See All Flea Control

Program Suspension for Cats

*Est. $60 for a six-month supply

Reviewed

June 2008

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Effective at controlling fleas
Easier to administer than pills
Low risk to humans
Low risk of side effects in cats

Cons

Won't kill adult fleas
Won't kill ticks or parasites
Some cats won't take willingly

Our Analysis
Specs

Veterinarians agree that Program Suspension For Cats is a good choice for internal flea control for cats, both because of its effectiveness and because it's usually easier to give medication to cats in liquid than in pill form. Program won't, however, suppress ticks or other parasites such as heartworm, hookworm, roundworm and ear mites It also won't kill adult fleas, although it can be used in combination with a medication that does, such as Capstar for Dogs and Cats (*Est. $30 for six doses). Because it is an oral medication, Program Suspension poses very little risk to humans, and side effects in cats are rare and usually minor.

Program Suspension earns good recommendations from veterinarian Eric Barchas, writing for Dogster.com, and the vets of Main Street Pet Care. The UK-based Feline Advisory Bureau also recommends this product. SimpleSteps.org, a flea-control website run by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), says that the active ingredient in Program Suspension poses a low toxicity risk to pets and humans. The Veterinary Partner website offers additional information about this product's benefits and limitations. We found only 30 or so reviews for Program Suspension at 1800PetMeds.com, but most of them are highly positive.

Our Sources

1. Dogster.com

Eric Barchas says that Program Suspension for Cats, along with other Program products, rarely gives rise to side effects. He adds that in those cases where side effects are noted, they are rarely severe.

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

2. Main Street Pet Care

The website of this veterinary hospital goes into great depth about anti-flea treatments. Program products, including Program Suspension, are called the best available flea treatments for cats, but the hospital warns that they take a long time to wipe out an infestation because adult fleas are not affected.

Review: Flea and Tick Control, Staff of Main Street Pet Care

3. Feline Advisory Bureau

The Feline Advisory Bureau recommends Program Suspension for treating fleas in cats. However, the authors note that repeated treatments will be needed to deal with an infestation.

Review: Tackling Fleas on Cats, Editors of Feline Advisory Bureau, Nov. 2008

4. VeterinaryPartner

VeterinaryPartner.com is a resource for the veterinary industry. Veterinarian Carol S. Foil looks at how the various flea control products stack up to one another. She says Program Suspension is effective in breaking the life cycle of fleas, but that it can take quite some time (4 to 7 months) for it to completely get rid of them. Because of that, using Program with another product to kill adult fleas during the first few weeks of use is recommended.

Review: Flea Control, Carol S. Foil

5. SimpleSteps.org

Program Suspension for Cats is not evaluated in this website's directory of flea products, which rates based on the toxicity of the chemicals used. However, the site does give a low toxicity rating to Program Flavor Tabs, which contain the same active ingredient.

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

6. 1800PetMeds.com

Only about 30 cat owners review Program Suspension at this online pet pharmacy, but their reviews are mostly enthusiastic. The product earns an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, with 4.4 stars for effectiveness and 4.5 for ease of use. The most common complaint here is that cats dislike taking the medicine, even in food.

Review: Program Oral Suspension, Contributors to 1800PetMeds.com

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