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Comfortis Flea Tablet for Cats – Vet Review in 2024

Written by: Dr. Joanna Woodnutt BVM BVS (Veterinarian)

Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

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Comfortis Flea Tablet for Cats – Vet Review in 2024

VET APPROVED

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt Photo

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt

MRCVS, Veterinarian

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give Comfortis Flea Tablet a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Effectiveness: 4.9/5
Ease of use: 3.5/5
Pet acceptance: 3.5/5
Flavor: 4/5
Size of tablet: 2/5
Value: 4/5

If you have a cat, especially one that goes outdoors, you’ll be wanting to keep them free of fleas. There are lots of products available when it comes to flea-preventative treatments, including spot-ons, sprays, and tablets. Comfortis is a flea tablet containing Spinosad made by Elanco Animal Health.

Comfortis flea tablets are helpful for cats who develop skin irritation when topical treatments are applied or when other products seem to be less effective. Comfortis is a good choice for cats who have flea-bite allergies. If you can give your cat tablets, Comfortis tablets are very effective at controlling fleas.

Comfortis is a chewable, beef-flavored tablet, making it more palatable for cats. This means some cats will take it as a treat without a fuss. However, many cats might still need a bit of persuasion, and you might end up trying to disguise the tablet in something tasty. Therefore, this might not be the best choice for cats who are tricky to handle or for cats who find it impossible to give pills.

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Comfortis Flea Tablet for Cats – A Quick Look

Pros
  • Chewable and palatable tablets can be easier to get your cat to take
  • Tablets can be crushed or disguised in small amounts of food
  • Convenient to use and minimal mess
  • Very effective at killing and preventing fleas
  • Flea-killing action lasts a month
  • Starts working in just 30 minutes
  • No chemicals on the skin or fur, so there is no risk to furniture, other pets, or other family members
  • There is no risk of the medication washing off as with sprays and spot-on treatments
  • Licensed veterinary product is tried, tested, and proven safe and effective
Cons
  • Not all cats will take tablets with ease, even when they are palatable
  • For treatment to be effective at preventing fleas, a tablet must be given every month
  • Current flea infestations may take three months of treatment to resolve
  • Quite expensive compared to other flea treatments
  • Not safe for use in pregnant or lactating cats
  • Only available from your veterinary clinic or with a prescription

Comfortis Flea Tablet for Cats Specifications

Brand name: Comfortis
Drug name: Spinosad
Manufacturer: Elanco Animal Health
Medication form: Tablet
Target species: Cats and dogs
Type of tablet: Chew
Flavor: Beef
Size of tablets (for cats): 140 mg, 270 mg, 560 mg
Time until effective: 30 minutes
Treatment lasts: 1 month
Suitable for: Cats over 14 weeks of age
Not suitable for: Cats who are pregnant or lactating
Possible side effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, lethargy, weight loss
Not to be given with: Off-license doses of Ivermectin

Beef-Flavored and Chewable Tablets

It’s not always easy to give your cat medication, and for some owners, the idea of giving their cat a tablet fills them with dread. Other owners might feel their stress levels rising as they look at the calendar and see the date of their cat’s next spot-on approaching. Because Comfortis flea tablets are beef-flavored and chewable, they are more likely to be accepted by your cat as a treat. This takes away the hassle and stress of keeping your cat free from fleas by providing a quick and convenient treatment.

Quick-Acting and Lasting Effect

You might think that giving a flea tablet won’t kill your cat’s fleas as quickly as a topical treatment like a spray or spot-on. However, Comfortis flea tablets for cats effectively kill fleas as early as 30 minutes after treatment. This effect isn’t short-lived either, with Comfortis continuing to kill fleas for a month after treatment.

No chemicals to rub off or cause damage

When you apply a spot-on or a spray flea treatment, it can wash off in the rain or get licked off during grooming. It can even rub off on your furniture or upholstery. These chemicals could harm any pets or children who ingest them and cause damage to your furniture. In addition, if some of the treatment has rubbed off, your cat might not receive the necessary dose. The benefit of giving your tablet a cat is that your cat gets the entire dose with no risk of the chemicals going anywhere they shouldn’t.

Flea Tablet Price

Although Comfortis flea tablets for cats are at the higher end in terms of price compared to other flea treatments, they do offer good value. Comfortis has a veterinary license, so it is proven to be effective. It’s also very quick, and its action continues for a month after treatment.

Tablets Aren’t for Everyone

Despite the tablets being palatable, flavored, and chewable, not every cat will take pills. If your cat is a bit of a detective and manages to find medication in even the strongest smelling and tastiest disguise, you might find that Comfortis is not for you. After all, it can only be effective if you can get it into your cat!

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FAQ: Comfortis Cat Flea Tablets

 

Is Comfortis safe for cats?

Comfortis is a safe and effective flea treatment for cats. Like any medication, it can occasionally cause side effects in a small number of patients, but this is uncommon, and the side effects are usually mild. Side effects that your cat might show following treatment with Comfortis include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, reduced appetite, or weight loss.

Is Comfortis a good flea treatment for cats?

Yes, Comfortis flea tablets for cats are often easier to give than other tablets due to their beef flavor and chewable form. The tablet is effective from 30 minutes after treatment, and it continues killing fleas for a month.

How do you give a cat Comfortis?

There are three sizes of Comfortis tablets used in cats, and these are 140 mg, 270 mg, and 560 mg. The size your cat needs will depend on their body weight. The tablet should be given by mouth once a month and should ideally be given in food.

cat being fed a cat treat or cat food by hand
Image Credit: Jakub Zak, Shutterstock

What the Users Say

We’ve looked at review sites and forums to provide a summary of what some pet owners think of Comfortis flea tablets.

Here are some of the positive points that we found:
  • Many users are pleased with how effective Comfortis flea tablets are. Many have moved onto Comfortis treatment after other products have seemed to become ineffective. Some users have found it to be the only way to keep their cats with flea allergies from having flare-ups.
  • As mentioned previously, Comfortis flea tablets are flavored and palatable, and many users have noted that they find it easy to give Comfortis to their cats.
  • Users have commented that they are pleased with how quickly Comfortis has worked. Some have mentioned being unable to find any fleas after just 1 or 2 days.
However, we also came across some less positive feedback from users of Comfortis:
  • As explained above, not every cat will take tablets easily, even if they are palatable. Many cat owners have commented that their cat doesn’t like the taste or they struggle to give the tablet.
  • Some reviewers commented that the tablets would be better if they were smaller in size. They have found that the pills are too large to give to their cat easily.
  • Many user reviews have commented on side effects, especially vomiting, with some saying that their cats vomit after every dose.
  • Others mention more serious potential side effects or reactions. However, as a licensed veterinary medication, all adverse reactions are reported back to the drug company and the medical licensing authority (the FDA in the US). All side effects are investigated thoroughly, and no unsafe medication would remain licensed.

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Conclusion: Comfortis for Cats Review

In conclusion, Comfortis flea tablets for cats are a fast and effective treatment for fleas if your cat will take them. Their beef flavor and chewable texture mean they’re often better accepted than some other tablets. However, not every cat and cat owner will find them an easy option. Comfortis will start killing fleas after just thirty minutes and remains effective for a month, so although it isn’t cheap, it’s certainly good value for money.

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