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Stronghold For Puppies & Kittens Up To 5 lbs (Up to 2.5 kg)
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BASED IN AUSTRALIA
Tracked Delivery 7-14 Days
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Choose based on your cat's weight
Description
Stronghold for Puppies and Kittens Up To 5 lbs (Up to 2.5 kg) is a selamectin-based spot-on solution manufactured by Zoetis, formulated at 15 mg selamectin per 0.25 ml tube. Selamectin belongs to the avermectin class of macrocyclic lactones and acts by disrupting chloride channel conductance in invertebrate parasites, causing paralysis and death across multiple parasite types. This variant is cleared for use in both puppies and kittens from 6 weeks of age, covering animals up to 2.5 kg body weight, and delivers adulticidal, larvicidal, and ovicidal flea activity alongside systemic heartworm larval prevention through a single monthly topical application.
Recommended for:
Puppies and kittens weighing up to 5 lbs (up to 2.5 kg) from 6 weeks of age.
Indication/Coverage
For puppies and kittens suffering from, or at risk from, mixed parasitic infections, Stronghold 15 mg addresses the following conditions:
- Flea treatment and prevention (Ctenocephalides spp.): Selamectin kills adult fleas on the animal, prevents viable egg production, and eliminates larvae in the environment; ovicidal activity persists for 3 weeks post-application, interrupting flea reproduction at every life stage.
- Heartworm prevention (Dirofilaria immitis, L3/L4 larvae): Eliminates susceptible larval stages acquired up to one month before dosing; monthly administration prevents progression to adult infection. This product does not act against established adult heartworms.
- Ear mite treatment (Otodectes cynotis, adults): A single dose is sufficient for the treatment of ear mite infestations in both puppies and kittens; do not apply directly into the ear canal.
- Roundworm treatment (Toxocara canis, adults, puppies; Toxocara cati, adults — kittens): A single dose clears adult roundworm burden in the intestinal tract.
- Hookworm treatment (Ancylostoma tubaeforme, adults, kittens only): A single dose treats adult intestinal hookworm infections in kittens; this indication does not extend to puppies.
- Biting lice treatment (Trichodectes canis, puppies; Felicola subrostratus, kittens): A single topical dose eliminates biting lice infestations in the respective species.
Key Benefits
The following characteristics reflect label-confirmed properties of Stronghold 15 mg for animals up to 2.5 kg.
- Minimum age eligibility: Safe for use from 6 weeks of age, making it one of the few parasiticides cleared for very young puppies and kittens at this developmental stage.
- Multi-parasite coverage: One monthly application addresses fleas, heartworm larvae, ear mites, roundworms, and biting lice simultaneously, reducing the number of separate treatments required.
- Flea life cycle disruption: Selamectin kills adult fleas on the animal, renders eggs non-viable, and eliminates larvae in the environment via debris shed from the treated animal, effectively targeting all reproductive stages.
- Systemic absorption: Following topical application, selamectin is absorbed transdermally and distributed systemically, reaching maximum plasma concentration within approximately 1 day in cats and 3 days in dogs, providing internal coverage from an external application.
- Monthly protection interval: A single tube delivers 30 days of flea and heartworm protection; plasma concentrations of selamectin remain detectable at 30 days post-application owing to a terminal elimination half-life of 8 days in cats and 11 days in dogs.
- Bathing tolerance: Efficacy is maintained if the animal is bathed or exposed to water 2 or more hours after application, making it practical for animals that cannot be reliably kept dry around the dosing date.
- Broad species safety: Zoetis safety data confirm no adverse effects at 10 times the recommended dose; field testing covered over 100 pure and mixed dog breeds and 16 pure cat breeds. Ivermectin-sensitive collies were tested separately at 5 times the recommended dose with no adverse effects observed. This data supports a meaningful margin of safety without permitting dose escalation beyond the labeled amount.
- Breeding and lactating safety: Stronghold has been administered at 3 times the recommended dose to pregnant and lactating females without adverse effects, per Zoetis clinical data, making it appropriate for breeding females carrying or nursing litters at this weight category.
Caution
Hazards to Humans
This product is highly flammable; keep it away from heat sources, open flame, and sparks throughout application. Do not smoke, eat, or drink while handling. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after use, and flush any skin contact with water at once. If the product contacts the eyes, irrigate immediately with water and seek medical attention. Keep children away from treated animals for at least 30 minutes following application or until the coat is fully dry.
Hazards to Domestic Animals
Stronghold 15 mg is for external use only; do not administer orally or by injection. This variant is not for use in animals under 6 weeks of age, and the labeled dose covers animals up to 2.5 kg only. Do not apply when the coat is wet. Cats suffering from concurrent illness, debilitation, or being underweight for age and size should not receive this product without veterinary assessment. Reversible neurological signs, including seizures, have been reported on rare occasions with macrocyclic lactone-class products; consult a veterinarian before use in animals with a history of neurological sensitivity. No interactions with routinely used veterinary medications or surgical procedures were detected in extensive field trials.
Possible Side Effects
Monitor your puppy or kitten for the following after each application, particularly after the initial dose.
Dermal reactions at the site of application occur on rare occasions and may include transient hair loss or mild focal irritation. These effects are generally self-resolving without intervention. Temporary clumping of fur or a small amount of white powder at the application site may appear within the first 24 hours; this is a normal consequence of the solution drying and does not affect efficacy or safety.
Gastrointestinal signs are not commonly reported via the topical route. However, if the animal licks the application site before the coat dries, a brief episode of hypersalivation has rarely been observed in cats, attributable to the taste of the excipient rather than systemic toxicity.
Systemic signs are exceptional. As a macrocyclic lactone, selamectin carries a very low but documented risk of reversible neurological signs including seizures following application. If any neurological changes, persistent behavioral abnormalities, or unexpected systemic signs are observed after dosing, discontinue use and consult a veterinarian promptly.
Direction
Stronghold For Puppies & Kittens Up To 5 lbs (Up to 2.5 kg) is applied as a spot-on solution directly to the skin at the base of the neck, in front of the shoulder blades. Do not apply to a wet coat. Prevent the animal from licking the application site until the area is dry; in households with multiple pets, separate animals for at least 30 minutes following application to avoid mutual grooming of the treated area.How to Open
- Remove the Stronghold tube from its individual foil protective package by peeling the foil backing.
- Hold the tube upright with the cap facing up.
- Firmly press the cap downward onto the tube to puncture the applicator seal.
- Remove the cap fully to expose the open tip before proceeding to application.
How to Administer
- Confirm the animal's coat is completely dry before beginning; application to a wet coat is not permitted per label direction.
- Hold the animal steady and part the fur at the base of the neck, directly in front of the shoulder blades, until a clear area of skin is visible.
- Place the open tip of the tube against the exposed skin without allowing it to touch the surrounding fur.
- Squeeze the tube firmly in a single, continuous motion to deposit the entire contents onto that one skin contact point; do not rub or massage the product into the coat.
- Discard the empty tube. Keep the animal away from other pets and children for at least 30 minutes, or until the application area is fully dry.
Storage
Store out of the sight and reach of children at all times. Do not store above 30°C (86°F). Keep tubes in the original unopened foil packaging in a dry location until the point of use. Do not use the product after the expiry date printed on the label; the stated month's expiry refers to the final day of that calendar month.Tips for Using
The following practical points help maintain full efficacy and safe handling across each monthly dosing cycle:- Expose the skin: Part the fur at the base of the neck, directly in front of the shoulder blades, until a clear area of bare skin is visible before placing the pipette tip.
- Apply directly to skin: Place the open tip against the exposed skin and squeeze firmly until the entire contents are emptied into one spot. Do not split the dose across multiple sites.
- Do not massage: Leave the application site undisturbed once the solution is deposited. Rubbing disperses the liquid into the surrounding coat rather than maintaining skin contact for absorption.
- Apply only to a dry coat: Do not apply Stronghold when the coat is wet. A wet coat at the time of application is explicitly contraindicated in the product label.
- The 2-hour water window: Keep the animal dry for at least 2 hours after application. The Stronghold label confirms that bathing or soaking 2 or more hours post-application does not reduce efficacy.
- Stick to a monthly schedule: Apply every 30 days for continuous flea and heartworm protection. If a dose is missed, apply it immediately and resume monthly dosing from that new date.
- Prevent licking and mutual grooming: Separate treated animals from other pets until the application site is dry. If a cat licks the wet solution, a brief episode of hypersalivation may rarely occur per label.
- Check the age requirement: Do not use on any puppy or kitten under 6 weeks of age. This is a labeled contraindication, not a general precaution.
- Watch for temporary coat changes: White powder or hair clumping at the application site is a documented product characteristic that typically resolves within 24 hours without intervention.
- Monitor weight at each dose: Weigh the animal on each dosing date. Any reading above 2.5 kg means this variant is no longer appropriate and the next weight-band tube should be used.
| Product Name | Stronghold for Puppies & Kittens up to 5 lbs (up to 2.5 kg) |
|---|---|
| Target Weight | Up to 5 lbs (up to 2.5 kg) |
| Packaging Color | Rose |
| Pipette Volume | 0.25 ml per tube |
| Active Ingredients | Selamectin 15 mg |
| Key Excipients | Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.08% |
| Application Type | Topical spot-on solution applied directly to the skin |
| Appearance | Colourless to yellow solution in a translucent polypropylene unit dose tube |
| Administration Route | For external use only |
| Pack Sizes Available | 3-pack or 6-pack pipettes |
| Treatment Frequency | Monthly (flea prevention and heartworm prevention); single dose for roundworms, ear mites, hookworms (kittens), biting lice |
| Effective Against | – Fleas (Ctenocephalides spp., adults, larvae, eggs) |
| Storage | Do not store above 30°C (86°F). Store in the unopened foil package in a dry place. |
FAQs
1. My kitten weighs exactly 2.5 kg today. Is the 15 mg tube still the correct dose?
Yes. The Stronghold 15 mg rose-cap tube is labeled for animals weighing up to and including 2.5 kg, so a kitten at exactly 2.5 kg falls within the approved weight range for this variant. Weigh the animal on each dosing date going forward; any reading above 2.5 kg on a subsequent dose occasion means this tube is no longer appropriate. Stronghold for Cats is available in the next weight band covering 2.6 to 7.5 kg (5.1 to 15 lbs):
For dogs exceeding 2.5 kg, the appropriate variants are:
- Stronghold For Dogs 5.1-10 lbs (2.6-5 kg)
- Stronghold For Dogs 10.1-20 lbs (5.1-10 kg)
- Stronghold For Dogs 20.1-40 lbs (10.1-20 kg)
- Stronghold For Dogs 40.1-85 lbs (20.1-40 kg)
- Stronghold For Dogs 85.1-130 lbs (40.1-60 kg)
2. Is 15 mg of selamectin safe for a very small kitten or puppy at the lower end of this weight range?
Yes, within the labeled minimum age of 6 weeks. Stronghold delivers a minimum of 6 mg/kg selamectin, and Zoetis safety data confirm no adverse effects at 10 times that dose across a broad range of breeds and 16 cat breeds, with ivermectin-sensitive collies tested separately at 5 times the recommended dose with no adverse effects observed. The 15 mg tube is specifically formulated for animals up to 2.5 kg and should not be substituted with a higher-strength variant regardless of perceived convenience; the dose is calibrated to body weight, and exceeding it does not improve efficacy.
3. My puppy just crossed from the newborn stage into 6 weeks of age. Can I start Stronghold now?
Yes, 6 weeks of age is the minimum labeled threshold for Stronghold in both puppies and kittens. Animals under 6 weeks should not receive this product. Starting at exactly 6 weeks is appropriate as long as the animal’s body weight does not exceed 2.5 kg, and the animal is not debilitated or underweight for its developmental stage. If there are concerns about the animal’s general health at the time of first dosing, consult a veterinarian before applying.
4. My puppy was on a different heartworm preventive. Can I switch directly to Stronghold?
Yes, but the timing requires attention. When transitioning from another heartworm preventive, the first Stronghold dose should be administered within one month of the final dose of the previous product to avoid any gap in larval coverage. A gap exceeding 30 days between the last dose of the prior medication and the first Stronghold application creates an unprotected window during which L3/L4 larvae acquired from mosquito exposure could develop without interruption.
5. What should I do if I miss a monthly dose of Stronghold for my puppy or kitten?
Apply the missed dose immediately upon realizing the lapse, then resume monthly dosing from that new date. Do not administer two doses in rapid succession to compensate for the missed interval. Prolonged gaps increase the likelihood that heartworm larvae acquired during the unprotected period will advance beyond the L4 stage susceptible to selamectin; a veterinarian should be consulted if the gap has been extended by several weeks, particularly in regions with year-round mosquito activity.
6. Can I bathe my puppy or kitten on the same day I apply Stronghold?
Yes, provided you wait at least 2 hours after application before any water exposure. Bathing or any water exposure within the first 2 hours post-application may reduce product efficacy for that dosing cycle. Waiting 2 or more hours before water contact maintains full protection, per Stronghold label direction.
7. Does Stronghold protect against ticks in puppies and kittens?
No. Selamectin at the 15 mg dose does not carry a tick indication in the Stronghold label. The labeled parasites for this variant are fleas, heartworm larvae, ear mites, roundworms, hookworms (kittens), and biting lice. If tick protection is also required for your puppy or kitten, consult a veterinarian to identify a product approved for tick coverage that is also suitable for the animal’s age and weight.
8. My kitten licked the application site immediately after I applied Stronghold. Is that harmful?
Licking the application site before the coat dries can result in a brief episode of hypersalivation, which has been observed rarely in cats. This is attributed to the excipient formulation rather than systemic toxicity from selamectin at labeled doses. The reaction is transient and self-resolving in most cases. To prevent this, apply the product to a skin site the kitten cannot readily reach by turning its head, and keep the animal away from other pets during the drying period to prevent mutual grooming.
9. Does Stronghold at 15 mg treat hookworms in puppies as well as kittens?
No. The hookworm indication in the Stronghold label for this weight variant applies to kittens only (Ancylostoma tubaeforme). Puppies do not carry a hookworm treatment indication for selamectin at this dose. If intestinal hookworm infection is suspected in a puppy, consult a veterinarian to determine an appropriate deworming protocol.
10. How do I confirm that a small amount of white powder at the application site is normal and not a reaction?
White powder or temporary hair clumping at the application site is a documented product characteristic noted in the Stronghold label. It reflects residue from the solution as it dries on the coat and typically resolves within 24 hours of application without any intervention. This appearance has no bearing on efficacy or safety. If the area shows redness, persistent irritation, or open skin changes beyond 24 hours, those findings warrant veterinary assessment as they fall outside the scope of the expected post-application appearance.
13 reviews for Stronghold For Puppies & Kittens Up To 5 lbs (Up to 2.5 kg)
| 5 star | 76% | |
| 4 star | 15% | |
| 3 star | 7% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
| 1 star | 0% |
1-5 of 13 reviews
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This is the only flea treatment that has worked for my puppy. It’s easy to apply, and I’ve seen great results.
My kitten hasn’t had a single flea since I started using this treatment.
My puppy used to hate flea treatments, but he doesn’t mind when I apply Stronghold at all.
I’m so relieved to have found a heartworm prevention that my kitten tolerates well.
I trust Stronghold to protect my puppy from heartworms.