What Is The Best Flea And Tick Medicine For Cats

Best Oral: Comfortis Chewable Tablet

Chewy

• No topical application to have to let dry

• Good for cats that cannot tolerate topical products

• Lasts for one month

• May be difficult to get your cat to eat the tablet

• Does not protect against any other parasites

Flea prevention for up to one month in cats and kittens 14 weeks and older can be found in the chewable tablet option called Comfortis. This tablet works very quickly to kill fleas in as few as 30 minutes and can be crushed and mixed in your cats wet food if necessary. Its a great option for cats that dont tolerate spot-on or other topical treatments. It requires veterinary approval but for fast-acting and long-lasting flea protection, Comfortis fits the bill.

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.

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.

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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.”

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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Does Your Cat Currently Have Fleas

If your cat is currently struggling with a flea burden, we recommend a product that kills fleas quickly, rather than a product that interrupts the flea breeding cycle. Our top recommendations for strong flea killers include Bravecto, Revolution Plus, and Comfortis. Please also note that in order to effectively eradicate fleas, you may need to do a full flea clean of your house and bedding to eliminate pesky eggs in the environment.

Want a clear-cut recommendation? See our flowchart below. Please note that each recommendation is just one option of many. For more options, please feel free to Ask a Pet Circle Vet.

Still confused? See our Flea and Tick Quiz which interactively takes you through relevant steps and picks a combination for you!

Which Is Best For Cats Advantage Or Frontline

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the individual cats needs and preferences. Some cats may prefer Advantage, while others may prefer Frontline. Ultimately, it is up to the owner to decide which is best for their cat.

Fleas can be eliminated from the body in all stages with Frontline Plus and Advantage II. There are two products with three-way prevention that last up to a month. If you have severe infestations or a broad-spectrum need for protection, Frontline is the better option. Advantage II works against fleas only on cats and dogs. It is ineffective against heartworm, sarcoptic mange, and intestinal nematodes. Advantage II only works for 12 weeks, not the 30-day period of Frontline Plus. Plus is a flea control product that works against all stages of flea life, including eggs, larvae, and pupae. Three-way prevention is also available, in which it not only kills adult fleas, but it also prevents eggs and larvae from hatching and larvae from developing into adult fleas. It is preferable to use FRONTLINE Plus as a comparison to use FRONTLINE. Its also easier to use and provides more effective flea control than other products.

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How Do I Get Rid Of Fleas In My House Fast

There are several things you can do to get rid of fleas quickly in your home, but keep in mind that results vary and really depend on individual factors of pet owners including the size of home, the number of pets, how bad the flea problem is, the effective flea agent and more.

Here are a few of the top recommended tips from vets and other pest professionals for getting fleas out of your home:

• First things first: treat your pets! You need to kill adult fleas as well as the eggs and larvae on your cat if you want to prevent any more of them from spreading around your home.
• Clean. Check all over your home for signs of fleas and be prepared to thoroughly vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture. Use a carpet spray that kills adult fleas, and be sure to spray these in crevices and closets, and anywhere that’s dark and enclosedfleas love these little hideouts!
• Fog your house. Flea killing foggers can be effective for killing fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae for up to 7 months.

If a flea infestation becomes severe enough, sometimes the best and most effective choice is to call an exterminator.

Types Of Insecticides Used In Flea Treatments For Cats

Cat flea treatment insecticides can be divided into two groups: adulticides and insect growth regulators.

The following is an abbreviated list and brief summary of some of the most common insecticides used in flea treatments for cats. If you want more in-depth information, for a useful directory of flea treatments with comprehensive toxicity information.

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What To Consider When Shopping For Flea Control Products

Prescription vs. over-the-counter flea prevention and control

Some flea control products are sold over the counter. So, you can buy them without a prescription. Other flea control products require your veterinarian to write a prescription. You can purchase prescription products directly from your veterinarian or buy them from online pet pharmacies and stores.

Most prescription flea control products also prevent heartworms and sometimes other parasites like roundworms, hookworms, mites, and ticks. Any product with a heartworm component requires a prescription. Pets must test negative for heartworms before starting one of these products because giving a heartworm-positive pet this type of medication can cause rare but potentially very serious and sometimes fatal complications. You also want to know if your pet has adult heartworms because the preventive medication will not kill them it only kills the larval stages.

Prescription flea control products cost more than over-the-counter options because they protect against more parasites, most importantly, deadly heartworms. There is no treatment for cats with adult heartworms, and they will eventually die from the infection. This is why veterinarians recommend using a year-round heartworm preventive for all cats, whether they live indoors or out. They also recommend year-round intestinal parasite prevention.

Some flea products are dangerous to cats.

Flea shampoos are unnecessary.

Avoid natural flea control products.

Petsradar’s Pick Of The Best Flea Treatments For Cats

This spot-on treatment contains fipronil, an insecticide, and -methoprene, which prevents the development of flea eggs and larvae. Fipronil accumulates in the skin and rapidly kills fleas when they hop onto your pet. This product is effective for 4 weeks, and it should not be used in kittens under 8 weeks old or who weigh less than 1 kg. For rabbit owners, please be aware that fipronil can be fatal to rabbits who come into contact with this treatment.

Dr. Diana Hasler BVM& S MRCVS

When it comes to a reputable brand that continually offers high quality flea treatment and prevention products, Frontline is almost impossible to beat. Unlike many other formulas on the market, this triple-action topical not only targets fleas and ticks but lice as well making it an absolute must for any cat that loves setting off on daily adventures into the great outdoors.

We love that Frontline Plus is easy to apply, completely waterproof and offers protection for 30 days. It comes in ready-prepared individual applicators, so you don’t have to worry about making a mess while you try to measure it out – simply pop two dots a few centimeters apart on your kitty’s neck, and theyâre good to go.

That being said, given that Frontline Plus used to only be available for use by veterinarians, this is a product that has far more pros than cons, making it a must-have addition to your flea-treatment arsenal.

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Seresto Flea Collar For Dogs

Summary: The Seresto Collar lasts for as long as 8 months and is powerful against adult fleas and flea larvae, four tick species, and chewing lice. It can also manage mites. The collar is lightweight and available in two adjustable sizes.

Pros

• Leaves a fresh and lasting scent
• Safe around cats and other pets

Cons

• Some owners say it makes their dogs fur dry
• Large and non-easy-grip bottle

Review: We like the vet-grade formula, the quality of the ingredients, and the soothing effect. We dislike the packaging that makes the use a bit challenging.

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Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has many helpful uses, and one of those is repelling fleas. They dont like the taste and smell of it, so they are likely to avoid it. You can dilute ACV in water and use a spray bottle. If your dog does not enjoy spraying, you can use a brush instead and apply it during grooming.

Manually Remove The Fleas And Ticks

Many say you should use nail polish, gasoline, alcohol, and petroleum jelly to remove the ticks, but they can only infect the bite more. Instead, you can use tweezers to remove insects from the body manually.

Keep in mind that they usually stick to the skin through bites, so be careful not to squeeze the bloated body of the fleas. Pull up straight gently, and do not twist. Repeat the process until you can remove most insects from the body.

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Buyers Guide: Picking The Best Flea Treatment For Cats

Theres actually a great deal that goes into choosing a flea treatment, so we dont blame you if you feel overwhelmed. You dont need to worry about comparing the individual active ingredients, as thats a job for your vet .

Instead, you can figure out the best treatment for your cat by asking yourself a few simple questions.

Best Shampoo: Dawn Dish Soap

• Does not kill all flea life stages

• Difficult to bathe most cats

While you may be thinking that this isnt a flea shampoo, the truth is that shampoos designed to kill fleas can be very dangerous to cats. Even shampoos labeled as all-natural often contain oils that can be toxic or harmful to cats and the traditional flea shampoos contain pyrethrins which can be extremely dangerous. Dawn Ultra dish detergent is safe for animals, as many people may already know from advertisements that show wildlife being bathed with the soap. It’s effective in killing fleas, and also in getting your cat clean. As a bonus, many homes already have a bottle of it under the kitchen sink.

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Can A Flea Collar Harm Your Cat

The safety of flea and tick collars has been in the news lately, specifically the bestselling Seresto flea and tick collar, which was developed by Bayer and is now sold by Elanco Animal Health. On March 2, 2021, USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting published a report maintaining that the Seresto collar has been linked to thousands of adverse incidents, including pet deaths and incidents of harm to humans.

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a legal petition in April urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to cancel the registration of the Seresto flea and tick collar. A week later, the American Veterinary Medical Association published an article addressing the controversy surrounding the Seresto collar. According to the AVMA, Seresto’s “manufacturer has defended the collars as safe and effective, and veterinary experts say they have seen no cause for alarm.”

Additionally, Elanco published a statement on its website calling the media coverage “misleading” and stating that the company stands by the product. “All data and scientific evaluation used during the product registration process and through Elanco’s robust pharmacovigilance review supports the product’s safety profile and efficacy,” the statement reads.

Nexgard Oral Flea & Tick For Dogs

Summary: Nexgard is a popular flea and tick treatment that requires a prescription. With afoxolaner as an active ingredient, it kills fleas, paralysis ticks, black-legged ticks, brown ticks, and bush ticks. The treatment comes in the form of a chewable treat and needs to be given monthly.

Pros

• Can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Not suited for pregnant dogs

Review: We like the safety and efficacy of the product as well as the dog-friendly flavor. We dislike the hefty price tag on the product, the need for a veterinary prescription, and the fact you cannot use it on pregnant dogs.

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What Else Can You Do To Keep Fleas At Bay

The most effective way to deal with fleas is to prevent them from ever getting on your cat, and the best way to do that is to never let your cat go outdoors. Once your cat leaves the house, theyll be exposed to all sorts of parasites, and youll be playing catch-up until you can find a way to kill whatever they bring home with them.

If your cat already has fleas, youll need to kill any that are in the house while your flea treatment takes care of the bugs on your pet. The aforementioned powders are effective for this purpose, as is regular vacuuming. In a worst-case scenario situation, you may need to bring in an exterminator to get the job done.

Whats The Best Flea Comb For Cats

This video shows you how to remove fleas from your cats coat using a flea comb. Its important to work methodically across your cats body to ensure that you capture all of the fleas. Combing alone can remove over 80% of the adult fleas on your cats body.

You must immediately kill any fleas and eggs that youve accumulated on the comb. Dunk the comb into a bowl of soapy water immediately.

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