The best flea tablets for cats are fast acting and reliable. How do you know which ones work the best? Word of mouth is helpful but not always an option. By the time you have finished this article you will know which flea tablet to choose for your cat and how often to give a tablet.
Why Use Cat Flea Tablets?
A flea tablet or pill is normally (but not always) a one off treatment.
Cat flea tablets effectively treat a flea infestation and work quickly. This is an option that is commonly used in shelters. They have to get rid of fleas fast.
How Often Does A cat Have A Flea tablet?
A pill can be given as a once off or as required AND there is one brand that has 30 days coverage. Some of the tablets referred to below contain a product called nitenpyram. There is more information about nitenpyram and how it works here.
| 1. Capstar Flea Tablets – Daily Treatment or as Required – Prescription not needed. | |
| 2. Flea Away Natural Flea Repellent – Daily Treatment or as Required – Prescription not needed. | |
| 3. Comfortis Tablets For Cats And Dogs – Lasts 30 days – Prescription needed. | |
| 4. Cap Action Oral Flea Treatment For Cats – Daily Treatment or as Required – Prescription not needed. | |
| How To Get The Cat To Take A Cat Flea Tablet? | |
| FAQ- Cat Flea Pills |
Cat Flea Tablets Reviews
1. Capstar Flea Tablets
Dosage – One tablet daily for cats or as required to achieve flea control.
This is a very fast acting treatment. It starts working within 30 minutes and will kill 90% of fleas on your cat within 6 hours of treatment. When you just need those fleas gone these flea pills are very effective. It is a one off treatment that can be used as often as needed. It is safe to use once per day, with or without food. It is often used in shelters to combat flea infestations.
Be aware that this is not a treatment that lasts for 30 days. You can repeat as necessary or you may choose to use this product in conjunction with other flea medicine.
There are 6 tables in this pack suitable for cats from 2 lbs to 25 lbs.
For best results treat all infected cats and dogs in your household so that re infestation doesn’t take place. There are different tablets for cats and dogs.
This medication is in the form of a tablet. Either crush the tablet and add to your cat’s food in a pill pocket or use a pill popper.
Here are some detailed instructions, explaining how to give your cat a tablet using a pill popper. Cats can be finicky about taking tablets and will often not eat food that contains crushed up medication. It takes some creative thinking.
Pros
Very efficient when used on a daily basis.
Often used by shelters for flea infestations.
Cons
This is a daily treatment or as needed. It is not a monthly treatment.
Costly if you have multiple cats.
Specifications
Capstar kills adult fleas. Capstar is available in a pack with 6 tablets or in a bundle of 2 packs. The active ingredient is – Nitenpyram 11.4mg. Capstar is available without a prescription. Check the expiry on the packet. There are different doses for cats and dogs. Capstar may also be used with flea shampoos, heartworm preventives, antibiotics, vaccines and de-worming medications.
Can kittens have flea tablets? This article explains the best treatments for kittens, how old the kittens need to be and the doses of the medication required. It also includes pros and cons so that you can decide what will best suit your situation.
2. Flea Away Natural Flea Repellent
Dosage – One tablet daily for cats.
Flea Away is an natural option. It is a vitamin complex made to FDA human standards. The ingredients are listed below in the Specifications. The product is is essentially water soluble vitamins.
How does it work? Using the vitamin complex it masks the smell of Co2 which is what attracts the fleas to bite. Even if you do see a flea it won’t bite. Check your cat’s tummy for the most obvious place to see fleas.
It will take approximately 30 days for your cat to build up resistance to fleas. In the meantime you may want to give your cat a shampoo to get rid of fleas or use a different natural option of flea control. For example, using diatomaceous earth. The tablet is quite large so definitely with a cat I would suggest reading this article about how to use a pill popper.
It is sourced and manufactured in the USA.
Pros
Made in the USA. Natural option.
Good value, 100 tablets in the container.
The tablets can be crushed and given with food.
Cons
It is not a quick fix, it takes at least 30 days to see results. In the meantime you will still need to be treating areas of your home where fleas may be present.
Tablets are large for a cat.
Specifications
Active Ingredients : Proprietary blend of (Brewers Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Cyanocobalamin, Folic Acid, Niacin, Pyridoxine HCI, Thiamine HCI, dl-alpha-tocopherylacetate). Inactive Ingredients : Beef Liver, Gelatin, Gelatin Hydrolysate Beef, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid. There are 100 tablets in the bottle.
3. Comfortis Chewable Flea Tablets For Cats and Dogs
Dosage – One tablet lasts 30 days
Four essential things to know about Comfortis.
1. It is prescription only
2. It is chew-able
3. It is a once per month treatment
4. Cats must be 14 weeks or older to use this medication.
Comfortis is a prescription medication. You do not need to have the prescription before placing an order.
If you select “I want Chewy to contact my veterinarian” when placing your order, Chewy will contact your veterinarian on your behalf to get approval for your pet’s prescription.
Note that there are different doses for different size cats so make sure that you have the correct tablet for the weight of your cat. The active ingredient is Spinosad. If you suspect that your cat is pregnant please consult your vet before using this medication.
Efficiency wise it has an outstanding reputation with fleas being killed within 30 minutes and 98% of fleas killed on cats in a four hour period. This was in a controlled situation.
It works by killing fleas before they lay eggs. If you see fleas on your cat within the monthly time frame that Comfortis gives for protection they will most likely be new fleas. Continued use of this medication ensures that new infestations will be prevented.
Pros
Works well, even out in the country
Easy to administer, only once per month
Works quickly
Can’t wash off
Cons
Needs a vet prescription – Chewy will contact your vet. A con in this case can turn into a pro. It depends whether getting script is a hassle for you.
Specifications
There are different Comfortis products for different weight animals. This product is for cats weighing 4.1 – 6 pounds – the Pink Box. There is also this product for cats weighing 6.1 -12 pounds – the Orange Box. There is also this product for cats weighing 12.1 – 24 pounds – the Green Box.
Click on this link for more information regarding pets with allergies, side effects, how to administer and dosage
This is another option that lasts for 30 days. Cat flea drops that are applied once per month.
4. Cap Action Oral Flea Treatment For Cats
Dosage – One tablet daily for cats or as required to achieve flea control.
It takes around 30 minutes for this treatment to start working and in 6 hours, it will have achieved 90% flea control.
It is a one dose treatment but it can be given daily if required. The recommendations are that the pill is given as a whole tablet orally or placed in food. If placed in food you will need to ensure that the cat actually eats the pill. Hmm! Amazing how cats can eat everything and leave the pill behind in their food dish. If you get used to using a pill shooter it is a quick and easy way to give the cat a pill.
The actual dose lasts for 24 hours. This will clear fleas quickly. Then you can decide if you want to use a different treatment going forward or stick with the daily dose. As there are 6 tablets in the pack it does make sense to use the pack.
Read the information on the insert that describes certain reaction that cats and kittens may have and what course of action to take. It is also possible to talk to a vet at Chewy, so if you have any questions this is a great solution.
Pair this product with a carpet powder to get rid of fleas to have a better chance of continued success.
Pros
No Prescription needed
Can use on cats 4 weeks old and weighing over 2 pounds
This treatment does not wash off
Cons
It can be difficult to give the cat a pill
Specifications
These cat flea pills contain – Nitenpyram 11.4 mgn. There are 6 pills in this pack. It is suitable or cats over 4 weeks or weighing over 2 pounds.
Our Recommendation is…
1. Capstar Flea Tablets For Cats
These tablets are top notch when you need to get rid of fleas fast. This is exactly what they are designed to do and they deliver. They are frequently used in shelters to contain flea infestations.
They don’t last 30 days but can be given to the cat daily for ongoing protection or until the flea infestation is controlled.
The tablet starts working within 30 minutes and will kill 90% of fleas on your cat within 6 hours of treatment.
- One oral tablet starts killing fleas within 30 minutes of administration
- Tackle flea infestations fast – give Capstar and watch dead fleas fall off your pet
- The convenience of an oral tablet available without a prescription from your vet
- If your pet gets re-infested with fleas, you can safely give another dose as often as once per day
- Includes 6 doses for use with cats weighing 2-25 (11. 4 mg)
A flea collar for your cat can last up to 8 months. If there is an ongoing flea problem or you just want to set and pretty well forget, this could be a good option in your household.
How To Get The Cat To Take A Cat Flea Tablet?
Some cats, will eat a pill that has been crushed and added to their food. Mostly however, cats don’t tolerate this sort of behavior from us and will leave the food untouched.
It can be frustrating as we know we are doing what is best for kitty but kitty has other ideas and being obedient isn’t one of them. Fortunately there are other ways of giving the cat a tablet.
- Using a pill popper or pill shooter is a popular and convenient way to give a cat a tablet. It may take some getting used to however it is worth persisting. Life will become easier when ever kitty needs to take a pill. There is detailed information here about how to use a pill popper.
- Another excellent option is to use a gel capsule. The capsules are purchased empty and the pill is then be added to the capsule, whole or crushed. Approximately 200 capsules are in the bottle. This is in preference to purchasing 1000 gel caps (way too many) in a plastic bag.
This person describes how they used these gel caps successfully with their cat. The capsules are also very small, just the right size for cat. Next the capsule can be put into the pill popper or added to a wrapper also called a pill pocket.
What is diatomaceous earth and how do you use it to control fleas? DE is an excellent choice if you have a yard or outdoor area that also needs to be treated for fleas.
FAQ Cat Flea Tablets
How long do cat flea tablets last?
Pills containing nitenpyram (Capstar) start to work almost immediately, within 30 minutes.
The nitenpyram leaves the cat’s body in approximately 24 hours and with that the protection from fleas also disappears. It is recommended to give the tablet regularly for ongoing relief from fleas.
Pills containing Spinosad (Comfortis) also start to work quickly and kill fleas for approximately one month. Be sure to read the label and the instructions for administering before purchase.
Are There Side Effects From Cat Flea Tablets?
Side effects can include hyperactivity or lethargy, excessive panting, itching, vomiting, nervousness, diarrhoea, seizures, and trembling.
Other side effects that cats may exhibit include pupil dilation, increased heart rate, vocalization, fever, and salivation. Both cats and dogs may also experience an allergic reaction to the treatment that is characterized by hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the lips or tongue.
There is more information from drugs.com about Capstar here and Comfortis here.
Can I Give My Pregnant Cat Flea Tablets?
Pregnant cats can be given medication that contains Nitenpyram. Comfortis contains a different medication called Spinosad. Consult with your vet before giving Comfortis to a pregnant cat.
The Best Flea Tablets For Cats
Capstar Flea Tablets For Cats
Often used by shelters for flea infestations.
Starts killing fleas within 30 minutes of administration.
If your pet gets re-infested with fleas, you can safely give another dose as often as once per day.
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