Flea Treatments Available For Cats
There is a vast array of flea treatments available from vets, pet shops and supermarkets for use in and on cats. It may not be obvious, but these products vary markedly in their compositions, mode of action, effectiveness and safety.
Many older products contain products that may be less effective or less safe . It is important to always read and follow instructions carefully, and wherever possible, talk to your vet first and seek their advice they will have access to the best and safest products for use in cats.
Many newer products are available as spot on preparations that only have to be applied every few weeks. Again, it is important that instructions for use are followed carefully for the products to be both safe and effective. Never be tempted to use a dog product on a cat some of these can be highly toxic to cats .
Some flea treatments are also available as tablets, which may be easier for some owners to give, and some effective flea collars are also available. However, many of the products available from pet shops or supermarkets may have very poor efficacy. These are generally not the same as you would get from your vet, and veterinary advice is always best. Some sprays and powders should not be used near fish tanks because they are toxic to fish.
Always check if a product is safe to use on kittens, and pregnant or suckling cats if treating such animals.
Can I Use A Flea Spray On My Cat
Most sprays are safe for use on a cats coat directly, but its super important that you read the packaging carefully before doing so.
Wed also strongly recommend you visit a professional vet to get an opinion on the product you purchase before you go covering your cat in it. Better safe than sorry!
Flea sprays arent going to be as effective at killing fleas on your cat as a topical treatment would be, they also probably wont repel fleas as well as collars do while your cat is outdoors.
The reason they arent as effective is the same reason theyre safe to use around children and spray over every inch of your home. They dont contain the same strong insecticides that the more powerful flea treatments do.
Virbac Knockout Es Area Flea Treatment Spray
Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Flea Treatment Spray is one of the most effective flea and tick sprays for home use available today.
Using a combination of pyrethrins and permethrin to kill active flea and ticks, it also contains pyriproxyfen which stops fleas developing for up to 7 months after application. A single 16oz can will cover up to 2100 square feet of your home.
When using the spray, youll need to remove all pets and humans from the area treated for a short period as per the instructions provided.
Features of the Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Flea Treatment Spray include:
- Kills fleas on contact
- Prevents reinfestation for up to 7 months
- One 16oz can covers 2,100 square feet
- No odor or residue even on bedding
Wed highly recommend Virbac Knockout E.S. as one of the best flea sprays for home use given its effectiveness and longevity.
Recommended Reading: How Many Human Years Is A Cat Year
Program 80 Cat Injection: The Best Flea Treatment At The Vets
Price: £48 | Buy now from Vet Medicines Direct
When youve been through a raft of treatments and are still stuck with a persistent flea problem, injections can be the answer. While it requires a trip to the vets every six months and theres a low chance of side effects, these injections are great for cats with flea allergic dermatitis or other skin problems that make conventional solutions tricky. They use lufenuron to prevent and control an infestation, stopping eggs from developing and hatching once the chemical is in the body of adult fleas through a bite. Theres also a Program 40 solution for cats weighing less than 4kg and weaned kittens.
Key specs Pack size: 1 Frequency of use: Every 6 months Type: Injection Suitable for: Cats weighing more than 4kg, pregnant and lactating females
Best Flea Treatment For Cats: Bayer Advantage Ii
According to our experts, Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention is the best cat flea treatment as it offers quick and lasting freedom to your kitty from fleas and ticks. The topical formula gets rid of fleas in all life stages. Safe, effective and easy to administer, Bayer Advantage II is popular among many cat-parents and vets.
You May Like: Gargamel’s Cat’s Name
What To Look For In A Good Flea Spray For Your House
The primary factor you should look for is safety. Theres no point at all purchasing a spray to use on beds and linen if its going to pose a risk to your own or your cats safety. Read ingredients lists carefully and search up any ones you arent familiar with to be sure theyre safe for use around the home.
The most important thing with any treatment is to read the instructions carefully.
Thankfully, most respectable manufacturers have the sense not to put harsh insecticides in spray bottles that theyre intending on selling to the general public, but that still depends on them being used as per the instructions.
On a less serious note, youll want to look for a spray that doesnt stain any surfaces, isnt greasy to touch and that smells nice. Youre far less likely to commit to regularly spraying your home with something that lacks any of the above traits.
As always youll be wanting to get a good deal on a flea spray. Most have similar natural ingredients and as such, you can probably get a much better deal by comparing the natural oils used in two competing products and opting for the cheaper brand if theyre the same.
Did you find this article helpful?
Join Us!
How Can I Treat My Home Environment
A number of different products are available which will kill the adult and larval stages of fleas and stop the flea life cycle, such as:
- adulticide sprays for use in the house
- sprays containing insect growth regulators for use in the house
- insecticides applied by professional pest control companies
Sprays for use in the house should be used in places where the flea eggs, larvae, and pupae are likely to be. It is recommended that you treat the entire household first and then concentrate on the hot spots – your cat’s favorite napping spots – such as soft furniture, beds, and carpets. Once they hatch from the egg, flea larvae move away from the light and burrow deep into carpets and into other nooks and crannies where they are difficult to reach. Be sure to move cushions, furniture, and beds to spray underneath them. Other places larvae are likely to live include baseboards and the cracks and crevices between floor seams or floorboards.
“You will need to throw away the vacuum bag to prevent eggs and larvae from developing inside the vacuum cleaner.”
Flea eggs and pupae are extremely tough and resistant to the effects of insecticides. To remove these, as well as remove dead fleas, your pet’s bedding should be washed in hot water or replaced.
You May Like: Cat Urine Wood Floor
How Can I Kill Fleas On My Cat
Several factors must be considered before deciding which type of flea treatment for cats will work best in a given situation, including effectiveness, safety, cost, potential side effects, and formulation.
The most effective flea control products will contain an adulticide or an insect growth regulator that sterilizes flea eggs and prevents the immature fleas from growing up and reproducing.
K9 Advantix Ii Flea And Tick Prevention For Extra
- Starts within 12 hours
- No contact working
Fleas and ticks have always been creating problems for your furry companions that become quite troublesome for them. To treat the same, K9 Advantix II dog flea and tick prevention is a great usage that provides all good relief only for dogs. This flea treatment works through contact and prevents ticks and mosquitoes from biting our loyal mates. Undoubtedly this best dog flea treatment gave us better results as compared to any other product for up to 30 days. The best flea medicine renders 4-monthly applications, which one can use comfortably for large puppers weighing 55 pounds or more.
K9 Advantix II flea and tick medication appear with an easy-to-apply formula demanding little effort from people. This comes out to be the best dog flea medicine for year-round treatment against flea and ticks, especially for large mongrels. Moreover, all vets suggest it for canines with insect issues. So, one can purchase it without any second thought, worrying about the products safety. While reviewing it, we checked out its composition in detail and came to know that this one does not pose any health issues or side effects. Meaning individuals can use it conveniently on their loyal friends. Apart from fleas, it kills mosquitoes, ticks, chewing lice along eggs and larvae.
Don’t Miss: How Often Should You Feed An 8 Week Old Kitten
What Are The Health Risks To A Cat
Fleas are more than just a nuisance. These parasites can pose a threat to your cat’s health. A severe flea infestation can seriously damage a cat’s skin, induce an allergic reaction, or cause them to become anemic from blood loss. Fleas are also responsible for cats contracting parasites like tapeworms and may transmit diseases.
“Fleas can pass on diseases to cats, which can then be passed on to people,” Jeffer said. “The most common one that we see is cat scratch fever , which can cause all kinds of issues in people, but in cats, it can make them very sick.”
Oral Vs Topical Flea Medicine Treatments
Oral flea pills are quite easier and give many efficient outcomes as compared to topical flea medications. These are feedable by your paw mates easily without demanding any effort. This kind of treatment provides full-body protection to them. As a flea or tick bites a pet, they get poisoned by toxins and die. In case of topical or spot-on methods, it is a little time-consuming as it calls for only application on a particular spot. One must take care while choosing such spots where a pet is not able to lick that solution. They might also lead to certain skin issues if your fur companions do not respond positively to this therapy. Besides, compared to oral pills, these topical medicines are a little cheaper. Hope those who wonder should I choose an oral or topical dog flea medicine? have got their answer with this info.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Cat To Eat After Tooth Extraction
Flea And Tick Treatment Methods
Topical Flea Medicine
It is also popular as a spot-on method that works well for flea and tick control. When applied in between a pets shoulder blades, this medication can get licked off by them. Moreover, these medications generally last for a month, sometimes by killing and sometimes by repelling mosquitoes.
Flea Collars
Flea collars work in 2 ways, either they emit toxic gas, or they might get absorbed into a subcutaneous fat layer of affected animals. Toxic gas works for the area immediately, like a neck or head. Flea collars work well for adult ticks but do not give efficient results for larvae.
Chewable Flea Medicine
Chewable flea medicine for dogs and cats helps to provide prevention against insects on a complete body. To help a pet chew easily, these are soft and flavored so that a dog and cat might not refuse them. After they get ingested, when insects bite a pet, they get infected by those infused toxins and might die.
Flea Pills
Flea pills are efficient methods to treat fleas and ticks. These tablets stop larvae, eggs, and even adults. They provide protection for an animals entire body. Besides, every dog or cat will happily feed on them. It does not need any application in a particular area or spot.
Flea Shampoos
Flea Sprays
How To Choose The Safest Flea Treatment For Your Cat
If youre concerned that your cat has fleas, you are probably in the market for a flea preventative medicine. However, safety is a big concern when it comes to treating pets for fleasespecially with cats.
And many flea treatments that are made for dogs can actually be extremely toxic to cats, so it is important to find one that is labeled for cats.
Heres how you can find a safe flea treatment for the cats in your home.
Recommended Reading: Zoetis Animal Health Terramycin Antibiotic Ophthalmic Ointment
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:
Cheristin Topical Flea Treatment
Cheristins weapon of choice is Spinetoram, and its no wonder. Spinetoram gets to work quickly and in some cases can eliminate 100% of fleas within a 12 hour period. Thats incredibly fast acting.
The applicator itself is specially designed to be gentle on your cat. Im sure anyone whos wrestled with an unhappy cat will be grateful for that when the time comes.
Its suitable for cats over 1.8lbs and over 8 weeks old. They make a special note not to use more than a single dose if you have a large cat due to the potency of the active ingredient.
They claim long lasting relief from fleas, which in topical flea treatment terms is around the month mark. In our experience you can expect a minimum of 25 days flea-free when using Cheristin.
As with all products mentioned here, its important to monitor your cat after application. The active ingredient here is an especially strong one, which is great for killing fleas, but not so great if your cat has a bad reaction to it.
Also Check: Lovecrafts Cat Name
Why Choose Oral Flea Treatment
Topical flea treatments, sometimes also referred to as spot-on treatments, are those that come in small ampoules and you squeeze the liquid between the cats shoulder blades. They can leave a sticky residue, you need to prevent your cat and other animals from ingesting the liquid. If your cat is allergic to the flea treatment, it can leave them in worse condition than the fleas.
Oral treatment, which can take the form of oral solution or tablets, negate the need to keep other cats away from the treated feline and may prevent contact dermatitis caused by flea treatment.
- Tablets Cats are notorious for refusing to swallow pills, but some take to it more easily than others. You can buy pill pockets, which are small treats with space for the tablet. Alternatively, you can wrap a tablet in a small morsel of food or a small cat treat. You can also get a pill applicator which allows you to gently fire the tablet down the cats throat. Smaller pills tend to be easier to get down your cat, but larger ones are usually stronger.
- Oral Solution An oral solution is a liquid. It comes in an ampoule, and this can be added to food or cat treats. The problem with this solution is that you cant be certain of exactly how much of the liquid your cat has ingested and how much might be sat on the floor or the edge of the bowl.
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.
Before you can buy an oral flea treatment, youll probably need a recommendation from your vet, since most of these will be prescription medications.
But if your cat already has fleas and youre looking for a quick fix, the over-the-counter oral flea pill Capstar can help. It kills existing fleas on your cat fast but keep in mind it wont kill future fleas. Youll need to put your cat on a preventative , too, to avoid future infestations.
You May Like: How To Take Cats Temperature
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.