I use Hartz tick and flea removal -- it's the same idea as Frontline, just a little cheaper and I can buy it at the pet store. Has anyone heard anything bad/good about using a different brand than Frontline?

Yup - they don't work!! I tried the Bob Martin spot on when I spotted a single flea on one of my boys last summer. Within three weeks they were crawling. Frontline got shot within days and not a sign since. Costs about four times as much but at least it worked.

Pam n the boys

It might be the same principle (ie spot on) but it isnt the same contents....which is why the more powerful (effective!) one comes from the vets. Any flea treatments that come over the counter from a pet shop are generally a waste of money.

I tried frontline and it didn't work at all for my dog, maybe coz she spends so much time in rivers etc. We use program flea tablets which work by making any fleas which bite the dog infertile. They are brilliant (although they are £25odd for 6 months worth).

I wouldn't waste your money - the stuff from the vets is a lot better (in the way it kills the fleas, whereas the shop stuff never seems to!), and not really that much more expensive.
If you think of how much you would have to pay to clear a house of fleas if the shop treatment didn't work, and compare it to what you'll pay for vet flea treatment, it is actually a good deal.
We have Sky on Stronghold, and it works out at around £8 a month, although in the winter we move that to two monthly.
Lisa
xx
Ps. I've seen my friend's cats have severe allergic reactions to the shop bought product - foaming at the mouth, tongue swelling, the works.

Thanks for the advice everyone -- I used Hartz last summer and didn't have any problems, but I don't think I'm going to take the chance this year.