Brands of Flea Control for Cats

Whether your cat lives indoors or outdoors, it is possible for your cat to pick up fleas. A number of flea control products are available to owners to help with mild to severe infestations. Many are available over the counter, but it is important to seek veterinary care before treating your cat for fleas for a definitive diagnosis and to rule out any medication interactions or allergies.

  1. Frontline

    • Frontline, a topical, waterproof, over-the-counter medication, is manufactured by Merial. The active ingredient in Frontline is Fipronil, a synthetic insecticide in the arylheterocycles group. Frontline also contains (S)-methoprene, an insect growth regulator (IGR). Fipronil blocks the fleas' brains from receiving chlorine. The fleas become paralyzed and die by suffocation. (S)-methoprene prohibits flea eggs from hatching. Merial claims that Frontline kills 100 percent of fleas within 12 hours of application.

    Advantage

    • Advantage, manufactured by Bayer Animal Health, is a topical, waterproof, oil-based solution applied once a month and is available over-the-counter. The active ingredient in Advantage is imidacloprid, an insecticide that blocks nerve receptors in the fleas' brains. The fleas become paralyzed and suffocate to death. Advantage is effective against adult fleas and flea larave. Bayer Animal Health claims that Advantage stops fleas from biting within three to five minutes, and kills 98 to 100 percent of fleas within 12 hours, while 99 percent of flea larvae are killed within 20 minutes.

    Capstar

    • Capstar is a prescription flea control product manufactured by Novartis Animal Health. The active ingredient in Capstar is Nitepyram. Nitepyram controls fleas for a 24-hour period, and is useful for short-term flea control, such as before a cat show or prior to surgery. Administered orally in pill form, Capstar kills adult fleas within 30 minutes, with a maximum effect of 90 percent eradication approximately four hours after administration. Capstar can be administered on a once-a-day basis and is safe to use with other flea control products.

    Bio Spot

    • Bio Spot, manufactured by Farnam Pet Products, Inc, is a brand of flea control products for cats that is available as a topical spray, drops or in the form of a flea collar. Flea dips also are available. The active ingredients in Bio Spot for cats are Etofenprox, a pyrethrin, and (S)-methoprene, an insect growth regulator. Etofenprox causes the neurons in flea brains to misfire and fire more rapidly than usual, resulting in a massive seizure and death. (S)-methoprene keeps flea eggs from hatching. Bio Spot for cats is available without a prescription and is applied at different intervals according to the form of the product used, generally once a month.