Best Flea Medicine For Cats

Safe And Effective Flea Treatment Products For Cats

If you have a cat or multiple cats and would like to avoid pyrethrin/pyrethroid-based products, below are some safer, effective flea control products for cats.

Over-the-counter medications (OTC) were not included for safety reasons. You can read our article about prescription flea and tick preventions vs. OTC for additional information.

• Advantage(r) II (topical liquid)
• Advantage Multi(r), a topical liquid that protects cats against heartworms and ear mites as well as some intestinal worms.
• Bravecto (r) is a topical fluid that protects cats against certain species of ticks.
• Bravecto(r), PLUS (topical fluid, protects cats against heartworms and certain tick species as well as some types intestinal worms).
• Cheristin(r) (topical liquid)
• Comfortis(tm) (chewable tablet)
• Revolution(r) PLUS (topical liquid, also protects cats from heartworms, ear mites, certain tick species, and some types of intestinal worms)

Is My Cat Flea-Infected?

The most important source of cat fleas is newly emerged adult fleas from flea pupae in your house or yard.

Homes with carpets and central heating provide ideal conditions for the year-round development of fleas. The highest numbers of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae will be found in areas of the house where pets spend the most time, such as their beds and furniture. Even though fleas may be in your house, you probably will not see them.

The eggs are tiny white specks the size of dust particles, while the larvae, which are somewhat larger, with dark heads and lighter bodies, migrate deep down in carpets, furniture, or cracks in floors away from the light.

How To Find The Best Flea Treatment For Cats

Your cat’s lifestyle and parasite risk factors will determine the best flea treatment.

You should always look for cat flea treatments that are both effective and safe. And since not every cat flea treatment on the market will meet those requirements, you need to know what to look for.

According to Dr. Jennifer Coates (a Pet News Daily veterinarian advisor), cats with fleas need to be treated using a flea treatment product that contains active ingredients. These active ingredients kill fleas, sterilize eggs, and stop immature fleas maturing into adult adults.

Examples of some active ingredients that you’ll find in a quality cat flea product include spinosad, lotilaner and imidacloprid.

You should also make sure you’re buying the correct product for your cat’s life stage and weight. Also, the product must be labeled specifically for cats. Just like using the wrong shampoo, giving a flea treatment intended for dogs to a cat can be deadly.

Also, make sure that the Food and Drug Administration approves your cat’s flea treatments as animal drugs. This will help you weed out any questionable cat flea treatments.

How Can I Treat My Home Environment?

A number of different products are available which will kill the adult and larval stages of fleas and stop the flea life cycle, such as:

• Adulticide sprays to be used in the home
• Sprays that contain insect growth regulators (IGR) are suitable for indoor use
• Professional pest control firms apply insecticides

Sprays for use in the house should be used in places where the flea eggs, larvae, and pupae are likely to be. The best way to treat your entire house is to first focus on hot spots, which are the cat’s preferred napping areas, such as carpets, soft furniture and beds. Once they hatch from the egg, flea larvae move away from the light and burrow deep into carpets and into other nooks and crannies where they are difficult to reach. To spray under beds, cushions and furniture, be sure to remove them. Baseboards, cracks in floorboards or between floors seams are other places where larvae may be found.

Flea eggs and pupae are extremely tough and resistant to the effects of insecticides. To remove these, as well as remove dead fleas, your pet’s bedding should be washed in hot water or replaced.

Regular and thorough vacuuming of your carpets, floors, and soft furnishings can remove a large number of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae. To prevent larvae and eggs from growing inside your vacuum cleaner, you will have to dispose of the bag. Vacuuming prior to the application of a spray to the house is recommended because the vibrations will encourage newly developed fleas to emerge from pupae, which will then be killed by the insecticide.

How to Get Rid of an Infestation

Flea infestations can be fatal to your cat and other pets in the house. Your home will need treatment, as this can prove to be the hardest part.

Flea eggs can hide in the carpets, furniture, and all over the house. When the adult fleas are killed off, their eggs are still able to hatch, and the issue begins all over again. You need to eliminate the entire lifecycle of this parasite for successful elimination and a flea-free home.

It can take up to 3 months to fully rid a home of an infestation and in some cases, you may have to bring in a professional to take care of the job. More than one treatment of the home may be necessary.

Talk to your vet to learn more about the procedure and make sure your pet is covered.

Bravecto Topical Solution For Cats – Best Overall

Bracevto is also effective in killing flea eggs, larvae and parasites to treat and prevent full infestations. Side effects can occur with all medications. Talk to your veterinarian about side effects. Bravecto is not effective against other parasites than ticks or fleas, and may be quite expensive.

Bravecto is our favorite flea treatment for cats because it kills the entire flea cycle and has a long efficacy.

If you are looking for a flea treatment that will provide you with the best value for your money and still do the job of treating fleas, Frontline Plus for Cats is a great option. Frontline Plus is conveniently available without a prescription and is designed to kill fleas, eggs, and larvae. Frontline Plus is safe to use on kittens older than 8 weeks and it can also be used for nursing and pregnant cats.

The topical treatment can sometimes be messy or difficult to apply so it is essential that you follow the instructions. Frontline Plus can’t treat additional parasites, and it may not last for the entire month.

As fleas learn to adapt to common medications, many of the over-the-counter remedies for fleas are less effective. You can ask your veterinarian for the best non-prescription flea treatments in your region.

Cheristin Flea Spot Treatment For Cats

Cheristin Flea Spot Treatment for Cats is a monthly topical solution that will begin killing fleas within 30 minutes of application and will have taken care of 98 to 100 percent of the fleas within 12 hours. It is easier to use than other top-of-the-line solutions because it’s non-greasy.

This flea treatment is for kittens and cats over 8 weeks old and weighing more than 1.8 pounds. Conveniently, there is no prescription required for this flea treatment. The effectiveness of Cheristin is not long-lasting and does not kill flea eggs or larvae. Some fleas adapt quickly to this formula, so the effectiveness of Cheristin may be less than a prescription drug.

Biospotix Natural Flea And Tick Repellent Infestations Cat Spray: The Best Immediate Flea Treatment

This spray is natural and non-toxic and uses ingredients that are based on Geraniol Oil to kill ticks and fleas upon contact. It works both by dehydrating the fleas’ exoskeletons and blocking their respiratory system, while also dehydrating eggs and larvae to prevent further infestation, leaving behind a protective film to repel additional parasites. It’s easy to apply: spray your cat with one or two drops, then brush the fleas off. Geraniol can cause allergic reactions, so you’ll need to keep an eye on your cat once applied. It’s also only a solution for an infestation, rather than a long-term strategy.

Specifications: Pack Size: 500ml, Frequency: As Required, Provides 48 Hours of Protection; Spray Type: Spray. Suitable For: Cats over 3 Months (not for skin lesions or pregnant or lactating women).

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What’S The Best Flea Treatment For Kittens

The insecticides in many chemical flea treatments are especially sensitive to small kittens (especially those less than 12 weeks old).

You don’t have to treat your kitten with an insecticide or spot-on medication. Instead, simply bathe and combing them.

Here’s a video showing you how to bathe your kitten with fleas:

This video shows what happens if you don’t make a protective soap necklace while bathing your flea-riddled kitten.

If your kitten is old enough to use an insecticide treatment, it’s best to opt for an oral medication, as they’re usually safer than topicals. Sentry Fibroguard can be approved for kittens under 4 weeks old, as long as they are over 2 pounds.

Are Flea Treatments Toxic To Cats Or Humans?

All chemical flea treatment are toxic in some way – poisons that have been formulated to kill. These treatments can only be fatal to the insects, but if used correctly they won’t cause harm to your cat.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Disturbingly, flea treatments have been connected to toxicity in cats thousands of times over the years. While flea products remain on the market, some pose a danger to cats as well as humans.

And even if you choose an insecticide with a great reputation, it’s hard to predict whether or not your cat will have a bad reaction to any given insecticide.

Top Cat Flea Treatments

ZoGuard Plus for Cats

Topical medicine that kills eggs, larvae and adult fleas, ticks and chewing lice. It also prevents future infestations. Safe for kittens older than eight weeks and weighing more than 1.5 pounds.

Sold by Amazon

Advantage II Flea Treatment and Prevention for Large Cats

This flea medication is specifically designed for cats larger than 10 pounds. It kills adult, larvae, and eggs as well. It kills on contact and remains effective for a month after the initial application. It is easy to use and comes premeasured.

Sold by Amazon, Chewy and PetSmart

TevraPet II Flea Prevention For Cats

Topical flea medication that has been formulated by veterinary professionals. It provides long-lasting protection from infestations. This topical flea medicine kills adult, larvae, and pupae on contact.

Sold by Amazon

Cheristin for Cats Topical Flea Treatment

Flea medication recommended by veterinary professionals that kills and prevents infestations in cats over 1.8 pounds. It starts working within 30 minutes and can kill nearly 100% of adult fleas within the first 12 hours. It protects your cat up to six weeks following application.

Sold by Amazon and Chewy

Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Cats

Topical medication that kills fleas and eggs, as well as biting ticks, is highly effective. It uses fipronil and Methoprene to kill pests and prevent future infestations. The treatment takes 30 days.

Amazon, Chewy, and PetSmart sell these items

PetArmor Plus Flea & Tick Prevention for Cats

For cats older than eight weeks, this treatment is water-proof and effective. Not only does it kill adult pests, but it also prevents future infestations for 30 days.

Sold by Amazon, Chewy and PetSmart

Revolution Plus Application

Revolution Plus can be easily applied to your cat’s skin every 30 days at the base, between the shoulder blades. The liquid medication is a small volume that is absorbed and dries quickly, leaving no residue behind. Revolution Plus is not as irritating to cats as other topical medications. You don’t need gloves and can apply it to your pet without touching their skin. If you get the product on your hands, simply wash them with soap and water.

You must obtain a prescription from your veterinarian to purchase Revolution Plus. As with all medications that prevent heartworm, your cat will need a heartworm test before starting this medication and every year afterward. Revolution Plus should be used with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders such as seizures.

Which is the best over-the-counter flea medication for cats?

Prescription flea treatment can also be effective, but they are safe and secure as over-the-counter remedies. Sometimes, these treatments contain previously patented active ingredients associated with prescription medications. When the patent expires on an active ingredient used in a prescription product, manufacturers of generic products may scramble to sell low-cost generic alternatives to the prescription treatment.

OTC medicines are not always considered safe. Just as it’s important when choosing a prescription product, research and careful analysis are key to choosing the right OTC medication.

The best flea treatment for cats, which is usually safer than using topical treatment, is the oral one. However, it’s not as effective for long-term management.

How Parasite Prevention is Important for Indoor Cats

Our indoor feline companions are not to be forgotten. Although many may live in high-rise apartments, and it may seem that they are much less likely to come into contact with fleas or other parasites, you’d be surprised! Indoor plants can attract all kinds of bugs (including fleas), or if you have a dog, then you 100% have a flea magnet in your home.

However, just by you’re going outside into the world, this is enough for you to bring back 1 flea (and that’s ALL that it takes!) You can host a flea party on your NYC 6-floor walk-up. It’s also a good reason to give flea prevention to your indoor cat.

Simply put, preventing fleas and other parasites is far better than trying to eliminate them once they’ve made their way onto your cat and into your life.

Cats can be treated with topical fleas

Topical treatments are applied to the skin on the back of the neck (base of the skull). It will kill fleas within one to three months depending on the brand.

It is crucial to mark the spot where you apply flea medication. This will prevent cats from picking at it and spreading illness. 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. These are just a few of the options available to you:

Buyer’S Guide: Picking The Best Flea Treatment For Cats

There’s actually a great deal that goes into choosing a flea treatment, so we don’t blame you if you feel overwhelmed. There’s no need to compare active ingredients as this is a task for your veterinarian (they’re more likely to be up-to-date on scientific literature).

You can instead figure out what the best treatment is for your cat by asking a few questions.

How Can I Tell If My Cat Has Fleas?

If you suspect your pet has fleas, you’ll need to treat your home as well. You can effectively exterminate unwanted houseguests by using a room fogger (or household flea spray such as Indorex), on your bedding and floors, then vacuuming thoroughly.

Topical flea prevention under prescription

Revolution Plus is a monthly broad-spectrum parasite control program. The active ingredients selamectin, sarolaner and roundworms are used to eliminate fleas, ticks as well as heartworms, heartworms. This product is safe to use on cats up to 2.8-pounds and older.

Bravecto is a topical flea treatment option that uses fluralaner to kill adult fleas. The topical flea treatment provides three months protection for your cat. This topical flea treatment should not be applied to cats older than six months or weighing more than 2.6 lbs.

The Best Otc Topical Flea Preventive

Frontline Plus contains active ingredients fipronil and s-methoprene. These two ingredients work together to eliminate parasites. S-methoprene kills larvae and eggs, while fipronil kills adults fleas. It can take some time to get rid of all fleas, particularly if you have a cat with flea infestations.

Pyriproxyfen

The chemical acts as a mimic of natural hormones, and prevents fleas reaching adulthood.

Tetrachlorvinphos

This chemical, sometimes referred to as TCVP, is a neurotoxin which affects fleas. This chemical is especially common in flea collars. TCVP could be harmful to both you and your cat – it’s classified as a possible human carcinogen.

Do not use any products that are intended for dogs on cats. Some ingredients that are well-tolerated by dogs can be toxic to cats. Permethrin (also known as Pyrethrin) is not recommended for cats. Cats 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 can I do to get my cat to take flea pills willingly?

Even the best pills can be difficult to take by cats. It may take some effort to get your cat to swallow a pill, depending on its temperament. You may prefer a tablet-based approach. If this is the case, it might be necessary to find a pill you can crush or cut to use in your cat’s food. Make sure you read all directions before giving it to your cat.

How Can I Get Rid Of Fleas On My Cat?

It can be difficult and will require a multi-pronged approach. You must eliminate fleas from your cat and any pets, as well as your yard and home. Even this approach may not give 100% control, since you cannot control some sources of fleas such as other people’s pets, wild animals, or property surrounding yours.

Which Flea Shampoo Is Best for Cats?

Even though cats don’t like baths and pills can provide the same coverage, there are some who prefer to shampoo their pets with flea products.

The best flea shampoo for cats is free from toxic ingredients and completely safe for cats. Remember that a product safe for dogs isn’t necessarily approved for cats, who may ingest shampoo residue during grooming.