Can You Use Dog Flea Collars On Cats

How Is Permethrin Poisoning Treated

There is no antidote to permethrin poisoning. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and provide supportive care this can include the following:

• Muscle relaxants such as methocarbamol
• Propofol where tremors and seizures are present
• Gas anesthesia may be necessary for refractory seizures .
• Intravenous fluids

Can I Use Dog Flea Or Tick Treatments On A Cat

Last Updated on January 6, 2022 by

Fleas and ticks are common ectoparasites that affect both dogs and cats. Regular preventative treatment is necessary to keep these parasites under control. But is it ever okay to use a dog flea treatment on a cat?

The short answer is no, treating a cat with a dog flea treatment can potentially cause death.

The active ingredient in most spot-on dog flea treatments is permethrin, a synthetic compound that acts like natural extracts from the chrysanthemum plant. It affects the nervous system in insects, by interfering with sodium channels to disrupt the function of neurons. This causes muscle spasms, paralysis and death. Unfortunately, it is also highly toxic to cats. Our beloved felines arent a small dog they have an entirely different liver metabolism when it comes to many drugs, including permethrin. Even a tiny amount of permethrin can be deadly to cats.

Seresto Flea Tick Collar For Cats

• SAFE AND EFFECTIVE COLLAR: ShengKou collars include the most effective all-natural formula used by leading brands in the pet care industry, We use citronella and other safe formulas, Our flea and tick collar can effectively help pets get rid of internal & external parasites and fleas, ticks, and other pests.
• LONG-TERM PROTECTION: The Shengkou flea and tick Collars innovative sustained release technology repels fleas, ticks, and other pests for 12 months with one easy-to-use, Natural citronella smell, non-greasy flea collar.
• UPGRADE DESIGN The flea and tick collar adds a emergency breaking point design that allows your dog and cat to walk and play in the rain or wet snow without worrying about their Safety and the effectiveness of the collar.
• PERFECT SIZE: This collar is suitable for cats older than 10 weeks and with a neck circumference of 13.
• WATER RESISTANT COLLAR: ShengKou Collar allows your beloved cats full protection at any time or places even in the rain, swimming or bathing.
• Responsible customer service team, if the product has any problems in the process of use, please contact us in time.

Don’t Miss: Blue Wilderness Catfood

Do Cat Flea Collars Work If They Already Have Fleas

Your cats flea collar will work depending on how bad the infestation is. For a severe flea infestation, it is recommended that you consult your vet. They will advise you and discuss the best course of action. They will most likely decide whether your cats flea collar can work alongside another form of treatment. If not, your vet may advise pursuing a different course of treatment to get the fleas under control. Your cats flea collar can then be used as a preventative measure rather than a treatment by itself. In addition, the flea collar can provide long-lasting protection against fleas.

How Widespread Are The Seresto Collar Problems

We don’t really know.

The numbers in the EPA reports are frightening, with Seresto collars seemingly related to the deaths of nearly 1,700 pets and injuries and illnesses in another 75,000. The number of actual incidents might be higher, noted one expert in the USA Today story, because it’s unlikely everyone who experienced problems took the time and energy to report them to the EPA.

But how do the number of incidents compare to the number of Seresto collars, which are manufactured by Bayer and distributed by Elanco, out there? The flea and tick collars, which are available for large and small dogs and cats, are the top sellers in their category on Amazon. The low-maintenance collars are also available at retailers like Wal-Mart.

RELATED: Dog Fleas, the Pesky Parasites that Love Making a Home on Your Dog

Trepp is one of many vets who’s recommended the Seresto collars to her patients. She told Daily Paws that she’s “never” had any issues with them, and none of her veterinary colleagues have either. Tracey said something similar: Flea and tick collars “are generally regarded as safe preventatives for cats and dogs.”

Trepp also pointed out the idea of correlation not equalling causation: Some pet owners might think the Seresto collar is to blame when it’s possible that the dog or cat is suffering from an unrelated health problem.

It’s one of the reasons Trepp hopes for a more thorough examination of the collars that doesn’t rely on self-reporting pet parents.

You May Like: Cat Scratches Under Door

Advantages Of Flea Collars For Dogs And Cats

If you’re always on the go, flea and tick collars offer several advantages to fit your lifestyle:

• Cost-effective. Collars typically provide up to six months of protection at an inexpensive price point.
• No reminders necessary. If your busy schedule causes you to forget the last date you applied drops and sprays, collars are a great substitute. Once the collar is on, your pet is protected.
• Easy to Use. Topicals require some application and drying time. Flea and tick collars attach in seconds. The active ingredient released from the collar contacts the skin and hair and spreads outward over their body with time and movement.

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:

You May Like: Why Do Cats Scratch Around Food

Can Flea Collars Make Cats Sick

Even though your cats flea collar is one of the most effective ways to deal with or prevent fleas, they can potentially cause irritation to cats which you will need to initially monitor. Any scratching, rubbing, sickness or other abnormal behaviours which are persistent are signs that the collar is irritating, and it should be removed. It is also worth noting that the chemicals used to create the repellent can be transferable. If your cat rubs you when wearing a flea collar, they can transfer some of the chemicals onto you. This is the case around pregnant ladies or infants too.

Do Flea Collars For Cats Work

Most veterinarians feel that flea collars don’t work. They may keep fleas off a cat’s head, but not the rest of the body, and many of them aren’t able to kill fleas.

The best way to prevent fleas in cats is through the use of prescription flea preventatives specifically made for them. Your veterinarian can help you determine which product is best for you and your situation.

Also Check: Blue Buffalo Low Calorie Cat Food

Most Medications Aren’t Risk

The same goes for the Seresto collars. Your vet should be able to walk you through the risks associated with flea and tick collars and help decide which treatment is best.

“There are precautions and warnings with everything,” Wheeler says.

He added that, generally, older and younger dogs can be more susceptible to health issues. Plus, every dog is simply different when it comes to their health and biology. That’s why you should talk with your vet about whether a collar is the best idea.

Seresto Flea And Tick Collar For Dogs

• Provides 8-months of continuous flea and tick prevention
• Seresto flea and tick collar for large dogs works through contact, so fleas and ticks do not have to bite your dog to die.
• Veterinarian-recommended flea and tick prevention for dogs in a convenient, odorless and non-greasy collar No need for messy monthly treatments.
• Starts to repel and kill fleas within 24 hours of initial application
• Flea and tick collar for large dogs also helps treat and control sarcoptic mange and kills lice

Read Also: Is Dish Soap Toxic To Cats

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.

Zodiac Breakaway Flea And Tick Collar For Cats

Best breakaway flea collar

Typically described as an affordable option that gets the job done, the Zodiac Breakaway Flea and Tick Collar for Cats provides up to 7 months of flea and tick protection.

Its key selling point is the breakaway feature. This includes a safety release buckle that breaks the collar apart in the event of an accident, such your cat being caught in a branch or fence. You can simply fix the collar back together again which is a handy feature, but some pet owners find it difficult to put the collar on in the first place owing to this functionality.

The Zodiac Breakaway Flea and Tick Collar for Cats describes itself as “odorless”, however feline owners are likely to encounter more of a scent than they may expect, albeit it’s a milder smell than some other flea collars on the market.

For many pet owners it’s an affordable and effective collar, but, as its typically paired together with other products, it can be difficult to judge whether the product performs well on its own. While some pet owners find it highly effective, others have found a few ticks in places.

Don’t Miss: Train Kitten Not To Bite

What You Should Know About Fleas In Cats

If your cat has fleas, you want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Cats that go outside are more likely to pick up fleas, but even indoor cats can get them, either from the family dog or when they go to the veterinarian or a boarding facility. Fleas can even hitchhike indoors on your clothes or shoes.

General Concerns Regarding Flea Collars

The best answer to this is we dont know. The science is still unclear on this subject, and there’s no conclusive evidence one way or another.

Many things can predispose an animal to develop cancer including sunlight. Certain chemicals are known carcinogens. So far, the insecticides that are used in a flea collar for dogs are not known carcinogens.

Dog-specific flea collars can potentially kill or at least make cats very sick. Certain insecticides, called pyrethrins, are especially toxic to cats. Pyrethrins are primarily used in dog tick collars. Never use a flea or tick collar labeled for dogs on a cat. When a flea collar for dogs is safe to use around cats it will usually say so on the package.

It is possible for dogs to be allergic to the plastic or active ingredient in the flea collar. If your dog is allergic to topical products that are applied to the skin, be wary about using a flea collar. Talk to your veterinarian about an oral flea preventative instead of using a flea collar for dogs.

Scientists are still figuring this one out. If you are concerned about how harmful these substances might be to human health, the EPAs website is a great resource to get the most up-to-date information.

You May Like: Cat Design Clothes

Its Just Been A Nightmare

To Bomwell, the worst part was the lack of warning. Pierre had never been sick or had a seizure. He was just 9, so she thought he had half a decade left. Her last dog had died at 18. Plus, she felt like she was responsible. She was the one who put the collar on.

It was so bizarre, Bomwell said. Its just been a nightmare.

Even if the EPA had not received tens of thousands of complaints, a cursory search of the web would find dozens of posts from pet owners warning others to be careful with the collars, including a letter to an animal doctor column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 2013, a radio news story in New York in 2016 and extensive comments on pet forums.

Without the federal government stepping in, individuals are left in the dark. Thats something Ron Packard, of Brockton, Massachusetts, is hoping to address.

In the days after the death of his two dogs in June 2019, Packard did what any person looking for answers does: He went to the internet.

Two of Packards four dogs had recently had seizures on the same day, before becoming lethargic and vomiting and finally, refusing to eat. He brought them to the veterinarian, who couldnt find a problem.

Within weeks, the two previously healthy cavachons, 10-year-old Danny and 5-year-old Dominic, were both dead.

The only thing Packard could figure out was both dogs had started wearing Seresto flea and tick collars a month before.

Thirty-three and 54 days later, they’re both dead, Packard said.

Comparison Chart For Best Flea Collars For Cats

Flea Collars For Cats

• Seresto 2-pack 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

Read Also: Savannah Cat Pros And Cons

Flea Collars Work Well On Cats

When looking for a flea product for your cat, make sure you get one designed especially for cats. Flea collars typically work best if they have an insect growth regulator that kills the flea eggs and flea larvae.

Test your collar to see how well your cat tolerates it.1 Look for ones that don’t have a strong smell and watch for any skin reactions. Make sure you use one with a collar that has a safety feature to break loose and not get caught on something while your cat is climbing or playing.

If your cat doesn’t seem to take to a flea collar, you can try other options like a spot-on treatment or a cleansing shampoo designed for cats. If you have any concerns, ask your veterinarian.

Flea Collars For Cats Buying Guide

• First, our algorithms collected as much information available about these products from trusted sources.
• We employed both Artificial Intelligence and large data volume to validate all collected information.
• Then our AI ranked them on their quality-to-price ratio using industry-standard criteria that let us pick the best Flea Collars For Cats currently on the market!

Recommended Reading: How To Ship Cats Across Country