Unfortunately, no animal is 100% safe from fleas no matter how conscientious a pet owner you may be, so it’s best to know what you’re up against and how to prevent it in the future. Fleas are nasty little insects that can cause your cats pain if left untreated and will only grow in number. There are a variety of ways to get rid of and help prevent your feline from being afflicted with fleas.
We’ve researched and come up with the best flea treatment for cats in this guide, along with some handy information to help you make an informed choice when buying the product that will help your cat get back to normal.
Things to Consider
- Toxicity. Under no circumstances should you assume a dog’s flea medication can also be used on a cat, it’s tempting to assume they’d have the same effect but we cannot stress enough that this simply isn’t the case. A cat’s physiology and metabolic pathways differ greatly to a dogs and as such insecticides that are totally harmless for dogs can be lethal for cats.
For example, permethrin is used in dog flea collars and is both safe and effective, but even a dosage small enough for a puppy is highly toxic for cats. If you live in a multi-animal household it is advisable to keep dogs who have had this treatment away from any cats you might have for a few days.
- House Cat. Even if your cat is a house cat and never ventures outside it’s still a good idea to give them flea medicine once in a while, especially if they begin to bite and scratch at their skin.
It is impossible to be 100% safe from fleas and if an untreated pet were to come into your home they could easily pass on the insects to your cat without meaning to. If you’re thinking at this stage that that’s fine because no other animals come into your house anyway you should know that humans also carry in fleas and their eggs in their shoes and on their clothes. This is why all cats should be given flea treatment.
Top 10 Best Flea Treatment for Cats Ranking
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Buying Information
- Type. When considering what flea medication to buy there are several types to consider, the primary being a topical applicator, flea collar, tablets or a spray. It’s a good idea to always consult with a vet before choosing your product as they’ll be able to shed some light on what type will work best for your cat.
- Initial Reaction. Don’t be alarmed if your cat acts irrationally during the first hour or so of their flea treatment. Unfortunately as fleas are dying they tend to bite hard which could cause a dramatic reaction in your cat as they try to outrun the pain, this bit isn’t pleasant but rest assured it’s worth it to ensure your pet is flea-free and in the long term happy and healthier.
Top 5 Flea Treatment Reviews
[easyazon_link asin=”B00I9ZUL02″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]1. Cheristin For Cats[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B00I9ZUL02″ cloaking=”default” height=”386″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51jCFmSlsIL.jpg” tag=”senappblo-20″ width=”200″]Cheristin For Cats – 6pk by Lilly[/easyazon_image]
This is the best flea treatment for cats on the market; it works quickly killing 100% of fleas within 12 hours and continues to work for over a month after application.
Its squeeze-on formula means you don’t have to wrestle or struggle with an already irritable animal and doesn’t cause the cat any pain to apply. Almost immediately you will notice an improvement in your cats demeanour, after the initial hour or so when the fleas are dying your cat will become happier and more like its old self as they no longer have to deal with horrible little insects on their skin.
[easyazon_link asin=”B004QBDO0M” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]2. Bayer Advantage II[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B004QBDO0M” cloaking=”default” height=”141″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1ziYvpjq2L._SL1500_.jpg” tag=”senappblo-20″ width=”140″]Bayer Advantage II, Large Cat, Over 9-Pound, 6-Month[/easyazon_image]
The best thing about Bayer’s flea treatment is that it remains effective after swimming or shampooing, cats may not be known for loving water but there are a few out there who enjoy getting wet every now and then. Due to cat’s stereotypical hatred, a lot of flea medicines don’t consider water resistance when making their product, but Bayer’s is good for up to four weeks from just one treatment and the difference is clear to see.
Within five minutes of applying biting fleas are dead and over 99% of larvae will follow in the next twenty minutes. Each pack comes with a six month supply as you should reapply the product to your cat once a month to ensure its effectiveness in removing the fleas.
[easyazon_link asin=”B005Z6UL1M” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]3. Capstar Flea Tablets[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B005Z6UL1M” cloaking=”default” height=”288″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81jHPRSnSvL._SL1500_.jpg” tag=”senappblo-20″ width=”230″]Capstar Flea Tablets for Cats & Dogs 2-25 lbs, 6 Tablets, Single box[/easyazon_image]
This product is more universal, working on both cats and dogs but we should stress that it is important to never give an animal a product designed for another. You can’t assume that a flea medicine for a dog wouldn’t hurt a cat in some way. Novartis is the exception here as its formula is specially designed to work for both canines and felines.
This is actually rated as the best flea treatment for cats in tablet form. Unlike the squeeze-on applicators this is a single box of six tablets which will kill all the adult fleas on your cat within six hours. The only downside to be aware of is that it isn’t a preventative treatment, unlike some other products it won’t kill flea eggs or stop them from hatching so it’s best used in conjunction with another flea treatment that helps prevent fleas in general not just eradicate the ones already there.
[easyazon_link asin=”B00JVDPU8E” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]4. Frontline Flea Drops[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B00JVDPU8E” cloaking=”default” height=”500″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41xB8FRAlEL.jpg” tag=”senappblo-20″ width=”250″]Frontline Flea Drops For Cats[/easyazon_image]
Frontline is a leading brand in animal care and the application of these drops has a dual purpose killing ticks as well as fleas eliminating all life stages of the four major ticks that could give your cat harmful illnesses such as Lyme disease.
Like Bayer flea medicine, Frontline remains effective after bathing and within hours your cat looks noticeably healthier and happier. Remember to keep applying this medicine to your cat monthly in order to break the life-cycle of the flea and ensure they remain pest-free. The best part about this treatment is that unlike others it can be used on breeding, pregnant or lactating felines and is safe for any cat over 8 weeks old meaning your kitty doesn’t need to suffer.
[easyazon_link asin=”B003PRI6OC” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]5. Vet’s Best Natural Flea[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”right” asin=”B003PRI6OC” cloaking=”default” height=”500″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81UX0Hw5CFL._SL1500_.jpg” tag=”senappblo-20″ width=”155″]Vet’s Best Natural Flea + Tick Home Spray, 32 oz[/easyazon_image]
Consider the temperament of your cat before purchasing this spray, jumpy cats may be alarmed by the noise and therefore try to run away from the spray reducing its effectiveness. Having said that, if you can utilise it properly it is a great product and safe to use around children as it is the best flea medicine for cats in spray form.
It kills both ticks and fleas on contact but also kills flea eggs which helps prevent another outbreak occurring on your cat, in addition it helps repel mosquitoes meaning you might have a bigger issue with them than your pet!
The formula is specially designed so you don’t need to be cautious when spraying, it’s non-staining and harmless to plants so you don’t need to worry about it having a negative effect on your household items. In fact, we’ve noticed the natural ingredients such as peppermint oil and clove extract actually smell very pleasant, making this product more appealing than other sprays.
