How to Apply Spot-On Flea Treatments

When it comes to protecting your pet from parasites like fleas, prevention is always the best course of action. Many popular brands, such as Advantage flea treatments and Frontline flea treatments, offer protection through topical spot-on treatments. 

In this blog, we show you how to apply a topical spot-on flea treatment effectively so you can rest assured your pet is protected. 

• Spot-on treatments are quick and easy to use, protecting your pet from fleas or worms as conveniently as possible.
• Always follow the product instructions when applying a spot-on to your pet, and make sure to apply it somewhere your pet can't lick it off. 
• Ensure the product is applied to your pet's skin, not their fur. Smaller pets may only need a spot-on applied in one spot, while larger pets may need applications in multiple spots down their spine to ensure maximum efficacy. 

The exact method of how a flea treatment works depends on the brand and its formula, but in most cases, once the spot-on treatment is applied, the liquid is absorbed into the skin.

Here, the active ingredient will either spread beneath the layers of your pet’s skin and kill fleas directly on contact, or it will be absorbed into your pet’s bloodstream, killing fleas once they bite your pet’s skin. 

When administering medication to your pet, always read the data leaflet. Not only can this help you to ensure you are administering the right treatment to your pet in the right dosage, but it also gives you information on any possible side effects of flea treatment and what to do if your pet experiences them. 

Also, it’s important to note that spot-on flea treatments for cats are not the same as spot-on flea treatments for dogs, and you should only administer a spot-on to the animal specified both in the data sheet and on the packaging. 

While reading the datasheet, you should find a section giving instructions on how to apply the treatment. If you missed it, we will go through the steps here as well. 

Spot-on flea treatments typically come in individually sealed blister packs, especially if the pack you bought contains more than one pipette.

If your pet tends to make themselves scarce at the sight or sound of a pipette being opened, do so in another room to not let them know. 

Each company will provide a pre-dosed pipette, and their opening mechanisms vary. Some may have a simple screw top, while others snap at the end. Open the pipette as instructed by the manufacturer and have it ready.

Some pets can recognise the sound of a pipette being opened and may make a break for it to avoid being treated. In these cases, you should open the pipette in another room from your pet so they can't hear. 

When applying a spot-on treatment, it’s important that you have your pet stay still to ensure a precise and effective application.

Small animals such as cats, smaller dogs, rabbits and ferrets can easily be held in your lap while administering a spot-on.

However, for larger breeds of dogs, try to have them sitting or lying down somewhere you can still hold them so they can’t easily get up and run away.

Spot–ons should be applied to a spot on your back where they can’t reach and lick it, typically at the base of their neck or between their shoulder blades.

For larger dogs, the treatment may need to be administered intermittently down your pet’s spine in multiple bursts towards the base of their tail to ensure maximum administration. This will be outlined in the datasheet.

Sometimes, for small animals, there may be too much liquid in the pipette for one spot application without any runoff, so applying in two spots (The base of the neck and between the shoulder blades) is recommended.

Spot-on flea treatments are only effective when applied directly to your pet’s skin, not the surrounding fur.

This can be a little tricky with longer-haired species, but you must ensure you can see your pet’s skin before attempting to apply a spot-on. 

Try wetting your fingers before parting their hair to help slick it back and see their skin. 

With the open pipette pressed to the skin (not the fur) squeeze the pipette between your thumb and forefinger.

This will deposit the treatment on your pet’s skin, where it can be absorbed and begin working as it should. 

It can be tempting to rub the treatment in to ensure it’s being absorbed, but this is unnecessary.

Once you’ve applied the spot-on treatment, make sure you allow it to dry fully before stroking your pet.

If you have a multiple-pet household, be sure to keep an eye out for group grooming, as a pet licking a spot-on treatment can result in side effects like excessive salivation. 

For your pet’s spot-on flea treatment to take effect, you must wait before bathing or allowing it to submerge itself in water. The treatment should be fully absorbed within 48 hours, after which time it’s perfectly fine to bathe your pet without affecting the treatment. 

If you're looking for a flea treatment that isn't affected by bathing your pet, we recommend using either a flea collar, like these Seresto Flea & Tick Collars, or a flea tablet like these Advantage™ Chewable Flea & Tick Tablets.

The brand and strength of your spot-on flea treatment will determine how long you must wait between applications. The typical waiting period is four weeks, after which your pet will no longer be protected from fleas. 

If your pet has an infestation of fleas and your first treatment doesn’t work, it’s important not to apply another treatment before the four-week mark, as it may lead to an overdose.