plus or Frontline GOLD, Frontline Spray doesn’t have the ability to target flea eggs or larvae.
This does mean that eggs and larvae may still develop into adult fleas, so it may be possible to see new adults emerge after a couple of weeks of initially killing the original adult flea infestation.
Frontline spray is effective against chewing lice.
An advantage of Frontline Spray is that it does kill all adult fleas and ticks on contact. The spray is applied over the cat’s entire body (versus just one spot like the spot-on products, where it may take 24 hours for the product to spread throughout the oils on a cat’s skin). The spray may be faster and more effective at initially killing an active infestation of fleas or ticks.
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Another potential advantage of Frontline Spray is that, according to the manufacturer, it can last for up to eight weeks in cats for treatment and prevention of fleas. However, for cats that suffer from flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic response to flea saliva), the manufacturer recommends using monthly. Adequate coverage against ticks also generally requires monthly use.
Frontline Spray for cats is considered waterproof, but the manufacturer does recommend waiting 48 hours before bathing, and to use a soap-free shampoo.
Following application of any Frontline product, it’s important to note that because fipronil causes neurologic overexcitement in the flea prior to killing it, more fleas may become visible and active following application of the product.
It’s also important to note that Frontline does not treat or prevent intestinal parasites or mosquito-borne heartworms in cats.
Side Effects of Frontline Spray for Cats
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When used properly, side effects of Frontline products are uncommon. Frontline products generally are only labeled for cats 8 weeks of age or older in the US.
Due to the ability to cater the spray’s dosage amount to patient size and weight, some manufacturer labeling does indicate that the spray specifically can be used in kittens as young as 2 days old. However, it is important to note that this is only found on some non-U.S. labeling. If you have a kitten less than 8 weeks old, make sure to check with your veterinarian before using Frontline Spray.
The most commonly reported effect for Frontline products is a temporary irritation at the application site. Red, irritated skin has also been reported, but is considered rare and depends on individual sensitivities. If this occurs, it is more likely a kitty has a hypersensitivity or allergy to fipronil.
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While Frontline products should never be ingested, fipronil generally appears to have a low potential for toxicity both topically and even if accidentally ingested.
However, the products are very bitter tasting. If a kitty were to lick recently applied Frontline off either themselves or a housemate, the bitter taste alone can lead to excessive drooling, agitation, and sometimes even vomiting.
According to DVM360’s article “Toxicology Brief: The 10 most common toxicoses in cats,” this effect is typically not a true toxicity, but a sometimes dramatic reaction to the bitter taste. Providing milk or liquid from a tuna can help resolve the signs in short order.
Unlike with the spot-on products where the single dose can be placed at the base of the neck where a kitty can’t reach to lick it off, it is generally more challenging with the spray to reduce the risk for a kitty licking the product off, owing to the need for the product to applied to the whole fur coat and worked into the skin across the whole body.
This also presents a challenge for multiple cat households where lots of co-grooming occurs. Compared to the spot-on, it would be even more important to separate housemate kitties for up to 24 hours after application to allow the product to fully dry.
Although in many cases Frontline products for dogs should not be used on cats, the spray is labeled for use in both cats and dogs. This is largely because the dosing can be specifically catered to the size of the pet.
If you have any concerns for potential toxicity, even if you think your kitty might have just licked some Frontline off their fur and is having a bitter taste reaction, it is always best to contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435), or Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661) immediately for further advice.
Lastly, topical products like Frontline have been known to cause skin and eye irritation in people. It is best to wear disposable gloves when applying the spray and to wash your hands after.
Also Read: Flea And Tick Medication Poisoning In Cats
Frontline Spray for Cats Dosage
Frontline Spray is dosed based on the weight of the cat it’s being applied on. The label on the spray bottle does include a weight-based dosing chart to refer to for both cats and dogs.
It’s important to note here that the spray cannot be used in a single application spot at the base of the head the way the spot-on products can be used. Spot-on products have a carrier agent that allow the drug to spread throughout the oils of the coat over about 18 to 24 hours. The spray must be used more liberally across the entire coat and body to be effective.
The dose the manufacturer recommends is two to four pumps of spray per kilogram of body weight. For an average 10-pound cat, this roughly equates to eight to 10 sprays at the low end and 16 to 20 sprays at the high end. Whether the low or high end of the range is used could depend on the burden of flea buildup or ticks seen, the length of the hair coat (long hair coats may require more applied product), and whether the goal is direct treatment to kill parasites, or for prevention.
The manufacturer recommends applying the spray from a distance of 10 to 20 centimeters (about 4 to 8 inches). The spray should be applied against the lay of the coat so that the spray can be worked down toward the skin more effectively.
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According to the manufacturer, the entire coat should be wet with the spray (including the animal’s back and abdomen), after which it should be thoroughly worked through the coat, down to the skin. It should be noted that gloves should always be worn during the process and hands should be thoroughly washed after.
Comparing Frontline Spray and Frontline Spot-on Products
When considering use of either the Frontline Spray or the Frontline spot-on products, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.
One major advantage of Frontline Spray is fast-acting with a faster kill time for adult fleas and ticks, owing to the product being directly applied across the entire body. While the spot-on products like Frontline Plus and Frontline GOLD can start to work within four hours and 30 minutes respectively, their full effects to kill 100% of fleas and ticks may still take 12 to 18 hours as the spot-on product spreads over the skin.
Frontline Spray is also far more cost-effective, especially since it can be used on both dogs and cats in a multiple pet household.
Also Read: Common Skin Problems In Cats: Causes and Treatments
There are a couple of disadvantages to using Frontline Spray over one of the spot-on products.
The first is that the Frontline Spray does not directly treat all life stages of the flea (eggs and larvae) as it does not contain an insect growth regulator ingredient. This means that after spraying a cat with an active flea infestation, more fleas are likely to appear a couple weeks later. This will take longer for an active infestation of the home to get under control and extra diligence should be taken toward treating the home environment.
The second disadvantage is in the application process. Keeping a kitty still for a single spot-on application is feasible in most cases, though some kitty parents even have trouble with this. Generally, applying a spray liberally to a cat’s body and needing to work it into the fur coat is intensive and many grown cats may not sit still well for it.
Application is also generally messier, requiring gloves and possibly keeping a kitty that has had the spray recently applied in a confined area like a bathroom for at least 24 hours until the spray fully dries to prevent it from ending up on upholstery and furniture.
While fipronil is considered a safe product for use in cats, application of the spray does introduce a lot more variation in dose for a cat, making it easy for too much (or not enough) spray to be applied. A pet parent must estimate the number of sprays to use based on weight and other factors. This is different from the single measured dose of a spot-on product.
Also Read: Cat Fleas: Identification, Life Cycle, and Treatment
If your kitty is heavily infested with fleas or ticks, it’s still important to review the dosing chart guidelines to make sure not to apply far more sprays of product than are necessary.
Lastly, application of a full body spray does make it difficult to keep a cat from licking the product off. A spot-on product can be applied to a single area at the base of the head, which is an area a cat cannot reach to lick the product off.
The Frontline product is not intended to be ingested and instructions do indicate to avoid getting in a pet’s eyes or mouth. A bitter taste response involving excessive drooling (hypersalivation) more likely to occur with use of the spray product in a cat.
Conclusion
Frontline Spray is an effective flea and tick control product and is a cost-effective way to address a flea and tick infestation, especially if a kitty has a heavy burden of parasites that need to be killed quickly. Also, some manufacturer labeling indicates that Frontline Spray can be used safely in very young kittens (non-U.S. labeling only; consult your veterinarian before using if your kitten is less than 8 weeks old).
However, Frontline Spray doesn’t address all stages of the flea life cycle and compared to a spot-on product, the spray presents a greater risk for bitter taste reactions from a cat licking the product off, and may involve a more difficult application process.
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