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Safe Flea Treatments For Cats

How Do Fleas Affect My Cat

Top 8 Best Flea Treatments for Cats (We Reviewed Them All)

Many cats live with fleas but show minimal signs. However, problems can occur.

Some cats develop an allergy to flea bites, especially if they are repeatedly bitten. Flea allergic cats groom or scratch excessively after being bitten by even a single flea, and often develop skin infections secondary to this self-trauma. Lesions most often appear at the base of the tail. Excessive grooming may also result in removing all evidence of a flea infestation on your cat. To eliminate this possibility, your veterinarian may advise rigorous flea control even though no fleas can be found.

Adult fleas live on animals and feed on blood. A single adult flea consumes many times its weight in blood over its lifetime. If a kitten, or a debilitated or older cat, has a lot of fleas, the blood loss can be severe, resulting in anemia.

The flea acts as the intermediate host for one species of tapeworm. This means that the tapeworm must complete part of its life cycle within a flea. Flea larvae become infected by eating tapeworm eggs, and if a cat swallows an infected flea while grooming, the tapeworm larva will develop into an adult tapeworm. Any cat with fleas is likely to also have a tapeworm infestation .

Comb Your Pet To Check For Fleas

A good way to check if your pet has fleas is to groom them using a fine-toothed comb held over something white, like a piece of kitchen paper. Any fleas or flea droppings will be deposited on the surface. Add a few drops of water, and if the droppings turn reddish brown it’s very likely your pet has fleas.

If you’re still unsure if your pet has fleas or want to know what product to use, speak to your vet for the best advice.

Safe Flea Control For Mom Cat And Kittens

Young kittens can quickly get flea anemia, so its very important to keep mom, kittens and the bedding area flea-free. These tips are best for safe flea control for kittens and new mother cats.

Safe Flea Control
  • Use a flea product such as Revolution, Advantage or Frontline on mom only.
  • Do not use flea products on newborn kittens its not safe as they are too young.
  • If you see fleas on the kittens, you can bathe them using Dawn dishwashing liquid and use a small flea comb as needed to get the fleas off.
  • Avoid antibacterial soaps.
  • If you have to bathe kittens, make sure you dry them well and keep them warm as they can get chilled easily.
  • Only a fraction of the fleas are on the cats, so it is just as important to remove fleas from the bedding, carpet and surrounding areas.

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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.

Best For Kittens: Revolution Plus Topical Solution For Cats

Cat Flea and Tick Control Spray for Cat Dogs Safe to Use 30ml/50ml ...
  • 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

Kittens are extra sensitive so not all flea treatments are safe to use on baby cats. Revolution Plus is safe for kittens eight weeks and older and contains a small amount of an alcohol-based liquid. This makes application easy and avoids making a mess all over your tiny kitten. It not only kills fleas but also ticks, various intestinal parasites, prevents heartworms, and even ear mites. It does require a prescription from your veterinarian, but is a safe and effective option for your young cat.

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Naturvet Herbal Flea Pet Powder

This four-ounce bottle of herbal flea pet powder from NaturVet is all-natural and will titinada interfere with other spot-on flea treatment products. Fresh smelling and easy to apply, this powder kills fleas naturally and is safe to use on all types of pet bedding, including blankets, foam beds, and cat condos. Containing rosemary, thyme, and lemongrass oil, NaturVet flea pet powder can be used on cats of all ages.

Due to its popularity, this product is oftentimes unavailable. Some cat parents reported this powder made their pet vomit.

  • Some users reported the product as ineffective

Topical Flea Treatment For Dogs

Topical flea treatments are often seen as a safe flea treatment for dogs because many types of this medication are not absorbed systemically, meaning they do not cross the dogs skin barrier or get absorbed into the blood stream. This can be a safer option for dogs with a history of reactions to certain types of medications.

Topical flea treatments are typically applied every month or every three months, depending on the product, so pet owners need to be careful to remember to apply these products on time.

Like collars, these medications can be washed away if your pet swims or bathes frequently, so be sure to follow the manufacturers directions for use and consider an oral flea treatment if your pet is frequently exposed to water.

Youll also need to be careful not to touch the area where the flea treatment was applied until it is fully dry, which usually takes about an hour after application. In rare cases, some dogs may have mild side effects such as local skin reactions at the site where the medication was applied, which may include hair loss, redness, itching, and scabbing.

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Bravecto Chewable Flea & Tick For Dogs

Bravecto is a powerful chewable treatment that works for 12 full weeks to protect dogs from fleas and ticks in just a solitary dose. Convenient for pet owners to administer and a special treat for canines, Bravecto – a 3-month flea chewable, is a broad-spectrum treatment for parasites. It also aids in the control of flea allergy dermatitis. This 12-week preventative protects dogs against a range of parasites as it kills fleas along with black-legged ticks , American dog ticks , and brown dog ticks . Bravecto is also capable of treating and controlling existing flea and tick infestations.

Bravecto is a record-breaking flea and tick control product from Merck. This innovative solution offers pet parents and veterinarians a full proof control over fleas and ticks on their pets for 12 weeks. This oral treatment kills fleas effectively, controls flea infestations, and kills ticks . For complete control of Lone Star ticks, a regular dosage of Bravecto every 8 weeks is necessary.

The key ingredient in Bravecto is Fluralaner. This powerful ingredient helps in dismantling the life cycle of fleas and ticks and prevents future infestations. Moreover, this oral treatment is suitable to use on all breeds of dogs, as well as on breeding, pregnant, and lactating ones.

Note: We recommend consulting your vet before buying this product. Pets with a history of seizure attacks should only be treated with this product after consulting a vet.

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Safe Cat Flea Treatments & The Danger Of Pyrethrin And Pyrethroid Toxicity

Cat Flea Treatment (10 Natural Ways!)

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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 cat’s 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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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.

Treatment Options For Fleas On Cats

There are countless options available to treat fleas on cats. Your veterinarian will be able to help you choose strategies and products that work. In general, you want to treat both the adult fleas, which would be on the cat, and the eggs and larvae that are no longer on the cat, but in the environment.

Possible options for treating fleas in cats can include:

In addition to medication treatment, flea baths are effective at removing adult fleas for a short time and aiding flea removal that is currently present. Flea combing daily will also help to remove adult fleas by cutting down the current population already living on your cat. Both options assist with removing fleas, while the medications work to kick in and rid the cat of fleas completely.

The big wildcard is the environment. As your cat move around, the flea eggs are falling off the cat and into the environment. Since fleas can lay up to 40 eggs per day, eggs are raining down all over your house.

To prevent re-infestation, a good cleaning of the home is critical. This includes:

  • Vacuuming every spot your cat goes throughout the house a few times a week.

  • Focusing on the cracks between the hardwood floor and the crevices around the cupboards.

  • Machine launder the cats bedding as the water cycle will help drown the adult fleas and the dryer will dehydrate the eggs and larvae.

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Dog Flea And Tick Collars

Under many circumstances, newer dog flea collars are safe options for flea and tick control . The Seresto collar is a very popular option right now.

It uses flumethrin and imidacloprid to kill fleas at multiple stages of development as well as ticks. The collars effectiveness lasts for 8 months , so it is a convenient alternative to monthly prevention treatments.

However, if you have small children in your home, do not let them play with a Seresto collar or the included reflector clips. All flea and tick collars tend to leave traces of the chemicals that make them effective around the dogs environment and on your pet, so this may be a concern with young children who tend to put everything in their mouths.

Some dogs have had local skin reactions to the collar that have resolved when it was removed. Serestos product insert also states, Consult your veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, breeding, pregnant or nursing animals. This holds true for all flea and tick preventatives.

Flea Treatments For Cats

Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for Cats and Kittens, 6 Doses ...

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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If You Can Smell It On Them

Essential oils are strong scents, so youll most likely be able to smell them on your dog. If youre worried your dog may have eaten or licked essential oils, smell their mouth. If your dog is vomiting, you may even be able to smell essential oils in their vomit. Since essential oils emit a strong odor, you may not be able to pinpoint where the oils are on your dogs body. However, smelling it on your dog tells you that your dog accessed the oils in some way and requires immediate attention.

How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Cats Faqs

Can cats get rid of fleas on their own?

Unless the infestation is extremely minimal, cats will not get rid of fleas on their own. The population may vary depending on the weather/season, but they will always be present at some level in the house, until it is properly treated.

How does Dawn get rid of fleas on cats?

Dawn dish detergent changes the surface of the outside of the flea, making it unable to shed water or float when in wateressentially causing it to drown in the bath water.

Can humans get fleas from cats?

Absolutely! Humans can not only get fleas from cats, but they can give fleas to cats.

How did my indoor cat get fleas?

Fleas can hitchhike in on the clothing of their human family and give fleas to you cat. Fleas are also remarkable jumpers and may come in through screened doors and windows. Other pets, such as dogs, may also bring them into the house.

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Prescription Topical Flea Prevention

If you are looking for monthly broad-spectrum parasite control, take a look at Revolution Plus. It uses the active ingredients selamectin and sarolaner to kill fleas, ticks, heartworms, ear mites, roundworms and hookworms. It can be used on cats over 8 weeks of age and is safe for cats 2.8 pounds and larger.

Bravecto is a topical flea treatment option that uses fluralaner to kill adult fleas. This topical flea treatment will provide your cat with three months of protection. It should only be used on cats that are older than 6 months and weigh more than 2.6 pounds.

How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Cats

How to apply a flea treatment to your cat

Your first step would be to get rid of as many fleas as possible by using a flea comb and by bathing the cat. Using a flea comb, comb meticulously all over your cats body. Keep a jar/bowl of diluted bleach nearby and when you collect fleas on the comb, shake them into the jar to kill them quickly. A good bath afterward can also help to drown the remaining fleas.

Several factors such as effectiveness, safety, cost, side-effects, and formulation should be considered before deciding how to go about treating your kitty for fleas. Effective flea treatment products will contain ingredients to kill adult fleas before they lay eggs or something called an insect growth regulator that will sterilize flea eggs and prohibit immature fleas from growing up and reproducing.

Treatments can be classified into two broad categories: topical flea treatments and oral flea medicine for cats.

Topical flea treatments include spot-ons, sprays, dips, shampoos, and cat flea collars. Many oral flea medicines are available exclusively on prescription, but there are many others that can be purchased over the counter.

While taking steps to remove the pests from your cat is important, equally important is to take adequate measures to wipe them out from the environment . Vacuum your carpet and sweep your floor to remove flea eggs, larvae and pupae.

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Flea Treatment For Kittens: All Your Questions Answered

If youve just welcomed a furry addition to your family, you probably have some questions about flea treatment for kittens. From What age should kittens have flea treatment? to Whats the best flea treatment for kittens?, our veterinary experts can give you the answers. Heres their advice on keeping your kitten happy, healthy and free of parasites.

At what age should kittens have flea treatment?

Young kittens can be very delicate, so most flea treatments can only be given to a kitten aged 8 weeks or more. However, some flea treatments are only suitable for kittens aged at least 12 weeks. As a new pet parent, youll probably be bringing your kitten home when its around 8 to 12 weeks old reputable breeders wont separate them from their mother before this so its important to check that the product youre using is suitable for your kitten.

As well as age, weight can also be a factor when it comes to flea treatments for kittens: many products are made for cats over a certain size. If your kitten is especially small, you might have to wait a little longer. Both FRONTLINE® Spot On and FRONTLINE Plus® are suitable flea treatments for kittens aged 8 weeks and over, as long as they weigh at least 1 kg.

Why do I need to use a flea treatment on my kitten?

Whats the best flea treatment for kittens?

How do I use a flea treatment for kittens?

What if my kittens too young for flea treatments?

I cant see any fleas should I still use a flea treatment on my kitten?

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