Flea And Parasite Control For Cats

The Best Flea Control For Young Kittens

Capstar Flea Control Tablets are safe for kittens as young as 4 weeks old and start killing fleas within 30 minutes.

Pros: Safe for kittens 4 weeks of age or older, safe for pregnant and nursing cats, fast-acting treatment, easy to give alone or in food, can be used with other flea control products, available without a prescription

Cons: Does not offer long-term protection, does not kill flea eggs or larvae, does not prevent any parasites other than fleas

Parasites prevented: Adult fleas

Duration of effectiveness: 24 hours

Safe for: Cats and kittens 4 weeks and older, weighing at least 2 pounds pregnant and nursing cats

Prescription: No

Available without a prescription, Capstar is the only flea control product safe for kittens as young as 4 weeks and weighing at least 2 pounds. With other flea control products, whether topical or oral, kittens must be at least 8 weeks old, and sometimes older.

Fleas should be eliminated as quickly as possible for heavily infested cats, especially young kittens. The active ingredient in Capstar, nitenpyram, works within 30 minutes and kills greater than 90% of adult fleas in as little as six hours.

Capstar only protects against fleas for 24 hours, but it is safe to give daily if necessary. Since giving a cat a pill every day can be inconvenient, pet owners should follow up with a long-term flea control product once the kitten is old enough.

I Noticed My Cat Had Fleas After Her Return From Boarding Did She Get Fleas There

Not necessarily! Pre-adult fleas can survive for up to 140 days within their protective pupa. When you or your pets are absent from home for extended periods of time these adult fleas remain in the pupae because no host is available. As soon as you or your pet returns home, these fleas will emerge in large numbers and jump onto cats, dogs, and even people in the search for a blood meal. Vibrations and/or increased carbon dioxide will trigger the emergence of fleas from their pupae.

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 cat’s 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.

Also Check: What Is A Cat’s Heart Rate

Parasite Prevention For Cats

If you witnessed or strongly suspect your cat ingested your dogs preventatives that contain Permethrin, these are considered ORANGE or urgent cases on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend calling ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 for help determining if your pet consumed a toxic amount and for guidance on what to do next. If veterinary care is advised, call your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital ahead of your arrival.

Summer has arrived in all its glorybut so have the parasites! While most cat owners know that outdoor cats are at risk of parasitic infections, many do not realize that indoor cats can also benefit from parasite control.

There are many safe, highly-effective parasite prevention products on the market. The two main rules to remember when using a product on your cat is:

If you have dogs and cats in the same household, ask your family veterinarian about the safest preventative options for a multi-pet household.

So, what parasites do cat owners need to be concerned about? Here are the main three:

Heartworm Disease

Flea And Tick Treatment For Cats

Be sure to consult with your veterinarian and thoroughly read the manufacturer’s 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.

Recommended Reading: Umbrella Tree Pet Safe

Onguard Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment For Cats Best Flea Control For Cats

Onguard Plus uses Fipronil and S-methoprene, the same active ingredients that are in Frontline Gold, which fleas have been developing a resistance to over the years.

Luckily, the stuff still kills the vast majority of fleas, but theres always the possibility that the fleas youre dealing with wont be bothered by it at all. Its an inexpensive treatment, though, so theres little risk in giving it a shot. The low price and general effectiveness are why we believe that its the best flea treatment for cats for the money.

It kills fleas in all life stages and lasts for a month per application, so youll get plenty of bang for your buck.

The packaging is a bit cumbersome to deal with, and since youll have to rub it on a flea-covered cat, that can be a problem. The oil is also thick and takes time to absorb into the skin.

• Thick oil takes time to fully absorb

Flea And Parasite Control For Your Cat

Fleas are common in cats and do more than just cause the cat to itch. For cats with flea allergies, an infestation can lead to inflammation, severe itching, and hair loss. Kittens can die of anemia if severely infested with fleas. By the way, it takes just one swallowed flea to lead to tapeworms. Tapeworms are the most common internal parasite in cats.

Although heartworms are often thought of as an issue for dogs, they can also be found in cats. If left untreated, they can lead to irreversible damage to blood vessels, lungs, and heart. Both indoor and outdoor cats can become infected with heartworms. Signs vary but can include vomiting, coughing, and respiratory problems.

Ear mites, hookworms, roundworms, and ticks are also a problem for cats. The key is to regularly give preventive medication and schedule routine checkups with us. Talk with us to decide the most effective treatment to control the problem parasites in the Hampton Roads area.

Don’t Miss: Normal Feline Heart Rate

Collars Dips Sprays And Medication For Flea And Tick Prevention

Fleas and ticks are not only a nuisance, they can also transmit deadly diseases to you and your cat or dog. If left unchecked, you can have a serious problem within your household. There are many options available for cat and dog owners to keep pests at bay, and here we will discuss the most common ones used today. Please use them only as instructed and consult your veterinarian if your cat or dog experiences any adverse reactions after being given a flea and tick control product.

Image:Francisco Javier Ballester Calonge /Shutterstock

Parasite Prevention For Dogs And Cats

Unfortunately for pets and their people, parasites are here to stay. Fleas, heartworms, ticks, and intestinal worms are not only difficult and costly to treat, but can also cause serious health problems for dogs and cats.

The best way to avoid these hassles is by preventing parasite infestations and infections in the first place. This parasite prevention guide covers everything you need to know about protecting your pets against fleas, heartworms, and other common parasites.

1. FleasFleas are a common ectoparasite, which means they live on the outside of their host. Flea infestations can affect dogs, cats, and other mammals. These pesky parasites live everywhere we live, including our lawn, furniture, carpet, and yes, on our pets.Many pets are exposed to fleas in outside environments like backyards, patios, dog parks, or walks around the neighborhood. Humans can even bring fleas into the home on their shoes or clothing without noticing!Did you know a single female flea will lay up to 60 eggs a day, and up to 2000 in her lifetime? She can also consume up to 15 times her bodyweight in blood! Since fleas multiply so quickly, one flea turns into a flea infestation very rapidly.

Recommended Reading: Why Do Cats Act Weird When You Scratch Their Lower Back

Revolution Plus Topical Solution For Cats Best Flea And Tick Treatment For Cats

If you want to be sure that youve killed every last little biter on your cat, youll need to call in the big guns, and they dont come more powerful than Revolution Plus. It will start knocking off fleas in as little as 4 hours.

A quick caveat: Revolution Plus is our top pick because its incredibly versatile. Its primary ingredient, Selamectin, kills fleas, ticks, ear mites, and various worms . Its basically a one-stop shop for parasite management, which is why we believe that its the best overall flea treatment for cats.

Theres one big thing that it doesnt do, however: kill flea eggs and larvae. As a result, you may see a huge difference in the flea population the first few days after application, only to see a few more pop up a little while later.

Thats normal, and nothing to worry about those fleas will die off before they can lay eggs, and the life cycle will be snuffed out. Still, it can be disconcerting to see a flare-up after youve applied a treatment.

Revolution Plus also requires a prescription, which is a bit of a hassle . Its easy to apply and only needs to be put on once a month, giving you hassle-free protection.

• Doesnt kill eggs or larvae

What Pet Owners Need To Know

If you have questions about the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar, or any other flea-control product, speak to your veterinarian for advice. Regardless of what type of flea-control product you choose for your cat, the EPA urges pet owners to read the entire label before using the product, follow all directions carefully, and monitor your pet after treatment.

There are also reports of counterfeit Seresto collars on the market, particularly through online retailers. Petco and Petsmart, major suppliers of pet products, told us that they purchase Seresto collars directly from the manufacturer, Elanco. It’s important to purchase from a reputable website, brick-and-mortar store with a guarantee program, or for the most assurance, directly from your veterinarian. Before placing a Seresto collar on your pet, we also recommend that pet owners call Elanco product support to verify the authenticity of the product’s serial number.

If you suspect that your pet is having an adverse reaction to a flea collar, immediately remove the collar and call your veterinarian. Carroll also advises pet owners to contact theNational Pesticide Information Center, which is an EPA information-sharing partner with staff who are specially trained to respond to pesticide exposure incidents, as well as to report adverse reactions from flea collars and topical treatments on the EPA’s website.

Recommended Reading: Cat Shaking In Sleep

What Are Some Common Types Of Feline Endoparasites

Here are a few of the common endoparasites that can infect cats

Hookworms

• A common intestinal parasite that can affect both cats and dogs . This particular parasite can cause severe anemia and diarrhea in your pet.
• Hookworms attach themselves to the intestinal wall and feed on your pets blood.
• Has zoonotic properties .

Giardia

• A protozoan which can affect both cats and dogs.
• Has zoonotic properties .
• The affected animal develops diarrhea which can be intermittent, acute or chronic .
• Giardia prevents the proper absorption of nutrients and can damage the intestinal lining if left untreated.

Roundworms

• The most common intestinal parasite that affects both dogs and cats.
• Has zoonotic properties .
• A cat can acquire a roundworm infection in several ways by ingesting the eggs, host or larvae .
• Roundworm larvae enter the wall of the small intestine and migrate throughout the circulatory system. If they enter body tissue, they can become encysted and can remain in the body tissue for months and years. *this is one reason we always ask for a fecal sample yearly regardless of your cats lifestyle.
• Roundworms can absorb nutrients, damage the intestinal lining and interfere with digestion.

Tapeworms

Best Topical: Bravecto Topical Solution For Cats

• Only need to apply once every three months

• Scientifically-backed ingredient

• Protects from more than just fleas

• It’s easy to forget after three months to reapply

• Higher initial cost due to how long it lasts

Similar to Revolution Plus, Bravecto is a spot-on treatment that is applied to the back of your cats neck. It protects from fleas and ticks and one treatment lasts for up to three months. A Bravecto Plus option is also available if you would like heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention too , but it only lasts for two months instead of three. Either way, Bravecto products make it easy to provide safe and effective flea prevention to cats without the monthly application. This product also requires veterinary approval prior to purchasing.

Also Check: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food

How Do Fleas Harm The Cats

Fleas cause irritation when they bite. Flea bites can also cause allergic reactions and severe skin irritation in patients who have developed a flea allergy. Heavy flea infestations in very young or debilitated patients can lead to significant blood loss, with associated weakness, lethargy and weight loss.

What Decisions Do You Need To Make Before Buying A Flea Treatment For Your Cat

• Method of application: Effective flea treatments usually come in oral or topical form. Theres not much difference in terms of effectiveness, so its up to you whether you think that its easier to rub oil on your cats neck or get them to eat a tablet.
• Impact on life cycle: Some treatments only kill adult fleas, while others kill adult fleas and eggs and larvae. The latter will work faster because you may see a brief recurrence of fleas if you use a treatment that only targets adult bugs, as any existing eggs will hatch a few days or weeks after application. In the end, both types will kill all the fleas on your cat, though.
• Effectiveness on other parasites: Some treatments only kill fleas, while others can take out ticks, mites, and other bugs as well. If you have an outdoor cat, youll likely want one that protects against a wide range of parasites, but if you only have a flea problem, you might be better off using a more targeted formula.

Also Check: My Cats Paw Is Swollen

Flea Control Products For Cats

There are many good options on the market today for flea control in cats. Below are the most common prescription products available at this time. It is not an exhaustive list.

It is extremely important that you never use a flea control product meant for a dog on your cat. Many of these contain permethrins, which are deadly if cats are exposed to them. Also be sure to always use the right product for your cat’s age and weight.

• Lufenuron is a chemical that controls fleas by sterilizing adult females so they can’t reproduce and create a large flea problem in your home. This may not be sufficient for a flea allergic cat, as the product doesn’t kill adult fleas. Products containing lufenuron include:

• Program®: This product is available for cats as either a monthly oral tablet or liquid, to be given at home with food, or as an injection, to be given every six months by your veterinarian.