Best Flea Treatment for Cats – (Review 2022)
What is the best flea treatment for cats? Well, you’re in the right place!
In this Cattail Gardens guide, you’ll learn:
- Our five favorite cat treatments (and our #1 pick)
- What is the best flea treatment for cats?
- Things you should know about flea treatment for cat
- Why do my cats need flea and tick prevention?
- Where do fleas hide in Cats?
- Can Fleas Live in Human Hair?
- What Attracts Fleas in Cats?
Cats are animals that will be free, and they will stay put in place. They hide in random places and rummage through trash; they even love to run around and play in open gardens or glass fields.
All the places cats love to visit may be infested with cat fleas themselves. These fleas latch themselves onto the pet’s body, causing severe itching and rash. It’s not irritating but harmful since there are many diseases caused by flea infestation and biting. It is not just fleas that suck on the blood of mammals such as cats but ticks and mosquitos as well.
Be it in the colder season or warmer season, your pet will always be vulnerable to flea attacks, especially if you live in a less populated area with forests and greenery all around. Fleas make the pet irritated, and they do not like to play with their owner.
Though they cannot verbalize the problem they face, their bodies can express a lot. Therefore your pets need protection in the form of the vaccine, shampoo, or any spray. The treatment should be given in courses so that re-infestation doesn’t occur. You can even prevent this at your homes by ensuring that all furniture and beddings are clean from fleas and that your pets are well trained not to go through the garbage. It would be best not to pile up trash in your homes.
Having back solid legs allows fleas to jump from host to host or from the environment to host. These small dark brown insects prefer temperatures of 65-80 degrees and humidity levels of 75-85 percent, so, for places where summer is there all year round with a slight cold breeze blowing in exchange for winters, fleas are you and your pet’s worst enemy.
There are several products commonly used to kill fleas on cats’ bodies.
Below is the list of the top 5 Best Flea Treatment for Cats:
Take a look at the reviews below to find the best flea treatment for cats on the market.
- Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention – best-rated flea treatment for cats
- SENTRY Capguard (nitenpyram) – best oral flea treatment for cats
- Catego Flea and Tick Control for Cats +1.5 lbs – best flea treatment for indoor cats
- Arava Flea & Tick Prevention for Cats – best flea treatment for outdoor cats
- Elanco Animal Health Cheristin for Cats Topical Flea Treatment and Prevention
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best flea bomb.
Product 1: Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention – best-rated flea treatment for cats
- Advantage II Large Cat is a leading brand in cat flea treatment and prevention for large cats over 9 lbs., at least 8 weeks of age
- Vet-recommended, easy-to-apply monthly topical treatment – no hard-to-swallow pills, no prescription needed
- Delivers total flea protection – kills adult fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs through contact
This product is one of the most commonly recommended by vets for cats. It comes in a tube form to be applied as a gel on cats’ bodies. It has a 4-star rating on Amazon and mostly has satisfied customers.
- This medicine starts working in 12 hours of application and lasts only 30 days.
- It kills with contact; no biting is required.
- This product is odorless and does not irritate the pet.
- Pyriproxyfen provides the additional benefit of killing flea eggs and larvae to break the flea life cycle effectively. It is expensive but worth the money.
- Overdosage causes balding on the cat’s body.
- It needs to be applied for several months while keeping the house in shape.
- It has only 30 days of effectiveness.
Product 2: SENTRY Capguard (nitenpyram) – best oral flea treatment for cats
Next up in line is SENTRY Capguard (nitenpyram) Oral Flea Control Medication. This tablet medication needs to be fed to your cats directly or through their food to take effect.
- It kills adult fleas on your pet.
- Easy-To-Dose Tablet Format creates no mess, nor can it be washed off.
- Treats the infestation with one tablet and even starts taking effect in the next 30 minutes.
- It gets rid of tough fleas that can be found in tropical regions.
- It is also cheaper compared to various other products.
- It requires the pet to be bitten.
- It leaves the larvae and eggs on the body, leaving the cat vulnerable to further infestation.
- According to some users, it causes the pet to get lymphoma which is a type of cancer; therefore, it can be dangerous.
Product 3: Catego Flea and Tick Control for Cats +1.5 lbs
- FOR CATS OVER 1.5 POUNDS: Catego is a safe and effective formula for cats that kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks and chewing lice. May be used on cats as young as 8 weeks old
- FAST RELIEF: Catego kills fleas in just 6 hours compared to other brands that take 12 hours
- LONG LASTING MEDICINE: Your cat will be rid of those unwanted guests for 30 days
Another beneficial product of smaller cats (8 weeks and older) is Catego Flea and Tick Control for Cats +1.5 lbs. It has a 3.6-star rating on Amazon and has plenty of purchasers. It has an ointment-like application.
- Catego is made specifically for cats. Catego can be used on cats as young as eight weeks old and over 1.5 pounds.
- It kills fleas in 6 hours while other competitors kill fleas in 12 hours. Eliminate those unwanted guests and provide fast relief to your cat.
- It kills fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice for 30 days.
- It comes in various dosages of packs.
- It causes bald patches on the cat’s body.
- It may burn the skin of the cat.
- It is rendered useless to some species and becomes a waste of money.
Product 4: Arava Flea & Tick Prevention – best flea treatment for outdoor cats
This product has mixed usage for both cats and dogs. It has an ointment-like application and claims to have 100% natural ingredients. It has a 3.4-star overall rating on Amazon and quite a few users who found this helpful product.
- It removes fleas and ticks off the body of the pet.
- This flea medicine for cats is designed to kill off existing pests and effectively repel fleas and ticks.
- This product utilizes aromatherapy essential oils to eliminate pesky fleas from your pet’s fur and leave a naturally soothing scent that will drive fleas away.
- This uses 100% organic ingredients.
- It has a pleasant scent.
- It needs to be carefully applied and spread evenly. High concentration in one spot can cause balding on the pet’s body.
- It works mainly for lighter infestations, and this product leaves high infestation levels unaffected.
- It is more costly than the products mentioned above due to its more unique ingredients.
Product 5: Elanco Animal Health Cheristin for Cats Topical Flea Treatment and Prevention
Another effective treatment that has satisfied various customers over time is Elanco Animal Health Cheristin for Cats Topical Flea Treatment and Prevention which has a 4-star rating on Amazon and has satisfied hundreds of customers over time. It has a tubal application with a six-monthly regular dosage.
- Great for multi-cat families, Cheristin kills fleas for fast, long-lasting protection.
- Start killing fleas fast within 30 minutes of application and lasts an entire month for cats and kittens 8weeks of age or older and 1.8 lbs or more significant.
- Easy to use applicator is in a quick-drying, non-greasy formula that is comfortable to apply for the user.
- It can make your older and younger cats sick with diseases such as colitis, in which they have no appetite and may vomit out whatever they eat.
- They end up losing a lot of weight as well.
- Grooming is also required after the treatment.
- It is slightly expensive.
What is the best flea treatment for cats?
After carefully considering the pros and cons of these flea-killing treatments for cats, we believe that the number one product that every cat owner who suffers from flea infestations should be used is Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention Cats.
Of course, like the other, it comes with its disadvantages such as its cost and limited time effectiveness. However, By taking preventative measures, cat owners will eventually eliminate fleas from their pets’ bodies.
It has presented its problems, such as sending out a bad batch of the medicine that causes balding on the cat’s body, but the most recent user’s review has been positive.
Things you should know about flea treatment for Cats:
Maintaining a Flea Free Household (Infographics)
Why do my cats need flea and tick prevention?
Flea season usually begins in spring and lasts through the summer into early fall (However, it lasts all year long). Fleas and ticks are tiny pests that suck on the body of the host they have latched on to. The infestation of fleas is annoying to the body and is very hazardous to the health of the pet and pet owner. Flea protection, therefore, has been made necessary by all veterinarians.
Ticks and fleas are sponges, and they can spread severe ailments through their saliva when they bite. It spits out a local anesthetic when one latches on, so the victim doesn’t feel it. Then it sucks the host’s blood.
Ticks have eight legs and initially start head-of-a-pin small. The more blood they suck, they grow large. It would be easier to locate them on a cat with light brown or white fur. To do that, comb your pet’s hair and clean the brush on a white paper towel and then press the dirt between two paper towels if any dark brown or black creatures with red lining can be seen on it. Unfortunately, your pet has been affected.
Take a look at the best flea and tick treatment for cats: Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention for Cats.
Other methods of detecting flea can include noticing your cat’s behavior; if it constantly scratches itself, look for these pests in its fur by the process mentioned above. Excessive and constant licking at the haircoat is another sign of potential fleas, especially cats. Many cats will even groom the fleas out of the hair coat before you get a chance to see the evidence.
Flea control is essential because flea infestations can lead to various illnesses. Heavy flea infestations can lead to flea-bite anemia, and fleas can also irritate the skin and cause flea-bite dermatitis. Some companion animals are allergic to flea bites and can develop flea allergy dermatitis.
Fleas can also transmit various diseases, including Rickettsia, R. Felis, Bartonella Henselae, and Yersinia pestis (bubonic plague). Fleas can also act as intermediate hosts for tapeworms. Fleas that live on your pet can also infest opossums and raccoons, which can be essential sources.
Once they emerge, an adult flea may live on a host for 120 days. Fleas rarely jump from host to host. The life cycle is about three weeks of flea infestation hot spots outdoors during peak flea season. These fleas are also harmful to the members of the house, especially children, as animal-friendly children tend to interact a lot with their pets.
Cat fleas can carry the double pore dog tapeworm. This tapeworm is usually a parasite of dogs and cats, but it can infect children who ingest a cat flea that contains an immature tapeworm stage.
The immature stage of the tapeworm emerges from the ingested flea and begins to develop in the child’s intestine. This tapeworm does not cause noticeable symptoms and is not a cause of serious disease, but you should consult with a physician if an infection is suspected.
The most obvious sign of infection in a child is the appearance of a tapeworm stage, known as a “proglottid,” in a child’s bowel movement. A proglottid is whitish, about the size and shape of pumpkin seed, and capable of undulating movements.
Where do fleas hide in Cats?
Fleas can hide in any place in your house, which may be at your blind spot and fuzzy places such as the carpet, bedding, and couches and the gaps between your furniture. Fleas are in the environment, such as plants, flowers, and tall grass. Fleas love warm, dark, damp conditions, which are why they may even be on your clothes or your laundry.
The spaces between your tiles at home provide fleas suitable to hide and breed in. if they are left untreated for some time, then they generate in the areas they conceal.
Other than the environment, the fleas hide on the pets’ bodies. The armpits and groin are two areas that are warm and protected; favored spots for fleas to the hideout. The head and neck are also common flea hiding spots.
Check your cat’s ears carefully for signs of scratching, redness, blood, or dirt. These can all be signs of fleas. The skin on the belly, groin, or base of the tail may appear red and bumpy, especially if your cat is doing a lot of scratching. Excess scratching also leads to hair loss in certain regions so that bald spots can signify flea infestation.
Fleas can be found in almost every region where the weather is warm and humid in general, which is why it is essential to regularly clean all your clothes, furniture, yards, plants, and pets. Whenever possible, try to have your furniture polished and prevent the fleas from entering the wood.
What Attracts Fleas in Cats?
Now there is something that attracts fleas, which is why they become such a menace to us, but what attracts them?
The answer is that fleas are attracted to heat and light; they require a specific temperature and availability of light to be active and breed. In wintertime, around fleas usually lie dormant, so an outside infestation has fewer chances, but if the fleas are in the house or already on the pet for quite some time, they stay active as they get enough warmth and light in the place.
Fleas prefer warmer climates to cooler ones. They are most comfortable in temperatures about 65 degrees and will seek warmth in your pet’s fur, nestling close to the skin. However, this still does not mean you can slack off on your flea protection plan.
Adult fleas are attracted to sources of light. When placed in a dark area, 93% of the fleas will move to a lighted area within 40 minutes. In natural settings, newly emerged adults will climb on top of objects within the larval habitat. They then orient themselves towards a lighted area while waiting for a host. Fleas can sense wavelengths between 300 and 600 nanometers (nm). They’re most attracted to wavelengths between 500 and 530 nm, green-yellow colored light. Green-yellow light attracts over twice as many fleas as a standard light.
Other factors include movement of the host, moisture, host odor, health, and air movement.
Cat Fleas Symptoms and Treatment
Fleas on cats symptoms
If your cat constantly scratches and bites itself, it most likely has fleas. Of course, sometimes, it doesn’t scratch when it has fleas. One more symptom of the existence of fleas is hair loss.
Also, if you scrutinize your cat, you will see tiny black grains on the animal’s body. These black grains are the blood not digested by fleas. If your cat has light hair, see these grains to you. If the cat’s hair has a dark color, try to comb out the cat with a comb with small cloves over a leaf of white paper or on a piece of white cloth.
Best cat flea treatment
If you found fleas on your cat, the treatment should be immediate. To exterminate the fleas on the cat is relatively straightforward, but remember that they are very hardy. Therefore except for treatment of the cat, it is necessary to disinfect the entire house, especially those places where the cat stays more often.
It is necessary to vacuum the carpets, sofas, pillows, furniture and sprinkles with safe anti-fleas sprays (sold in pharmacies). The covers, linen, you should wash towels in hot water.
To exterminate the fleas from the cat’s body, you can use various solutions, shampoos, aerosols, emulsions. But while choosing the means, it is necessary to consider its effect’s duration, toxicity for an animal, side effects, etc. When using any anti-fleas means, read the instruction (flea fogger instructions). Also, when using it for the first time, it is better to take a smaller dose not to cause any allergic reaction to the cat.
Besides, it is essential to remember that it is not allowed to mix different means, even if they are safe separately.
Flea & tick shampoos are somewhat effective and straightforward in use. But when using shampoo, it is necessary to watch that the soapy water and foam didn’t get to the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth of the animal. When using the shampoo sometimes, it is necessary to repeat the processing of an animal in ten-twelve days.
It is also possible to use various powders and anti-fleas aerosols, but they need to be rubbed carefully in the skin and fur of a cat. If you chose an emulsion, powder, or aerosols, watch that the cat lest it should lick its fur. After all, the ingress of such preparation in a stomach can cause poisoning of the cat.
As a prevention measure against the appearance of fleas, it is possible to use bitter wormwood. That is the safest flea treatment for cats, though it doesn’t kill the fleas only frightens off them. You should crush and rub the dry wormwood leaves in the cat’s fur and then properly comb out your pet. You can also put cotton bags with dried wormwood in those places where the cat prefers to sleep.
And remember, if while using any natural flea treatment for cats, you noticed an allergic reaction of the cat (reddening, more intensive itching, hurried to breathe, etc.), address for the help to the veterinarian immediately.
Conclusion:
Like humans and animals, fleas are also living beings which is essential to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
They help in maintaining the population of other species. However, in all total, to benefit themselves, they harm other species, which is why getting rid of them and treating infected animals and areas is very important.
They are a source of nuisance for the hosts and bring harmful and dangerous diseases, similar to ticks, mosquitos, and mites. Thus, their removal is the best option for you, your family, and your furry friends.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API