Treatment FAQ

how sooncan i reapply cat flea treatment

by Dr. Sunny Johnson Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand. I recommend using Advantix or a chewable prescription product from your vet, like Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica, or Credelio.

Full Answer

How long after flea treatment can I pet my cat?

To be safe, you should wait around 24 hours before petting your cat after applying a topical flea treatment, but that time frame may go down depending on the brand you select. If you opt for a flea collar method, you can pet your cat as often as you like, but you will need to wash your hands immediately after every pet.

Can You reapply flea treatment early?

While you can reapply flea treatment early in some cases, you should talk to your veterinarian to find the best and most effective flea treatment for your pet. Your vet will know which products are working well in your region, as some that may have been effective at one time may no longer be killing fleas the way they used to.

How do I choose the best flea treatment for my Cat?

It’s always great to talk to your veterinarian before selecting a flea treatment for your cat. They will be able to tell you the best options based on your specific cat and area. They will also give you really good tips for when you should pet your cat, how to avoid them spreading the treatment to furniture, and more.

How often should I run a flea comb on my Cat?

Then every few days or once a week or whatever, run a flea comb through your cat's fur. If they are bad, consider that you may have fleas in your carpet and everything too.

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Can I reapply flea treatment early on my cat?

If you are finding fleas on your pet even after applying your pet's topical flea treatment, you might consider reapplying it early. However, this solution is not always recommended and may lead to an overdose in some rare cases.

How long should you wait between flea treatments for cats?

It depends on which formulation you decide to use for your cat. Most oral medications are used every 1-3 months that can vary by brand. The standard time frame for applying topical medications is usually every 30 days, but this can depend on the brand used.

Can I reapply flea treatment after 1 week?

The known safe answer is to wait the period of time the product is supposed to work, typically 30 days, before reapplying. An alternative is to bathe the pet in a detergent shampoo (meant to strip off skin oils) and reapply after 24 hours.

Can I put flea medicine on my cat twice a month?

can you use before 30 days is up. Under normal conditions this product is effective for one month. However, in cases of severe flea infestation, retreatment may be necessary earlier than 4 weeks. Do not retreat more often than once every 14 days for kittens or once every 7 days for small and large cats.

Can I flea my cat again after a week?

A flea infestation on your pet or in your home can be difficult and frustrating to deal with. Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand.

Why does my cat still have fleas after treatment?

Not treating often enough Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.

Can I give my cat frontline plus twice in one month?

If a pet still has fleas, many veterinarians will use the product more frequently than once monthly, sometimes as often as once every 2-3 weeks. However, this process is often considered to be “off label use,” and I would not use the product this way unless first speaking with your pet's veterinarian.

Can a cat overdose on flea treatment?

Primary Cause. Toxicity is caused by an overdose of topical (external) flea and tick control products containing pyrethrin, permethrin or other pyrethroids. It can also result from using pyrethrin containing flea products made for dogs, which are made with higher levels of pyrethrin — levels that are unsafe for cats.

Can you double up on flea treatment?

It's not usually recommended to use more than one oral flea medication at the same time. However, Comfortis and Capstar can be combined. Another exception is Sentinel, which doesn't kill adult fleas, so it can be combined individually with either Comfortis or Capstar.

What happens if you apply Frontline too soon?

What is this? Even if you apply Frontline as directed, you may still see fleas in your pet's fur or on your pet's skin after treatment. If you see them surface directly after application, this could simply be because fleas travel to the coat's surface as they die.

Can I apply advantage after 2 weeks?

Because it's been 2-3 weeks since the last application, yes you can apply it again. You can also give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas in 30 minutes, and it's safe to use with the Advantage.

What do I do if flea treatment doesn't work?

What to do if your flea treatment still isn't working. It's time to go and see your vet. Don't be embarrassed – your local veterinarian deals with fleas all the time and it is no reflection on your home or ability to care for your pet.

How to treat fleas on cats?

When applying a cat flea treatment to your cat, wear a pair of gloves if possible to avoid skin contact with the product. If you do get any on you, wash your hands thoroughly after treating your feline friend. PetMD recommended letting flea spray and drops dry completely before you touch your cat again. You should also watch her closely ...

Is flea treatment good for cats?

Regular cat flea treatment is essential to keep your feline friend safe from these disease-bearing insects. However, it's important to consider the safety of your cat and your own as well when applying flea control products. The most important thing is to purchase the right product.

Can I use flea collar on kittens?

For instance, the Hartz® UltraGuard Plus ® Flea & Tick Collar for Cats and Kittens isn't suitable for kittens younger than 12 weeks. When applying a cat flea treatment to your cat, wear a pair of gloves if possible ...

Can you wash flea collars after touching them?

With flea collars, it's not as simple as waiting for the treatment to dry. The Environmental Protection Agency suggested washing hands after every time you touch your cat, as the collars release chemicals to protect your cat continuously. This content is provided by the flea and tick experts at Hartz.

How long does flea medication take to dry on cats?

The short answer is to wait for it to be completely dry before giving your cat their much-deserved pets.

How long after the flea treatment do I have to wait before I can give my cat a bath?

There should be a leaflet that comes with the treatment package that answers this question. But if there isn’t one, just wait for 48 hours before giving your cat a bath. If you can wait a couple more days, even a week after treatment, that’s even better.

How long should I keep my pets apart after flea treatment?

You have to keep your treated cat away from your other cats and pets for the next 24 hours. Because although the treated cat cannot reach the medicated area on their body, the other cats or pets may possibly lick or rub up on the medication. It can come into contact with their eyes, nose and mouths which we do not want.

Conclusion

After applying your cat’s flea treatment, you have to wait 24 hours before touching them. This is to make sure that the medication is completely dry and the chemical is no longer harmful to you or your other pets. Keep your cat in a crate for the 24 hours so they don’t rub up on furniture or people.

How long does it take for flea drops to dry?

If you used simple flea drops, these should dry within about 15 to 20 minutes, at which point it should be safe to touch the cat.

Is it necessary to use flea treatments?

Having to use flea treatments may be inconvenient, but it may be necessary . The most important takeaway is that you always need to follow the exact instructions on any and every flea treatment product you buy.

Can you touch a cat after flea treatment?

Before we talk about touching and petting your cat after a flea treatment, it is important to note that most flea treatments are not overly safe. Many cats may suffer from adverse side effects from flea treatments.

Do flea collars come off cats?

This situation is a bit different with flea collars, because of course, unlike drops or sprays, flea collars are a constant application and release method; they don’t come off your cat.

Do you have to wear gloves when treating cats for fleas?

One thing to keep in mind as well is that it is always recommended to wear gloves when applying any sort of flea treatment to cats. Once again, these flea treatments contain harsh chemicals which should not come in contact with human skin. So, always wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after each application.

How long does it take for fleas to kill a cat?

Oral pills are ingested by your pet and work very quickly. This treatment is so quick, in fact, that it can work in as little as 30 minutes. They can either treat eggs or adult fleas but never both.

What happens if my cat licks flea treatment?

If your cat licks off wet flea treatment or scratches the affected area, you do not have to panic. This treatment has a really bitter taste, which can cause the cat to salivate, foam in the mouth, throw up, or become nauseous. Some cats also run around the house or become agitated.

How does flea treatment work?

How flea treatments work largely depends on the treatment you select. Generally speaking, the product will release chemicals that attack the fleas’ nervous system. This makes them unable to feed on your pet and eventually die. Other flea treatments also have insect growth regulators.

Can you apply flea treatment to both dogs and cats?

Knowing how to apply flea treatment to both animals is pretty simple. Both dog and cat flea treatments work the same way. You need to wait for any topical treatments to dry completely before petting your dog, wash your hands after petting a dog with a flea collar, and read the instructions thoroughly.

Can you pet a cat after flea treatment?

All treatments will have slightly different instructions, drying times, and more. The drying time will largely determine how quickly you can pet your cat after treatment.

Can you pet a cat with a flea collar?

As for a flea collar, you need to be a bit more careful. You can technically pet your cat when they are wearing a flea collar, even immediately after putting it on, but you should wash your hands after since the collar releases treatment every time you touch the cat.

Can cats get fleas all year round?

Fleas are a pain for many pet owners. Though fleas can strike all year round, you are most likely to see them during the warm summer months. To keep these pesky bugs at bay, you will likely need to apply a flea treatment to your cat. Unfortunately, flea treatments can be a bit tricky and stress-inducing to apply.

How often should I give my cat a flea bath?

Sit and pick as many off as you can. Then when the cat dries and stops grooming itself, apply the flea meds. Then every few days or once a week or whatever, run a flea comb through your cat's fur.

How often should I apply frontline to my cat?

Frontline is toxic. It’s designed to be applied once a month because it takes that long for it to run its course through your cat’s system. Please try not to apply sooner than 30 days. You could be harming your cat otherwise.

Does the length of a dog's coat affect the medicine?

And the length of the coat should not affect the medicine much since it is designed to be an oil that spreads over the skin. When you part their fur and apply it to the skin, it should stay on their skin and spread over the whole body on the skin, so the fur shouldn't matter, though it may a little.

Is Dawn dish soap bad for cats?

Dawn dish soap is extremely drying and will cause your cats to become itchier. Purchase a veterinarian recommended shampoo especially designed for a cat’s PH. Flea bomb ingredients are very toxic to cats because they leave a residue. Cats will lick their residue-covered paws and fur.

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