Can you use k9 advantix ii on cats?

If you’re a pet owner, the thought of your furry friend getting fleas or ticks is enough to make you break out in a cold sweat. Luckily, there are plenty of treatments available that can help keep pesky parasites at bay. One such treatment is K9 Advantix II, which is designed specifically for dogs. But what about cats? Can they use it too? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is K9 Advantix II?

Before we dive into whether or not K9 Advantix II can be used on cats, let’s first talk about what exactly it is. Essentially, K9 Advantix II is a topical flea and tick preventative that contains two active ingredients: imidacloprid and permethrin.

Imidacloprid targets adult fleas by interfering with their nervous system in much the same way as nicotine affects humans’ nervous systems (minus the addiction and lung cancer). Meanwhile, permethrin kills both adult ticks and fleas as well as their larvae and eggs.

Together, these two ingredients provide broad-spectrum protection against some of the most common pests your dog might encounter during outdoor adventures.

Why Use Flea And Tick Preventatives?

So why bother with flea and tick preventatives in the first place? Well for one thing, these parasites are more than just annoying – they can actually pose serious health risks to animals (and humans).

Ticks especially can carry diseases like Lyme disease , ehrlichiosis , babesiosis , anaplasmosis , Rocky Mountain spotted fever (I’m only scared because I have no idea how to pronounce most of these),[1] all of which can cause symptoms ranging from fever to joint pain to neurological issues if left untreated.

Fleas may not pose quite the same level of threat when it comes to disease transmission, but they can still cause some unpleasant symptoms like itching and scratching. And if your pet has a severe flea infestation or is particularly sensitive to flea bites, it could even lead to anemia (not fun).

Can K9 Advantix II Be Used on Cats?

Now that we know a bit more about what K9 Advantix II does, let’s get back to the question at hand: can it be used on cats?

The short answer? NO. (Sorry feline friends!)

K9 Advantix II is designed specifically for dogs and contains ingredients that are safe for canine use but potentially toxic when applied to cats.

## Why Is K9 Advantix Toxic To Cats?

So why exactly is K9 Advantix toxic to cats? The answer lies in those two aforementioned active ingredients: imidacloprid and permethrin.

While imidacloprid alone isn’t necessarily dangerous for cats (in fact, it’s a common ingredient in many cat-friendly flea preventatives), when combined with permethrin – as it is in K9 Advantix II – the risk of toxicity increases.

Permethrin works by binding tightly to sodium channels in parasites’ nerve cells, essentially causing paralysis and death. But these same sodium channels are also present in mammalian nerve cells – including those of our feline friends.

When applied topically to a cat’s skin, permethrin can quickly build up within their system due its hard-to-break-down nature. This accumulation causes over-stimulation of the nervous system which leads initially irritation progressing linearly anxiety ending fatally .

And because cats groom themselves using their tongues , any residue from permethrin left on their fur after application can easily make its way into their bodies via ingestion. In short – no matter how you slice/apply/dice it – this product isn’t an option for cats.

So What Can You Use On Cats?

Now that we’ve established that K9 Advantix II is a no-go for kitties, you might be wondering what options are available instead. Here are a few cat-friendly flea and tick preventatives to consider:

1. Revolution

Revolution is a popular topical preventative among cat owners because it not only kills adult fleas but also their eggs as well as many intestinal worms[2] – talk about multitasking! It’s typically applied once monthly between the shoulder blades, where your kitty can’t reach to groom himself/herself.

2. Frontline Plus

Frontline Plus uses fipronil (which isn’t toxic to cats) and methoprene to kill both fleas and ticks while preventing reinfestation for up to four weeks. Again – safe enough for ongoing use after application

3. Advantage Multi

Advantage Multi combines imidacloprid with another active ingredient called moxidectin which target parasites differently than permethrin: it suffocates fleas by blocking their respiratory system leading them towards eternal slumber or impotence

This one does require a prescription from your veterinarian since it’s relatively new on the market compared with some other options

The bottom line – How To Keep Your Cat Flea- And Tick-Free

Keeping your pets healthy means taking proactive steps against pests like fleas and ticks in addition to regular visits at the vet’s office, feeding nutritious meals ,and using chewable toys/hard bones/ soft pet igloos/frisbees/etc . But don’t forget though (It happens!)

Just remember: if you have both dogs AND cats in the house, always be sure to treat them separately when administering flea and tick preventatives That way there isn’t any risk of cross-contamination from either licking/fur exchange/or general roll-in-each-others-bed syndrome that our animals are so fond of.

Stick to cat-friendly flea and tick preventatives (as mentioned above) for your feline friends, remember to always follow the product’s application directions , be sure you dosed correct weight-wise/frequency -And when in doubt, consult with your vet if you’re unsure which might work best for your cuddly comrade.