ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/spinosad
US brand names:Comfortis
Spinosad is dosed at 30–60 mg/kg PO q30d in dogs, per COMFORTIS - Spinosad Tablet, Chewable [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Elanco US Inc.; 2018. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d3489ebc-9900-4377-9a8b-98ae7c38ebd2 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1201 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Activates insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at a unique site, causing involuntary muscle contractions, paralysis, and death of fleas.
Dogs and cats. Vomiting is the most common adverse effect. Do NOT use concurrently with high-dose ivermectin (increased neurotoxicity risk). Give with food.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 30–60 mg/kg | q30d | Strong | COMFORTIS - Spinosad Tablet, Chewable [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Elanco US Inc.; 2018. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d3489ebc-9900-4377-9a8b-98ae7c38ebd2 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1201 (2026-08-01). |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 50–75 mg/kg | q30d | Moderate | COMFORTIS - Spinosad Tablet, Chewable [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Elanco US Inc.; 2018. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d3489ebc-9900-4377-9a8b-98ae7c38ebd2 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1201 (2026-08-01). |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.