Spot On Flea Treatment For Cats
Spot on products involve you applying a liquid to the skin at the back of your pets neck so that your pet can’t lick it. They are a very popular and effective method of flea control. Some products contain substances that kill adult fleas, while others work by interrupting the development of fleas and some do both.
What Is A Flea Infestation
Fleas are tiny parasitic insects that survive by consuming the blood of their host. Gross right? Just hearing the word flea can make you itch. Truthfully, there are many reasons why your cat may itch, it can stem from cat anxiety to fleas and more. So, how can you tell if the scratch is from a flea infestation or something else? You need to look for signs of course.
It is hard to really know when a flea problem turns into an infestation. If an owner sees 5 fleas, that means there are probably many many more hidden. While the are a couple thousand species of fleas, the most commonly seen on both cats and dogs is Ctenocephalides felis
While cat fleas dont enjoy living on humans, they may still infest your scalp and bite your skin. They much rather live on your pet though. A fleas main purpose in nature is to reproduce to make more fleas by biting from animals, even rodents. If your cat is a hunter, the risk of them catching fleas in much higher than an indoor cat. Since fleas can move around quickly and travel anywhere even indoor cats develop flea infestations.
Make/buy An Essential Oil Flea Collar
You could make a natural flea collar from a cotton bandana or collar dosed up with essential oils that are known to have a repelling effect on fleas. A word of warning though, essential oils for fleas on cats have to be handled correctly.
The main essential oils for cats fleas are cedar, lavender, geranium, eucalyptus and citrus based oils. Of course, as we highlighted, some of these oils are dangerous to cats if ingested in sufficient doses but we are not recommending you douse your cat in these essential oils.
Ideally, you want to use a low concentration oil dropped onto a cotton collar avoid contact on the skin or putting the oil anywhere near kittys mouth.
If you want to be properly safe about this and love the idea of a natural flea collar then dont mess with oils simply buy one from a reputable brand. There are plenty online. They all tend to use the same natural oils but are able to boast of 6-8 month protection.
Beware though, these ingredients might be natural but they can be harmful often cats can have an allergic reaction if the ingredients are in the wrong doses for them. The reaction usually takes the form of skin irritation around the collar area that clears after stopping use.
Still, a collar in conjunction with bathing, shampooing and combing should have them fleas on the run!
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Use A Cedar Oil Spray For Fleas On Your Cat
Cedar oil is one of the essential oils that are actually non-toxic to cats but despised by fleas. Fleas dont like the smell trouble is kitty might be none too fond of the aroma either. However, if your cat doesnt seem put out by the odor then there are a number of cedar options available.
You could spray the cedar oil directly on your cats fur. It should act as a repellent to fleas. Alternatively, you could comb the oil into the fur when you are generally flea combing. A third method of utilizing cedar oil which we have touched on would be to put the cedar oil on a cotton collar as a homemade natural flea collar.
If your cat just cant abide the stuff your last option using cedar might be to use cedar chips sprinkled in the garden and around cat bedding as a deterrent to the little blighters.
Many owners report cedar oil for fleas and cedar shampoos to be highly effective flea remedies and actually quite pleasant smellingif you can get kitty to go along with your plan!
Homemade Flea Treatment For Kittens
See files for Cats
Despite their tiny size, fleas are a major nuisance. They are attracted to other living beings as they can use them as hosts for warmth, protection and, most importantly, a source of sustenance. Their presence for the host, however, is not mutually beneficial. They can cause skin irritation which leads to a lot of scratching, sometimes even drawing blood. Although an annoying itch is bad enough, fleas can also spread and encourage disease which has the potential to seriously damage a cat’s health. The body heat of the cat also provides a fertile breeding ground. Without treatment the fleas can rapidly multiply and spread.
While this is bad enough for adult cats, kittens are particularly susceptible to disease. This is because they are at a more vulnerable time of their life and their immune system is weaker. A flea infestation in kittens can provide a health risk which could be potentially fatal if not dealt with. This is why AnimalWised has these different types of homemade flea treatment for kittens, to ensure your little cat grows up to be healthy and strong.
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Capstar Flea Treatment For Small Dogs & Cats
The Capstar Flea Treatment for Small Dogs and Cats is an orally administered tablet that provides fast relief from fleas for small dogs and cats under 11KG .
This scientifically-proven treatment starts working within 30 minutes of administration to eliminate, prevent and control fleas for small dogs and cats with heavy flea infestations.
Its active formula, which contains nitenpyram, acts as an insecticide to disturb nerve transmissions in adult fleas, without any adverse effect on your small dog or cat. It is safe for all breeds of dogs under 11KG, including pregnant and nursing females.
A single dose of Capstar Flea Treatment for Small Dogs and Cats removes 98-100% of fleas within 24 hours. Its safe to administer a dose once per day if your dog or cat picks up new fleas.
For best results, use Capstar Flea Treatment for Small Dogs and Cats in conjunction with other long-term flea and parasite prevention products.
Features:
- A fast acting one-time treatment for flea removal in small dogs and cats that lasts for 24 hours
- Assists in the control of flea allergy dermatitis
- Helps to eliminate heavy flea infestations in small dogs and cats, including pregnant and nursing females
- Its quick action starts working within 30 minutes of administration
- Removes 98-100% of adult fleas within 24 hours
Composition: A single dose contains 11.4mg Nitenpyram.
Precautions:
Neem Oil For Fleas On Cats
Out of everything on this list, neem oil is probably the standout just because you might never have heard of it! All the others and ones to follow are generally household or readily available items. Neem oil aint. That is because this stuff comes from trees only found in places in south-east Asia like India, Burma and Sri Lanka.
Neem oil comes from the neem tree. You can read a load about it here. To paraphrase and quickly get to the point neem oil is safe for cats, should be used in a low concentration and works because it contains a powerful natural insecticide called azadirachtin.
Azadirachtin works to repel and kill mosquitoes, fleas and biting midges. Some of the other active ingredients in neem oil work to reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin. Neem oil can be bought online and you can use it in a spray, shampoo, applied to bedding or combed into cat fur or on a homemade natural flea collar. There is one drawback this stuff stinks. Bad. But if you can live with it it is touted to be a miracle cure.
Always dilute, concentrated neem oil can cause irritation. If you put too much on your cat you might expect to see your pet vomit, convulse, become lethargic or suffer respiratory distress you have been warned, safe until you get silly with it!
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Onguard Flea & Tick Treatment
Onguard Flea & Tick Treatment kills fleas, flea eggs, and larvae, as well as chewing lice. This spot-on treatment can be used on kittens over 8 weeks of age, as long as they weigh more than 1.5 pounds. It contains two active ingredients designed to stop flea infestation while preventing future infestations.
This remains active for 30 days and is also waterproof, just in case your cat gets caught in the rain or needs a bath! You can choose from two different pack sizes: three or six treatments. The easy-to-use applicator has been redesigned and helps make sure that every drop of this treatment comes into contact with your cats skin.
- Some cats can have a reaction
How To Get Rid Of Cat Fleas Naturally
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Fleas are frustrating pests to treat especially when dealing with a flea infestation on your cat. Prescription flea prevention medication, combined with natural remedies, may be the best way to prevent and rid your cat of fleas.
While natural products may be helpful, the best way to rid your cat of fleas is to consult with your veterinarian for a safe and effective flea treatment plan.
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Can Indoor Cats Get Fleas
Yes, all cats, be they indoor or outdoor, are prone to catching fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms.
It is wrongly believed that indoor cats cannot catch fleas and ticks, etc., but that is just not true. No doubt, our indoor cats who spend their whole day lounging on a sofa or their window cat hammock watching birds, are at a lower risk of inviting fleas, but it is not impossible to find fleas on indoor-only kittens.
How To Get A Flea
Synthetic products are popular and widespread because they are highly efficient. While natural products certainly can have just as good results, some products may be ineffective if not supported by other actions around the home.
Unfortunately, getting rid of the fleas off your cat is just one-half of the battle. While fleas need your pets blood to survive, they can live anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks in the home. In addition, the incubation period for flea eggs is up to 14 days. With these facts in mind, your cat picking up more fleas weeks after successful treatment is likely.
In conjunction with treating your cat, you need to set out an unwelcome mat for fleas in the home. Here are our best tips to do so:
- Vacuum daily after a flea treatment, regular vacuuming of floors and furniture will pick up any straggling fleas, larvae, and eggs.
- Steam clean extreme heat will kill fleas at any stage of life, so steam can be beneficial as part of your cleaning regime!
- Bedding clean clean all bedding in the home at least weekly to eradicate any flea hiding away. Tumble drying after a clean can also be helpful as the heat will eliminate any remaining living critters.
- Use repelling products the use of repellents around the home will make your home a place fleas simply dont want to be. It will push away existing fleas and keep any new fleas from making their way inside.
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Can Cat Fleas Live On Humans
There are about 2,000 types of fleas and only one of those can live on humans, so it’s extremely rare. Fleas don’t live on humans for long periods of time as they can’t survive on human blood but can be transmitted from pet to pet by people, as they are capable of leaping long distances.
If they are able to travel onto your body, they can bite and cause irritation or rashes. If you’re concerned, contact your GP.
How To Prevent Flea Infestation In Kittens
To prevent a repeated flea infestation in kittens,
- Use medicine such as Activyl that will make female fleas sterile and prevent them from laying new eggs.
- Vacuum the carpet two to three times a week to remove eggs and dormant fleas.
- Wash pet blankets weekly in the washing machine and sundry them.
- Spray flea killer insecticide in the house, kennels, and yards.
- Treat the lawn with pesticide if your kitten keeps getting re-infected every time it goes outside.
- Fog the house to prevent flea larvae development.
- Replace carpet and keep your home as dry as possible to make your house less flea-friendly.
- Use a flea comb on all your pets.
- Take all the precautions to ward them off any time of the year, although fleas are more common during summer.
- The most essential element in controlling fleas is the treatment of all susceptible pets, including the mother cat in a house, frequently with the effective product to ensure flea egg production is halted.
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Exercise Caution And Consult Your Veterinarian
In addition to the home remedies mentioned, there are many instructions and recipes for making supposedly natural flea treatments on the Internet. Essential oils are beneficial to humans, but they can be fatal to fleas because they inhibit their movement and breathing. However, when using them, keep in mind that some natural remedies for fleas are toxic to cats and can lead to side effects.
Here is our advice on this matter:
- A lavender essential oil should NOT be used on a cats skin.
- Oils containing high amounts of phenol, such as thyme and oregano oil, should never be used on animals, and especially not on cats. Oregano oil can cause permanent liver damage in cats. Use olive oil instead.
- Tea tree oil can cause symptoms of intoxication such as weakness, tremors, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Many homemade flea spray recipes include dish soap. However, like all cleaning agents, dish soap can cause symptoms of poisoning in cats. Never use dish soap directly on your pet to avoid side effects.
- Some cats may be allergic to essential oils like for example cedar oil.
What Are Fleas On Cats
Fleas are external parasites, or ectoparasites, that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including cats, dogs, birds and even humans! They are in no way picky about who their host is, though humans are a more challenging target.
This means that your pets or wild animals are the more likely targets of these opportunistic pets.
Scientifically named Siphonaptera, there are well over 2000 different species of fleas worldwide. In North America, there are only 7 species . The most common flea we encounter is the Ctenocephalides felis, more simply called the cat flea.
As the name suggests, cat fleas are the likely culprit if you suspect fleas on your cat!
While outdoor cats are the most vulnerable to flea infestations, indoor-only cats are still at risk of encountering fleas. As mentioned above, fleas arent particularly picky about whom they prey on, so they may hitchhike their way into your home on another pet or even you.
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Our Favorite Is Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Treatment
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For anyone looking for a topical, non-prescription solution, we recommend Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs, which only needs to be applied once a month.
Fleas can lead to conditions like hair loss, allergic dermatitis, and tapeworms, while ticks can cause skin infections and illnesses such as Lyme disease. These pests can not only irritate your pet and lead to more serious problems, they can also invade your home.
Prescription oral insecticides are popular because they kill the pests currently on a pet and work as a preventative, stopping new flea and tick infestation. These are most often prescription formulas that you order through your vet or online with your vets prescription.
But there are many other options for treatment, including collars, sprays, shampoos, and topical formulas you squirt on your pets back. We researched a variety of options, including flea and tick treatments specific to older dogs, puppies, and different sizes of dog. While our picks were made in consultation with veterinarians, it’s important to consult your own veterinary professionals to find a flea treatment that’s best for your dog’s needs.
Here are the best non-prescription flea and trick treatments for dogs.
Treating Fleas On Kittens
Fleas don’t care how young or old your cat is, and young kittens are unlikely to have had a preventative treatment, so it’s not uncommon to find fleas in kittens.
Treating fleas on kittens can be a little different from treating adult cats. This is because not all medications or treatments are safe on your sensitive kitten’s skin. If you suspect your kitten has fleas, the first thing you should do is contact your vet.
They will be able to help you choose the safest treatment for your baby ball of fur. If you are using a store-bought remedy or prevention method, check to make sure it’s safe for kittens. Bayer Advantage specifically states that it’s safe for cats 8 weeks or older, while the Zodiac formula is approved for all ages.
Like the ones above, a natural option can be safer for young kittens for whom the standard chemical treatments are too harsh.
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