The Best Flea Treatment For Cats 2023
August 01, 2023
There is a misconception that you only need to treat cats for fleas if they have them. However, you should treat your cat regularly to help prevent fleas. Treat your cat on the same day each month to ensure continuous coverage.
Fleas are an uncomfortable inconvenience but they can also cause serious health conditions if your cat becomes infested. These include tapeworm, anaemia and dermatitis to name a few common diseases caused by fleas.
A flea infestation can take over your home and be very difficult to get rid of. Fleas can also cause people to have unwanted health conditions too. Luckily, there are many effective treatments to help combat fleas on your cat and in your home.
We will look at how to spot your cat has fleas and the ways to prevent and get rid of the pesky parasites.
It’s important to understand what to look out for. Ctenocephalides felis, more commonly known as fleas, are small, wingless insects. They survive by drinking the blood of cats, dogs, and other mammals.
Fleas are known to reproduce rapidly and are highly adaptable meaning they can live in many conditions. They’re a concern amongst pet owners worldwide and that’s why it’s very important to be vigilant and regularly treat your pets.
What to look out for
- Your cat is frequently scratching, licking, or biting at their fur in clear discomfort. Fleas will make your feline friend very itchy which can lead to excessive grooming.
- You may notice tiny black dots on your cat's fur and bedding. This is flea faeces.
- Flea bites will irritate a cat's skin causing redness and inflammation. You may find this particularly prevalent at the tail base, abdomen, and around the neck.
- Visible fleas, especially with a large flea infestation. These are tiny, dark brown insects that you may spot crawling in your cat’s fur.
Use the following high-quality vet-recommended products to help you keep fleas out of your home or get rid of them for good.
Frontline spray is a brilliant solution for controlling and preventing flea infestations. It can be used for both cats and dogs so is great for households with multiple pets.
The solution is formulated to get infestations under control and to stop your pet from getting re-infested. If your cat suffers from flea allergy dermatitis Frontline spray can be used as part of an ongoing treatment strategy.
If your cat doesn’t like taking tablets this Frontline Plus Spot-on solution comes in an easy-to-apply pipette, applied topically to the skin on the back of your cat's neck.
This double-action solution not only kills fleas and ticks but the active IGR technology can stop flea eggs from hatching and larvae developing in your home. Recommended for use every 4 weeks to treat and prevent fleas and ticks.
If you have a small cat, dog, or rabbit that’s under 4kg this is the treatment for them. Protecting against and treating fleas and biting lice. This can be used on cats over the age of 8 weeks and rabbits from 10 weeks.
If your cat has been diagnosed with flea allergy dermatitis by a veterinary surgeon this solution can be used as part of a treatment strategy. For larger cats over 4kg, use Advantage 80.
Flevox can help to treat flea and tick infestations where cats may have missed previous treatments. This is a licensed product, so animal registration is required before purchase.
This solution is affordable and comes with 3 or 6 pipettes meaning you’re set with several months' worth of treatment.
Program cat oral suspension can be administrated to pregnant cats and kittens that are taking solid foods. The treatment is designed to be effective against dominant flea species such as Ctenocephalides felis and C. canis.
Ensure you read the required dosage for your cat's size before treating them.
Just treating your cat isn’t always enough. If fleas have entered your home you may need to do a deep clean and use a specially formulated product to eradicate remaining fleas. RIP Fleas works for up to 12 months.
Fleas have a complex life cycle, eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult eggs so you want to pick a spray that combats most of these stages. You should also vacuum regularly, wash bedding and other soft upholstery at a high temperature, and use flea spray.
A great way to assist all these treatments is to have your cat wear a collar. Seresto Flea and Tick Control Collar for Cats is an innovative collar that protects your cat from fleas and ticks for up to eight months. The collar works to build up an invisible layer of protection that kills fleas and repels and kills ticks that come into contact with your cat. The collar is odourless and non-greasy and easy to fit.
Whilst the process of dealing with cat fleas can be frustrating, once you’ve successfully rid your cat of them they’ll be a lot happier. Keeping on top of monthly treatments and using the other tips mentioned in this blog will minimise the risk of having to deal with a flea infestation.
Other ways to keep your cat healthy
- Treat your cat for worms every 1-3 months.
- Ensure there is always access to fresh water.
- Speak to your vet about the perfect diet for your cat.
- Keep them entertained and help them get enough exercise with a range of cat toys that promote play.
- Groom them on a regular basis to prevent matting and fur balls.
- Get them neutered/spayed to prevent unwanted litters and illnesses.
- Clean out their litter trays regularly.
It’s recommended that you consult your pet's vet before starting any flea treatment as they will be able to offer you specific advice based on your cat's personal needs.
For more information on how to treat your cat for fleas don’t hesitate to get in touch on sales@365vet.co.uk
Recent Posts
