What Is The Difference Between Prescription And Over
Some flea control products are sold over the counter, which means you can buy them without a prescription. Other flea control products require your veterinarian to write a prescription. You can purchase prescription products directly from your veterinarian or buy them from online pet pharmacies and stores like Chewy, Petco, Petsmart, and Walmart PetRx.
Most prescription flea control products also prevent heartworms and sometimes other parasites like roundworms, hookworms, mites, and ticks. Any product with a heartworm component requires a prescription. Pets must test negative for heartworms before starting one of these products because giving a heartworm-positive pet this type of medication can cause rare but potentially very serious and sometimes fatal complications. You also want to know if your pet has adult heartworms because preventive medication will not kill them it only kills the larval stages.
Prescription flea control products cost more than over-the-counter options because they protect against more parasites, most importantly, deadly heartworms. There is no treatment for cats with adult heartworms, and they will eventually die from the infection. This is why veterinarians recommend using a year-round heartworm preventive for all cats, whether they live indoors or out. They also recommend year-round intestinal parasite prevention.
What Are The Best Flea Treatments For Cats In The Uk
There are several different flea treatments for cats available both over the counter or online at your pet specialists or through your vet .
Some treatments can be used together for both prevention and treatment, some are only available from a qualified medication specialist.
Spot on cat and kitten flea treatment
Spot on treatments are by far the most popular choice of cat flea treatment, they are easy to use and can be applied regularly as a preventative measure as well as a treatment during a flea infestation. Spot on treatments are small tubes of liquid which are applied to the back of your cats neck
Spot on treatments can both kill adult fleas and stop the development of fleas.
Cat and kitten flea tablets or injections
If spot on treatments prove difficult to apply to your cat, flea tablets are available to buy over the counter, or you can visit your vet for a flea injection treatment. Tablets and injections work slightly differently, as they stop eggs developing into fleas. Cat flea tablets or injections are a good preventative measure.
Cat and kitten flea powders
If your cat has already contracted fleas, powders can be a fast form of treatment, as the powders get to work as soon as they are applied to your cats skin. Cat and kitten flea powders tend to only kill adult fleas, so using a powder in addition to a preventative treatment that stops the development of fleas can help avoid future infestations whilst quickly getting rid of a current bout of fleas.
What Is The Fastest Way To Eliminate Fleas
Look for products with fast-acting results. Still, as already emphasized, you shouldnt have unrealistic expectations. For example, a single flea can lay 40 to 50 eggs a day! In other words, you need to be persistent and apply the treatment for a few months despite its seemingly quick effectiveness.
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How Can I Tell If My Cat Has Fleas
Even with preventative measures, its likely your cat may contract fleas at some point in their lifetime, signs of fleas in cats include:
- Scratching or grooming more often than usual
- Flea bites on both your cat and you
Some cats can also be allergic to fleas, in which case flea symptoms may be more severe including:
- Hair loss due to the excessive scratching and licking
- Inflamed/red skin
Vets Best Flea And Tick Home Spray For Cats
The first one is a waterless bath for cats. The second one is a spray that you can use on any surface in your house. And the third one is a flea control collar for cats and dogs, so you can use it if you have multiple pets or even just if you want to give your cat some extra help with their fleas.
This is something thats great if you have an indoor cat because its not going to leave any residue on their coat and it helps them get rid of all those pesky critters like ticks or mites while theyre at playtime. This product comes with two bottles so that when one runs out, there will already be another bottle ready to go.
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Side Effects Of Flea Medicine For Cats
If a cat is not responding to flea medicine positively, then it might result in some side effects that can be harmful to its health. Certain major issues that might occur due to wrong medicine can be drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, unrest, tremors, lethargy. In some cases, it also leads to weakness, incoordination, hypothermia, hyperthermia, dyspnea , and seizures. Felines get irritated as a result of which they start losing their energy. Also, certain medications may lead to disruption of the nervous system and might result in fatal health problems.
How Does Over The Counter Flea Medicine For Cats Work
Over-the-counter flea medicine for cats works by killing adult fleas on contact and preventing flea eggs from hatching. It is safe to use on kittens over 12 weeks old. You can apply an over-the-counter treatment directly to your cats skin or you can use it in conjunction with a spot-on treatment, which is applied directly to your cats skin at their neckline.
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Vets Best Flea And Tick Waterless Bath For Cats
VETS BEST FLEA AND TICK WATERLESS BATH FOR CATS
VETS BEST FLEA AND TICK WATERLESS BATH FOR CATS is a non-toxic and safe-to-use product. It doesnt use any harmful chemicals and leaves your cat clean from the inside out. This product can be used on cats of all ages, including kittens. The design of the bottle makes it easy to dispense the shampoo into your cats fur so that they to enjoy their bath time.
With VETS BEST FLEA AND TICK WATERLESS BATH FOR CATS, there is no need to worry about harming your pet while they take a bath or being exposed to harsh chemicals while you wash them yourself.
K9 Advantix Ii Flea And Tick Prevention For Large Dogs
- 2 monthly applications
- Vet recommended
K9s Advantix treatment for dogs is a great cure for fleas and ticks that would serve a dog well. We investigated the product in detail and concluded it worked through contact, looking forward to its features and suitability. This restricts all fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes from biting a canine to die, making it less painful for him. It works well for canines weighing 21-55 pounds and provides 2 monthly applications. Dog flea treatment from K9 becomes easier to apply and requires lesser efforts to be made. This is what makes it a perfect choice for people who own picky fur companions.
As soon as you feed your pet with this medicine, it starts working within 12 hours and works well to kill all insects for 30 days. Apart from all that, K9s Advantix prescription flea medicine does not pose any threat to a pets health. This is a perfect choice for large puppers to have a year-round safest flea treatment for dogs. And thus, it becomes the best flea and tick treatment for dogs. No doubt, it yields good consequences helping your loyal companion get rid of its bugs.
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Choosing The Best Flea Treatment Product For Your Cat: What To Look For
We recommend that you always contact your veterinarian first to let them check your cat because they are a better judge and can decide whats best for your cats health. Then purchase a product based on their prescription.
However, when considering what product to buy for your cats flea treatment, you might want to consider the following factors:
Frontline Plus Flea And Tick Treatment For Dogs
- Long-lasting effects
- 30-days protection
Destroying all eggs and adult fleas prevents new flea growth, thus hindering their rapid production rate. And that is precisely possible by Frontlines Plus Flea and tick treatment. Frontline Plus dog medicine is useful comfortably for dogs of 5-22 lbs. This one is a quick, efficient, and fast-acting treatment to control the action of fleas on all canines and cats. It helps treat dogs well by breaking a flea chain killing all adult fleas, eggs, and larvae.
Frontlines Plus Flea and tick treatment is a trusted flea medicine that is capable enough to destroy all bugs, ticks, and their eggs. It also works well in eliminating those that transmit Lyme disease. Frontlines best puppy flea treatment comprises 2 tough killing ingredients, fipronil and -methoprene. Those ingredients kill adult parasites and also their eggs and larvae. Its long-lasting 3-dose formula gives protection to canines and felines for a full 30-days. This one gets assorted in a felines oil glands serving them greatly for a good amount of time. One can directly apply this solution to an animals skin and thus becomes easy to use. This is what makes it a comfortable product for all individuals.
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Buyers Guide: Finding The Best Oral Flea Treatments For Cats
Fleas are tiny parasites that feed on human and animal blood. They are especially prevalent on household pets like dogs and cats, and if you dont treat an infestation quickly, they become increasingly difficult to treat. Symptoms of a flea outbreak include itching and scratching, chewing their skin, and even shaking. You can also look for signs of bites and when you see them and choose between topical and oral solutions to treat fleas.
Types Of Flea Control Products
Here are the most common flea control products for cats and how they work:
- Topical preventives: Also called spot-on products, topical preventives are great for both killing fleas and preventing flea infestations. As they dry, they spread across the entire body, leaving no residue behind. You usually apply them to the skin in one spot on the back of the neck once a month.
- Oral flea control: Give oral flea control products, or flea pills, to your cat by mouth to kill fleas. Some oral flea control products kill fleas for up to a month others must be given more frequently to continue killing fleas, as often as once a day.
- Flea collars: Wear flea collars around the neck, where they deliver flea preventive medication to a cats skin and coat. Some flea collars deliver preventive medication for a longer period than topical applications, making them a good choice for cat owners who dont want to have to apply something every 30 days.
- Flea shampoos: Flea shampoos kill fleas that are currently on your cat. We do not recommend them since topical spot-ons and oral products are easier to use and more effective. Read more about this in our slide on What to consider when shopping for flea control products.
- Flea spray: Apply flea sprays to the skin and coat. Like shampoos, we do not recommend them since topical spot-ons and oral products are easier to use and more effective. Read more in our slide on What to consider when purchasing flea control products.
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Is The Best Over The Counter Flea Treatment For Cats Right For Your Needs
The question that you have to ask yourself before buying any of the best over the counter flea treatment for cats is whether or not they will suit your needs. Besides, you must clearly define what your needs and purposes are. From there, you can choose the best product and serve it according to your requirements.
Why Flea And Tick Preventatives Should Be Used All Year Long
The older school of thought was that fleas and ticks werent as active in the winter months. Therefore, it wasnt necessary to use preventatives during these periods, with saving money as the only real benefit.
However, with more recent climate changes, we have seen warmer winters, cooler summers, and a surge in bugs during these months when we normally wouldnt see any. Because we cant predict these parasites behavior, it is not recommended you skip any preventative doses anymore, even when it may be cold outside.
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Advecta Plus Flea Squeeze
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.
Consider Using An Insecticide Spray In The Home
Using one of these sprays can kill the fleas that are infesting your cats environment.
This flea collars active ingredients are flumethrin and imidacloprid, which work together to kill adult fleas and prevent reproduction. This flea collar can keep your cat flea-free for 8 months.
While the Seresto flea collar may be the best of its type, results vary. This flea collar gets its share of negative reviews from people who say that their cat had a severe skin reaction to the chemicals in the collar. In fact, as of April 2022, the EPA has received nearly 100,000 complaints of harm to pets, including 2,500 deaths associated with the Seresto flea collar.
In spite of this staggering number of complaints and a petition asking the EPA to ban the collar, the agency has not done anything to stop further issues. In fact, multiple scientists at the EPA reveal that theyve been encouraged to stay quiet about the Seresto issue.
Between the EPAs inaction and parent company Elancos refusal to change anything in light of these complaints, we cant feel confident about the information were seeing about this flea collar. Opt for another flea treatment or proceed with extreme caution.
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When To Use Over The Counter Flea Treatment For Cats
- Over-the-counter flea treatments for cats can be beneficial if you have a cat and dont have time to go to the vet.
- These treatments are also useful when you want to save money on veterinarian visits and medication.
- If youre not sure whether or not your cat has fleas, over-the-counter treatments may be a good option because theyre more affordable than prescription medications, which require more intensive exams by veterinarians before being prescribed.
- Since these medications are designed for sale without needing a prescription from a doctor or veterinarian, theres no waiting period for them either.
The List: Best Cat Flea Treatment According To Pros
1. Capstar Flea Control Tablets
Capstar is a great option to give to finicky cats or kittens in a simple, small pill. It starts working within 30 minutes, and in 6 hours, 90% of the fleas should be gone.
If you didnt get around to preventing pests, then this is the best cat flea-killer around. Capstars flea pill for cats and kittens acts super-fast. In 30 minutes, your kitty should start itching less as the oral flea treatment gets to work killing adult fleas, writes Chewy.
Capstar is the best option if you need to treat a kitten, and even if it only works for 24 hours, it is safe enough to administer every day.
Available without a prescription, Capstar is the only flea control product safe for kittens as young as 4 weeks and weighing at least 2 pounds, writes Insider. With other flea control products, whether topical or oral, kittens must be at least 8 weeks old, and sometimes older.
2. Bravecto Topical Solution
Bravecto is one of the only treatments besides Revolution that offers a formula to protect cats against heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms.
Our veterinary experts agreed that Bravecto is one of their favorite flea and tick treatments for cats and dogs. Its also the only brand we recommend that sells a single dose thatll last for three months between applications, writes NY Times.
3. Seresto Flea and Tick Prevention Collar
This flea collar eliminates the need for monthly flea treatments and can be worn comfortably alongside a regular collar.
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Oral Flea Treatment For Cats
Oral flea treatments for cats can come in the form of a pill or flavored chewable tablet and usually need to be given monthly.
Cat parents love how convenient these are since you dont have to apply anything to the skin, unlike with topical treatments. And since the flavored chews are so tasty, your cat will definitely enjoy her dose.
Most oral flea treatments are prescription-only, so youll need to talk to your vet before going with an oral preventative.
Easier To Clean And Use
Everyone loves a good product that will last longer without breaking or needing maintenance to keep it running smoothly! We all have busy lives, so its best to buy something that will save you time on daily tasks instead of wasting hours weekly.
This best over the counter flea treatment for cats is easy to maintain because of its simple design, making it very easy to clean! You can wash your best item in about 10 seconds or less! And best of all, if you do run into any trouble with your product, you can take advantage of the products warranty and get it replaced for free.
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