what to do if cat flea treatment doesn t work

Full Answer

Can you use too much flea treatment on your cat?

When used as directed, such products are safe and effective. However, dogs and cats can easily become sick if too much or the wrong flea product is applied, or the product is ingested post-application. Ingestion occurs if the dog or cat licks the treated area.

Why is the cat still scratching after flea treatment?

— Other Potential Causes

• Anxiety and Fear. Put yourself in the cat’s position. Your owners took you to a vet’s office, a place you don’t know and have never been to.
• Other Health Issues. It’s not uncommon for a cat to have fleas and suffer from another condition at the same time. ...
• Reacting to the Infestation. Having fleas is not pleasant at all. ...

How to get rid of fleas on your cat?

• Start early before the infestation gets worse. ...
• Clean the walls and floors of your house daily. ...
• Bathe and comb your cats regularly. ...
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the yard and in areas where your cats prefer to spend their time.
• Launder your fabrics with hot water and use borax powder for regular cleaning.

More items...

How often should I apply flea treatment on my Cat?

To safely apply revolution avoid these things:

• Never rub revolution into the skin
• Don’t apply on wet cat
• Don’t apply to an injured or unhealthy cat
• Prevent the cat from licking the medicine on the treated area until it’s dry

How do I get rid of fleas if flea medicine isn't working?

Not treating the house If your product only contains an adulticide, you still need to kill the eggs and larvae in the house. One way of doing this is with a house spray or flea bomb. Many of these products last for several months in the environment, so only need to be applied a couple of times a year.

Why has my cat still got fleas after treatment?

By allowing treated pets to access all parts of the home you usually let them into, your pet acts as a 'living vacuum cleaner' to kill the newly hatched fleas before they can lay more eggs. Because of this, it is normal to see fleas on treated pets during this time.

Can I reapply flea treatment if it doesn't work?

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 give my cat flea treatment twice?

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. This recommendation is unrelated to Petco or PetCoach.

What is the fastest way to get rid of fleas on a cat?

The pill nitenpyram (Capstar) kills adult fleas on your cat within 30 minutes. It doesn't have any lasting effects, though. Spinosad (Comfortis) is a fast-acting chewable that starts killing fleas before they lay eggs.

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 happens if fleas Don't go away?

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 you put flea treatment on more than once 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 put Frontline on my cat twice?

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.

What if frontline doesn't work on my cat?

If you suspect it is not controlling your pet's fleas, you may, in certain cases, be able to reapply it in as little as two weeks and try again. Speak to your veterinarian about this first if your flea medicine is not working. One Frontline alternative is to switch to another topical product.

What happens if you put too much flea medicine on a cat?

Common signs of toxicity from flea products containing organophosphates are diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremor, weakness or falling over, and drooling. Organophosphate toxicity can be rapidly fatal, depending on the ingredients and dose the pet is exposed to.

2. You used the wrong treatment interval

Remember that each flea treatment will have a recommended dosing interval. This is usually once every month, but it can vary. You should always follow the recommended interval because these instructions are specifically written to match the life cycle of fleas, which is about 1 month to go from egg to adult.

4. Fleas are still hiding in the household

It is a great idea to treat your household with a concentrated flea spray like this one every year, regardless of whether you have noticed fleas. But if you know that one of your pets has had fleas recently, treating your household as well as all in-contact pets becomes absolutely vital to guarantee complete extermination.

So, how do I get rid of fleas?

To recap: Use a quality product, follow the instructions, and be sure to treat your cat’s surrounding pets and environment to get the best results. Even if you do everything right, you may get an occasional breakthrough flea problem. It can feel like nothing is working.

How to get rid of fleas in cats?

While the flea medicine slowly works, you can do other things to get rid of the fleas. Comeb your cat's fur frquently with a fine toothed comb to remove fleas and eggs. Dunk the comb into hot soapy water after each pass throgh the fur to drown the fleas. Vaccum frequently.

Does Broadline kill fleas?

Some use Advantage. They both kill fleas and the eggs . I don't know the active ingredients in Broadline . If one medication fails to work I would try a different one. Sometimes with longhair cats you must make sure you part the hair and apply the drops directly on the skin .

Can you spray flea killer on carpet?

Location. Nebraska, USA. Yes, make sure you vacuum more often, and even spray some flea killer on the carpet to kill the eggs and fleas you suck up. Wash blankets and covers almost daily and spray the area where your cat sleeps before you replace the bedding.

Why aren't flea products working?

Another reason for products not working is by not treating your home and yard, where in some cases 80% of the flea life cycle may occur. Read how to control fleas indoors and outdoors.

Do pet owners see fleas?

All too often, a pet owner will come in and share their experience in which he or she regularly applies topical flea prevention, yet is frustrated that after several treatments they are still seeing fleas.

Can pet hair medication be applied to skin?

This is something that can be somewhat of a challenge for thick haired pets; however, the pet medication will not work properly if only the hair follicles receive the medication – it must be applied to the skin.

Can fleas be treated with oral flea medicine?

Consider switching to oral flea medications. The newer oral flea medications are becoming very popular and with good reason — they’re even more effective than topical treatments at killing adult fleas and keeping your pet flea-free.

How does flea treatment work for cats?

Then, the chemical spreads through all your cat’s glands and covers the majority of your cat’s skin. Once on the skin, the chemical will cover fleas and paralyze their entire nervous system. Then, the fleas can no longer bite or even move, and they eventually fall off.

Why isn't flea medicine working on cats?

The number 1 reason that flea medication is not working on a cat is because the owner did not properly administer the flea medication. For oral pills, this could mean that the cat did not eat a full meal before given the pill, which could weaken the effect. For topical solutions, this usually means that you did not put the solution in the right area of your cat’s skin. It is important to put the topical solution exactly where instructed so that it reaches the correct glands and spreads to the whole body. It is very important that you read carefully the instructions on how to administer the flea medication to your cat. Also pay attention to dosage so that you make sure you give your cat enough.

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

Sometimes you just need to be patient when it comes to flea medications. Sometimes it may appear that the flea medication is not working on your cat, but in reality you just need to wait a little longer. While some flea medications can kill fleas in as little as 25 minutes, some medications can take longer than a day to come into effect.

How does flea medicine work?

Pills for flea medication in cats work by releasing a special chemical (insecticide) into your cat’s blood stream. When a flea bites your cat, it ingests some of your cat’s blood. Once the insecticide is in the bloodstream, it immediately kills the flea when it is ingested. This is why flea medication can work in as little as 25 minutes.

Can you let a cat swim with flea medication?

This is most common in topical solution flea medications. Most topical solutions advise that you do not let your cat swim or take a bath for a certain period of time while the medication is spreading to the rest of your body. If your cat’s skin gets wet too soon, it can wash away all of the medication. This is why it is extremely important to read the label and instructions on the medication.

Do flea medications kill ticks?

It is important to note exactly what kind of flea mediation you are buying, as all flea medications are not equal. Some flea medications kill fleas, ticks, and their eggs, while some only kill adult fleas. Additionally, some flea medications only protect against fleas that are already on your cat, and do not prevent new infestations. It is important that you understand the functionality of flea medication when you buy it.

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.

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.

How many active ingredients are in flea prevention?

Flea preventions typically use one or two active ingredients to do the job of preventing fleas. Each brand will use different active ingredients, and these ingredients will work in different ways to prevent fleas. An overdose for most flea preventions could result in the following: Profuse drooling. Vomiting.

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).

Where to apply hair spray for dogs?

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. For larger dogs, choose two or three spots along the spine to continue the application.

Can you treat fleas in your home?

Your Home Hasn’t Been Treated for Fleas. In conjunction with topical flea treatments, you need to treat your home to provide the best defense against 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.

What is the best treatment for fleas?

Topical medications such as Bravecto topical, Revolution, Frontline Plus, or Advantage Multi are very popular and effective methods to get rid of fleas, eggs, and larvae, but they need to be used properly in order to work.

Why do cats and dogs keep getting fleas?

The real cause, however, is often unrelated to the efficacy of the flea treatment product but more with the way or time it has been used. The reasons why cats and dogs seem to keep getting fleas, despite using flea treatment products, range from improper use to forgetting to treat the environment at the same time.

Can flea pupae jump on a dog?

This means even if you have been vigilant about killing fleas in your house and yard, given time, the flea pupae will become adults, free to jump onto your pet if your cat or dog isn’t protected. Bravecto Chews. NexGard Chewables.

Can you use flea treatment on pets?

It is not enough to simply use flea treatment products on your pets when you are fighting a flea infestation. You need to get rid of fleas in the house and yard at the same time. Otherwise, the hidden flea eggs and larvae will simply grow to become adult fleas, re-infesting your pet.

Can you see fleas in your carpet?

When you see a few fleas either hopping on your pet’s fur or in the carpet, you are already dealing with a full-blown flea infestation. What you cannot see are the flea eggs and larvae buried deep in the fibers of your home furniture and pet’s bed, which make up 95% of the entire flea population. It is not enough to simply use flea treatment ...

Can you give a dog a flea collar?

You can use Bravecto chews or Nexgard for dogs, or Capstar, which can be given to both cats and dogs. If your pet refuses the chews, the Seresto flea collar is not only effective in killing fleas (and ticks) and its larvae, it also provides one of the safest and longest lasting flea protection for your pet. Seresto.

How to control fleas naturally?

A way to control fleas naturally inside your home is to apply diatomaceous earth or salt to your carpet. A way to control fleas naturally on your pet is to use neem oil.

What products are used to treat fleas?

Commercial topical products such as Frontline, Advantage, K9 Advantix, and Revolution are, of course, formulated to control fleas. Each of them contains different chemicals, many of which are hazardous. ( See the post about dangerous chemicals .)

Is flea control effective?

Some of these chemicals may be more effective than others in flea control. A flea is a very resilient creature — difficult to control because it reproduces so rapidly, and difficult to kill because of its bodily structure.

Is Frontline Plus a topical flea control?

Frontline and Frontline Plus are among the most popular topical flea control products. Yet over and over again on discussion boards and in forums, you see comments from dog and cat owners claiming that Frontline isn’t working. Commercial topical products such as Frontline, Advantage, K9 Advantix, and Revolution are, of course, ...

What to do when fleas invade your house?

The best course of action is to throw any soft fabrics that your pet has come into contact with into the washing machine. Your pet’s bedding should be the first concern.

How to get rid of fleas on dog?

To prevent fleas on your dog, mix one cup of water with six to seven drops of oil in a spray bottle and apply to your pet’s coat every other day. Here’s a list of essential oils that are effective against fleas: ● Tea tree oil – must dilute adequately to avoid poisoning (.1%-1%) ● Peppermint oil. ● Citronella oil.

Why is Frontline not working?

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 is it so hard to clear up fleas?

Once your pet gets a flea infestation, it can be hard to clear up. One of the biggest reasons people continue to see fleas in their home or on their pets, despite their best efforts at flea prevention, is that they only treat their pets.

How long do flea collars last?

Some flea collars last three months, while others last up to a year. Again, I myself pay a hefty price for a very useful yearly collar, Seresto. Even without regular flea baths or essential oils, there’s never any fleas on any 3 of my pups. Here’s a shortlist of some of the best flea collars you can buy.

Why do dogs wear flea collars?

All pets should wear a flea collar to help protect them from flea bites and infestations . There are numerous prescription and over-the-counter collars available for varying prices, with Seresto being the most proven and popular. You can even DIY your own with the right materials!

What is the best flea repellent?

Vodka. Vodka, believe it or not, is another excellent flea repellant. Don’t worry – you don’t have to waste all your yummy vodka to protect your furry friends! Pour yourself a shot and set aside a teaspoon to make your pet’s collar. Make sure the vodka is plain, as the flavored varieties will not work.