Why A Monthly Flea Treatment Subscription Box Is The Perfect Solution
Choosing the best flea treatment for dogs can be tricky. A flea subscription box for your dog means that you will never forget to treat for fleas again their flea spot-on product will simply arrive in the post every month when its time to dose. You can rely on Protect My Pet to remember which product and dose your pet requires, and when, ensuring 24/7 protection against fleas.
Using Protect My Pets subscription service also allows you to spread the cost of flea, tick and worm treatments across the year, commitment free. No more bulk buying of expensive treatments that you might forget to use. Here at Protect My Pet we make protection against fleas completely hassle-free, so thats one less thing for you to think about.
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.
Avoid Natural Flea Control Products
If you’re considering using natural flea control products that contain essential oils, exercise caution. Some essential oils can be toxic to cats.
All three veterinarians we consulted do not recommend natural products, which do not work nearly as well as veterinarian-recommended topical and oral flea control products. “They are just not proven to be really effective,” Bourgeois said. “My biggest concern with natural products is, even if they’re safe, if they’re not effective, that’s not helping our pets. I get more concerned about the secondary ramifications for the pet if we’re using something that hasn’t been proven to be effective, versus products that have been proven to be effective and well tolerated.”
Don’t Miss: Female Smurfs Name
Onguard Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment For Cats Best Flea Control For Cats
Onguard Plus uses Fipronil and S-methoprene, the same active ingredients that are in Frontline Gold, which fleas have been developing a resistance to over the years.
Luckily, the stuff still kills the vast majority of fleas, but theres always the possibility that the fleas youre dealing with wont be bothered by it at all. Its an inexpensive treatment, though, so theres little risk in giving it a shot. The low price and general effectiveness are why we believe that its the best flea treatment for cats for the money.
It kills fleas in all life stages and lasts for a month per application, so youll get plenty of bang for your buck.
The packaging is a bit cumbersome to deal with, and since youll have to rub it on a flea-covered cat, that can be a problem. The oil is also thick and takes time to absorb into the skin.
- Thick oil takes time to fully absorb
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.
Recommended Reading: What Does It Mean When A Cat’s Pupils Are Dilated
The Best Otc Topical Flea Preventive
Available without a prescription, Frontline Plus kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice.
Pros: Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice safe for use in kittens at least 8 weeks of age and in breeding, pregnant, and nursing cats fleas don’t have to bite for it to work
Cons: Not recommended for kittens younger than 8 weeks of age does not prevent any parasites other than fleas, ticks, and chewing lice
Parasites prevented: Adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, chewing lice
Duration of effectiveness: 30 days
Safe for: Cats and kittens 8 weeks and older, weighing at least 1.5 pounds breeding, pregnant, and nursing cats
Prescription: No
We recommend Frontline Plus because it not only kills fleas and controls flea infestations, but it also kills ticks and chewing lice. Used and trusted by pet owners for more than 20 years, Frontline Plus protects for 30 days with one application. Fleas do not have to bite your cat for Frontline Plus to work they die on contact.
“In flea-infested environments, when they do studies looking at the efficacy of these products, sometimes it takes a few months of consistent, high-quality flea prevention to even see that population completely eradicate because there’s four different stages to the flea life cycle,” said Bourgeois.
Seresto Vs Advantage Ii For Flea Treatment
Seresto vs Advantage II is a tough war. Seresto is a cat collar that provides 8-month protection. Advantage, on the other hand, offers only 30 days protection, and hence you need to apply it monthly. Also, Seresto acts as a repellant for both ticks and fleas. Therefore, Seresto is the winner.
You May Like: Rick And Morty Kitty
Types Of Safe Flea Treatments For Cats
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.
Why Is Monthly Flea Treatment For Dogs So Important
It is said that prevention is better than cure. Regular use of the best quality flea treatment spot-on product will prevent fleas living on your pet long enough to reproduce. Using a high efficacy spot-on product like Advantage or Frontline Plus consistently at monthly intervals will mean that any flea which finds your pet will die without laying eggs, breaking their life cycle.
Don’t Miss: 8 Month Old Cat In Human Years
How Do Fleas Take Hold
Once fleas have become established it can be tricky to remove all traces of them. Fleas only spend their adult lives on your pet. It is the flea eggs, larvae, pupae, and immature adults that take up residence in your cats environment. This can include your garden, your home, your cat basket, even your bed. A cat who has fleas will scatter flea eggs everywhere they go, so if you only find one adult flea on your cat, there will be a hundred more in your home or garden. The complete eradication of fleas takes at least three months and requires regular cleaning and treating of the home, as well as using a quality spot-on treatment product at monthly intervals.
How Long Does It Take For Flea Medicine To Work
Various flea and tick meds are available in the market. And a pet can be treatable in a number of ways. However, the desired results depend on what type of treatment a person is employing. Many oral treatments would start working in 30 minutes to 1 hour. In case of a spot-on treatment, it yields results in 24 hours. Most therapies kill fleas in 24 hours which reduces any chances of these eggs. Certain oral pills are quite effective that show effects immediately as a dog swallows them.
Read Also: How To Make A Livestock In Little Alchemy
Catego Flea & Tick Spot Treatment For Cats
While its effective against both fleas and ticks, Categos biggest claim to fame may be its applicator. Its extremely easy to use, enabling you to put the oil right where you want it without getting it all over yourself in the process.
The formula uses a cocktail of active ingredients to kill fleas, including Fipronil, Dinotefuran, and Pryiproxyfen. This means its unlikely to stop working because if one ingredient doesnt kill fleas, one of the other two will.
Of course, some owners will balk at putting that many chemicals on their cat, even if its been approved by the relevant authorities.
It only comes in one dosage size, which is intended to treat all cats above 1.5 pounds. This may pose a problem if you have a massive breed like a Maine Coon, as it likely wont be as effective on them as it is on, say, a Cornish Rex.
Catego also seems to have an attractive flavor, as cats seem to love licking it off one another. You dont want them to do this, so if you have multiple cats, youll need to keep them separated until the oil dries.
- Not as effective on large breeds
- Cats seem to enjoy taste
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
Recommended Reading: Cat Year To Human Years
Why Should You Buy Flea Medicine
As climatic conditions turn a little warmer, fleas and ticks emergence starts in large numbers. Preventing a canine or feline from fleas becomes the priority task as summers set in. These bugs can lead to a greater nuisance that might trouble your furry animal. Fleas are small insects that are likely to trouble a dog or cat to a much greater insect. They get transmitted simply when a pupper is out for a walk. These parasites feed on blood, making a home in an animals fur leading to serious long-term consequences.
To prevent such parasites survival, flea and tick medication comes into aid. Otherwise, excess growth of fleas and ticks may lead to severe diseases in animals. These bugs can be dangerous to a pet to the extent that they might fall sick. If not controlled timely, it can lead to anemia and intense itching in these fur creatures that can be troublesome. Flea and tick control for dogs and cats thus becomes a great necessity.
Can You Overdose A Cat With Flea Medicine
Flea treatment such as Advantage contains an active ingredient known as Imidacloprid. Though considered safe to use insecticide, it may cause some harmful reactions when used on cats younger than seven months of age. And result in shaking, drooling, vomiting and a stark drop in appetite.
Therefore, this monthly treatment should not be applied near or around the eyes, nose, mouth , or areas with loose hair that could interfere with product efficacy and other sensitive skin regions like underarms and genitals .
Other toxic ingredients include Pyrethrin, and pyrethroids are the most dangerous ingredients in flea medication. These chemicals are present in sprays, household insecticides, and topical spot-on medications for dogs. Still, they should never be given to cats because they react differently when coming into contact with these substances.
Signs of flea treatment overdose can appear within one- to twelve hours after application and vary depending on the type. The most common symptoms from pyrethrum are muscle tremors and excessive drooling for organophosphate products, its diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or falling over. However, theyre fatal if exposed to a high dose in a short time frame.
Also Check: Taking Cat Temperature
Best Topical: Bravecto Topical Solution For Cats
-
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.
Seresto Flea And Tick Collar For Cats 8
as of February 8, 2022 5:12 pm
Features
- Provides 8-months of continuous flea and tick prevention
- Seresto flea and tick collar for cats works through contact, so fleas and ticks do not have to bite your cat to die
- Vet-recommended flea and tick prevention for cats in a convenient, odorless non-greasy collar No need for messy monthly treatments
- Starts to repel and kill fleas within 24 hours of initial application
You May Like: What Are Cat Years In Human Years
What To Look For In Oral Flea Treatments For Cats
Its unfortunate that pet product manufacturers make more edible flea treatments for dogs than cats, but the market for dog products is much larger than it is for cats. Flea tablets for canines are more profitable and popular because dogs are more willing to consume or swallow pills than felines. Although you can use a multitude of topical treatments for cats, there are some advantages to using an edible tablet.
How To Choose The Best Flea Treatment For Cats
When it comes to flea control theres no better medicine than prevention, but with not all flea treatment products being of equal quality youll want to make sure youre choosing the safest option available.
There are several factors to consider to help you make the best choice for your cat, including lifestyle, age and breed. Outdoor cats are more likely to pick up fleas, ticks and lice than indoor cats, so a product that addresses all of these possibilities is worth the investment.
Some products have restrictions on them so when selecting a product, ensure its age-appropriate for your fur baby and also check the weight range to make sure youre administering the right dosage.
The length of your cats coat can also influence the type of treatment you use and which products will be most beneficial. If you have multiple cats, then products that offer affordability may well be the way to go.
Another factor to consider is the type of treatment youd most prefer to use. There are a range of options from topical preventives, flea collars and oral treatments to flea shampoos, sprays and combs. We recommend combining a fast-acting, but short-term treatment, with a longer-lasting one and products such as combs with flea collars or topical preventives to ensure your cat is adequately protected.
You May Like: Can You Use Terramycin On Kittens
Natural Flea Treatment For Cats Lasts Up To 3 Months
EasyDefense Flea & Tick Squeeze-On for Cats uses plant-based active ingredients to effectively kill and repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes and to prevent bites, rashes and hot spots. This topical formula is easy to apply and contains no synthetic pesticides, ensuring natural, effective long-term protection.
This holistic flea, tick & mosquito treatment for cats uses the active ingredients of geraniol, peppermint oil, and thyme oil. Simply spread the fur between your cat’s shoulders, place the tip of the squeeze-on bottle on the skin, and apply the treatment. Each tube lasts for a month, and with three tubes per box, that gives you three months of natural pest control.
DO NOT USE ON KITTENS UNDER 4 MONTHS OF AGE.
Country of origin:
INSTRUCTIONS:
DO NOT USE ON ANIMALS UNDER 4 MONTHS OF AGE.