How soon can I use topical flea treatment after my cat gets Capstar?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
If I give my cat capstar how soon is it safe to start a longer-lasting topical flea treatment? Which topicals are safe to use - any, or just select brands?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 13th, 2020
You can use Capstar concurrently or start a topical the next day. Capstar starts to work to kill adult fleas on your cat within 30 minutes. Within 6 hours all adult fleas on your cat should be dead or dying. It can be given daily if necessary.
34Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 1st, 2017
Because cats are so sensitive to flea medications, I would wait at least two weeks before treating Missy again. You can give her Capstar now, however. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas in 30 minutes and is safe to give now. You can give it again as needed during these two weeks :-)
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Can I put Hartz Ultraguard Pro on my pets after administering Capstar orally?
Always use caution when combining flea treatments. You can use a topical preventative 24 hours after the last dose of Capstar was given. You shouldn't need to repeat the Capstar once the topical treatment has been applied.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I just picked up my dog and discovered that she was invested with Fleas and I believe they have also laid eggs already on her. I have found spots of irritation and I tried to relief some of her irritated areas washing her with Dawn and water. I am no
You can use Capstar to kill any adult fleas on her. Since she was recently washed though, you will need to wait 2-3 days before applying a topical preventative. The oils in her skin need to build up to effectively spread the topical flea preventative. Capstar can be given daily if you are seeing adult fleas. In the meantime, wash all bedding and vacuum everywhere. Empty the canister or toss the vacuum bag away outdoors immediately afterwards. You can use an area treatment in the house, such as Knockout ES (by Virbac), to prevent reinfestation. Use a monthly preventative for at least 3 consecutive months, but preferably year round.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I put sentry purrscription plus containing etofenprox and pyriproxyfen on my cat yesterday. Can I also give him capstar? He has fleas
Yes, you can give Aries Capstar in addition to the topical Sentry medication. Be sure to continue applying topical flea prevention monthly in order to break the flea lifecycle. When he is due for the next dose of medication, I would recommend using a higher quality (both safer and more effective) flea preventative, such as Advantage, Revolution, or Bravecto. If you have any other dogs or cats in the house, be sure to treat all pets with good quality flea prevention. I hope this helps and that all goes well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
If I give my two cats a capstar pill and I wait at least an hour can I give them a bath with Adams flea shampoo to kill any flea eggs or larva they may have on them?
Yes you can as long as the shampoo says it is safe for cats. This will only get the fleas that are currently on them off. After the capstan wears off in 24 hours, it will prevent more fleas from jumping on him. Also, keep in mind that fleas don't live on the cat, they live in the environment. I would recommend to treat the house and yard for fleas as well. And I would recommend to get Oatmeal started on a high quality monthly flea preventative sold by your vet like cheristan, comfortis, etc. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We are infested with fleas. I think I may have the home under control or at least getting there. My cat, however, still has fleas on her even though she has been treated with Zodiac's Spot On for Cats over 2 weeks ago. I have purchased Capstar pills.
I'm so sorry ! Fleas are no fun! You are doing the right thing in treating your house- that is where most of the flea life cycle lives. Zodiac is not one of my favorite meds.... have safety & efficacy concerns. I would use the capstar and get a better topical from your local veterinarian. I would check with them, but you might be able to start the new topical prior to waiting a month. Don't forget that fleas will always have a "hatch out" 3-4 weeks after you treat your house, so don't forget to re-treat. I hope you can Penny comfortable soon! Thanks for reaching out to Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my cat had a few fleas so I treated her with Bob Martin spot on as had one available. I'm aware this is very unlikely to be effective and have brought Advantage spot on for Cats also, how long must I wait until I treat again please?
Because cats are so sensitive to flea medications, I would wait at least two weeks before treating Missy again. You can give her Capstar now, however. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas in 30 minutes and is safe to give now. You can give it again as needed during these two weeks :-)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have found a treatment called Capstar it is suppose to help kill fleas along with another flea treatment and I was wandering what other one to use
Capstar is an excellent choice for getting rid of fleas quickly - it's very effective at killing any fleas that may currently be on the dog, but only lasts for 24 hours. This is why it's recommended to start another, longer-lasting flea medication at the same time, or else the fleas will just come right back. The most effective options for flea control currently available are K9 Advantix, Nexgard, or Bravecto - I would recommend getting one of these from your vet if possible, to start within 24 hours of giving the Capstar.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
If I give my cat capstar with advantage two could I give her diatomaceous earth too as a deworm preventative or do i wait, how do I administer them all at the appropriate time (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.)
Capstar works very quickly to kill adult fleas, but does not work longer than 24 hours. Advantage II will start working within 12 hours and will work for a month. I usually recommend a topical monthly preventative (like Advantage II) be applied every month. Capstar can be added in at any time if you see adult fleas, but will likely not be needed except for the first day. I have not had good success with diatomaceous earth, but it is safe to be combined with the other products. I can't give you a recommendation on frequency for that because I have not found that it makes a difference how often it is used. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I am getting two feral kittens, between 2 to 3 months old, from a coworker's farm. She says they have fleas. What is the best product to use for them? I bought Capstar because it works almost instantly on adult fleas. But my coworker recommended Adva
Hi and thanks for using Boop by Petco! Sorry to hear about the flea problem. Yes, you can use Capstar with any topical flea/tick medicine as far as I know. I don't know of any that Capstar is contraindicated. Great question and good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I gave my cat 2 capstars and almost a week ago gave her the first month treatment of advantage 2. I still see a very very few fleas so can I give her one more capstar or would that be harmful
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! You can actually use Capstar daily to every other day to effect so yes you can go ahead and give it. Remember to also comb her hair to remove the dying fleas and also vacuum all the surfaces that have contact with Jackie. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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