Frontline alternatives, are they safe?

I've seen at least 2 ads for Fronline alternatives that are supposed to have the same active ingredients, but cost half the price. Are they safe?

Have yet to hear anything safety wise but have heard more then a couple people talk about them not working.  Not sure if it is one brand in particular or what. 
 

A lot of cheaper flea control medications are very unsafe. The reason that these products are cheaper than Frontline, is even though the active ingredients are the same, they have different inactive ingredients. The inactive ingredients are made cheaper than Frontline and could make the product potentially harmful to cats.

Never use Hartz flea products on your cat. They are very harmful and have killed many dogs and cats. It's terrible that stores will even carry these harmful flea products on their shelves despite the horrible things that they can do to animals.

It is always best to go with a brand you trust when it comes to flea products like Revolution, Advantage and Frontline. I know they are very expensive but it is really worth the health of your pet. :nod:

I just wish they would put warnings on the Hartz flea product packages, saying that there are risks associated with these products and that they may become unsafe. Or just take them off the shelves altogether.

Anyway, I've heard about Zodiac, I saw it in the pet store for half the price of Frontline. I haven't looked into it but it seems to be a safe product from what I've seen.

Hope that helps, good luck.

That's what I figured, I'll play it safe and stick to Fronline I know it's safe and works great.

I've also heard nothing but terrible things about Hartz. I made the mistake of buying this for my chihuahua a few months back—and immediately scrubbed it off him when I read about the problems it can cause. He's perfectly fine, luckily.

From what I know, Advantage is safe, and the dog and cat formula is exactly the same (only for Advantage, not Advantix). I've had vets recommend buying the large dog formula to save money and measuring out appropriate quantities for cats (here's a page I found on it). I wouldn't try this unless you get an okay from a vet you trust, and the amount you're supposed to use. Using other dog products on cats can kill them, so you have to be careful.

It's something to look into, however.

I remember years ago the Hartz flea collars, my first cat had that for years before we found out how bad it was but by then it was too late. I would never suggest flea collars at all now.
 

bugmankeith, that reminds me that many years ago I got some Zodiac-brand flea collars for two of my cats. Almost as soon as I put them on, they started pawing and foaming at the mouth. I took them off immediately and scrubbed the area. They were fine after that, but it was pretty scary! I never use flea collars since then, and it struck me how uncomfortable they must be. Those things stink, and I can't imagine our poor cats having to put up with them all day. 

Zodiac, by the way, is made by Hartz. I'm now avoiding both names like the plague.