Fleas can infest indoor and outdoor cats, but getting rid of them isn’t impossible. In this article, you’re going to read a detailed comparison of two popular treatments, Catego vs. Advantage, and decide on the right one for your feline.
This guide will also tell you about:
- The active ingredients in each treatment.
- How each treatment works.
- What to look out for.
- And lots more.
So, if you’ve been struggling with eliminating fleas, you’ll definitely enjoy this article. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Catego vs. Advantage: Overview
Catego’s active ingredients are pyriproxyfen, dinotefuran, and fipronil. It gets rid of fleas at all stages of the life cycle, including eggs. It also eliminates chewing lice. Advantage’s active ingredients are imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen. It takes a longer time to kill adult fleas, larvae, and eggs, but it also controls and treats lice infestations. In addition, it’s waterproof, so it doesn’t lose its efficiency over time.
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Catego | Best for fast results | Check Price |
 | Advantage Multi | Safe for pregnant cats | Check Price |
Head-to-Head Comparison
If your cat started to show signs of discomfort, aggressiveness, excessive scratching, and hair loss, you might be dealing with a serious flea infestation that needs your attention ASAP.
Both Catego and Advantage are among the most popular flea treatments on the market. However, they work differently using different chemicals that deliver various benefits. We broke down their features to help you choose the right one for your feline.
Ingredients and Application
Catego comes in an easy-to-use tube and is offered in packs that contain 1, 3, or 6 doses. The main ingredients of this treatment are pyriproxyfen, dinotefuran, and fipronil that kill fleas upon contact. Your feline doesn’t have to be bitten by fleas for the chemicals to work.
These chemicals combine to create a potent treatment that gets rid of fleas at all life stages, including eggs. You need to part the cat’s fur and apply the treatment directly to the skin. The treatment dries fast and doesn’t leave a mess.
Because it’s strong, you should avoid touching your face or eyes. You should also keep it away from your cat’s eyes and make sure that it doesn’t ingest it as it might be fatal.
Advantage is also easy to apply. It comes in a package that contains 6 dosages that should be applied monthly, and the main ingredients are imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen. When applied to the cat’s skin, the treatment starts killing fleas and will also control and treat lice infestations.
With minimum irritation, this is one of the safest medications that you can use to treat fleas. However, you should make sure that your cat doesn’t ingest it. It’s recommended that you wear gloves while applying it to your cat’s skin.
Effectiveness
Catego is pretty fast when it comes to getting rid of fleas. It kills fleas within 6 hours of initial application and is 97% efficient within the first 3 hours.
Advantage releases its imidacloprid instantly when applied to the cat’s skin but starts killing fleas within 12 hours of application. Despite showing a slower effect, the results of Advantage are also satisfactory as it works for cat owners who need a gentle yet potent treatment to protect their cats from flea attacks.
As a result, Catego can be used when you’re looking for a faster remedy in case of a serious infestation. But because it’s much stronger, it might not work for a cat that is being medically treated or is allergic to any of the active ingredients.
Related: Revolution vs. Advantage Multi
Dosage
Catego is safe for any kitten that is 8 weeks or older and weighs 1.5 pounds or more. One tube is enough to show good results, although your vet might recommend repeating the treatment after one month to get rid of all the fleas. The use of Catego to treat medicated, lactating, and pregnant cats hasn’t been properly evaluated, so you might need to consult your vet or completely avoid it.
Advantage comes in two different formulas that target cats at different stages of life. The first formula is safe for kittens with no age or weight restriction. This means that younger kittens can use Advantage safely from birth. This formula works up to the weight of 4 kilograms.
The second formula is suitable for adult cats that weigh more than 4 kilograms. You don’t have to apply more of the treatment or cut down the time between applications. The chemicals are steadily released to kill the fleas within a month of application, so you can repeat the treatment when necessary.
Unlike Catego, Advantage has been approved to be used for lactating and pregnant cats. As a matter of fact, the treatment of the mother will protect the litter in case of an infestation. If your cat is medicated, you need to consult your vet before applying it.
Special Features
The most remarkable thing about Catego is that it delivers almost instant results as it doesn’t only get rid of fleas and their larvae, but it also eradicates the eggs, which is something that other treatments don’t do.
However, Advantage offers a special feature that some cat owners really admire, which is that it’s waterproof up to one week of application. After 24 hours, the treatment will stay effective, steadily releasing the chemicals to eliminate the fleas on your feline’s skin, even if it gets wet.
Side Effects
Although effective, both Catego and Advantage can cause some rare side effects. However, you need to keep an eye on your cat to consult your vet if the symptoms become worse. In very rare cases, cats can experience sensitivity reactions that cause redness, discomfort, and vomiting. The symptoms might be stronger in your kittens.
Advantage has a lower risk of causing side effects, especially if you use the special formula for your kitten. However, in rare cases, the treatment can cause minor discomfort.
Wrap Up
Catego and Advantage are potent and safe treatments that can be used to eliminate a flea infestation without allowing any chemicals to pass through the bloodstream of your feline.
In case of a severe flea infestation, Catego can show faster results, as it kills adult fleas, larvae, and eggs within a few hours. Advantage comes in two formulas, where one has been designed to treat kittens with no weight or age restrictions. It’s also safe to be used for lactating and pregnant cats. Before picking a flea treatment, you need to consult your vet to ensure that your cat isn’t allergic to any of the active ingredients.
I’ve been living with cats since 2008 and I can confidently say I have more feline friends than humans lol. I currently live with 5 cats in different life stages; two of them are less than one year old, one is 2-ish years old and the oldest two are 9-ish years old. I’ve developed a strong bond with cats over the years and I’m eager to share my experience through this blog. You can learn more about my cats here.