Flea & Tick Treatment & Medicine For Cats
Its every pet parents nightmare, your cuddly companion has contracted a pesky pest. Fleas and ticks cause a myriad of problems for both kitty and pet parent. Cat fleas are small, dark brown to black insects whose bodies are hardened. While they cannot fly, they have strong hind legs which help them jump. Their mouths are designed to be able to pierce through your pets skin and suck their blood. Fleas can live one to two and a half months depending on the temperature and humidity. Thats enough time to cause your kitty significant discomfort. Signs your cat has fleas include flea dirt in their coat, excessive scratching, licking or biting at the skin and loss of hair. There are several available flea treatments & medicines for cats. Some kill fleas that live on your pet, while others help kill pests that live in your home or yard. The best flea treatment for cats will not only attack adult fleas, but eggs and larvae as well.
Chewy carries the best flea treatments for cats from brands like Advantage II, Seresto, and Frontline Plus. Flea medicine for cats contains ingredients like fipronil and methoprene which kill adult fleas, and flea eggs and larvae. Frontline Plus flea and tick treatment for cats kills fleas, ticks, chewing lice, and flea eggs and larvae that can transmit Lyme disease. Frontline Plus comes highly recommended by veterinarians as a good cat flea medicine option.
Where To Look For Fleas And Ticks On Your Dog
Both fleas and ticks can be difficult to find, especially if your dog has a long, thick coat. Ticks attach firmly to the skin so tightly that they can be extremely difficult to spot. If your dog only has a few fleas, you might miss them buried within your dogs coat because of their size, but when there are enough of them, youll probably notice them scuttling about on your dogs coat.
Look for ticks in the warm, dark areas of your dogs body, such as their armpits , near their groin, between toes, in and around ears, near their eyelids, and under their collar. They are usually round and dark and can be easy to mistake for skin tags or small scabs. Fleas also like dark areas, so if you think your dog might have fleas, look on their belly or under their legs.
What If My Cat Is Indoor
A lot of you are thinking, Well, my cat is indoors. I dont need flea and tick medication. But you might. If your cat is indoor-only on the 38th floor of your apartment building in New York City, no, you dont. But if you have anyone else in the household who goes outside, you must!
As a veterinarian, my indoor cat is on flea and tick medicationyup, thats right. And read on to find out why
When it comes to fleas and ticks, these external parasites are not only annoying to your cat, but they can result in secondary life-threatening infections.
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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.
Sentry Capguard Oral Flea Medication For Cats
Many times cats do not like wearing collars or having liquids rubbed on the skin and you can try oral flea medications like the Sentry Capguard to keep them adequately protected from the pests.
This is not your monthly treatment but it is intended to kill off the infestation before it can get severe. After administering this pill, you will start seeing the flea problem reducing and getting wiped out within 6 hours. The tablet contains Nitenpyram, a vet-recommended chemical, that will get rid of fleas quickly without putting your kitty under any extra strain.
Moreover, this treatment can be repeated if the infestation resurfaced after a few days.
Pros:
- Treatment safe for cats to swallow
- A single order will deliver dosage for six months
- Recommended for cats weighing between 2-25 pounds
Cons:
- Requires the fleas to bite your kitty to deliver results
- Will not work if the kitty has vomited the pill within 30 minutes
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Flea And Tick Treatment For Cats
Be sure to consult with your veterinarian and thoroughly read the manufacturers guidelines before choosing flea and tick treatment, preventives and/or home/yard care products. If your veterinarian determines that prescription intervention is needed, Petco carries that.
Besides causing your kitty discomfort, fleas and ticks can carry harmful diseases. Fortunately, there are many options available to help keep your family safe. Flea collars are a common choice and some can help repel both fleas and ticks. Besides collars, Petco also carries an assortment of topical and oral flea medications for cats. Many of these treatment/prevention products target fleas and ticks while some provide additional protection for ear mites, heartworms and internal parasites, depending on the product. Many of these products are administered orally or applied topically once a month, and provide full-body protection.
Petco also offers house and yard flea treatment sprays, shampoos and combs that help you remove adult fleas and ticks from your cat. These solutions can help get biting bugs off your kittys coat, but they shouldnt be the only step you take to address an infestation. Additional steps to safeguard your home include yard sprays, foggers and powders that help rid your yard, rugs and fabrics of fleas and their eggs.
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Frontline Plus For Dogs And Cats
A topical version of Frontline®, this formula will repel fleas and other pests at all life stages for a full 30 days. This helps to prevent re-infestation and keep your home clear of fleas for a month at a time. Like other Frontline® products, it is free of potentially harmful insecticides and water-resistant.
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Materials Of The Flea And Tick Treatment For Cats That Veterinarians Use
We advise not to buy products from brands that dont specify the materials they use unless were sure the product is made with good quality materials. Its important to be confident about a purchase before you make one, so when the materials used arent clearly specified, it makes us doubt the products quality.
Its imperative to consider what material will work best for your requirements before you make an investment since you could find yourself wasting your money.
Comfortis Oral Flea & Tick For Dogs
Summary: Using spinosad as an active ingredient, Comfortis kills fleas and flea eggs and begins working within 30 minutes. It is prescription available and is administered monthly as it can prevent fleas up for up to 30 days. The minimum pet age for Comfortis is 14 weeks.
Pros
- Not efficient against other pests
- Contains pork protein
- Requires veterinary prescription
Review: We like the beef flavor and the fast-acting nature of the active ingredient. We dislike the limited efficiency and the presence of pork protein which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive dogs.
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When In Doubt Ask Your Vet
The right treatment depends on your location, your activities, and your pets medical history. Pet owners who hike with their dogs have different needs than those who have house cats. Avoid just grabbing any box off the shelfinstead talk with your vet, who will be aware of recent pest outbreaks in the area, product recalls, and your pets medical history. All pesticides have risks, from skin irritation to seizures. We recommend only FDA-approved or EPA-registered treatments that both kill and protect against pests. All are regulated to ensure safety and efficacy, said Dr. Jennifer Welser of . Treatments that both destroy and defend against pests ensure that your pet is protected 24/7.
If your pet has a minor reaction to the flea and tick product, such as application site discomfort, dont freak out. I do see topical site reactions and its not common, but some animals just have more sensitive skin than others, said Dr. Tierra Price, whos a shelter veterinarian and the founder of the BlackDVM Network. She added that its best to consult your vet before switching to a different flea and tick treatment if youre worried about side effects.
Our experts said pet owners shouldnt dismiss these products entirely. Its possible there were multiple factors that could contribute to problems, noted Jennifer Gervais, a pesticide specialist with the National Pesticide Information Center, an EPA partner. We just dont know.
Can I Use A Dog Spot
No. Many dog spot-ons contain permethrin, which is actually far too strong for cats and will likely poison them. It is toxic for anything other than dogs.
Always check that your chosen flea treatment is suitable for cats, and never cross-use any items for dogs on your cat, and vice versa.
If you have a dog and a cat in your home, it could be worth buying a flea treatment which is suitable for both to use at the same time, although getting separate products is best.
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Check Your Cat For Ticks Regularly
You should check your cats coat daily for any ticks and fleas.
Frequently checking your cat for fleas and ticks can help identify any issues, Dr. Henricks said.
A flea comb is a super easy way to check for fleas on your cats coat.
A flea comb should be used over the cats entire coat on a regular basis, but especially when a cat comes in from outdoors, to try to physically identify and remove any fleas and ticks before they can bite, Dr. Henricks.
If you find a tick on your cat, make sure to remove the tick properly to prevent an infection, as once ticks bite theyre more likely to infect your cat with a disease the longer theyre attached.
Ticks can be a health hazard for cats, so its important that all cats are on a reliable tick preventative year-round, even if they only live indoors. With regular medication, your cat can be protected from ticks and fleas for the rest of her life!
We independently pick all the products we recommend because we love them and think you will too. If you buy a product from a link on our site, we may earn a commission.
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Top 10 Vets Best Flea And Tick Treatment Combo Kit Safe For Cats In 2022
With an increasing number of options on the market, its becoming harder to sort through the noise and find the best VetS Flea And Tick Treatment Combo Kit Safe For Cats . that suits your particular needs.
Thats why were here to assist you in picking the best VetS Flea And Tick Treatment Combo Kit Safe For Cats . . We have gone through the difficult process of evaluating every product in detail to find the best one. Whether youre buying for the first time or looking for an upgrade. Brace yourself for everything you need to know about buying the best product available.
So Without further ado, lets jump right in!
Here is our Top 10 Recommendations!
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Efficacy Issues In Products
It is important to keep in mind that efficacy issues can occur when attempting to treat a flea infestation. Killing the adult fleas is easy, but eliminating the larvae, eggs, and breaking the life cycle can be challenging.
Fleas can be resistant to some more widely used products, so it is not unusual to run into a product that simply does not work for your cat. Other times, you may notice a product does not work for the length of time advertised. For example, a once per month medication may only keep the fleas away for two weeks.
It is very important to discuss flea treatment and prevention directly with your cats veterinarian so that they can give you the best option in tackling this pesky problem.
Best Oral Flea Treatments For Cats
Made for adult cats and small dogs, these chewable tablets are a fast-acting alternative to topical flea treatments. The active ingredient, Spinosad, starts to work nearly immediately after ingestion and kills up to 98% of all adult fleas in hours. It also prevents fleas for 30 days after the initial use.
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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.
The 7 Best Flea And Tick Medicines For Dogs
One of the great mysteries of nature is how some things so small can cause so much harm. Such is the case when it comes to fleas and ticks. Though often small enough that one has to search arduously to find them, fleas and ticks are a serious health concern for dogs and dog owners.
Because of the many dangers they pose, its important to invest in a high-quality flea and tick treatment for your dog if you live in an area where these insects are common. But with so many different options, you may be wondering about the best kinds of flea medicine. To help, we reviewed hundreds of products to find the 7 best options. Heres our list:
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Hartz Topical Flea & Tick Prevention
This is a spot-on treatment and helps get rid of fleas in all life stages. Hartz Topical Flea & Tick Prevention will help to keep infestation at bay for 30 days from the day of applying.
The order is delivered as three monthly treatments in easy to apply, single dose tubes. This product offers protection from fleas in all life stages. The product also successfully repels mosquitoes for 18 days from the day of application.
The company doesnt mention anything about the product being waterproof. All spot-on treatments carry the threat of getting washed out if the cat comes in contact with water after applying.
Pros:
- Hartz Topical Flea Treatment for Cats is the cheapest product on our list
- Apart from fleas and ticks, it also claims to keep mosquitoes away
- Helps to keep infestation in check for 30 days after application
Cons:
- Due to the active ingredient etofenprox used in this flea treatment, it may be toxic to your cats if used in higher amounts.
Quality Of The Flea And Tick Treatment For Cats That Veterinarians Use
The quality of the product is an important factor. If you happen to get one with low-quality material, you will have a tough time trying to maneuver them.
Whatever you choose to buy, the quality should be first-rate. You dont want to waste money on something that looks or feels cheap when what you desire is elegance, coziness, and style.
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Nontoxic Ways To Protect Your Pet
One of the most mind-boggling choices dog and cat owners face is how to safely guard against fleas and ticks. Those creepy crawlers arent just gross they can transmit disease to both pets and people. Pets need protection, but many of the solutions on store shelves are loaded with chemicals that could be risky to their healthand yours.
So whats a responsible pet lover to do? The key is to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from allowing these harmful products to reach store shelves in the first place. Until the EPA does this, however, you can educate yourself about the risks and benefits of various treatment options, then bring that knowledge to the store. There are ways to keep all your family members, including the furry ones, safe from dangerous pests and the most toxic ingredients.
The perils of pest protection
Most conventional flea and tick productsincluding collars, topical treatments, sprays, and dustsare registered as pesticides and regulated by the EPA. But heres the ugly truth: Many of the pesticides allowed for use on pets are linked to serious health issues in people, such as cancer and neurological and respiratory problems. Pets can also suffer: Skin irritation, neurological problems, gastrointestinal disorders, and even organ failure have been reported as a result of pet poisonings.
Considering chemicals