What is the best flea treatment for cats?

29.10.2015

Cats are soft and fluffy pets that are often acquired by owners of private houses and apartments. The presence of a kitten in the house brings not only a lot of joy, but also, often, a lot of additional trouble. Often, owners have to face the problem of blood-sucking insects called fleas appearing on the body of such animals. Noticing their appearance, a good owner will immediately take control measures. In this article, we will give effective recommendations on how to get rid of fleas from a cat.

• Fleas - who are they and what are they?
• What danger do fleas pose to domestic cats?
• Signs of fleas in a cat
• Ways to control fleas in cats
• Folk remedies for treating fleas in cats
• How to prevent fleas from reappearing?

Symptoms of infection

Fleas in cats cause characteristic symptoms that are simply impossible not to notice:

• frequent scratching, or more intense than usual licking of the fur;
• restless sleep;
• nervous behavior;
• loss of appetite.

In addition, on the undercoat of the animal you can see traces of insect activity - excrement resembling black grains of sand, and on the skin - scratches, wounds and scabs.

If the disease is not treated, it can lead to the following consequences:

• exhaustion of the animal from lack of sleep and nervous excitement;
• the appearance of bald spots on wool;
• development of anemia (decrease in hemoglobin level). Outwardly, this is manifested by the animal’s lethargy, weight loss, and pale gums. This condition requires treatment by a veterinarian;
• helminth infection;
• allergic dermatitis. This disease is characterized by the appearance of red spots on the skin of the cat's body, against which small blisters then appear. Subsequently, the bubbles burst (on their own or from scratching), and in their place weeping areas form. Over time, they dry out, scar, and scales and crusts form;
• secondary infection of wounds from scratching and, as a result, to inflammation, abscess and even sepsis.

A cat can get fleas even if it does not go outside on its own. Fleas can get on an animal when traveling on public transport, while participating in exhibitions and competitions. After visiting such places, you should examine your cat to prevent the breeding of “uninvited guests.”

Also, a likely source of fleas getting into the apartment and, accordingly, onto the cat is the owner of the animal himself. A flea can jump on a person’s shoes or clothes on the street or in a hallway, and thus get home.

If there are few fleas on a cat, then they may not be visible visually. You can check for the presence of parasites as follows:

• place the animal on a piece of white cloth (fleas, their excrement or eggs will be clearly visible on it);
• Take a special flea comb (with fine teeth) and gently comb the animal's fur from head to tail. Fleas and their metabolic products will either get stuck in the teeth of the comb or fall out onto the bedding fabric;
• You can distinguish dirt from excrement by placing unidentified black particles on a wet cloth. The excrement will change its color from black to brown or red as it contains the animal's blood.

Flea spray for cats: instructions for use and recommendations for use.

Treatment should be carried out outdoors or in a very well ventilated area. At the same time, cages with birds, aquariums, etc. are removed from the room.

Avoid allowing the animal to lick the drug. For example, you can use a special muzzle.

You need to shake the bottle with the drug well, and then start spraying its contents onto the pet’s body from a distance of 30 cm.

The spray should be applied as evenly as possible. This way the maximum effect will be achieved.

One press on the head contains approximately 0.5 ml of spray. This amount is enough to process 1 kg of animal weight.

20 minutes after spraying, the cat can be combed. Repeated treatment can be carried out no less than a month later. In addition to the cat itself, this drug can also be used to treat its bed, bedding, etc. Flea spray for cats “Bars” will reliably protect your pet from annoying parasites.

What to do if you find a flea?

First of all, there is no need to panic. Parasitic insects are living organisms, which means they can be destroyed. For this purpose, special flea remedies for cats have been developed, which have been tested and successfully used in practice by millions of cat owners.

A brief algorithm of actions if you find parasites on your pet or in your apartment (house):

• if there are few fleas, or your kitten is still very small, then wash the animal with a special shampoo;
• If there are a large number of fleas, the shampoo may not be effective. In this situation, special drops should be used that will either kill the insects or make their offspring unviable. Read more about how to get rid of fleas from a cat in the next section of this article;
• After antiparasitic treatment, it is necessary to disinfest the room(s) where the cat lives. You can learn how to do this in the last section of this article;
• the next step is to eliminate the damage to the animal’s health caused by fleas. You can relieve your cat from itching and speed up the healing of wounds with the help of Miramistin solution. This pharmaceutical product disinfects wounds and has an anti-inflammatory effect; it can be purchased at a regular pharmacy. If you contact your veterinarian, he will prescribe an antihistamine. A visit to the doctor is also necessary if the wounds begin to rot.

Effective flea treatments for cats

Effective flea remedies require one-time use and prolonged action. Only insecticides can give this effect. Folk remedies do not help immediately and quickly, so they require regular use until the parasites are completely eliminated.

The following products can be used to control fleas:

• Drops.
• Sprays (this also includes any repellents that need to be sprayed into the air).
• Shampoo (this also includes powders and powders).
• Collars.
• Folk remedies.

Regardless of the product you choose, parasite control will not be effective if you only treat the animal. It is important to remember that if you have several pets, you need to treat all of them, regardless of who became infected first. If the flea infestation has developed for more than two weeks, you will most likely have to treat your home as well.

Flea drops

Parasite drops are the most effective remedy for ridding a cat of fleas. The drops repel or kill insects, destroy pathogenic microflora, and prevent re-infection. Drops are a concentrated solution of various insecticides that are harmful to fleas, but safe for cats.

The principle of action of the drops: the substance, when it gets on the animal’s skin, is absorbed and accumulates in the sebaceous glands. Then, over a long period of time, the substance is gradually released from the glands and repels the parasites, or affects their central nervous system, and they die. The effect on parasites occurs in the intestinal or contact way, i.e. the substance ends up in the stomach of the insect or gets on the surface of the body. After this, an irreversible reaction begins, leading to the death of the cat’s fleas.

Benefits of using drops:

• ease of use. Insect repellents are usually produced in the form of disposable pipettes. It is very convenient for application;
• duration of exposure. The drug should be used once every 2 to 3 months. The frequency of processing is different for each type of drop;
• universality of action. The drops protect the cat not only from fleas, but also from ticks and helminths.

Bonus for the cat owner: there will never be fleas in the room where an animal treated with insecticides lives. Parasites in the room move to the cat's body and then die.

Rules for treating cats for fleas:

• you need to break off the tip on the pipette along a specially made mark;
• then you should spread the fur on the animal’s withers with one hand, and with the other, squeeze a drop from the pipette onto the skin. This action must be repeated in several places in the area from the withers to the shoulder blades.

The amount of product applied depends on the age and weight of the pet. Dosage instructions are included with each type of drop. The drugs are sold without a prescription in veterinary pharmacies, clinics and pet stores.

Experts note that the most popular drops are Bravecto (USA), Stronghold (Zoetis), and Vectra Felice (France).

Important points:

• flea drops for cats can cause individual intolerance in the animal, so if an allergic reaction occurs, the cat should be washed immediately and then contact a veterinary clinic;
• You can treat your cat with flea drops no earlier than 2 days after bathing;
• after applying the drops, the animal cannot be washed for 2 days if the drug is water-based, and for 5 days if it is oil-based;
• on the first day after treatment, when the applied substance is most toxic, you should not pet the cat or allow it near children;
• Before removing fleas from cats, you must carefully read the instructions included with the drops.

How to get rid of fleas on a kitten

Removing fleas from adults is much easier than from kittens. Because they are growing and not yet strong enough, many anti-flea medications can harm them. Therefore, it is necessary to remove fleas carefully and under the supervision of a specialist.

First of all, the kitten should be combed well. Pays special attention to the belly, muzzle, and chest. It is better to use a comb with small and frequent teeth, then there is a chance of getting rid of flea eggs.

The use of the products is possible when the kitten reaches 1 month. If the baby is healthy, you can bathe him using a special shampoo for kittens. After 2 months, the animal can be treated with drops.

Collar

Special repellent collars are saturated with an odor that fleas cannot tolerate, i.e. the product repels (but does not destroy insects). The collar is a porous tape, the material of which retains the smell of the substance applied to it well. This can be either a natural repellent - essential oil, which is safe for cats' health, or a small dose of a synthetic insecticide. For kittens and pregnant cats, collars with natural repellents should be used.

Experts recommend using collars as a preventative measure after the cat’s fleas have already been removed using more powerful insecticidal preparations, or used as a means of complex therapy (i.e. drops + collar). Repellent collars repel not only fleas, but also lice, scabies and ixodid ticks.

The effect of the flea collar lasts up to 8 months. It is very simple to use: just fasten the collar around the cat’s neck and trim off the excess. Do not remove it until the active substance wears off. There is a small “minus”: the fur under the collar cakes, and this is not suitable for cats that take part in exhibitions and competitions.

Collars popular with cat owners: “Bars” (AVZ), “Doctor Zoo”, “Bolfo” (Germany).

If a cat has scratches on its neck, you cannot use a collar; the active substance applied to it can get into the wound and cause a serious allergic reaction in the animal. You can put on a flea collar for cats only after the skin has completely healed.

Types of funds

The modern market can offer many flea medications for kittens and cats. The insecticide in their composition allows you to quickly get rid of parasites. The following types of drugs are available:

1. Drops. An optimal and effective remedy for adult pets. After rubbing the solution into the skin, the drug spreads throughout the body.
2. Sprays. They are sprayed onto the animal's fur or applied to the hands, after which the cat is stroked. This medicine has one drawback - toxicity. Using sprays requires care and strict adherence to instructions. The cat may experience side effects, and there are contraindications. It is best to use this variety if there are a large number of fleas on the animal’s body.

   
   Different types of flea products have different methods of application.

3. Shampoos. The products have a mild effect and are well suited for kittens; many shampoos also take good care of the animal’s fur.
4. Collars. An excellent method for disease prevention and complex treatment. As a stand-alone product, a collar alone will not be enough.
5. Powders. Almost the only variety that can be used to treat pregnant cats. Most often they have no side effects.
6. Pills. Best used in conjunction with shampoos or sprays.

Effective drops

Such medications are suitable both for getting rid of fleas and for preventing their occurrence. The product is applied very simply: you need to part the fur at the withers, distribute the product and gently rub it into the skin. For kittens under 6 months of age, only a portion of the package should be used, not the entire contents of the dropper. The best flea drops for cats:

1. Stronghold. A very popular remedy. The drops allow you to get rid of parasites in 30 days and can also be used for prevention. For adult pets you will need a whole pipette of the drug, and for young pets - 6 ml of medicine per 1 kg of weight. The package contains 3 pipettes. If used correctly, one pack will last you all summer.
2. Hartz. This drug can be used for adult animals and kittens over 3 months old. Drops should not be used on pregnant or lactating cats, or sick pets. The medicine protects the animal from insects for 30 days. The pack contains 3 pipettes.
3. Advantage drug. Simple and effective. Apply to one point. These drops can also be used for kittens older than 2 months.

   
   Advantage is an effective remedy against fleas in cats

4. Frontline. Allows you to cure an animal of fleas and ticks in one day. The drug works for 1 month. These drops can be purchased for kittens older than 2 months.
5. Dana Ulra Neo. The active substance in the composition is diazinon, which is effective when a pest enters the body
6. Leopard for cats. An excellent product for cats. Gets rid of parasites and their larvae.
7. Rolf Club 3D. High-quality medicine with a long shelf life. The drug protects the animal for 2 months.
8. 4 with a tail. These drops contain only plant components, so they are safe for the health of pets. The product has a positive effect on the condition of cats' fur and has antifungal properties. Protects not only from fleas, but also from ticks.

Protective sprays

Sprays are a type of product that is most effective in cases of large-scale infection. These medications should not be used on pregnant or lactating cats. You also need to ensure that the solution does not get on the mucous membranes. The most popular flea sprays:

1. Leopard. Domestic medicine. The effect is noticeable after the first use. Contains permethrin, which can contribute to an allergic reaction, so use the spray very carefully.

   
   Bars helps to cope with the problem of fleas in cats

2. Hartz. A low-toxic aerosol that can be purchased even for kittens older than 2 months. Instantly gets rid of parasites. Also suitable as a preventive measure. It can be sprayed onto the animal's fur before going for a walk.
3. Frontline. The product is practically safe for the health of cats. The drug contains fipronil, which has a nerve-paralytic effect on parasites. The components of the spray are active for several days. Suitable not only for adult pets, but also for kittens and pregnant animals.

It is best to carry out spray treatment outdoors. To achieve maximum effect, it is necessary to distribute the product evenly. Half an hour after application, you should comb the cat to get rid of dead parasites.

To avoid re-infection, you need to treat your cat's resting bed. The video will show several ways to get rid of fleas, if not forever, then at least for a long time

Flea shampoos

The safest variety for flea control. However, the active components act only on adult parasites, while the larvae remain viable. Therefore, shampoo should be used in combination with drops or other products. The most popular drugs are the following brands:

1. Leopard. The shampoo effectively gets rid of blood-sucking insects. The result is noticeable after the first use. The solution is made on a plant basis and contains essential oils. It has a beneficial effect on the animal's fur, making it smooth and soft. Suitable even for kittens one month old.
2. Rolf Club. Insecticidal detergent against parasites. After applying to the coat, you should wait 7 minutes and only then rinse off the shampoo. During bathing, you need to monitor the animal’s reaction and prevent licking of the product.

   
   Rolf Club shampoo is easy to use, but you should not allow it to come into contact with the mucous membranes of the animal.

3. Lugovoi zoo shampoo. Gets rid of fleas and ticks. The effect is noticeable from the first use.
4. Mr. Keys. Swiss drug that gets rid of parasites. Takes good care of the coat and nourishes the skin. Suitable for kittens older than 1 month, as well as for long-haired cat breeds.

Anti-flea collars

A collar is an excellent way to prevent the appearance of blood-sucking insects. It is recommended to put it on the cat after treating the fur with a special shampoo.

The operating time of this accessory is 60−90 days. After this, the active components begin to evaporate and the collar becomes ineffective.

An anti-flea collar provides long-term passive protection against ticks and fleas for animals.
The disadvantage of such a product is the possibility of irritation on the animal’s skin. The likelihood of this increases in hot weather. In addition, an unpleasant odor may occur. It is not recommended to use this accessory for pregnant or lactating pets. The collar can be purchased for kittens older than 3 months. The following brands are especially popular:

1. Hartz. A good collar that protects against insects. The accessory is effective for 7 months after opening the package. A huge advantage of this product is its resistance to moisture. Even after getting wet, the collar retains its properties.
2. Wolfo. Premium accessory. The collar is selected depending on the weight of the animal, which allows you to obtain the required concentration of the active substance. Service life - 4 months. The product also protects against ticks (for 3 years).
3. Doctor Zoo. Domestic product. The components that make up the collar are absolutely safe for your pet’s health. The disadvantage of the product is its short validity period (2 months).

The Doctor Zoo collar, compared to other collars, has a shorter validity period and a more favorable price

Special powders

Powder (powder) is a safe way to protect pregnant cats and kittens from pests. The product must be applied to the animal’s skin and rubbed in gently. This variety is not suitable for long-haired breeds and particularly fluffy pets. You can use the following drugs:

1. Hartz is a high-quality powder based on permethrin. It should be rubbed into the cat's fur against the direction of hair growth. This will allow the substance to be distributed evenly. The drug should not be used on sick pets or kittens under 2 months of age. It should not be used on animals prone to allergies.
2. Puldis. Non-toxic, effectively eliminates ticks and fleas. The substances contained in the collar are not absorbed into the animal’s blood, but accumulate in the skin.

Pest control tablets

Tablets are considered a very effective remedy for fleas, since the effect on pests comes from the inside. The medicine is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and enters the blood. When the parasite bites a cat, it receives a dose of insecticide, resulting in its death. The best flea tablets:

1. Comfortis tablets. The active substance included in the product is not toxic to animals, but copes well with blood-sucking insects. The tablets taste like beef, which is why cats like this medicine. They can be added to pet food. The drug protects the animal from parasites for 30 days. The optimal dose is calculated using the formula: 50 mg per 1 kg of cat weight. However, side effects may also occur, such as apathy, decreased appetite and vomiting. Not recommended for use on kittens, old or pregnant animals.
2. Capstar. Neurotoxic tablets that lead to the rapid death of pests. The active substance begins to work 2-3 hours after administration. The effect of the medicine is 1-2 days. The drug can be given even to kittens older than 1 month. The product has virtually no side effects.

Capstar flea tablets are easy to use and have almost no side effects

Folk recipes

In addition to professional remedies, you can also use folk recipes for fleas. They are widely available and safe. In addition, the use of such methods does not require special financial costs. Most popular recipes:

1. Tar soap. It can be used not only to exterminate parasites, but also in the presence of dermatitis. Suitable for small kittens. After applying soap to the animal's fur, you need to wait a few minutes and only then rinse off the product.
2. Saline solution. The product is prepared at the rate of 0.5 kg of salt per 10 liters of water. The liquid needs to be poured into a basin and the pet placed there up to the neck. After 5 minutes, rinse the wool intensively with water. After the pet is dry, you need to comb out the fur and remove dead fleas.
3. Garlic. It is considered a very effective remedy because its smell repels insects. Chop 5 cloves of garlic and add 600 ml of water. The liquid is infused for 12 hours, after which it is used to wipe the animal’s fur along the spine (so that the cat does not lick the solution).
4. A decoction of tansy, wormwood and eucalyptus. Fleas, bedbugs and mosquitoes really dislike the aroma of these plants. Lavender and geranium have a similar effect. To get rid of pests, you need to treat not only the cat, but also its bedding.

Pet stores offer a wide range of anti-parasite medications. Depending on your wishes, you can easily determine which flea remedy for cats is best to purchase. You can also use traditional methods. However, we should not forget about prevention to prevent re-infection of the animal.

Shampoo

Shampoo is the mildest remedy in the fight against blood-sucking insects. Special shampoo formulas have been developed that not only make pets' fur clean, but also destroy fleas.

Using shampoo, you can get rid of fleas even in pregnant cats, for whom the use of insecticides contained in flea drops is contraindicated.

Benefits of using shampoo for fleas in cats:

• affordable price;
• ease of use;
• low toxicity;
• Possibility of use for washing cats that are allergic to insecticides.

Shampoo can be dry, which must be used without water, or regular, which must be washed off the animal’s fur. Particular attention should be paid to rinsing the fur; this must be done very carefully, because cats, no matter how well they are wiped, will still lick themselves.

When choosing a detergent, you should pay attention to what breeds of cats the flea shampoo is intended for: long-haired, short-haired or hairless. It should also be clarified at what age this remedy can be used. The fact is that shampoo for small kittens and pregnant cats contains a minimal amount of toxic ingredients, and in the product for washing adult animals their concentration is much higher.

Experts recommend the following types of shampoos: “BIO-GROOM” (USA), “Bars” (AVZ), “Fitoelita” (Veda).

Flea shampoos for cats consist of three main ingredients:

• components that create soap foam;
• substances that care for the animal's fur. These are decoctions of medicinal herbs, essential oils;
• insecticides. Both synthetic substances (phenothrin, decamethrin) and natural ones (penitrin contained in Caucasian and Persian chamomile) are used.

List and brief characteristics of flea drops

The best flea treatment for cats can be chosen from the following drugs:

1. Beaphar - the products of this Dutch company have an excellent effect in the fight against blood-sucking insects. Drops developed by Beaphar for kittens can be used no earlier than 6 weeks of age. BIO drops are completely natural, as they consist of pyrethrum and margosa extract. The product is valid for a month. Flea Drops protect a cat from fleas for 3 weeks, and are used as a second-stage drug in a 4-stage program for protecting cats from ectoparasites and contain diazinon. Caniguard Spot On - includes permethrin and protects animals from flea infestation for 5 weeks.
2. Hartz - flea drops for cats made in the USA, destroy parasites at all stages of development; cats cannot be treated.
3. Advantage - the drug is applied to kittens only from the age of two months. The safe formula of the active substance, imidacloprid, allows the drug to be used even during pregnancy. German quality from Bayer guarantees the effectiveness of the drug for 4 weeks after a single use. After application for 2 days, the drops destroy up to 98% of fleas. Has protective properties.

   
   Flea drops

4. Bars Forte is a domestic drug against blood-sucking insects, which successfully combines effectiveness, safety and low price. Insecticides included: fipronil, dicarboximide, diflubenzuron, are active against larvae and adults.
5. Dana is the best domestic drops in which the active substance is enhanced by the action of synergists. Dana is active against adults and insect larvae. Treatment can be carried out only once a month. The medicine contains diazolin and despite the safety of the substance, the drops are not recommended for use in kittens under 10 weeks and pregnant cats.
6. Frontline is a high-quality flea drug produced by the French company Merial in the form of drops and spray. The active substance is fipronil, which is safe for warm-blooded animals. A cat can lick 320 mg drops without consequences. Frontline protects for 8 weeks, does not penetrate the blood, therefore it is approved for getting rid of fleas in pregnant and lactating cats, as well as kittens from the moment of birth. For complete relief, it is enough to use the drug once every 60 days.
7. Stronghold - drops contain the substance selamectin, which is well tolerated by pregnant and lactating females.

Drops against fleas The following drops have also proven themselves to be quite good: Fleanet, Helmintal, Celandine, Delix, Advocate, Rolf Club 3d, 4 with a tail.
The list includes the most popular and effective drugs in different price categories. But in order for the medications to be safe, it is necessary to take into account the age and weight of the pet. Which drops are better can only be decided by comparing the results. Veterinarians advise alternating drops after 4-5 applications. When choosing remedies for blood-sucking insects, it is a good idea to analyze reviews from veterinarians and cat breeders.

How to remove fleas from a cat at home?

You can remove fleas from a cat at home yourself, or by visiting a veterinary clinic. At the clinic, the doctor will examine the animal, determine the severity of the lesion, evaluate the individual clinical situation and select the appropriate method for removing insects.

Diagnosing the presence of fleas is not difficult for an ordinary person who is far from veterinary medicine. Therefore, the sooner treatment begins, the more effective it will be. Parasites are very prolific, so postponing treatment “for later” is unacceptable.

Are cat fleas dangerous for humans?

Cat fleas do not live on people, but they can bite them and thereby transmit the causative agents of some serious diseases.

Among the most dangerous diseases that cause fleas in domestic cats are:

• hepatitis - inflammatory damage to the liver;
• brucellosis – damage to many body systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous, etc.;
• encephalitis - inflammation of the brain substance;
• helminths – worms that parasitize the body of animals and humans;
• Plague is a fatal disease (without treatment it ends in death). It is extremely rare in Russia; the last case was recorded in 2021 in Altai. Those cat owners who export their pets to Central Asia, Africa, and America should be concerned. It is especially important for them to know how to get rid of fleas from a cat as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The most common consequences of a flea bite for humans are allergic reactions, manifested in the form of severe itching and redness. It is also possible for infection to occur in scratched bite areas. This can already lead to a more serious outcome - purulent inflammation of the skin and penetration of infection into the bloodstream. This development of events is fraught with many dangerous diseases, including sepsis (blood poisoning).

Therefore, flea control is necessary not only to protect the cat from parasitic insects, but also to preserve human health.

Features of the parasite

Fleas are blood-sucking insects that live in animal fur. They bite through the cat's skin and feed on its blood. These are mobile creatures with long hind limbs and a flattened body. Due to the peculiarities of their structure, fleas move easily through fur. In this they are helped by bristles and spines.

Danger of insects

When flea bites, your pet experiences severe itching, which can lead to allergic dermatitis. In addition to unpleasant sensations, the presence of these parasites can provoke the occurrence of various diseases , including:

• Gnemia;
• decreased immunity;
• hair loss;
• fungal and infectious diseases;
• worms.

This video reviews popular flea and tick treatments for cats:

Symptoms of the disease

Before choosing a flea medicine for cats, you should make sure that the disease is present. The following signs indicate it:

• itching in the animal;
• parasite eggs or traces of their vital activity in the cat’s fur (look like grains of black pepper and salt). When examining the animal, such changes are easy to detect;
• wounds caused by itching;
• the presence of an allergic reaction under cat fur.

In addition, you can find insects if your pet's fur gets wet. When swimming, fleas can jump into the water.

The presence of fleas in cats can be determined by a number of external signs.