Best Inexpensive Flea Treatment For Cats

Do Indoor Cats Need Flea Treatment

All pet cats need routine flea and tick preventing medication, even if they are indoor pets only. Most veterinarians and animal behavior experts recommend that indoor and outdoor kitties receive monthly parasite prevention medication all year roundeven in the winter when the risk of a flea problem is generally low.

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.

Types Of Flea Treatments

Youll find a wide range of flea-repellants and flea treatments on the market.

The most effective ones are topical treatments applied to one spot on the cats skin . These include:

• Fipronil
• Selamectin
• Fluralaner

Also effective are pills such as Capstar and Comfortis. While the pills and spot treatments make your cats blood poisonous to biting fleas, flea collars give off chemicals that either repel fleas or kill them even before they bite your cat.

Experts note that simply treating your cats and other pets is usually not enough to rid your house of a flea infestation. You will need to vacuum furniture weekly, wash rugs and quilts, and clean cat beds. If the infestation persists, you may even need to call in a flea service that will treat your rugs and furniture.

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Vetone: Crossblock Ii Kills & Prevents Fleas On Dogs & Puppies

as of November 27, 2021 9:26 pm

Features

• GENTLE PROTECTION: Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Home Spray uses certified natural ingredients to kill fleas, flea eggs, and ticks on contact.
• PROVEN EFFECTIVE: Whether facing an active infestation or are applying for routine prevention, our spray is scientifically proven effective against pests but gentle enough to use around the whole family.
• CERTIFIED NATURAL OILS: Each steam-distilled essential oil is selected for its potent pest-fighting properties and is 100% Certified Natural.
• TOTAL HOME DEFENSE: Applies easily on surfaces, indoors and out, including dog bedding, crates, furniture, blankets, upholstery, carpets, outdoor surfaces, and more. Also gentle enough to be applied directly on dogs and puppies 12 weeks or older.
• MADE IN THE USA: Our products are proudly manufactured in the USA with quality domestic and internationally sourced ingredients.

What Happens If My Cat Licks Flea Treatment

Ingesting pesticides is dangerous there are flea treatments with mild effects, while some may completely cause health risks to your cat. Nevertheless, the symptoms exhibited after ingestion must not be serious for drastic measures to be taken. But even if the symptoms are a sign of mild side effects, you should always take the cat to the veterinarian.

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Why Trust The Spruce

Adrienne Kruzer is a Registered and Licensed Veterinary Technician in three states and has been writing on pet and vet topics for over a decade. She loves researching, learning, and problem solving in order to better help pet owners. Her years of working in various animal hospitals, alongside her formal college education and elective continuing education classes, have provided her with a wealth of experience and knowledge to benefit cat owners.

What To Look For While Buying A Flea Medicine

Getting flea or tick medicine for your fluff companions becomes a great necessity as it might yield disastrous results if not treated timely. Checking various flea and tick prevention reviews would surely help you, but you still need to look for certain features that decide your purchase. Such features are as follows:

Pet Age

Primary factor that rules a purchase is a pets age. If you own a small puppy or young dog, then you should check for the age criteria labeled on a flea product. All medicines do not work well for all ages, so you need to pick up the product that fulfills your dog or cat age criteria.

Breed

Which breed your pet belongs to also helps you to decide what medicine or what type of treatment would work well. If you have a dog of any such breed who has thick coats, then taking up a topical treatment for them will not solve the issues. Ensure whatever type of treatment or product you are going to buy suits your dog or cat.

Pet Health

If you are feeding a pet with any other medications or supplements, then you might consider it before buying flea medicine. Also, any health disorders, previous histories, or allergies need consideration. Various drugs make use of different ingredients, and they might react in different ways in a pets body. So, it becomes necessary to take into consideration all the health histories of a pet.

Type of Parasites

Vet Recommended

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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

Petarmor Plus Flea & Tick Prevention For Cats

This is yet another spot-on treatment that protects your kitty from being bitten by both fleas and ticks. It acts against three pests fleas, chewing lice, and mites. This also is a once-a-month treatment. Applying once will help to keep your kitty free of infestation for a month.

Being a spot-on treatment, you dont have to wrestle with your cat to make her swallow a pill. The product will start showing results within 24 hours of application. The dosage is based on the weight of your pet.

Pros:

• Acts against fleas, ticks, lice, and mites
• Applying once can keep your kitty free from infestation for a month

Cons:

• Being a topical treatment, this could get washed off if the cat comes in contact with water on the day of application
• Some users complain that the product is not so effective.

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Best Topical Cat Flea Treatments

Now that you know the fancy science names for each of the ingredients used in the market leaders, well look in a little more depth at the way they work and just how long they work for. Below is a list of the best topical flea treatments for cats ranked with efficiency and cost effectiveness in mind.

Types Of Flea Medication

There are three primary forms of flea medication for dogs and cats. The main difference between the three is how you give them to your pet. They are:

• Those given by mouth

• Those applied on the skin

• Those worn around the neck

Before going any further, always keep this safety note in mind: When giving flea prevention medication to cats, always read the label and make sure it is approved for cats. Flea medication for dogs can be very toxic to cats, even resulting in death.

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What Flea Treatment Is The Best For My Cat

Fleas aren’t just a nuisance for your cat they can lead to health issues. Using good, quality flea control products means that you are looking out for your furry friend. Flea control products don’t come one-size-fits-all, and they should be labeled as safe for cats. Never use dog flea control on a cat. Different types of flea control products for cats include topical solutions, collars, sprays, tablets, and oral solutions.

Oral flea medicationsOral flea medications work from the inside out and should be given to your cat monthly for the best flea control. Comfortis is an effective oral flea treatment for cats.

Topical solutionsThese liquids are typically applied on one area of your cat and can last for a month before having to be reapplied. Many can start killing off fleas in as little as 12 hours. Topical flea treatments for cats include Revolution, Cheristin for Cats and Advantage II.

CollarsA flea collar is used on your cat’s neck to provide a constant flow of flea preventative. Many of these collars work for several months at a time. A common flea collar for cats includes Seresto which protects against fleas for up to 8 months.

Always check your cat after administering a new flea preventative to see if he or she is having any side effects.

Are There Any Natural Alternatives To Flea Medications

There are many suggested natural alternatives to flea medications out there. However, they do not work as well as the manufactured products that have gone through safety and effectiveness testing.

Also, many of the supposed natural alternatives to prevent fleas can be toxic to your pets. For instance, some people suggest using garlic and others recommend essential oils to ward off fleas. But garlic can cause severe anemia in dogs, while essential oils can cause neurological issues and liver failure in cats.

If you prefer natural alternatives for flea control, talk with your veterinarian and let them know. They can work with you to find a flea control option that is safe and effective for your pet and more natural for your home.

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Safest Flea Treatment For Dogs & Cats Buying Guide

Before buying flea medicine for your paw mates, you must be well aware of what kinds are available. Apart from that, one must conduct proper research in knowing which one will suit their dogs and cats well. How flea medication works and how it affects a pet is of utmost importance to be aware of. Without any adequate knowledge, a tick prevention medication can lead to varied results that might even be harmful to a pet. So, in order to get the best puppy flea medicine to refer to our buying guide.

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 using 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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Natural Chemistry Flea Shampoo For Cats

This shampoo is a great place to start if you have just adopted a cat that turns out to be infested with fleas. Follow the directions for applying and rinsing off the shampoo. You can repeat the treatment once a week until the cat is free of fleas . Active ingredients: cinnamon oil, clove oil, and cedar oil.

How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Cats

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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Topical Flea Treatment For Cats

Topical treatments are applied to the skin on the back of the neck . They will kill fleas for either one or three months, depending on which brand you choose.

The site of application is important because it prevents cats from licking the treated area and making themselves sick. These topical flea medications are safe when applied topically, but they can cause problems if ingested.

Keep small children and other pets away from treated cats while topical flea medications are drying or being absorbed by the skin.

Many different topical brands are available. Some are OTC, while others need a prescription. Here are some of your options:

Some Flea Products Are Dangerous To Cats

Products labeled for use in dogs only should never be used on a cat. Some ingredients that are well-tolerated by dogs can be toxic to cats. “Anything with a permethrin, also known as pyrethrin, should never be used on a cat,” Sawyer said. ” are very sensitive to pyrethrins and can have significant neurologic side effects, even death. Never use a product labeled for a dog on a cat as it may have pyrethrins in it even if not exclusively mentioned on the label.”

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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.”

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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Vets Best Flea And Tick Home Spray For Cats

Designed for cats, this spray kills fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs, and ticks. Oh, and it doesnt contain any of the harsh chemicals that are bad for your felinejust certified natural oils and other safe ingredients. Use this spray on your furniture, crates, pillows, blankets, and other areas of the house. You can use this on cats who are older than 12 weeks, as long as you carefully follow the directions.

A Note On Flea Collars

For the most part, flea collars are ineffective at preventing fleas or ticks. There are certainly some that work well, but those generally are the higher-priced options. Affordable flea/tick collars rarely have the range required to protect your dog, especially since fleas target the backend area of dogs and cats.

Theres certainly some great products out there, but we recommend doing your research to see how effective they are especially with flea collars. Currently, Seresto flea collars are the only collars we recommend for flea/tick preventative.

We carry two flea/tick preventatives: Bravecto for fleas & ticks which is an oral tablet that lasts for 3 months, and Provecta Advanced for fleas, ticks & mosquitoes, which is a topical that lasts for 1 month. Both are very effective and reasonably priced.

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How To Buy The Best Cat Flea Treatment For You

How can I tell if my cat has fleas?

A fine-toothed flea comb is a handy tool for investigating, although it wont get rid of them completely. Comb your cats fur while theyre on a clean, pale surface and see if you can spot any fleas or small black specks, which may be flea faecal matter. Check if it is by placing it on damp cotton wool itll dissolve to a reddish-brown colour. Alternatively, place it within a folded piece of paper and press down if its flea faeces, itll have tiny blood-red flecks.

If you suspect your pet has fleas, youll need to treat your home as well. A room fogger or household flea spray used on bedding, floors and along skirting, followed by thorough vacuuming, should effectively evict any unwelcome houseguests.

What types of cat flea treatments are available?

All treatments will need to be used regularly to maintain protection against fleas.

Flea collars are impregnated with an insecticide that kills fleas and prevents their return. The insecticide used is commonly permethrin. It is worth noting that while this chemical is considered safe as part of a cat collar, it must not be used as a spot-on treatment. These products may be safe for dogs, but the chemical is poisonous to cats and can be deadly.

How much should I spend?