FRONTLINE Gold

Why it is listed

FRONTLINE Gold is the OTC topical on this ranking: a monthly fipronil spot-on with two IGRs, still described on Boehringer’s Frontline FAQ for dogs and cats. It is not a chew and not a heartworm drug. Keep the pet dry after application and match the box to species and weight.

Pros & cons

Pros

• frontline.com FAQ still describes Gold for dogs and cats: triple-action (fipronil, (S)-methoprene, pyriproxyfen), kills fleas/eggs/larvae and ticks through day 30, chewing lice.
• EPA-style registration on marketed cartons (Drugs.com label transcription: 2596-178-65331 dogs; 2596-179-65331 cats). No prescription.
• Not an isoxazoline — so it does not carry the FDA class seizure fact sheet that applies to NexGard, Bravecto, and Simparica Trio.

Cons

• We did not treat Lyme prevention as a labeled indication comparable to NexGard/Trio; Gold marketing says it kills ticks that may transmit Lyme, which is not the same as an FDA Borrelia claim.
• Official Gold FAQ: pet should stay dry 24 hours after application. Topical residue/odor vs a chew.
• frontline.com homepage currently also pushes Plus and Shield; Gold remains on the FAQ and Gold product URLs. Not a heartworm product. Use only the species and weight SKU on the box — dog formulas are not cat formulas.

Score breakdown