[dropcap]D[/dropcap]o you suspect your cat has fleas? Or, do you simply want to ensure your cat doesn’t get fleas to start with?
Either way, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to go through everything you need to know to keep your cat happy and healthy and free from fleas and ticks.
Fleas on your cat are much more dangerous than many people think and can cause serious health problems for both you and your cat. It can even be fatal.
Therefore, it’s important you know how to protect your cat against fleas and how to deal with a flea problem.
Did you know a female flea can lay up to 500 eggs a day?
The fleas use cats as a vehicle to spread their eggs around your home and the wider environment. When they lay their eggs around your home, eventually they will hatch and you’ll have a flea infestation.
If you leave the fleas and simply hope they go away, this problem could get much worse.
Your cat could develop flea allergy dermatitis if bitten several times. This could result in sickness and could even be fatal.
Fleas sometimes carry tapeworms. If your cat eats one of these this can be quite nasty and painful.
The fleas can also spread to humans. This can cause discomfort and itchiness, especially if you have sensitive skin.
If you want to be a responsible cat owner, you should ensure that you find the right flea treatment for cats. There are many affordable and effective ways of treating your cat for fleas. The right treatment for your kitty can depend on environment, breed and other considerations.
Flea treatment for cats is different to dogs and other pets. In fact, many flea treatments can be toxic to your cat and should be avoided.
Your cat’s warm fluffy coat is a flea paradise. But don’t panic, your feline friend will be fine after you know what you need to do.
Flea Prevention for Cats
Before we look into how to get rid of fleas on your cat, we need to know how to prevent them in the first place.
Keep your home flea free. This is the first stage of protecting your cat from fleas. For indoor cats, this is an easy solution. It can be more difficult to control outdoor cats because you don’t know where they are going all the time.
Before buying expensive flea treatment for cats, there are some things you can do to reduce the probability your cat will get fleas.
It’s so important to keep your home clean. That means vacuum and clean up on a regular basis.
You need to make sure you clean those cracks and crevices because fleas like to settle there. If fleas or their eggs are hidden inside the gaps in your carpet you’ll be able to suck them up before they cause havoc. Be sure to carefully dispose of the dirt afterward by cleaning your vacuum cleaner bag with hot water and soap.
It’s also good to wash any bed sheets or cushions that your cat has touched.
You might also consider putting down Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth on your floor and your cat’s sleeping area. This can effectively kill the fleas. It is cheap and easy to get your hands on. Vacuum your home before putting down the powder.
It’s important to get a flea comb – this a fine-toothed metal comb.
You need to comb your cat several times a day. This is a great way of identifying if your cat has any fleas before they develop. If your cat already has fleas this can remove many of the fleas and their eggs from your cat’s coat.
Bathing your cat at least weekly can effectively prevent fleas from developing. Even if your cat already has fleas, this should kill most of the fleas and their eggs that have settled on your cat. You can simply use ordinary dish washing liquid soap and warm water (not too hot!).
You can also purchase special flea shampoo for cats.
If you don’t have time to bath your cat every week, before combing, you can simply dip the flea comb in a mixture of soap and water. Your cat should suffer less after this.
How do I know if my Cat has Fleas?
First of all, what to look out for to identify if your cat has fleas.
Is your cat irritable and does he or she bite when you try to pick him or her up? Is your cat grooming him or herself incessantly and quite aggressively?
Fleas can simply put your cat in a bad mood. Is your cat not eating much or anything at all? Does your cat refuse to play with you?
Or the most obvious indicator. Can you spot movement in your cat’s fur or small insects jumping off his or her body?
If this is case, your cat probably has fleas.
How to get rid of fleas on cats?
Now that we have looked at preventive measures, let’s take a look at what kind of flea treatment for cats are out there.
There are two main brands of topical monthly flea treatments for cats. These include Advantage II and Frontline.
Advantage 2 for Cats
Advantage 2 is a reliable flea treatment for cats. Not only does the product ensure that fleas are removed, but also their eggs and the larvae. Simply killing the adult fleas is not enough because they may have laid eggs.
Furthermore, by applying the flea treatment you also prevent flea allergies, such as dermatitis occurring.
Advantage 2 is effective immediately after application. In under ten minutes, the fleas will stop biting your cat. After 30 minutes, almost all of the flea larvae will be killed. Then after 12 hours, the remaining adult fleas will be dead.
How do you apply it?
The flea treatment should be used every month. It is important to apply it where the cat cannot reach it to remove it, such as at the base of the neck. You may require an extra pair of hands to hold your cat down, they don’t like this much.
If you cat is older than two months and weighs over 9 pounds, then it’s ok to use. It is not safe to use on kittens younger than 8 weeks.
The Advantage 2 flea treatment is reasonably priced and a quality product. After use, you cat will be protected even in water.
Read the reviews on Amazon[divider style=”solid” top=”15″ bottom=”15″]
Frontline Flea Treatment for Cats
Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens
Sometimes a flea infestation living on your cat requires drastic measures. If you’re looking for the most powerful treatment, Frontline comes highly recommended by many cat owners.
Frontline kills all the fleas and their eggs. It also protects your cat against lice and ticks.
It can be applied in the same way as the Advantage 2.
If other products don’t work, this might. The downside is that it’s often much more expensive than other brands.
However, Frontline includes a guarantee for customers. If you aren’t satisfied with the results then you can get your money back.
Read the reviews on Amazon[divider style=”solid” top=”15″ bottom=”15″]
Flea Medicine For Cats
There is also medicine to fight the fleas that are making your cat suffer.
One of the best flea medicines for cats is the pill nitenpyram (Capstar). It is effective within the first hour, killing all the fleas on your cat’s body. While killing all of the fleas currently on your cat, this does not prevent fleas reappearing in the near future.
There is also a chewable medicine called Spinosad (Comfortis) that is so effective it terminates the fleas before they have the chance to lay eggs on your cat and provides protection against fleas for up to a month.
Flea Collars for Cats
Perhaps you could use a flea collar. They are easy to use and unlike many of the other treatments, they don’t make a mess. There is no need to remove the other cat collar, they can be worn at the same time.
Many of the brands provide protection for up two months. However, if your cat bathes or swims a lot, this could limit the effectiveness.
When buying a flea collar for your cat, make sure you get one that is the right size and is suitable for cats. This should be clear on the instructions.
Flea Spray for Cats
Flea spray is a useful product to use in between monthly flea treatments. The spray effectively kills fleas instantly.
However, spray won’t stop fleas coming back so make sure you have the preventative methods in place as well.
Conclusion
With this information about flea treatment for cats and flea prevention, you can live happily with your cat.
There are many delightful aspects of having a cat as a pet, so don’t let some fleas spoil it. A flea-free cat is healthier and happier. And so are you!
Do you have any experience with flea treatment for cats? Do you have any tips on how to keep your home flea free? Leave us a comment below.
[divider style=”solid” top=”15″ bottom=”15″]
