Dog on Sentinel has fleas. What's the best way to treat and prevent?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Male | neutered | 32 lbs
My dog is on sentinel but I found 2 fleas on him. He doesn't itch or bite so I'm thinking it was something picked up today. What steps should I take next? Capstar and clean/wash everything really well? Should he be taking something in addition to the sentinel to help prevent this from happening again? I originally thought sentinel did prevent this but I guess it just prevents reproduction. I can't bomb the apartment because the windows don't open so I want to solve this ASAP.
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 3rd, 2016
You're correct that Sentinel is considered a "passive" flea control product - it doesn't kill adult fleas, just keeps their eggs from being able to hatch. Capstar would be quite effective at killing any fleas that he currently has on him. It shouldn't be necessary to wash bedding, etc. since the Sentinel will ensure that the fleas are not able to reproduce. In my experience, some dogs do fine with Sentinel as their only flea control method if they are in an environment where they are rarely exposed to fleas. But if you're seeing fleas from time to time, or if your dog has flea allergies or other skin sensitivities, then I would recommend using an adulticide like Nexgard or Bravecto along with his Sentinel.
7Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 12th, 2017
Sentinel is a monthly heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention. It also is a birth control for fleas. This means it does not kill the adult flea but it prevents them from laying eggs. If your pet has a flea allergy, this product would not be helpful because the flea would still be able to bite. There are many other flea preventions that kill adult fleas like Nexgard, Vectra, Frontline Gold, and Revolution. If you are having flea problems, I would talk to your vet about other options they have. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on July 22nd, 2018
You are right to be concerned a lot ticks! Three is a lot of tick illness in the US. There are both oral and topical products that control fleas and ticks. Sentinel doesn't even kill fleas or prevent them from biting your pet. Nexgard is the only oral flea and tick med for pets under 6 months. Frontline is a topical product that kills fleas and ticks. Seresto collars are great and last 8 months. Because Sentinel doesn't even kill the fleas, there is no overlap if you ask your vet about one of these meds.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
isnt sentinel supposed to be for flea prevention
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