Cat Fleas-The Best Methods for Killing
the Fleas on Your Cat
If you have ever had a cat with fleas, you know how uncomfortable the cat can become. There are several ways that you can go about treating your cat to relieve his discomfort. Be sure to consult your animal’s veterinarian about the best ways to treat for cat fleas. The following information should help you decide what questions to ask your vet.
First, determine whether you are dealing with fleas or another parasite that may be causing the itching. Examine the cat’s hindquarters and groin area. Do you see a “salt and pepper” residue? That is a sure sign that fleas are living on your cat.
Once you have determined you have a flea problem, you must treat the cat as well as the home and the yard. Let’s look first at how to treat the cat.
There are several flea control products on the market to help you eliminate your flea problem.
The first product is Program, which is a liquid or tablet given monthly with a meal. It can also be injected every six months. In order for Program to work, the flea must bite into the tissue below the cat’s skin where the active ingredient is stored. This does produce a steady drop in the number of fleas, but it can take 30 to 60 days for the problem to be eliminated. All the pets in your household must be on the treatment for it to be effective.
Advantage is another popular treatment. It is applied to the skin between the shoulder blades. The liquid must come in direct contact with the cat’s skin, so be careful to part the hair to apply it correctly. Also, cats who lick the Advantage liquid will drool because of its bitter taste, so be sure to keep the application where the cat cannot reach it. This treatment eliminates 98-100% of the fleas on the animal within 12 hours, and it does not lose its effectiveness if the coat gets wet. This quick-acting product prevents the laying of new eggs by the fleas that are already on the animal. Humans do not absorb Advantage, and it is safe on animals 8 weeks and older. Again, be sure to treat all of your animals.
Advantage plus has all the benefits of Advantage, and it adds treatment for heartworm, ear mites, and some intestinal parasites.
Frontline and Frontline spray kill the fleas without the need for the flea to bite. Like Advantage, Frontline products come in liquid form and are applied to the skin between the shoulder blades. Frontline can be helpful in controlling chewing lice and sarcoptic mange. Frontline is safe for use on cats eight weeks and older, though it may cause skin irritation at the application site. Like Advantage, Frontline does not lose its effectiveness because the coat gets wet.
Frontline Plus provides added protection to kill adult fleas, eggs, and larvae, and it is safe for pregnant or lactating cats.
Revolution is a heartworm preventative that also controls adult fleas and prevents eggs from hatching. It can also help control ear mites, roundworms, hookworms, and some ticks. Its application method is the same as the Advantage and Frontline.
If you choose to use flea shampoos, powders, dips or foams, please be careful to avoid ingredients that cause harm to cats. Permethrins and some organophosphates are toxic to cats, as well as amitraz. All these ingredients can be found in various flea treatments, so be sure to check your ingredients. Do not use products designed for dogs on your cats!
Flea shampoos only work when they are on the coat. Once they are rinsed off, no flea killing residue is left on the animal. They are best used when you have treated the environment. Otherwise, fleas growing in your carpet and yard will quickly find a home on your cat. Shampoos are also wisely used before bringing a new cat into the home. Killing any fleas that cat may be carrying will help prevent your existing pets from being infested.
Powders and dusts must be used several times a week and they leave the coat feeling dry and gritty. The powder must be worked through the coat to contact the animal’s skin. Again, be sure the product you choose is safe for cats.
Sprays and foams are best used in between shampoos. They will kill fleas that have hatched after a shampoo. The effects of sprays and foams usually last up to 14 days and use the same insecticides as shampoos. Be careful to follow the instructions on the product to be sure to gain the most effectiveness.
Dips are extremely effective on cats. They are products that are applied wet and allowed to dry. They penetrate the coat and they kill the most effectively with the longest-lasting results. There are dangers to dips. Be sure to follow the instructions on your product before you begin, and don’t use a dip on a cat younger than four months.
Two of the most important factors in a flea management program are your home and your yard. Flea eggs drop off your pet and nestle in the yard and the carpet. Once the animal hatches, it can live up to two weeks before it must find a food source-your pet. Be sure to use pesticides that are safe for your home. Consider other pets you have in the home, particularly birds or small mammals. Treat your yard with products that will not have adverse affects on the animals or children. Neglecting to treat your yard and your home will allow these pests to reinfest your cats!
Our pets are valuable members of our families, and we hate to see them struggle with fleas. A cat fleas problem is relatively easy to solve with the right combinations of ingredients and products. For the safest, most effective treatment of your animal, be sure to consult your vet.
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