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Best Otc Flea Meds For Cats

Types Of Safe Flea Treatments For Cats

8 Best Flea Treatments for Cats 2021

While you need to be careful when selecting a safe flea treatment for your cat, you have plenty of options to choose from. Between collars, spot-on topical treatments and chewable tablets, you can work with your veterinarian to discuss which one suits your cats health and lifestyle.

Here are some things to consider about each of these flea preventative options.

Advecta Plus Flea Squeeze

  • Fragrance-free
  • Easy to apply

Apart from all those regular medications for getting rid of fleas, this one kills in just 12 hours after applying. Advectas Plus flea treatment kills not only fleas but also eggs and larvae effectively. Thus, it helps to break the cycle completely and prevents re-infestation of fleas in felines. Being a cheap flea medicine for cats, it has active ingredients as pyriproxyfen & imidacloprid. These ingredients arrive formulated in many top flea and tick medicines, making this suitable for the best results. All in all, this one offers high-quality results without any compromise.

Advecta flea medication is efficient in preventing reinfestation for up to 4-months. Individuals can apply the pet flea and tick control treatment on their paw mates with great comfort. Besides, it comes as a topical solution without being harmful to animals in any way. This flea therapy is waterproof and free from fragrance, thus catering to its use without any side effects. Since it does not require any efforts in killing fleas, it becomes an easy-to-use product apart from causing no harm. Also, it is available at a reasonable price.

The Stages Of The Cat Flea Life Cycle

Fleas are pesky pests and in our experience can do quite a lot of damage in a short amount of time! That’s why providing effective flea treatments for felines as soon as an infestation is suspected is an absolute mustit’s the best way to kill fleas and prevent further growth. Kill adult fleas and larvae for your cat’s peace of mind.

It may be helpful to have a general idea of how fleas grow and develop. These animals have a relatively quick life cycle that can be broken down into four main stages:

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Why You Should Trust Me

As Wirecutters pets writer, Ive covered everything from essential oil myths to how to get rid of fleas. Im also a lifelong pet owner and a shelter volunteer with over a decade of experience whos dealt with her share of pets with fleas, ticks, and other pests.

For this guide, I spoke with six professionals, from veterinarians to pesticide experts, about how to select the best flea and tick treatment for your pet. I spoke with Jennifer Gervais, a pesticide specialist at the National Pesticide Information Center, and Ken Labbe, a spokesperson for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about pesticide regulation. I consulted Dr. Douglas Kratt, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, about how to select the appropriate medication for your pet. I asked Dr. Tierra Price, a spay-neuter surgeon and founder of the BlackDVM Network, and Dr. Jennifer Welser, chief medical officer at , about their favorite flea and tick medications. And I discussed product safety with Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Best Topical: Bravecto Topical Solution For Cats

Capstar Tablets
  • Only need to apply once every three months

  • Scientifically-backed ingredient

  • Protects from more than just fleas

  • It’s easy to forget after three months to reapply

  • Higher initial cost due to how long it lasts

Similar to Revolution Plus, Bravecto is a spot-on treatment that is applied to the back of your cats neck. It protects from fleas and ticks and one treatment lasts for up to three months. A Bravecto Plus option is also available if you would like heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention too , but it only lasts for two months instead of three. Either way, Bravecto products make it easy to provide safe and effective flea prevention to cats without the monthly application. This product also requires veterinary approval prior to purchasing.

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Benefits Of Prescription Preventatives

Some prescription preventatives require fewer doses for instance, one chewable pill every three months compared to a topical spot on treatment every month. Other prescription preventatives safely combine multiple parasite preventatives into one medication, making it easier for pet owners to ensure their pet is protected against fleas, ticks, heartworm, and other parasites with just one medication each month.

If youre considering switching between over-the-counter and prescription preventatives for your pet, your best bet is to speak with your veterinarian about what will be most effective for the area you live in and your pets needs.

Frontline Plus For Cats And Kittens

Frontline Plus is an effective spot-on treatment and acts against all three pests ticks, lice, and fleas. Use this treatment for cats heavier than 1.5 lbs or at least 8 weeks old.

Frontline Plus gets power to exterminate fleas in all life stages from active ingredients -methoprene and fipronil. This treatment will offer protection for 30 days after a single application.

It is important to not bathe your kitty two days before and after application for better effect. The pack can last for six months and the product kills the fleas within 24 hours of applying.

Frontline Plus Cat Flea Treatment is very simple to apply. Just spread the fur along the spine and apply the liquid directly to the skin for the best result.

Pros:

  • Keeps fleas away for a month
  • Kills bugs within 24 hours

Cons:

  • Can cause side-effects and not 100% natural

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How To Find The Best Flea Treatment For Cats

The best flea treatment for your cat depends on his lifestyle, parasite risk factors, health status, age and other factors so you should see your veterinarian for a personalized recommendation.

But in general, you should look for a cat flea treatment that is both safe and effective. And since not every cat flea treatment on the market will meet those requirements, you need to know what to look for.

Cats with fleas should be treated with a safe and effective flea control product containing active ingredients that kill adult fleas and that sterilize flea eggs and prevent immature fleas from maturing into adults, Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinary advisor for Pet News Daily, told The Dodo.

Examples of some active ingredients that youll find in a quality cat flea product include spinosad, lotilaner and imidacloprid.

You should also make sure youre buying the correct product for your cats life stage and weight. Also, be sure the product is labeled specifically for cats. Giving a flea treatment intended for dogs to a cat can be deadly.

And be sure to check that your cats flea products are approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an animal drug. This will help you weed out any questionable cat flea treatments.

Flea & Tick Treatment & Medicine For Cats

10 Best Flea Treatments for Cats 2019

Its every pet parents nightmare, your cuddly companion has contracted a pesky pest. Fleas and ticks cause a myriad of problems for both kitty and pet parent. Cat fleas are small, dark brown to black insects whose bodies are hardened. While they cannot fly, they have strong hind legs which help them jump. Their mouths are designed to be able to pierce through your pets skin and suck their blood. Fleas can live one to two and a half months depending on the temperature and humidity. Thats enough time to cause your kitty significant discomfort. Signs your cat has fleas include flea dirt in their coat, excessive scratching, licking or biting at the skin and loss of hair. There are several available flea treatments & medicines for cats. Some kill fleas that live on your pet, while others help kill pests that live in your home or yard. The best flea treatment for cats will not only attack adult fleas, but eggs and larvae as well.

Chewy carries the best flea treatments for cats from brands like Advantage II, Seresto, and Frontline Plus. Flea medicine for cats contains ingredients like fipronil and methoprene which kill adult fleas, and flea eggs and larvae. Frontline Plus flea and tick treatment for cats kills fleas, ticks, chewing lice, and flea eggs and larvae that can transmit Lyme disease. Frontline Plus comes highly recommended by veterinarians as a good cat flea medicine option.

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Cat Flea And Tick Prevention Product Summaries

Advantage II is a topical monthly product that contains the active ingredients imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen. This combination of drugs kills all forms of fleas, including eggs, larva, and adults. However, this product has no tick prevention. This product should only be used in cats and kittens over 8 weeks and who weigh more than 2 pounds. It is typically applied every month for prevention purposes.

Advantage Multi is a topical monthly product containing the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin. This combination of drugs is fast-acting and kills parasites within hours. This product kills fleas and ticks as well as prevents heartworm infections and treats hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites. However, this product has no tick prevention. This product should only be used in cats and kittens over 9 weeks and who weigh more than 2 pounds. It is typically applied every month.

Catego is a topical monthly product containing the active ingredients fipronil, dinotefuran, and pyriproxyfen. This combination of drugs kills all fleas , ticks, and chewing lice. Catego is fast-acting, starting to kill fleas within hours. This product should only be used in cats and kittens over 8 weeks and weighing more than 1.5 pounds. It is typically applied every month.

Why Skipping A Dose Isnt A Good Idea

Just like when we are prescribed a medication, we are advised not to skip any doses. The same goes for our pets, including their preventatives. It should be noted that a product will only be effective for as long as the manufacturer states, which is typically one month for most preventative products . Therefore strict compliance is necessary if you wish to maintain a parasite-free home and cat.

Once a preventative has lapsed, it can take on average 2448 hours for the next dose to start working and to re-start any protection for your cat. The period between protection lapsing can be critical, and it only takes this window for a flea to sneak in and start an infestation.

And this is only one of the reasons veterinarians and veterinary staff promote the use of flea prevention products before fleas can become an issue. Not only are flea infestations difficult, time-consuming, and frustrating, fleas can cause trauma to your cats skin, as well as cause allergic reactions in some cats . They can also carry several nasty intestinal parasites such as tapeworms and, although the risk is low, these parasites can even be transmitted to you!

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Best Cat Flea Treatment: At A Glance

  • Best efficient flea treatment: Frontline Spot On for cats | Buy now
  • Best flea treatment on prescription: Advocate 80 Spot-On for Large Cats | Buy now
  • Best fit and forget flea treatment: Beaphar Cat Flea Collar | Buy now
  • Best immediate flea treatment: Biospotix Cat Flea Spray | Buy now
  • Best one-hit treatment for infestations: Johnsons 4Fleas Tablets | Buy now
  • Best flea treatment at the vets: Program 80 Cat Injection | Buy now

Petarmor Plus Flea & Tick Prevention For Dogs

Sergeant

If youre looking for the generic version of a name brand dog flea medicine, PetArmor Plus is the best bet. PetArmor has the same active ingredients as Frontline at a fraction of the price. This medication is exactly the same as its name-brand counterpart it kills and prevents fleas, ticks, and lice for 30 days after one topical application, and should be used only on dogs.

Key Features:

  • Monthly topical medicine that kills and prevents fleas, ticks, and lice for 30 days after application
  • Active ingredient: fipronil and -methoprene
  • Becomes fully waterproof after 24 hours
  • Cannot be used on cats

Pros:

  • Generic brand with same active ingredient as Frontline Plus
  • More affordable product compared with other name brands
  • Begins killing fleas within 24 hours
  • Available for every size and weight of dog

Cons:

  • Does not prevent against mosquitos
  • Cannot be used on or around cats

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Beneficial Nematodes Can Help Eliminate Outdoor Parasites

If you believe that the flea infestation may have originated from your yard, its important to get rid of the parasites that are lurking outside of your house. Left untreated, your yard will remain a safe haven for fleas that will eventually latch onto humans, cats, and other pets, perpetuating your cats flea problem.

While theyre invisible to the naked eye and are completely safe to you and your pets, beneficial nematodes are a deadly menace to the fleas who are living outdoors.

Here Are The Best Tick And Flea Treatment And Prevention Products For Cats In 2021

  • Best topical flea preventive for cats: Revolution Plus Topical Solution
  • OTC topical flea treatment for cats: Frontline Plus
  • Fast-acting flea control product for cats: Comfortis Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs
  • Flea control product for young kittens: Capstar Flea Control Tablets
  • Flea collar for cats: Seresto Flea and Tick Collar

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Flea Treatment Advice For Cats

Have you found your cat scratching more than normal?

Cats are easily irritated by external parasites like fleas, and this may result in skin allergies and a lot of scratching .

These parasites spread quickly and if not stopped in the early stages can spread to other pets in your house, and also into bedding and dark warm areas of your house.

If your cat has become infested with fleas its also likely that those fleas are now living in your home, and although they dont live on humans they do bite and cause skin irritation.

While getting a flea treatment for cats is often the best solution, there are a few factors to consider before deciding what will work effectively for your cat.

In this article we cover different types of flea treatments for cats, such as natural flea treatments, topical flea treatments, and oral flea treatments.

There are different external parasites that affect cats and fleas are among the most common, especially in North America.

Common infections caused by fleas include cat scratch fever, plague, and anemia.

Most cat owners prefer Over The Counter topical and oral flea treatments that are specially formulated and tested to remove and kill those pesky fleas.

We have reviewed a few popular and effective treatments below, and we also further discuss how you can spot fleas, and how to rid your pets and you house of them.

Best Comb: Hartz Groomer’s Best Flea Comb For Dogs And Cats

Cheristin Flea Treatment Topical for Cats | Chewy
  • Removes both adult fleas and their eggs

  • Time consuming to find fleas

  • Not all cats will allow combing

Catching live fleas can be a challenge but combing dead ones off your cat can be just as difficult if you dont have a flea comb. The Hartz Groomers Best flea comb helps you clean your cat and makes it easy to keep a good grip on this important grooming tool. It can also be used to comb out your short haired cat, even if when they doesnt have fleas.

  • Does not kill all flea life stages

  • Difficult to bathe most cats

While you may be thinking that this isnt a flea shampoo, the truth is that shampoos designed to kill fleas can be very dangerous to cats. Even shampoos labeled as all-natural often contain oils that can be toxic or harmful to cats and the traditional flea shampoos contain pyrethrins which can be extremely dangerous. Dawn Ultra dish detergent is safe for animals, as many people may already know from advertisements that show wildlife being bathed with the soap. It’s effective in killing fleas, and also in getting your cat clean. As a bonus, many homes already have a bottle of it under the kitchen sink.

  • Small amount of liquid for kittens

  • Quick-drying formula

  • Protects and treats for more than just fleas

  • Safe for kittens

  • Must avoid touching the area of application until it is dry

  • Needs to be applied monthly

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How Can I Make Sure My Cats Flea Treatment Is As Safe As Possible

There are some things you can do to make a flea treatment as safe as possible.

Firstly, use a prescription product advised by your veterinarian. Theyll be able to weigh up your cats individual risks based on their age, weight, and other conditions. They may even say that flea treatment is not needed year-round in your area.

Secondly, check the best before date on products before applying out of date products may not be safe to use. You should also ensure that youve stored the products in the conditions stated on the packet, as heat and light can cause some medications to stop working or become unsafe.

Ensure you read the packaging and follow all instructions for use. Some products need applying differently to others, so check before each application that you know exactly where and how to apply and how much to give.

You should never mix products, use a flea treatment designed for or prescribed for a different animal, or use a different dosage than the one that was prescribed.

What Kind Of Flea Medicine For Puppies

Treating fleas and ticks on pups can be challenging as flea and tick medicines used for large dogs might not be suitable for them. Most flea medicines are best for dogs when they reach the age of 7-8 weeks. Before you pick any therapy, check its suitability based on your puppers age. Some flea solutions from brands like Capstar would also solve your little purpose as they are feedable to pups of 4 weeks.

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