Capstar Fleas & Cats

Capstar is the name of a small white pill given orally to cats or dogs that will kill all the fleas currently on the animal or that jump on the animal within 24 hours of ingesting the pill. The Capstar pill is a single dose of nitenpyram, an insecticide that specifically targets fleas. The pill is most frequently given to pets that are infested with fleas as an immediate remedy to the situation.

  1. Comparing Medications

    • The Capstar pill begins working within 30 minutes of ingestion, and the fleas on the cat will be dead within four to six hours. However, a topical flea treatment is usually administered 24 to 48 hours after ingestion of the Capstar pill to continue flea treatment. Topical flea treatments usually "work" for 30 days, as opposed to the Capstar pill, which only works for 24 hours. However, topical medications generally take longer for all the fleas to begin dying.

    Flea Eggs

    • The Capstar pill does not affect flea eggs on the animal. Giving the animal a topical flea medication, flea egg-specific medication or flea bath should kill any flea eggs or fleas born on the pet after the Capstar stops working. According to the Fleas? Never Again! website, fleas will often reside in the environment rather than on the pet full time. If an indoor pet is infested with fleas, vacuum the house and furniture thoroughly to remove any fleas or flea eggs in the environment.

    Dosage

    • The recommended strength or dosage of a Capstar pill varies according to the weight and species (cat or dog) of the animal. Capstar is an over-the-counter medication that is available at most veterinary establishments, as well as online. According to the Medi-Vet website, studies have shown a safe toxicity for animals who receive "up to 10 times the recommended dosage." According to the Vet Approved Rx website, the correct dosage of a Capstar pill is safe for nursing cats and kittens that are older than 4 weeks and heavier than 2 lbs.

    Common Reactions

    • The cat may become hyperactive, itchy, vocal or excessively groom itself during the initial hours after ingesting the Capstar pill. According to the Pet Meds website, this is due to the feeling of the fleas dying. Some cats have allergies to all or certain brands of the topical flea medications and flea baths, which makes Capstar a common alternative. Consult your veterinarian if your pet appears itchy, lethargic or ill (vomiting, refusing to eat, etc.) after administering a topical flea treatment.

    Appropriate Situations

    • Capstar pills are promoted for situations where a pet will likely obtain fleas, such as by staying in a kennel or spending time outdoors. The pill can be administered daily; however, due to the cost, the difficulty of administering a pill orally and the perpetuality of battling fleas, it is mostly recommended for occasional use.