The short answer is no, treating a cat with a dog flea treatment can potentially cause death. The active ingredient in most spot-on (products that are applied to the back of the neck) dog flea treatments is permethrin
Permethrin
This medication is used to treat head lice, tiny insects that infest and irritate your scalp. Permethrin is also used to help avoid infestation in people who have close contact with someone who has head lice.
What do fleas do to cats and dogs?
Flea and Tick Control Supplements. There are a number of multi-benefit supplements available that are made for use on both cats and dogs that will combat fleas naturally. Yeast and garlic have been shown to be very effective in driving fleas and ticks off of the host organism, in this case, you cat or dog.
Can cats take Flea and tick medication for dogs?
Answered by. Debi Matlack Veterinary Technician. The problem is usually the reverse, using dog flea treatment on cats. Cats are more sensitive to some ingredients than dogs. Your dog should be fine, especially if it is one of the products that is used on both species, just the dosage is different. If it is a product meant for cats exclusively, I suggest calling a pet poison helpline, …
Can a cat use dog flea medicine?
Answer (1 of 15): Yes, but don’t. If you use cat flea products for the weight of the dog they become inordinately expensive. Also, the cat topical products are designed for CAT skin which is different from dog skin. That means it probably wouldn’t spread as …
Can you give a dog too much flea treatment?
Apr 25, 2012 ·
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Will cat flea hurt my dog?
Can I use cat frontline on my dog?
Can I put cat advantage on my dog?
Is Frontline Plus for dogs and cats the same?
Can I use cat flea shampoo on my dog?
Is cat flea medicine toxic to dogs?
What is the difference between dog and cat flea treatment?
Can I use Advantage Multi for dogs on cats?
Do flea treatments kill fleas?
Most flea preventions do not repel fleas. Flea preventions kill fleas either by direct contact with the fleas or from the fleas feeding on your pet.
How to apply flea treatment?
How to Apply Each Brand of Topical Flea Treatment 1 Hold the tube upright and turn the cap one full turn. 2 Make sure the seal is broken but DO NOT remove the cap. 3 Cats: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply the entire tube to the skin. You can apply to a second spot directly behind the first if there is overflow. 4 Dogs: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply to the skin; do this in one or more spots depending on the size of your dog. For larger dogs, choose two or three spots along the spine to continue the application.
How to apply Bravecto to cat?
Bravecto. Hold the tube upright and turn the cap one full turn. Make sure the seal is broken but DO NOT remove the cap. Cats: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply the entire tube to the skin. You can apply to a second spot directly behind the first if there is overflow.
Where to put hair tube for cats?
Cats: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply the entire tube to the skin. You can apply to a second spot directly behind the first if there is overflow. Dogs: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply to the skin; do this in one or more spots depending on the size of your dog.
How long do fleas live in the environment?
Flea eggs and larvae can live in the environment for days or weeks. It is best to regularly vacuum all the locations of your home where your pet spends time, wash all bedding in hot water, and keep your pets on flea prevention.
Where to put hair on dog?
You must part the hair so that you can apply it to the skin at the base of the neck. Read the instructions on the package; most direct you to apply it all in one spot on the neck, while a few will have you apply it to several spots along the back that the pet cannot reach (for larger dogs).
Can you use flea and tick treatment on a cat?
Regular preventative treatment is necessary to keep these parasites under control. But is it ever okay to use a dog flea treatment on a cat? The short answer is no, treating a cat with a dog flea treatment can potentially cause death.
Can you rinse flea products off a cat?
Rinsing the product off the coat will help to reduce toxicity; however, some of the flea-product will have still made it into the cat’s system. Therefore urgent veterinary care is necessary. Call ahead of time to let them know you are on your way. This is a critical situation that can not wait until the morning.
Can fleas kill cats?
The short answer is no, treating a cat with a dog flea treatment can potentially cause death. The active ingredient in most spot-on (products that are applied to the back of the neck) dog flea treatments is permethrin, a synthetic compound that acts like natural extracts from the chrysanthemum flower . It affects the nervous system in insects, by ...
Is Permethrin toxic to cats?
Unfortunately, it is also highly toxic to cats. Our beloved felines aren’t a small dog (or human); they have an entirely different liver metabolism when it comes to many drugs, including permethrin. Even a tiny amount of permethrin can be deadly to cats . [lwptoc]
Can fleas cause permethrin poisoning in cats?
Topical flea treatments are the most common source of permethrin poisoning in cats, but other dog products which may contain the toxin include: Flea collars. Shampoos. Sprays. Foggers. Deliberate or accidental exposure to this product causes neurotoxicity with a range of symptoms, including:
How to clean a cat's face after a sneeze?
Immediately wash the affected area using warm water and dishwashing soap (the type you use in a sink, not a dishwasher such as Dawn or Fairy Liquid). Apply a drop or two of dishwashing liquid, lather with a small amount of lukewarm water, rinse. Keep water away from the cat’s face to prevent accidental water aspiration.
How to bathe a cat that is not confident enough?
Keep water away from the cat’s face to prevent accidental water aspiration. Apply detergent, lather and rinse three times, then wrap the cat in a warm towel to prevent hypothermia. If you are not confident enough to bathe the cat, don’t waste time, ...
Can you put flea treatment on a cat?
Some people may be tempted to save money by putting dog flea treatment on a cat or may not even realise it is an issue. You may even put it on by complete mistake, if you do try not to panic, as long as your cat is treated quickly it can be safely resolved and will not affect your cat’s health. Permethrin is generally used as an insecticide ...
Can you use permethrin on a cat?
Fortunately, most cases of permethrin poisoning are preventable. Never use a dog product on a cat. Ensure flea treatments are solely designed for cats. Take extra care when choosing from a shop where dog and cat treatments may be displayed together. Be careful when shopping online.
Can cats die from fits?
More severely affected cats, especially those suffering from fits that are hard to control, unfortunately, have a poorer prognosis and sadly may die or be put to sleep.
Can cats have a liver?
Cats lack certain proteins (enzymes) in their liver that break down some chemicals into harmless forms, which means that the chemicals can accumulate in the cat’s body and cause serious illness. It’s this difference in drug metabolism that means we should never assume a product that’s safe for dogs is also safe for cats.
Can permethrin make a cat sick?
This isn’t the case and even a very small amount of permethrin can make a cat very unwell. Poisoning can also happen through contact with a dog that has recently been treated by a spot-on product containing permethrin. The cat may rub against the dog, or even sit on the same furniture, and the permethrin can be transferred to its coat ...
Can cats get poisoned by permethrin?
Permethrin is sometimes impregnated in clothing to deter ticks, mosquitoes and flies, and though there is no evidence to show that cats have been poisoned through exposure, if there is a specific concern it’s always best to contact the manufacturer of the product.
Does Ginger Cat House replace a vet?
Ginger Cat House does not aim to replace your Veterinarian. Ginger Cat House offers practical advice but will always advise you to seek Veterinary attention for further information if your cat is unwell.
Can you give a cat flea treatment?
If you give a flea treatment to a cat through the wrong delivery method, it can be dangerous, so you should always follow the package recommendations for how to administer a product. A Warning About Flea Collars. Flea collars can be dangerous to cats and the people who live with them.
What is the best way to kill fleas in cats?
Delivery Method . Flea treatments for cats may come as shampoos, dips, sprays, bombs, powders, spot-ons, orals, collars, combs, and even injections. Some delivery methods are only appropriate for killing live fleas while others will help prevent a flea from being able to reproduce.
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.
Can cats get fleas?
Fleas are not only a nuisance but they can also transmit serious diseases to your cats. Thankfully, various flea preventatives and treatments are available to help limit your cat’s chances of attracting and harboring these external parasites. However, they aren’t all created equally. Some flea treatments aren’t even effective and worse yet, ...
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 ...
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.
Is flea shampoo safe for cats?
While you may be thinking that this isn’t a flea shampoo, the truth is that shampoos designed to kill fleas can be very dangerous to cats. Even shampoos labeled as “all-natural” often contain oils that can be toxic or harmful to cats and the traditional flea shampoos contain pyrethrins which can be extremely dangerous.
