Fleas may be tiny, but they can greatly impact the health and happiness of your beloved feline friend. These blood-sucking parasites not only cause discomfort but also pose greater health problems, which require a quality protection. As a responsible pet parent, you must craft a comprehensive protection plan to ensure your cat’s safety.
This blog will guide you through the dangers of fleas along with effective prevention methods, and the best treatment options. With this piece of information at hand, you can make informed decisions to keep your furry friend safe, healthy, and flea-free.
Let’s get started!
Why is Flea Prevention for Cats Necessary?
Fleas are annoying, blood-sucking parasites that can be more than just a nuisance, as they can cause a horde of problems from discomfort to harmful diseases. This is a year-round threat but requires special attention during the flea season. If not addressed promptly, they can cause the following health issues in cats:
- Dermatitis
- Severe allergies
- Skin infections
- Itching
- Anemia
- Paralysis
Now that you are aware of the dangers fleas pose, let’s understand what you can do to protect your beloved pet.
How to Prevent Fleas on Cats?
In this segment, we’ll cover some valuable measures you can take to ensure the safety of your feline friend against fleas.
- Thoroughly clean your house. This includes vacuuming your carpets, floors, and mattresses. Plus, mind the length of the grass in your lawn and regularly mow it.
- Create a grooming regime and provide clean surroundings. Regularly brush their coat and be vigilant for signs of fleas.
- Wash your pet’s bedding at least once a week with warm water. Clean their stuffed toys and if they sleep on your bed, wash it too.
- If cleaning alone does not help, hire professional pest control to eliminate all stages of fleas from the house.
- Maintain regular vet visits and take follow-ups.
Apart from these measures, you can use the following flea treatments for cats to ensure their safety.
Flea Treatments for Cats
This segment will introduce you to the popular flea treatments for cats. We have covered different kinds of treatments so that you can select the one most suited for your cat.
1. Topical Treatments for Cats
Topical treatments, as the name suggests, are applied directly to the skin. They are also known as spot-on treatments and are highly recommended for cats that are fussy eaters.
Here’s a popular topical flea treatment for cats:
Revolution Plus
Revolution Plus is a broad-spectrum topical treatment formulated to protect cats against a range of internal and external parasites. This monthly treatment contains Selamectin and Sarolaner as the active ingredients. A single dose of Revolution Plus for cats does the following:
- Kills adult fleas and treats and prevents flea infestations.
- Aids in the prevention of flea tapeworm infestations.
- Treats and controls Gulf Coast ticks, lone star ticks, American dog ticks, and black-legged ticks.
- Indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease.
- Treats and controls roundworms and hookworms.
- Treats and controls ear mite infestations.
- Recommended for cats and kittens from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 2.8 lbs.
Revolution Plus Alternatives: Advantage Multi, Bravecto Plus, and Frontline Plus.
[Also Read] What Happens If a Cat Licks Flea Treatment?
2. Oral Treatments for Cats
Oral treatments are given directly by mouth. These treatments are commonly available in chewable and tablet forms and are recommended for the ease of administration and fast action.
Let’s discuss a popular oral flea treatment for cats:
Capstar
Capstar for cats is a fast-acting oral flea treatment with nitenpyram as the active ingredient. Take a look at the specifications of these oral tablets:
- Starts killing fleas within 30 minutes of administration.
- One oral tablet kills over 90% of fleas within 4 hours.
- Kills adult fleas before they can lay eggs.
- Can be given with or without food.
Alternative: Credelio for Cats
3. Flea Collars for Cats
Flea collars are applied like normal collars and are recommended according to the cat’s treatment preferences. These are usually preferred for the long-term protection they offer and the ease of use.
Here’s a popular flea collar you can try:
Seresto Collar for Cats
Seresto flea Collar is a convenient, long-lasting flea and tick treatment for cats. It features Flumethrin and Imidacloprid as the active ingredients. These ingredients are constantly released with the slow-release technology to keep the cat protected for up to 8 months. This non-greasy and odorless collar offers the following protection:
- Repels and kills fleas before they can lay eggs.
- Repels and kills American dog ticks, deer ticks, brown dog ticks, and lone star ticks.
- Kills fleas that may transmit tapeworm infections.
- Kills fleas that may cause flea allergy dermatitis.
- Suitable for cats and kittens from 10 weeks of age.
Alternative: Bob Martin Flea Collar for Cats
Parting Words
This marks the end of our comprehensive guide on protecting your cats against fleas. We hope the information covered here will help you protect your feline friends better. However, if you face any challenges, it’s always best to consult your vet for professional advice. Good luck and happy parenting!
