It’s happened to all of us. We’ve gone to grab the Frontline off the shelf, only to realize that it expired last month. Now we’re standing in the pet aisle, wondering if it’s safe to use expired Frontline on our dog.
The short answer is no, you should not use expired Frontline on your dog. Here’s what you need to know about using this flea and tick medication past its expiration date.
- Check the expiration date on the Frontline bottle
- If it is expired, do not use it on your dog
- If ok, part your dog’s hair between shoulder blades. Place applicator tip just above the skin of your pooch and squeeze. Apply entire contents of applicator in a single spot directly onto your dog’s skin. Do not apply on top of hair coat of your furry friend.
- Avoid getting Frontline in your dog’s eyes or mouth
Where is Expiration Date on Frontline?
If you’re looking for the expiration date on a bottle of Frontline, it’s located on the side of the outer packaging, on the pipette foil at the bottom and on the pipette itself.
The expiration date will be printed in mm/dd/yy format. Now that you know where to find the expiration date, you might be wondering why it’s important. After all, Frontline is designed to protect your pet from fleas and ticks, so it should work no matter when you use it, right?
Well, not quite. Like all medications, Frontline’s efficacy begins to decline over time. So if you use it after the expiration date has passed, your pet may not be as well protected as they could be.
So what should you do if you have an old bottle of Frontline that’s about to expire? The best thing to do is to get a new one.
Is It Ok to Give a Dog Expired Medicine?
No, it is not ok to give a dog expired medicine. The efficacy of the medication may be decreased and it could potentially do more harm than good. If you must give your dog medication, always check the expiration date and make sure it is still within its shelf life.
What Happens If You Use Expired Flea Treatment?
If you use expired flea treatment, it may not be as effective as it once was. The ingredients in the treatment may have degraded over time, making it less potent. Additionally, expired flea treatment may not be safe to use, as the chemicals may have become unstable and could potentially harm your pet.
If you’re unsure whether your flea treatment is still effective or safe to use, speak with your veterinarian for guidance.
How Long is Frontline Good For?
Frontline keeps your dog flea-free for at least one month. If you are in a paralysis tick area, apply FRONTLINE PLUS FOR DOGS every 2 weeks to provide paralysis tick control for your furry friend.
Does Frontline Shield for Dogs Expire?
No, Frontline Shield for Dogs does not expire. The active ingredients in the medication (fipronil and methoprene) remain effective indefinitely when stored properly.
Is Frontline Plus for Dogs Good For Flea Treatment?
There are a lot of different products on the market that claim to be able to protect your dog from fleas and ticks, but not all of them are created equal. Frontline Plus for Dogs is one of the most popular and trusted brands out there, and for good reason. It contains fipronil and (S)-methoprene – two active ingredients that work together to kill adult fleas, eggs, and larvae, as well as ticks.
It’s also waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying it after your dog goes for a swim. Best of all? It starts working within 24 hours and continues to protect your pup for up to 30 days.
Find Out Whether You Can Use These on Your Dog
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to cut down on expenses, you might be tempted to use an expired flea and tick medication on your dog. But should you? Here’s the scoop.
The answer is no—thoroughly expired flea and tick medications are inherently dangerous for dogs. Since they contain pesticides, they can cause severe harm to your pet if not used by their expiration date. Frontline Plus has a shelf life of 3 years and Advantix has a shelf life of 7 years; if these products have been sitting in your medicine cabinet for much longer than that, it’s probably not safe to use them on your dog—even if it seems like they still appear to be in perfect condition.