Is Advantage Flea Treatment Safe For Pregnant Cats
Yes, the advantage flea treatment is safe for pregnant cats. It is registered and licensed safe to be used on pregnant cats. It is also known to cure fleas in kittens due to its proximity to the mother cat.
The advantage flea treatment is deemed safe to use on pregnant or lactating cats too.
So when you use this product on the lactating mother cat, the kittens that are close to the mother kitten would also get cured due to their closeness.
This also proves that it is highly effective as even being in the proximity of the animal receiving the treatment is effective, so it surely is competent enough to be used regularly.
So if your pregnant cat gets flea infected you can use advantage flea treatment on it.
Consulting your vet before doing so would be a better option as they are more familiar with your cats pregnancy and its medical history and would be better equipped to advise you if you can use the flea treatment or not.
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What If Your Cat Licks Flea Treatment
If your cat has just licked a topical flea medicine, start by brushing his teeth and preventing him from swallowing the paste, then give him a few treats before consulting a vet if you suspect that your cat has swallowed too much of the medicine and is beginning to show signs of poisoning such as excessive salivation and foaming, nausea and vomiting, and loss of balance as early symptoms.
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.
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Whats The Best Over The Counter Flea Medication For Cats
Over-the-counter medications can be just as effective and safe as prescription flea treatments. Sometimes, these treatments contain previously patented active ingredients associated with prescription medications. When the patent expires on an active ingredient used in a prescription product, manufacturers of generic products may scramble to sell low-cost generic alternatives to the prescription treatment.
While theyre not necessarily dangerous, OTC medications arent always safe, either. Just as its important when choosing a prescription product, research and careful analysis are key to choosing the right OTC medication.
Because the best oral flea treatment for cats is almost always safer than topical treatments, the best over-the-counter flea medication for cats is an oral treatment, but it is short-acting and not effective for long-term control of the problem.
Treating Fleas At Home
Although it is still possible for fleas to try and take over your home if you have your cat on an effective flea preventative such as one prescribed by your veterinarian year-round, the chance of this occurring is much less likely.
Additionally, your veterinarian may use these preventatives in combination with other products to treat fleas should you miss a dose and an unfortunate flea infestation occurs. Furthermore, it is important if you have additional pets in your home to make sure they are all on safe and effective flea preventatives as well.
Speaking about other pets, if your cat has fleas, likely, your other pets do too, so they will all need to be treated.
To get rid of fleas at home, youll need to:
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Are Flea Treatments Safe
Fortunately, there are lots of safe ways to get rid of fleas.
It can be tempting to pick natural remedies because they seem saferbut be aware that while natural flea prevention tactics can sometimes help keep the bugs away, they cant always deal with a serious case you may want to consider treatments that contain synthetic chemicals.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency regulate flea products and conduct reviews of a products safety for the animal, people in contact with the animal, and the environment. These two agencies must approve flea products before they can be sold or marketed. We also keep a watchful eye on product recalls and the news to monitor potentially harmful products up for investigation.
Make sure the flea medicine you choose is specifically for cats and that the dosage you use is correct for your cats weight. Be very careful if you are also treating your dog for fleassome flea treatments that are perfectly safe for dogs can be fatal if your cat licks the dogs fur after the dog has been treated.
Its also a good idea to check with your veterinarian to make sure the treatment youre using is suitable for your particular cat, especially if your kitty has any health conditions or is taking other medication.
How To Treat Fleas With Capstar For Kittens Under 2 Lbs
Do you hate the fact that your feline friend is covered with fleas or ticks? So how to treat fleas with Capstar for kittens under 2 lbs? Your answer is here.
Its good news that your little feline buddy has given birth to the kitten. Now youve got an extra duty due to the increasing number of your family members. Besides, newborn kittens are so prone to different health issues, especially the fleas. Thus, I recommend you to learn how to treat fleas with Capstar for kittens under 2 lbs.
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What To Do If You Find Fleas On Your Cat
If you find fleas on your cat, consult your veterinarian for next steps.
Flea combs may be an important part of your vets treatment plan, along with medications. Remember that you need to use flea combs regularly to be effective in the treatment and removal of fleas completely.
Your veterinarian will also recommend other methods to treat all stages of a fleas life cycle, all pets in the home, the homes environment, and yard. In addition to treating your cat for fleas with the right medication and grooming, make sure all bedding is thoroughly washed, along with any clothing or materials that may have come into contact with the infected cat. If there are other pets in the home, be sure they are up to date on their flea preventatives and check them immediately for 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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Safe Cat Flea Treatments & The Danger Of Pyrethrin And Pyrethroid Toxicity
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They may have four legs and fur, and some may even play fetch or walk on a leash.
But the harsh truth is, no matter how much they may look or act like one, your fuzzy feline is just not a dog.
And this is also true for your catâs flea prevention products and the danger if you accidentally or intentionally apply DOG flea or tick preventative to your cat.
The ingredients in dog flea and tick products are highly toxic and even fatal if used on cats. The long and the short of it is: DO NOT APPLY DOG FLEA & TICK PREVENTATIVES TO CATS.
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Tips For Using Topical Flea And Tick Products
There are many different types of flea and tick products that can be applied to your pet, and different chemicals work in different ways. Thats why its always important to:
Choose the right product
- Work with your veterinarian to select the right product for your pet and your needs.
- Make sure the product matches your pets species, life stage and weight class. If the product is for use on dogs, dont use it on cats. If using the product on a puppy or kitten, make sure it is labeled for that life stage and that your pet is at least the minimum weight specified on the label.
- Dont apply a product to kittens or puppies unless the label specifically allows this treatment. Use flea combs to remove fleas and flea eggs, and a tick remover to take off ticks from puppies and kittens that are too young for flea and tick products.
- Talk to your veterinarian before using a product on weak, old, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, even if they have been fine with previous uses of the product. The same goes for pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to flea or tick products. Tell your veterinarian about any other products you might be using or giving to your pet, because it could make a difference in their recommendations.
Use the product properly.
Pay attention after using the product.
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Household Sprays And Foggers
To further treat your home, you can use sprays and/or foggers that will kill the adult fleas, as well as the larvae and eggs as they hatch. These products are available at your veterinarians office or pet supply store. Care must be taken when using these products, as they can be toxic to fish, birds, cats and children. Read labels carefully and ask for advice from your veterinarian before attempting to use these products. To be safe, you may need to remove all of the animals from your home for 48 hours , so that the pesticide chemicals from the spray or fogger has a chance to dissipate. In the face of a severe infestation, you may want to hire a professional exterminator to spray the house properly.
Whats The Best Flea Shampoo For Cats
Although cats usually dont care for baths, and you can get the same quality coverage from a pill, some people may prefer to use a flea shampoo.
The best flea shampoo for cats is free from toxic ingredients and completely safe for cats. Remember that a product safe for dogs isnt necessarily approved for cats, who may ingest shampoo residue during grooming.
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Was Your Pet Food Recalled
3. Towel dry the kitten.
Dry the kitten right away and completely.
Place the kitten back into a warm environment, such as a heating disk or baby blanket, says Shaw. Kittens can easily become chilled from a bath, and it is of utmost importance that the kitten be kept warm.
4. Clean the bedding or blankets.
Place the dry kitten in an area free from fleas and grab a plastic bag or trash bag. Gather up all bedding and fabric the kitten may have come in contact with and wash them in hot water.
Vacuum any areas the kitten has come in contact with, and treat any other kittens .
Its important to clean the environment as well as the animals otherwise, the fleas will be a persistent problem.
Treatment of the whole house is essential, including soft furnishings, carpet pile, gaps between floorboards and other difficult-to-reach areas, according to International Cat Care.
How Can My Cat Get Fleas
Adult fleas live, feed, and mate on our pets the female flea lays eggs that fall off into the environment where they hatch into larvae. The larvae eat organic debris until they mature into pupae. The pupae may lie dormant for weeks to months, awaiting the ideal environmental conditions before hatching into adults. Newly hatched adult fleas jump onto a host animal to complete their life cycle. Two days after eating a blood meal from the host, the female flea begins to lay eggs. Under ideal conditions, the flea can complete its entire life cycle in as little as two weeks in adverse conditions, the cycle can take as much as a year.
The most important source of cat fleas is newly emerged adult fleas from flea pupae in your house or yard. Homes with carpets and central heating provide ideal conditions for the year-round development of fleas. The highest numbers of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae will be found in areas of the house where pets spend the most time, such as their beds and furniture.
“The highest numbers of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae will be found in areas of the house where pets spend the most time, such as their beds and furniture.”
Even though fleas may be in your house, you probably will not see them. The eggs are tiny white specks the size of dust particles, while the larvae, which are somewhat larger, with dark heads and lighter bodies, migrate deep down in carpets, furniture, or cracks in floors away from the light.
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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.”
Best Flea And Tick Prevention For Kittens
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Theres not much in this world that is cuter than a kitten. Unfortunately, parasites find them irresistible too. Kittens are at high risk for developing flea and tick infestations. Read on to learn how to protect your fuzzy little furball from fleas, ticks, and the health problems they cause.
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Topical Cat Flea Treatments
Spot-ons
Spot-on cat flea treatments contain a small amount of liquid that is applied to your cats skin once a month. Many claim to be waterproof, but if the medication resides in the skin, frequent bathing can reduce their effectiveness. They may also be rubbed or groomed off when wet, so it is best to keep an eye on your cat and avoid petting them until the liquid dries.
Sprays, Dips and Shampoos
Once a major part of flea-control programs, sprays, dips and cat flea shampoos only work at killing fleas on the cat at the time of application, but do almost nothing for the hatchling fleas coming from the environment post-treatment. Many different products are available, so it is important to make sure the one you use is safe for cats.
Cat Flea Collars
A cat flea collar can be an attractive option for some pet owners. They are easy to use and typically have few side effects. However, old-style flea collars may not be very effective, especially in areas of the body farthest from the collar. Some of the newer products cost more but have data to support better efficacy.
Flea Treatments For Cats
Historically, the most effective approach to flea control was a three-step method: treatment of the yard, the house and the cat. The newer flea and tick control products, however, are so effective that treatment of the premises is rarely necessary, especially if the cat resides exclusively indoors. Cat parents now have a huge selection of flea control and flea treatment products at their disposal.
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Sentry Purrscriptions Plus Flea & Tick Squeeze
The Sentry PurrScriptions Plus Flea & Tick Squeeze-On Treatment provides five-way protection from fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, deer ticks, and mosquitoes. If you live in an area with West Nile Virus, then this is a great option as its effective on mosquitoes carrying West Nile.
Unlike most treatments, this spot-on shouldnt be used on kittens under 3 months of age. So while this kitten flea treatment is an effective option, youll have to wait a little longer before you can use it on your tiny fur-baby.
- Only suitable for kittens over 5 pounds
- Not for kittens under 12 weeks of age