Types of Safe Flea Treatments for Cats
- Flea Collars for Cats. Flea collars have been staple flea treatments for decades, but older collars were not very...
- Topical Flea Treatment for Cats. Topical treatments are applied to the skin on the back of the neck (base of the skull).
- OTC Topical Flea Prevention. Cheristin has been specifically formulated to kill fleas on cats...
Full Answer
Which flea treatment is best for my Cat?
Similar to Revolution Plus, Bravecto is a spot-on treatment that is applied to the back of your cat’s neck. It protects from fleas and ticks and one treatment lasts for up to three months.
Are there any flea treatments that should be avoided?
Flea treatment products to avoid. Two of the most harmful ingredients that are commonly found in many flea treatment products (including some flea collars and spot treatments) are tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur. Tetrachlorvinphos or TCVP is an organophosphate.
What are the different types of flea treatments?
Flea treatments are available as collars, oral tablets or chews, and topical spot-on treatments. All three types of flea treatment categories have products that are safe and effective, but they each have their own pros and cons.
Are flea treatments a carcinogen?
The EPA has designated all flea treatment products containing TCVP as human carcinogens. Propoxur is another type of pesticide closely related to the organophosphate family.
Which flea treatment is safest for cats?
Safe and Effective Flea Treatment Products for CatsAdvantage® II (topical liquid)Advantage MULTI® (topical liquid, also protects cats from heartworms, ear mites, and some types of intestinal worms)Bravecto® (topical liquid, also protects cats from certain tick species)More items...•
Can fleas spread feline leukemia?
Results show, that cat fleas are potential vectors for the feline leukemia virus RNA in-vitro and probably also in-vivo.
How do you get rid of fleas on a nursing cat and kitten?
Use a flea product such as Revolution, Advantage or Frontline on mom only. Do not use flea products on newborn kittens; it's not safe as they are too young. If you see fleas on the kittens, you can bathe them using Dawn dishwashing liquid and use a small flea comb as needed to get the fleas off.
What flea treatment is safe for kittens?
Available without a prescription, Capstar is the only flea control product safe for kittens as young as 4 weeks and weighing at least 2 pounds. With other flea control products, whether topical or oral, kittens must be at least 8 weeks old, and sometimes older.
How long does feline leukemia virus live on surfaces?
FeLV does not survive long outside a cat's body – probably less than a few hours under normal household conditions.
How long do cats with FeLV live?
Feline Leukemia Life Expectancy Is Difficult to Determine It is estimated that 85% of cats with feline leukemia will die within three years of the infection being diagnosed by a veterinarian. Survey research found the average survival rate of FeLV-infected cats was 2.4 to 2.5 years.
Is Frontline Plus safe for nursing cats?
FRONTLINE Plus for Cats is approved for use on all cats, including breeding, pregnant, and lactating queens and kittens as young as 8 weeks. FRONTLINE Plus remains effective even after bathing, water immersion, or exposure to sunlight.
Is Cheristin safe for nursing cats?
Cheristin® is not recommended for use in kittens less than 1.8 pounds or under 8 weeks of age. Not approved for use in pregnant or nursing cats.
Is Seresto safe for nursing cats?
Do not use on kittens under ten weeks of age. Do not get this product in cat's eyes or mouth. As with any product, consult your veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, breeding, pregnant, or nursing animals. Individual sensitivities, while rare, may occur after using ANY pesticide product for pets.
Is Frontline safe for kittens?
FRONTLINE SPRAY protects cats and dogs against fleas and ticks, including paralysis ticks. It can be used on puppies and kittens from 2 days of age.
Which is better Frontline or Advantage for cats?
FRONTLINE PUS FOR CATS HAS THE SAME EFFECTIVENESS AS FRONTLINE PLUS FOR DOGS EXCEPT THAT IT DOES NOT WORK IN ELIMINATING TICKS. SO, IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TICKS ON YOUR FURRY PAL THEN FRONTLINE PLUS IS THE BEST OPTION. WHILE IF ADULT FLEAS, FLEA LARVAE AND CHEWING LICE IS YOU CONCERN THEN YOU CAN OPT FOR ADVANTAGE.
Is Frontline Safe for cats?
Cat Safe Flea and Tick Medications Frontline, which has a main active ingredient called fipronil, is available over the counter and is safe for cats when the cat-specific product is purchased. Revolution, which includes selamectin, is available by veterinary prescription only and is very safe for cats.
What is the best flea treatment for dogs?
Types of Safe Flea Treatments for Dogs. Veterinarians typically recommend dog flea and tick collars, topical flea and tick treatments , or oral flea and tick medications (sometimes in combination) to fully protect their patients. Here are a few of the safest flea treatments for dogs on the market today and some of their pros and cons.
How to treat fleas and ticks in dogs?
Keep in mind that no two pets are the same. Therefore, a product that’s commonly considered to be safe flea and tick prevention for dogs may be a great option for one animal and a mistake for another. Factors to consider include: 1 Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information. 2 Breed: Coat type may influence your decision. Thicker coats may be difficult for topical treatments. 3 Your pet’s health history: Other medications or supplements that you give, concurrent health conditions, and previous reactions to flea and tick preventatives should be taken into account. For example, neurologic problems have been seen in dogs when high doses of ivermectin (heartworm prevention ingredient) are given in conjunction with spinosad, a flea preventative ingredient. 4 Your pet’s lifestyle: The presence of children and other pets (especially cats) in the household and your pet’s daily activities/exposure to the outdoors are important details. 5 Where you live: Which parasites are common in your area? Is resistance to certain preventatives a concern?
How long does Bravecto last?
Bravecto chews (it also comes as a topical) offer protection from fleas and ticks for 8-12 weeks per dose. It uses the active ingredient fluralaner, which kills adult fleas and ticks. Bravecto also requires a prescription from your veterinarian.
Is a flea collar safe for dogs?
Under many circumstances, newer dog flea collars are safe options for flea and tick control (unlike older collars, which were largely ineffective). The Seresto collar is a very popular option right now. It uses flumethrin and imidacloprid to kill fleas at multiple stages of development as well as ticks. The collar’s effectiveness lasts ...
Can you give a dog flea and tick preventatives?
Your pet’s health history: Other medications or supplements that you give, concurrent health conditions, and previous reactions to flea and tick preventatives should be taken into account. For example, neurologic problems have been seen in dogs when high doses of ivermectin (heartworm prevention ingredient) are given in conjunction with spinosad, a flea preventative ingredient.
Is flea treatment age appropriate?
Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information.
Is flea and tick treatment safe for dogs?
No medication is without the risk of side effects, but leaving parasites untreated is far more dangerous. Your veterinarian can help you pick out the safest and most effective flea and tick treatment based on your dog’s age, lifestyle, health status and other unique characteristics.
How to treat fleas on cats?
There are some things you can do to make a flea treatment as safe as possible. Firstly, use a prescription product advised by your veterinarian. They’ll be able to weigh up your cat’s individual risks based on their age, weight, and other conditions.
What to do if my cat is showing symptoms of fleas?
If your cat is showing symptoms that you suspect are related to their flea medication, you should call your vet for advice. Even if no treatment is needed, your vet will usually ask you for further information – this will be used by the vet to report the adverse effect to the drug manufacturer.
How rare are fleas?
All adverse reactions are ranked on a scale from ‘common’ (less than 1 in 10 cats) to ‘very rare’ (less than 1 in 10,000 cats ), and for most flea treatments, side effects are rare or very rare.
What does fluralaner do to cats?
Fluralaner (spot on) – hair loss, itching, or redness at application site (2 in 10 cats), tremors and inappetence (less than 1 in 100 cats) and vomiting/drooling (around 1 in 250 cats).
What happens if you lick a flea?
However, the side effects most often noticed after flea treatments include: Drooling (thought to be from licking spot-ons) Hair loss (usually at site of application or collar)
What is a flea collar?
Flumethrin/imidacloprid (flea collar) – temporary itchiness, redness and hair loss (less than 1 in 100 cats), eczema, inflammation and skin lesions (less than 1 in 1000 cats), change of food intake, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea (less than 1 in 1000 cats). From this information, the product with the least serious and least frequent side effects ...
Which product has the least side effects?
From this information, the product with the least serious and least frequent side effects is likely the lotilaner tablets, with the lufenuron injection coming a close second. However, there are a couple of things to consider here:
How long does it take for flea treatment to dry?
You’ll also need to be careful not to touch the area where the flea treatment was applied until it is fully dry, which usually takes about an hour after application. In rare cases, some dogs may have mild side effects such as local skin reactions at the site where the medication was applied, which may include hair loss, redness, itching, and scabbing.
How long does a flea collar last?
Some of the modern flea collar products even last as long as 8 months , so you won’t have to remember to administer your dog’s flea treatment on a regular basis – a great plus for many busy families!
Can flea collars be washed away?
Like collars, these medications can be washed away if your pet swims or bathes frequently, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for use and consider an oral flea treatment if your pet is frequently exposed to water.
Can flea collars be used for swimming?
Flea collars also have some drawbacks. Because they rely on medication which spreads from the collar across your pet’s skin, they are not a good option for pets who swim or bathe frequently, as this will wash away the medication and shorten the life of the collar.
Is flea treatment safe for dogs?
The bottom line is that there are many safe and effective flea treatments available for your dog, and that is great news! You have many options to choose from depending on your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.
Is it safe to give a dog flea medicine?
Topical flea treatments are often seen as a safe flea treatment for dogs because many types of this medication are not absorbed systemically, meaning they do not cross the dog’s skin barrier or get absorbed into the blood stream. This can be a safer option for dogs with a history of reactions to certain types of medications.
Can fleas cause anemia in dogs?
But more than that, fleas carry dangerous and potentially fatal diseases and parasites. A flea infestation can be the culprit behind life-threatening cases of anemia and they can also transmit a disease called Bartonellosis. If that weren’t bad enough, they also spread tapeworms, a nasty intestinal parasite. And those fleas on your dog can even bite humans or transmit those diseases to you!
How long does it take for Comfortis to kill fleas?
Does not protect against any other parasites. Flea prevention for up to one month in cats and kittens 14 weeks and older can be found in the chewable tablet option called Comfortis. This tablet works very quickly to kill fleas in as few as 30 minutes and can be crushed and mixed in your cat’s wet food if necessary.
What is the best flea collar for cats?
Our top pick is this collar from Bayer, which is effective for a full eight months and offers continuous protection from fleas and ticks. The active ingredients in the collar are released in low concentrations, protecting your cat and killing fleas on contact with the skin. The formulation is odorless and non-greasy, and is also effective against flea eggs and larvae, preventing infestations before they happen.
How long does Bravecto last?
Similar to Revolution Plus, Bravecto is a spot-on treatment that is applied to the back of your cat’s neck. It protects from fleas and ticks and one treatment lasts for up to three months. A Bravecto Plus option is also available if you would like heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention too ( view on Chewy ), but it only lasts for two months instead of three. Either way, Bravecto products make it easy to provide safe and effective flea prevention to cats without the monthly application. This product also requires veterinary approval prior to purchasing.
What does it mean when a cat has fleas?
Cats that have fleas are often very itchy and may have hair loss, skin redness, and even scabs. The hair loss is often most prevalent at the base of the tail but can occur anywhere. Flea dirt, which is the black flea feces, can be seen in the fur.
How long does it take for Bayer Advantage 2 to work?
Bayer Advantage II is one of the go-to flea treatments for cats. It’s a set-and-forget solution, effective against fleas for four weeks and starts working in 12 hours. Simply applying the product to your cat’s neck kills fleas upon contact, without requiring them to bite the skin. It’s also fragrance-free, waterproof and kills larvae and flea eggs as well as adults.
Can fleas be treated with insecticide?
Flea treatments can be used as needed if your cat gets fleas and preventatives can be given to help prevent your cat from getting fleas. Due to the potential side effects of flea treatments, some people like to avoid using insecticides on their cats unless necessary, while others like to prevent having to manage a flea infestation in their house and potential diseases that can be transmitted through fleas. There are costs involved in both scenarios but treating an infestation is much more time consuming and difficult than administering a regular preventative. A regular preventative also greatly decreases the chances of your cat from getting a disease or other health concern from fleas.
Can flea treatments kill live fleas?
Additionally, some products will kill live fleas while others will only prevent a flea from reproducing, so not all products are appropriate for all your flea needs. Flea treatments can be used as needed if your cat gets fleas and preventatives can be given to help prevent your cat from getting fleas. Due to the potential side effects of flea ...
What is the best flea treatment for pets?
Some of the most effective natural flea treatment products which are safe for pets and the environment include: Neem oil. Diatomaceous earth powder (organic and food grade variety) Beneficial nematodes. Burdock root.
What herbs are safe to use for fleas?
The NRDC recommends herbs like Lemongrass, Cedarwood, Thyme, Rosemary and peppermint as generally being safe and non toxic.
What are the most harmful ingredients in flea collars?
Two of the most harmful ingredients that are commonly found in many flea treatment products (including some flea collars and spot treatments) are tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur. Tetrachlorvinphos or TCVP is an organophosphate. It can cause neurological damage in growing children.
How much does flea treatment cost?
Studies show that Americans spend over $1 billion USD on flea treatment products designed to get rid of canine and feline fleas. While most of these products are generally safe, there are others that are known to leave harmful chemical residue on animals. Not only can this cause various neurological symptoms in pets, they are also harmful to humans. According to the NRDC (Natural Resource Defense council), a non-profit organization that strives to protect the environment, many flea treatment products contain harmful pesticides that can increase the risk of cancer as well as neurological damage in kids. Furthermore, many studies conducted on such products have shown that their potential harm is nearly 1000 times more than EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) acceptable levels.
How to know if my dog is overdosing on flea repellent?
Overdosing symptoms to watch for. The following signs and symptoms may indicate overdose or toxicity from flea repelling products in cats and dogs: Drooling or hyper-salivating. Confusion. Muscle lethargy or tremors. Vomiting. Seizures. If you notice these signs and symptoms it is best to consult the vet immediately.
Is flea treatment toxic?
Often pet owners believe that vet prescribed flea treatment products may be the safest and most non toxic. However, the NRDC recommends many over-the-counter non chemical products as being safe for controlling and eliminating fleas, but they must be used in combination with vacuuming the house and washing the pet’s bedding in hot water.
Is flea control safe?
The majority of Americans believe that all commercially available flea control products are tightly regulated by the government, hence safe. However, that is not the case and many of the products sold in grocery stores and pharmacies can cause serious health hazards to humans and pets alike. Hence, it is essential to equip oneself with ...
Why did Tom not retest for FeLV?
None of the vets Tom saw over the years thought to re-test him for FeLV because his record indicated he was negative for the disease. Until, that is, I took him to the Humane Society of New York Clinic to explore what could be causing his dramatic appetite spike and weight loss.
How long does it take for a cat to die from a virus?
Once infected, a cat usually dies within about three years. However, some cats can beat the odds and live much longer. My beloved Major Tom was one such exceptional cat.
What is the toughest thing about rescuing cats?
One of the toughest things about loving and rescuing cats is coping with the specter of Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). In all my years of cat rescue, it would often turn out that some of the sweetest cats were the ones whose lives were drastically shortened by one or both of these dreaded retroviruses.
Is FIV an early death sentence?
But the good news for infected cats like him – and sadly, according to the Winn Feline Foundation, that’s 3 percent of cats in single-cat households and as many as 70 percent in homes with multiple cats – is that now FeLV/FIV doesn’t have to be an early death sentence. There’s a new treatment called LTCI, which stands for lymphocyte T-cell ...
Is Snowa a FeLV positive cat?
The Humane Society of New York tried out LTCI on two of its resident cats who are FeLV positive: Snowa, a three-and-a-half-year-old tuxedo cat, and Violet (pictured above), a four-month old white kitten with black spots. Snowa the tuxedo kitty is asymptomatic, so it’s hard to tell whether the treatment is helping her – but one beauty of LTCI is that it can’t hurt. Tiny Violet, on the other hand, is “blossoming,” reports Dr. Elizabeth Higgins, a staff vet at the Society.
What does felv mean in cats?
FeLV stands for feline leukemia virus. As the name implies, it is a viral infection of cats that affects a cat’s immune system and bone marrow.
How to tell if a cat has FeLV?
The only way to know if your cat is FeLV-positive is to have your veterinarian run a test called an ELISA. Cats can test positive within a few weeks after exposure, but almost all cats who are positive for the virus will be so by 28 days. However, testing positive just means that the virus is circulating in the cat’s blood; it does not mean that the cat will be permanently infected. It is possible for them to fight off the infection.
What does it mean when a cat is positive for a virus?
However, testing positive just means that the virus is circulating in the cat’s blood; it does not mean that the cat will be permanently infected. It is possible for them to fight off the infection. To find out if it is a persistent infection, an IFA test can be sent to a lab. If this test is positive, the cat is positive for FeLV ...
How do you know if your cat has a felv infection?
There are no specific signs of FeLV infection. In general , cats with FeLV have weaker immune systems so they are more prone to infections, such as upper respiratory infections, dental disease and mycoplasma hemofelis. Most cats with FeLV live normal lives, but their life span tends to be significantly shorter. Around 80 percent of FeLV kittens do not live past three years and most die within a year. The young cats tend to die from feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), lymphoma (a cancer affecting lymphatic tissue) or bone marrow disease. It is less likely for older cats to get a persistent infection, and when they do, they tend to handle the disease better.
What happens if a cat is positive for FeLV?
If this test is positive, the cat is positive for FeLV and always will be. If it is negative, there is a chance the cat can fight off the infection (although recent research shows that the virus may just be dormant until a physiologic stressor allows it to circulate again).
Can a cat transmit a virus?
The virus does not live long outside of a cat host, so spreading FeLV via human clothing and hands is very unlikely. Thus, if a FeLV-positive cat is housed in a separate room from a FeLV-negative cat, it is not likely that transmission will occur (although it would still be wise not to share food bowls).
Can a cat get felv if it is not around a cat?
Since there is no cure, prevention is the best treatment for FeLV. IF a FeLV-negative cat is not around a FeLV-positive cat, the FeLV-negative cat will not get the virus. It varies depending on where one lives, but roughly 2 to 8 percent of outdoor cats are FeLV-positive. So, keeping your cats indoors should prevent exposure.
How is FeLV transmitted?
FeLV is typically transferred through the exchanging of fluids from already infected cats, such as from bite wounds, nursing, mutual grooming, and litter boxes, as well as from touching noses and using shared feeding areas.
Things To Keep In Mind When Adopting A FeLV Positive Cat
Adopting an FeLV-positive cat requires a few considerations, but your life together can be just as happy and healthy as one with an uninfected cat.
Final Thoughts
FeLV cats can live very happy, healthy, and long lives, and don’t need very much extra attention to do so. However, there are a few important things that adopters should definitely prepare for before adopting to ensure that they remain healthy and to increase their longevity and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
FeLV can be easily spread among cats, so if you have other cats in your home who are not FeLV positive, make sure that you have them vaccinated to prevent a potential outbreak.
