what is the best flea treatment for long haired cats

• Cedar Chips. It’s a known fact that fleas hate the smell of cedar chips—and there’s a chance your cat may not be too fond of it, either.
• Lemons. One of the most effective natural flea killers is citric acid, which makes lemon juice a widely-recognized home remedy for treating fleas.
• Spices. One of the easiest things you can do for a flea-infested cat is to spice up their life with natural ingredients you might find in your kitchen.
• Apple Cider Vinegar. Another grocery store product that fleas don’t particularly enjoy is apple cider vinegar. ...
• Dish Soap. Believe it or not, even the most gentle formulations of dish soap have proven to be very effective at exterminating fleas.
• Lavender and Chamomile. A gentle way to soothe your pet’s skin—and maybe even help him or her take a little cat nap—lavender is actually a powerful, fast-acting agent against fleas.

Which natural flea treatments for cats really work?

To utilize this DIY flea spray, combine the following ingredients into a large container:

• 1 gallon of white vinegar
• 1/2 gallon of purified water
• 16 ounces of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 8 ounces of witch hazel essential oil

How to choose the safest flea treatment for Your Cat?

Best Flea Collar for Cats. When considering the benefits versus risks of flea collars for cats, we recommend seriously considering the use of other products such as flea drops and oral flea medications instead of collars. The only collar we can recommend from the collars available on the market is the Seresto Flea Collar for Cats for killing fleas and ticks.

What is the most gentle flea medicine for cats?

PetsRadar's pick of the best flea treatments for cats

• Best overall flea treatments for cats: Frontline Plus
• Best budget flea treatment: Advecta Plus
• Best flea collar: Seresto Flea and Tick Prevention
• Best waterless flea shampoo: Vet’s Best Waterless Cat Bath
• Best fast-acting flea treatment: Capstar Flea Tablets
• Best for indoor cats: Advantage 40 Spot On

More items...

Are there any home remedies for fleas on cats?

One of the most effective natural flea killers is citric acid, which makes lemon juice a widely-recognized home remedy for treating fleas. You can spray your cat’s coat with a solution made by boiling a cut lemon or two (let the lemons steep for a few hours) and then draining the liquid before transferring it to a spray bottle.

How do you get rid of fleas on a long-haired cat?

Comb your cat with a fine-toothed metal flea comb from head to tail several times a day. This will skim off adult fleas and their eggs and ease their itching. Then, dip the comb in a mixture of warm to hot water and liquid dish detergent to kill the fleas.

Does flea treatment work on long-haired cats?

It's important with long-haired animals to make sure you dig through the hair enough to get to the skin, so the product can work effectively. The liquid treatment usually spreads throughout the animal on its own with the oils of your pet's skin, and kills fleas when they come in contact with the mixture.

Do fleas prefer long-haired cats?

Understanding Fleas Fleas prefer to wait and jump onto a passing animal. Once aboard, they remain until they are dislodged or groomed from the animal. Without a host, adult fleas live only a few days to 2 weeks. On short-haired cats and dogs fleas survive an average of 8 days; they live longer on long-haired animals.

Which flea treatment do vets recommend for cats?

We recommend Frontline Plus because it not only kills fleas and controls flea infestations, but it also kills ticks and chewing lice. Used and trusted by pet owners for more than 20 years, Frontline Plus protects for 30 days with one application.

How can I tell if my long-haired cat has fleas?

Here are 10 classic signs of fleas in cats.1 Intense and Frantic Scratching or Biting. ... 2 Excessive Grooming and Hair Loss. ... 3 Avoiding Certain Parts of Your Home. ... 4 Agitation, Edginess and Restlessness. ... 5 Red Skin Lesions or Scab-like Bumps. ... 6 Muscle Loss, Pale Gums and Lethargy. ... 7 Tiny Pepper-Like Specks on Your Cat's Fur.More items...

Why is Frontline Plus not working on my cat?

The main reason that Frontline may fail as a flea product is a large infestation of fleas being present in various stages. When there are eggs, larvae, and pupae/young fleas, Frontline is ineffective.

Why does my indoor cat keep getting fleas?

The most common way for fleas to enter your household is on the family dog or another pet that comes inside from being outdoors. Cats can also get fleas from neighbor pets and local wildlife, such as birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, racoons, possums, squirrels, and skunks.

What kills fleas instantly?

Commercial Products from Your Veterinarian The most common product used to kill fleas on dogs instantly is Nitenpyram, more commonly known as Capstar. This single-use tablet is administered orally and kills fleas within 30 minutes.

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.

Is Advantage or Frontline better for cats?

Frontline has another chemical that also kills ticks on cats, but Advantage is only a flea control medicine. Both kill fleas and stop them from biting your cat within approximately three minutes. Advantage claims that fleas will be dead in 12 hours. Frontline takes approximately 18 hours to fully kill fleas.

How effective is Frontline Plus for cats?

Advantage for dogs and cats kills approximately 98% fleas within half a day of administration and chewing lice within a week's time of administration in both dogs and cats. It prevents fleas from nipping the pet within three to five minutes of administration.

What is better flea collar or drops for cats?

Which Lasts Longest? Flea collars last several months, some even a full eight months. Whereas, flea drops only last 30 days. Plus, since flea collars last as long as they do, there is less of a chance of forgetting to reapply.

How to teach a cat to use a scratching post?

For his claws, you clip his claws, I use a small nail clipper, your vet can show you how to do it. You get him a scratching post, rub some cat nip on it, and take his paws, and show him how to scratch on it. This takes time, to teach him to get his claws clipped, to teach him to use a scratching post.

Can you buy flea preventative over the counter?

About the flea preventative, please consult your vet. Do not buy anything over the counter. Be sure you are parting the fur well enough to get the medication on his skin. If you need help, I'm sure the vet would be happy to show you tricks on applying to your long haired kitty. Nov 24, 2013.

What is a flea in cats?

Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are the most common external parasites found on cats in North America. Not only are these bugs irritating to your cat, they can also pass on other parasites such as tapeworms or lead to anemia and skin allergies. They may also transmit several serious bacterial infections to your cat and ultimately to you, ...

What factors should be considered when deciding on flea treatment for cats?

Several factors must be considered before deciding which type of flea treatment for cats will work best in a given situation, including effectiveness, safety, cost, potential side effects, and formulation.

How to get rid of fleas on carpet?

Vacuum your carpets and sweep your floors regularly to remove flea eggs, larvae and pupae. Remember that 95% of the flea life cycle is spent off your pet! Just make sure to empty or discard your vacuum cleaner bag each time you use it.

How long does it take for fleas to go away?

You cannot expect one dose of a medication to do the trick. Flea eradication will require several months of continuous treatment.

How many eggs do fleas lay?

Once a female flea finds a suitable host (such as your cat), she can lay up to 50 eggs per day. In addition, the immature life stages of the flea (eggs, larvae and pupae) can persist in the environment for a couple of weeks to several months.

Does flea shampoo kill fleas?

Once a major part of flea-control programs, sprays, dips and cat flea shampoos only work at killing fleas on the cat at the time of application, but do almost nothing for the hatchling fleas coming from the environment post-treatment. Many different products are available, so it is important to make sure the one you use is safe for cats.

Can you use a flea collar on a cat?

Cat Flea Collars. A cat flea collar can be an attractive option for some pet owners. They are easy to use and typically have few side effects. However, old-style flea collars may not be very effective, especially in areas of the body farthest from the collar.

What is the best flea treatment for cats?

The active ingredients are peppermint oil, clove oil, and lemongrass oil. It controls fleas and ticks effectively over a longer time frame in cats and kittens 12 weeks of age & older, for any weight.

How to get rid of fleas on cats?

While taking steps to remove the pests from your cat is important, equally important is to take adequate measures to wipe them out from the environment (your home). Vacuum your carpet and sweep your floor to remove flea eggs, larvae and pupae. Bear in mind that 95% of the flea’s lifecycle is spent off your pet.

How long does it take for a flea pill to kill?

After administering this pill, you will start seeing the flea problem reducing and getting wiped out within 6 hours. The tablet contains Nitenpyram, a vet-recommended chemical, that will get rid of fleas quickly without putting your kitty under any extra strain.

How long does flea treatment last?

This treatment will offer protection for 30 days after a single application. It is important to not bathe your kitty two days before and after application for better effect. The pack can last for six months and the product kills the fleas within 24 hours of applying.

What is the best way to kill fleas on cats?

Sprays, Dips & Shampoos. These were once considered to be major parts of flea-check programs. However, dips, sprays, and cat flea shampoos are only effective at killing fleas on the cat at the time of application.

What is a flea comb?

Just as the name suggests, the flea comb is a grooming device for your pet’s fur. Unlike regular combs, the teeth of a flea comb are more closely spaced enabling it to physically weed out fleas, flea eggs, and flea dirt from the fur.

Why do you need to de-flea when it's cold?

De-flea even when it is cold because when you turn on the central heating, the eggs will hatch and you will not be able to put an end to their lifecycle.

How to treat fleas in cats?

Here’s A Five-Step Summary Of Your Cat Flea Treatment Plan: 1 Identify the infestation: If your cat has been scratching more than usual, confirm that fleas are to blame by thoroughly combing your cat with a fine-toothed flea comb. You may find live fleas, flea dirt, eggs, or any combination of the three. Because cats groom themselves, they can consume a large percentage of the adult fleas on their body, so flea dirt is often more prominent. Flea dirt or flea droppings appear as tiny black or dark brown particles in your cat’s coat. When you smear them on a white surface, these particles will turn red, indicating their blood content. Additionally, combing your cat removes most of the fleas on their body and provides temporary relief. 2 Consider gently bathing your cat in non-toxic dish soap: Especially if your cat is a small kitten who’s sensitive to chemical insecticides, this is a gentle way to remove adult fleas and flea dirt from your cat’s body. If you know your cat will go ballistic in the bath, skip this step. There’s no need to make this experience traumatic. 3 Treat your cat with an appropriate flea treatment: This is typically a spot-on or oral medication. 4 Treat your home: Make sure to treat your home and surrounding areas to destroy eggs, larvae, and pupating fleas. 5 Rinse and Repeat: Re-apply flea treatments as necessary.

How to get fleas out of cat's body?

Consider gently bathing your cat in non-toxic dish soap: Especially if your cat is a small kitten who’s sensitive to chemical insecticides, this is a gentle way to remove adult fleas and flea dirt from your cat’s body. If you know your cat will go ballistic in the bath, skip this step.

What does it mean when a cat's fleas turn red?

When you smear them on a white surface, these particles will turn red, indicating their blood content. Additionally, combing your cat removes most of the fleas on their body and provides temporary relief.

How many fleas can a cat release a day?

Because a single female flea can release 50 fleas every day, immature fleas represent 95% of the flea population.

What is the flea order in cats?

First, you need to know what you’re dealing with. Understanding the flea life cycle is central to your flea treatment plan. Cats are usually affected by the Ctenocephalides felis or cat flea. This species is a member of the Siphonaptera order of insects, a name meaning “wingless siphon”.

How long does it take for Frontline to kill fleas?

It’s used to kill adult fleas in spot-on treatments. It’s considered quite safe and can wipe out a large, vibrant flea population within 24 hours.

What do you learn about fleas?

In this article, you’ll learn all about fleas – how your cat gets them, what they do, and how their life cycle relates to your treatment plan. You’ll also learn about the different types of flea insecticides on the market, discovering which ones are safe and which could poison your cat. Finally, you’ll find out how to choose ...

How to treat fleas on cats?

Treat your cat - Remove fleas with a flea comb — dip comb in a mixture of dish soap and water to kill fleas on comb. - Bathe your kitten or cat with a specially-formulated flea shampoo. - Treat your cat with a flea spray. - Use a flea preventive year-round. - Inspect and comb weekly to monitor a flea infestation on your cat.

How to get rid of fleas on kittens?

You can then dip the flea comb in a mixture of water and dish soap to kill any fleas you remove from her coat. Bathe your cat or kitten with flea shampoo and/or use a flea spray—or whatever other flea treatment for cats you and your veterinarian have decided is best for your animal.

What is the best shampoo for cats?

SENTRY PurrScriptions Flea and Tick Shampoo. This flea shampoo will help kill and wash out fleas and eggs. It may even leave your kitty looking and smelling better than before. Contains soothing coconut conditioner that's great for cats skin and contains a pleasant but subtle scent.

How long does flea control last on cats?

Intended to protect against fleas, lice, and ticks for up to a month. This six-month supply of topical flea control comes recommended by vets and is safe to use on both kittens and cats at least 1.5 pounds and up. Intended to protect against fleas, lice, and ticks for up to a month.

How long does it take for a flea to breed on a cat?

Even finding one flea or a few fleas on your cat or in your home is cause for concern, because these pests can start to breed and lay eggs within 24 hours of finding a host. And even just one flea entering your home can lead to a full-on infestation. This can happen really quickly in many cases.

What to do if your cat has fleas?

First things first: treat your pets! You need to kill adult fleas as well as the eggs and larvae on your cat if you want to prevent any more of them from spreading around your home.

What is the best flea and tick protection for cats?

We'll start with our best pick for protecting felines against fleas and ticks: the Bayer Advantage II for Large Cats.

What is the best flea treatment for kitties?

Another convenient topical treatment for kitties, the Hartz Ultraguard is an all-in-one solution for treatment and prevention. This recipe destroys flea larvae, eggs, and the fleas themselves, as well as dangerous deer ticks. The liquid also prevents flea eggs for hatching for as long as 30 days.

How to get rid of fleas on cats?

If you're unsure about an infestation, try using a flea comb to brush through your cat. You can usually see fleas jumping to avoid the comb or the presence of flea dirt. Vets also recommend turning animals onto their back and blowing gently on the fur to see if any fleas are hiding there.

How long does a flea collar last on a cat?

Collars are affordable, easy to use, and can often be effective for up to 4 months at a time. However, if your cat has a massive infestation, the collar might not get rid of all the fleas. That's why most people recommend these treatments for prevention, rather than a cure.

How long does it take for a flea spray to dry?

The liquid dries and becomes waterproof within 24 hours, which is also about the time it takes for the smell to ease too. The formula does take a little longer to work with this treatment, however. Usually, you'll need to wait for about 12 hours. Although the liquid continues to repel fleas for up to 30 days with each application.

How high can a cat jump with fleas?

Fleas are a nightmare for any home. They infest carpets and furniture and can appear from almost anywhere. Some fleas can jump up to 12 inches in height! That means they have no problem getting onto your cat. While flea treatments can be expensive, they're going to be significantly cheaper than the hefty veterinarians bills that often come from an untreated infestation.

What parasites do you need to fight off?

Depending on where you are in the World, there are a number of region-specific ticks and fleas that you might need to fight off, as well as internal parasites like heartworms or roundworms.

How long does Hartz Ultraguard last?

The Hartz UltraGuard even repels mosquitos for up to 18 days, so your cat can have complete comfort when they're exploring the great outdoors. There's just one dosage option for kittens over the weight of 5lbs, although you can get more specifically measured versions of this treatment.

What is the best flea treatment for cats?

If you’re looking for a new flea treatment for your cat, we recommend either Revolution Plus or Advantage II. They’re both equally good, so it’s just a question of whether you need to protect against other parasites (in which case, you should use the Revolution Plus) or if you just want maximum protection against fleas (go with the Advantage II ).

How to deal with fleas on cats?

The most effective way to deal with fleas is to prevent them from ever getting on your cat, and the best way to do that is to never let your cat go outdoors. Once your cat leaves the house, they’ll be exposed to all sorts of parasites, and you’ll be playing catch-up until you can find a way to kill whatever they bring home with them.

How old can kittens get capstar?

Capstar is one of the few that is, and it can be given to kitties as young as 4 weeks old.

How long does it take for Revolution Plus to kill fleas?

It will start knocking off fleas in as little as 4 hours.

Can you use flea spray on cats?

It’s not suitable for prevention, but it’s great for quickly eliminating an infestation. The idea is to get all the fleas off your cat as quickly as possible (and it’s great at that), and then it’s up to you to make sure that no new bugs hop on.

Can you put flea powder on carpet?

They’re worth using for that purpose, but don’t expect them to do anything for your cat .

Does flea treatment kill adult fleas?

Impact on life cycle: Some treatments only kill adult fleas, while others kill adult fleas and eggs and larvae. The latter will work faster because you may see a brief recurrence of fleas if you use a treatment that only targets adult bugs, as any existing eggs will hatch a few days or weeks after application. In the end, both types will kill all the fleas on your cat, though.

Why treat only your cat for fleas?

If you treat only your cat because you notice a rash on them, the fleas will simply look for someone else to feed on in your home. As a rule, any pet with fur needs to be treated for fleas to eliminate them from the house.

How long does it take for flea killer to work on cats?

It works within 24 hours, and the fleas do not even need to bite your cat to be killed.

How long does it take for a cat to bathe after flea treatment?

Most have some degree of water-resistance (so you can still bathe your cat if needed) and act generally within 12 hours. A nice benefit with these products is that they generally kill on contact, so fleas do not need to bite the cat to be killed. This spares allergic cats the discomfort of receiving flea bites.

How long does a cat collar last?

This collar contains multiple ingredients that have increased the effectiveness of the product dramatically, and the collar will protect your cat against fleas (with some action against ticks as well) for as long as eight months.

How long does it take for fleas to get out of your house?

You can speed up the process by doing all you can to physically remove those eggs and larvae, but in most instances, it can take up to four months to completely clear a household of fleas. In warmer climates, the life cycle of the flea is faster, and in cooler climates, it is slower.

Why do people use oral products on cats?

Some people prefer oral products for cats because there is no residual medication left on your cat’s coat.

Can cats get fleas?

For many cats, the name of the game when it comes to fleas is subtlety. If you’re thinking your cat can’t have fleas because they don’t go outside, you’ll be surprised to know that even indoor-only cats can get fleas. In fact, it often seems that you see just as many flea cases in indoor cats that are not on flea medication as you do on outdoor ...

How to kill fleas on cats?

You can spray your cat’s coat with a solution made by boiling a cut lemon or two (let the lemons steep for a few hours) and then draining the liquid before transferring it to a spray bottle.

How to get rid of fleas in your house?

To use dish soap to trap and kill fleas that have made your home their permanent residence, you can try filling a shallow dish with warm, soapy water and placing it close to a source of light. They’ll be drawn towards the light and drown in the liquid.

Can cats eat cedar chips?

Cedar Chips. It’s a known fact that fleas hate the smell of cedar chips—and there’s a chance your cat may not be too fond of it, either. However, you can try spreading cedar chips around your cat’s bedding or outdoors in your garden.

Can fleas be tamed?

Fleas can be a natural (and unpleasant) part of life with a pet. Fortunately, between over-the-counter sprays, powders, and flea collars, there are endless solutions to help eradicate a flea problem in your home. However, while commercial flea medications and treatments can certainly help tame a flea problem in your cat, ...

Does dish soap kill fleas?

Believe it or not, even the most gentle formulations of dish soap have proven to be very effective at exterminating fleas. The dish soap breaks down the flea’s exoskeleton and kills them within minutes, even after it’s been diluted in water. Simply wet your cat’s coat—a spray bottle will do the trick— and gently lather the dish soap into his or her fur (focusing on areas that fleas tend to hide) before rinsing.

Does salt kill fleas?

If you don’t have any of these spices on hand, a little bit of table salt can also do the trick, as it helps dehydrat e and kill the fleas on your cat. Better yet, it works to kill fleas and flea eggs that may be lurking in your carpet (just sprinkle it on), or when mixed with water, it can be used to treat hard surfaces.

Does apple cider vinegar kill fleas?

While it’s not effective at killing the bugs, apple cider vinegar can cause fleas to jump from your cat’s body so that you can better tackle the issue, making it a great first attack in your personal war against fleas. Try mixing the apple cider vinegar with water in a 2:1 ratio and spraying it onto your cat’s coat.