Fipronil Flea and Tick Spot-On for Dogs and Cats (Frontline, GABA Antagonist, Bee Toxicity, Environmental Persistence) — pet safety profile
Moderate riskFipronil (brand: Frontline) is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that blocks GABA-gated chloride channels in arthropod nervous systems, providing broad-spectrum flea and tick control for both dogs and cats.
What is this product?
Fipronil (brand: Frontline) is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that blocks GABA-gated chloride channels in arthropod nervous systems, providing broad-spectrum flea and tick control for both dogs and cats. Unlike permethrin, fipronil is safe for cats at label doses, making it the standard topical choice for multi-species households. Applied monthly as a spot-on, fipronil distributes across the skin via sebaceous glands within 24 hours. Environmental concerns are significant: fipronil is highly toxic to bees (contact LD50 4.2 ng/bee), persists in soil with a half-life of 125 days, and its degradate fipronil sulfone bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains. The EU restricted fipronil seed treatments in 2013 (alongside neonicotinoids) to protect pollinators, though veterinary topical use remains permitted.
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Active Ingredient
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