Types Of Flea Control Products
Here are the most common flea control products for cats and how they work:
- Topical preventives: Also called spot-on products, topical preventives are great for both killing fleas and preventing flea infestations. As they dry, they spread across the entire body, leaving no residue behind. You usually apply them to the skin in one spot on the back of the neck once a month.
- Oral flea control: Give oral flea control products, or flea pills, to your cat by mouth to kill fleas. Some oral flea control products kill fleas for up to a month others must be given more frequently to continue killing fleas, as often as once a day.
- Flea collars: Wear flea collars around the neck, where they deliver flea preventive medication to a cats skin and coat. Some flea collars deliver preventive medication for a longer period than topical applications, making them a good choice for cat owners who dont want to have to apply something every 30 days.
- Flea shampoos: Flea shampoos kill fleas that are currently on your cat. We do not recommend them since topical spot-ons and oral products are easier to use and more effective. Read more about this in our slide on What to consider when shopping for flea control products.
- Flea spray: Apply flea sprays to the skin and coat. Like shampoos, we do not recommend them since topical spot-ons and oral products are easier to use and more effective. Read more in our slide on What to consider when purchasing flea control products.
Do Kittens Need Flea And Tick Treatment
Flea and tick treatment is essential, even for kittens. Fleas and ticks are so much more than a nuisance. Yes, their bites can be itchy, but thats just where the trouble starts.
Some cats develop an allergy to flea saliva. Just one or two bites can lead to intense itching over large parts of their body. The scratching, chewing, and licking that follow often lead to hair loss, skin lesions, and infections. Large numbers of fleas can also remove so much blood that kittens become anemic. In severe cases, flea-bite anemia can lead to death.
Fleas also transmit diseases. Cats often get tapeworms by ingesting fleas that harbor immature forms of these parasites. Cat scratch disease and feline hemotrophic mycoplasmosisis are rare but typically pass from cat to cat through fleas. Tapeworms, cat scratch disease, and other flea-associated diseases like murine typhus and plague can also be transmitted to people.
Ticks are even better at passing on diseases than fleas. Two of the most important tick-borne diseases that affect cats are hemobartonellosis and cytauxzoonosis. Less commonly, cats can contract tularemia, babesiosis, and Lyme disease through tick bites.
What Products Are Available To Treat My Cat
Shampoos, sprays, powders, and topical or oral preparations are all available. Although most topical insecticides kill adult fleas, many have limited effectiveness because they only work for a few hours after application. This is particularly true of flea shampoos and powders they kill fleas present on your cat at the time of application but have little lasting effect the following day, your cat may have fleas again.
In general, cats strongly dislike being sprayed so many cat owners prefer to use topical flea products. Flea collars may seem convenient, but most do not work well and are not generally recommended. Flea collars, especially ones with a strong pesticide smell, may be harmful to some cats or may cause a skin reaction or rash.
“Flea collars, especially ones with a strong pesticide smell, may be harmful to some cats or may cause a skin reaction or rash.”
There are very effective products made to be administered once per month or every three months. Some of these products are conveniently combined with medications to prevent heartworm and intestinal worms. Some products contain adulticide ingredients that remain effective between scheduled doses, while others contain insect growth regulators that prevent the larval stages from maturing. For best results in a flea infestation, use flea control products that contain an IGR.
Newer products that have the combined advantages of adulticides and IGRs are available through your veterinarian.
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Where Do I Spray My Flea Spray In The Yard
Whether your cat is going outside to run around in the yard or just to relax in the grass, its no doubt a place they enjoy. Your yard can also be susceptible to fleas without your knowledge.
Before you spray your yard for fleas, be sure to remove any excess leaf and dirt piles as they could be hotbeds for flea infestation. Its also a good idea to remove any unused furniture from your yard and mow it regularly. Once youve taken these precautionary steps, take your flea and tick yard spray and use it all over the entire yardfrom corner to corner.
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
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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.
Safe Cat Flea Treatments & The Danger Of Pyrethrin And Pyrethroid Toxicity
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They may have four legs and fur, and some may even play fetch or walk on a leash.
But the harsh truth is, no matter how much they may look or act like one, your fuzzy feline is just not a dog.
And this is also true for your cat’s flea prevention products and the danger if you accidentally or intentionally apply DOG flea or tick preventative to your cat.
The ingredients in dog flea and tick products are highly toxic and even fatal if used on cats. The long and the short of it is: DO NOT APPLY DOG FLEA & TICK PREVENTATIVES TO CATS.
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Beneficial Nematodes Can Help Eliminate Outdoor Parasites
If you believe that the flea infestation may have originated from your yard, its important to get rid of the parasites that are lurking outside of your house. Left untreated, your yard will remain a safe haven for fleas that will eventually latch onto humans, cats, and other pets, perpetuating your cats flea problem.
While theyre invisible to the naked eye and are completely safe to you and your pets, beneficial nematodes are a deadly menace to the fleas who are living outdoors.
These microscopic organisms – Steinernema Feltiae nematodes – destroy flea larvae living outdoors. Each package of 10 million nematodes treats 285 square feet, so you may have to buy several containers to eliminate an infestation in a large yard.
How Do I Get Rid Of Fleas On A 4 Week Old Kitten
Fill a bowl with grain alcohol such as vodka. Place the kitten on a warm, soft towel and use a flea comb to find any remaining fleas on its coat. To help the fleas stick to the comb, coat it with a natural, vegetable oil as needed. If you find a flea on the comb, dip the comb into the bowl of alcohol to kill the flea.
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How Long Does House Flea Spray Work
Each product is different, and some last longer than others. Depending on the brand, it can take as little as 24 hours for the spray to start working. But if youre working on removing an entire flea infestation, that can take up to 3 or 4 months. And you will likely need to re-spray the home or yard periodically. Follow the instructions on your product for more detailed instructions.
Which Flea Treatment Is Safest For Cats
Cats are very sensitive to pyrethroids, a very common artificial ingredient used in flea and tick treatments. These chemicals are related to pyrethrins, which are natural products derived from the flower of the chrysanthemum plant. Cats do not have the ability to metabolize pyrethrins and pyrethroids.
If you use a treatment with these ingredients, then there is a risk of overexposing your cat to these chemicals that are also an important part of many outdoor pesticides, foggers, sprays, and pet shampoos. Pyrethrin overexposure can cause side-effects such as shaking, tremors, seizure, asphyxiation, hypothermia, and vomiting.
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How Do Cats Get Fleas
How much do you know about these irksome parasites? Gathering relevant information about their behavior, diets and life cycle can help us understand the best possible ways to eliminate them for good.
First, lets take a look at their behavior. Fleas may not have wings to fly like most insects, but they are excellent jumpers.
They can surprisingly jump 100 times their height due to their sturdy hind legs.
They are also blessed with sharp claws that allow them to grasp on a host without fail.
Moreover, they are endowed with a laterally compressed body that allows them to move freely through the coat on the host’s body while having the ability to withstand enormous pressure from scratching.
How Can I Kill Fleas On My Cat
Several factors must be considered before deciding which type of flea treatment for cats will work best in a given situation, including effectiveness, safety, cost, potential side effects, and formulation.
The most effective flea control products will contain an adulticide or an insect growth regulator that sterilizes flea eggs and prevents the immature fleas from growing up and reproducing.
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Buyers Guide: Finding The Best Flea Treatment For Kittens
Flea treatments have come a long way in terms of effectiveness, but how do you know what will suit your kitten best? We go over commonly asked questions to help you find the perfect solution for your new kitten.
Fleas can cause all sorts of problems for cats, including allergy dermatitis and bacterial infections, but theyre particularly nasty for kittens. Due to their small size, kittens are sensitive to anemia. So, if they lose too much blood from flea bites, their tiny bodies arent able to cope as well as those of adult cats. Kittens also dont have a fully developed immune system, so they can be more susceptible to bacterial infections.
Before you choose any flea treatment, we recommend discussing your preferred option with your veterinarian to make sure its a good match for your kitten.
Why Does My Cat Still Have Fleas After Treating Her And The Environment
The apparent failure of treatment almost always results from improper application of the preventive, inadequate treatment of the home, or exposure to other infested pets or environments. There is no evidence of fleas developing resistance to insecticides, especially once-a-month topical flea preventives that contain a sterilizing agent or IGR in addition to the adulticide. Consider treating storage sheds, cars, and any outdoor sleeping spots. Bear in mind that your cat may be going into other people’s houses if allowed to roam outdoors. Most of these problems can be overcome by using an effective flea preventive product on your cat in addition to treating your home.
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Flea And Tick Species Effectiveness
There are hundreds of different species of fleas and ticks all across the globe. It is important to know what kind of species has infested your pet or what species are common in your area before you buy a collar.
Discuss with your veterinarian about the same. Ask about the types of species usually found in your area. When buying the collar, check whether it would be effective against those species.
The best flea collars for cats are those which are labeled with medicines as broad spectrum. They are usually effective against several species.
The 5 Best Flea Preventives And Treatments For Cats In 2021
- Effective tick and flea treatment for cats are available as topical preventives, oral preventives, and collars.
- We did extensive research to select the best cat flea control products.
- Before starting your cat on any flea treatment or prevention, you should consult your veterinarian.
If your cat has fleas, you want them gone and fast. Decades ago, options for killing fleas were limited and toxic. Today, more than one safe and effective tick and flea treatment for cats control products are available, both prescription and over-the-counter.
Choosing safe and effective products for cats can be tricky. Before choosing a flea preventive for your cat, talk to your veterinarian. She can advise you on what might be best depending on your cats temperament and lifestyle. As well as what parasites your cat is most at risk for contracting in your area.
A word of caution: Read product labels very carefully. No matter what product you choose for your cat, never use one that is labeled for dogs. Flea control products made for dogs and cats are not interchangeable. A product made for dogs can make cats extremely sick. In some cases, it can even be fatal.
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What To Consider When Choosing The Safest Flea Treatment For Cats
If you are looking for the safest flea treatment for cats, here are several factors that can help you and your veterinarian decide which option is best:
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Your cats lifestyle: Outdoor cats are at higher risk for flea infestations, but indoor cats are also susceptible.
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Age: Different flea preventatives have different age restrictions.
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Health history: Your veterinarian needs to be aware of your cats health status and all medications and supplements that your cat is currently taking to recommend the safest type of flea preventative.
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Breed: Coat length can influence the type of treatment.
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Where you live: Resistance to certain types of flea preventatives is a problem in some areas. Your veterinarian will know which treatments will be the most effective.
The safest flea treatments for cats are those that are formulated for cats, dosed appropriately and recommended by a veterinarian who is familiar with the particulars of your cats case.
Cruzyo Flea And Tick Prevention
This flea and tick collar is tested on over 1000 cats to ensure that it is effective and doesnt harm the health of your cats.
It is suitable for all cat sizes and is one of the most effective cat collars in the market. It can be used for up to 12 months making it a good choice for the best cat flea collar.
CRUZYO takes pride in creating the best cat products that are premium, economical, low-maintenance, and most importantly, effective. The additional advantage is that these collars can be used simultaneously with other collars as well.
It comes with a strong locking system that ensures that the collar doesnt slip off from your cats neck. The formula is natural, making it safer for your beloved pets.
Key Features
- Nice lemony scent
Cons
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Best Flea And Tick Prevention For Kittens
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Theres not much in this world that is cuter than a kitten. Unfortunately, parasites find them irresistible too. Kittens are at high risk for developing flea and tick infestations. Read on to learn how to protect your fuzzy little furball from fleas, ticks, and the health problems they cause.
Bayer Advantage Ii For Cats
This cat flea treatment is not only highly efficient but also waterproof making sure that your cat is protected all month long.
- Kills between 98% and 100% of fleas within a day.
- Kills fleas, lice, and tick.
- Kills adult fleas, and also attacks flea eggs, larvae and pupae.
- Safe for use on pregnant and lactating cats.
- Treatment lasts for about 30 days.
What we don’t like:
- There may be cases of fleas developing some level of resistance to it.
Review
Merial is a global brand known for the quality of its animal health products. It has always been focused on delivering products that meet the exact needs of its customers. How does it achieve this? It is always asking the question What does the world need from an animal health company? By continually asking and answering this question, it has succeeded in taking the guesswork out of its research and development programs, channeling its resources into meeting the exact needs of the animals, Vets and pet owners who are its target market. It is, therefore, no wonder that its products have continued to enjoy the trust and patronage of many.
If Merial as a brand was doing great on its own, then its merger with Boehringer Ingelheim another brand known for top quality animal health products means that much more can be expected from this new entity that has emerged from the merging of these two giants. These are exciting times for Vets, pets and pet owners.
What we don’t like:
Review
- Treatment lasts for up to 4 weeks.
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