See All Flea Control

Capstar for Dogs

*Est. $30 for six doses

Reviewed

July 2010

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Inexpensive
Rapidly kills fleas
Application can be administered daily
Application can be administered daily
Safe for dogs as young as 4 weeks old

Cons

Doesn't kill flea eggs or larvae
Doesn't control ticks

Our Analysis
Specs

July 2010: Capstar for Dogs is highly recommended by vets and dog owners for rapidly and safely killing fleas. Within four hours after this oral pill is administered, it kills 90 percent of fleas on your dog. This is faster than topical flea treatments and safer because there's no risk of exposure to chemicals during and after application. However, Capstar doesn't kill flea eggs or larvae, which can lead to re-infestation, and its effects don't last as long as topical treatments. Veterinarians who recommend Capstar say it has fewer side effects than other flea control products. No prescription is needed to purchase Capstar, which can be administered daily until fleas disappear. However, Capstar for Dogs is only suitable for dogs 25 pounds and larger. For small dogs and puppies, use Capstar for Dogs and Cats instead. It is identical to Capstar for Dogs, but in a smaller dosage. More information is available here.

If you also want to prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing, vets recommend using Program Flavor Tabs for Dogs (*Est. $60 for a six-month supply) in conjunction with Capstar. Topical treatments, such as Advantage II for Dogs (*Est. $60 for a 6-month supply), are effective at killing fleas and also kill eggs and larvae.

SimpleSteps.org is a website sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental action group that has useful information about the toxicity of Capstar for Dogs and other flea control products. We found recommendations for Capstar for Dogs by veterinarians at Dogster.com, and at the website of Twin Maples Veterinary Hospital in Ohio and Main Street Pet Care in Missouri. The best source of reviews by dog owners is at 1800PetMeds.com.

Advantage II 6-Month Dogs Over 55 Lbs (Blue)

from Amazon.com

New: $82.88 $49.95

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Capstar Flea Treatment Dog (Blue), 2-25 lbs, 6 tablets

Buy new: $22.45 20 Used & new from $20.90

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. SimpleSteps.org

SimpleSteps.org is sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental action group. Capstar for dogs and cats is listed in this website's directory of flea products. It has the lowest of three risk level ratings, which is better than topical flea treatments.

Review: GreenPaws Flea and Tick Products Directory: Capstar Flea Control Tablets, Editors of SimpleSteps.org

2. Dogster.com

Dogster.com is an online resource for everything related to dogs and dog care, including a blog by veterinarian Eric Barchas. In this article, Barchas provides information about flea control treatments. He lists Capstar for Dogs among the flea control treatments that he considers to be effective and that rarely produce any adverse reactions.

Review: Vet Blog Discusses Safety and Efficacy of Flea Control Products, Eric Barchas, May 26, 2010

3. Twin Maples Veterinary Hospital

Twin Maples Veterinary Hospital is located in West Carrollton, Ohio. Its website recommends Capstar for Dogs to quickly eliminate fleas. Topical treatments are effective, but they take 12 hours or longer "to spread or reach sufficient concentrations to eliminate existing fleas."

Review: Flea Control, Staff at Twin Maples Veterinary Hospital

4. Main Street Pet Care

Main Street Pet Care in Joplin, Mo., recommends Capstar for Dogs to control an existing flea problem. Capstar is said to be virtually free of side effects, while Comfortis can cause vomiting in the first four hours.

Review: Flea Control: Our Recommendations, Staff of Main Street Pet Care

5. 1800PetMeds.com

A large number of pet owners write reviews at this online pet pharmacy. Although Capstar for Dogs reviews are grouped with Capstar for Dogs and Cats reviews, you can re-sort by pet type. More than 450 pet owners give Capstar a solid average rating. Dog owners say it works well and is inexpensive compared to other treatments. Some mistakenly thought it would protect as long as monthly topical treatments.

Review: Capstar, Contributors to 1800PetMeds.com

Frontline Plus for Cats *Est. $75 for a 6-month supply

4 picks including: Amazon.com, Petco.com…

Program Suspension for Cats *Est. $60 for a six-month supply

3 picks including: Main Street Pet Care, SimpleSteps.org…

Sentinel Flavor Tabs *Est. $90 for a six-month supply

2 picks including: Main Street Pet Care, SimpleSteps.org…

Advantage II for Dogs *Est. $60 for a 6-month supply

2 picks including: Petco.com, Main Street Pet Care…