Vantagem and Advantage II, produced by Bayer, are effective topical treatments that provide month-long protection against adult fleas for dogs and cats. Topical treatments are popular with pet owners due to the way they kill parasites. Because the product works through contact, fleas do not need to bite your pet in order to be killed.

The key difference is that the updated Advantage II contains an additional active ingredient, Pyriproxyfen, which also eliminates fleas at the egg and larvae stages, and helps to control lice infestations.

Advantageis for use only on dogs and cats over 8 weeks of age. Advantage II may be used on dogs as young as 7 weeks and cats from 8 weeks of age.

The exact product required depends on your pet’s body weight, so please ensure you weigh your pet before administering any medicated treatment. Advantage for dogs and Advantage II for dogs must not be used on cats.

Top tip: Fleas and ticks can carry nasty diseases, but protecting your pet doesn’t need to be difficult. Use our comparison chart to weigh up the pros and cons of the most popular products.