Treatment FAQ

what to do if flea treatment doesn't work on cats

by Eldridge Corwin DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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One of the most effective- though time-consuming- methods to rid your pet of fleas if Frontline stops working is to give your pup a brush down. Flea combs help remove live fleas, although it doesn’t kill them. These combs also help to remove flea dirt (feces) and flea eggs.

Can I reapply flea treatment if it doesn't work? If you've applied flea treatment but can still see live fleas on your pet, you should resist the urge to re-apply the flea treatment. Doubling up on dosing can be dangerous for your pet, and unnecessary, if you are using already using an effective flea product.Jan 13, 2022

Full Answer

Can you use too much flea treatment on your cat?

Dec 16, 2017 · 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. Give your cat a bath in blue Dawn dish soap or have a groomer give a flea bath.Keep on top of washing blankets, bedding, etc in hot water.

Why is the cat still scratching after flea treatment?

Dec 17, 2020 · You’ll want to rub your pet’s coat the wrong way so you can see skin. If the product doesn’t hit the skin, it will not be absorbed in your pet’s sebaceous glands. That’s where the flea-fighting magic happens! Make sure you are using the entire tube of medication on your pet.

How to get rid of fleas on your cat?

Apr 07, 2021 · Coconut oil – add to your pet’s food or rub a teaspoon directly onto the coat. Not just good for fleas but also reduces odors, makes the coat shiny and healthy, and treats intestinal issues (it’s antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial!) Flea Collars All pets should wear a flea collar to help protect them from flea bites and infestations.

How often should I apply flea treatment on my Cat?

Apr 04, 2022 · The 10 Best Flea Treatments for Cats. 1. Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats — Best Flea and Tick Treatment for Cats; 2. Advantage II Flea Spot Treatment for Cats — Best Flea Medicine for Cats; 3. Frontline Gold Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats — Best Topical Flea Treatment for Cats; 4.

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Why is flea treatment not working on my cat?

Incorrectly applying topical flea prevention is the most common cause for its failure to work. Flea prevention is expensive, and you don't want to waste a dose. Topical medication should be applied directly to the skin, not the hair. You must part the hair so that you can apply it to the skin at the base of the neck.Jun 12, 2019

Why am I still finding fleas on my cat after treatment?

A. The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working.

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

Why Has My Pet's Flea Medicine Stopped Working?Make sure to apply topical medications correctly (do not split medications to use on more than one pet)Make sure your pet's skin is healthy so topical flea medications work well.Treat your yard and house where 95-99% of the flea population lives.More items...

Can I put 2 flea treatments on my cat?

Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and some medications may not produce immediate effects.Jul 25, 2016

Can I give my cat Advantage flea twice in 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.

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

First, treat your cat with a product designed to kill fleas. Bathe your cat or kitten with a specially formulated flea shampoo to kill fleas on contact. Flea sprays can be a good option for water-averse cats. Repeat treatment as needed and recommended on the label.

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.Aug 17, 2018

How long does flea medicine take to work on cats?

24 hoursReducing the chance of flea bites helps to protect your pet against the discomfort and irritation these pests can cause, and also helps limit the exposure to potential infections that can be carried by fleas. Imidacloprid kills fleas within 24 hours.

Can I reapply Frontline early?

Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand.

Can I use Frontline every 2 weeks?

Treat all your dogs and cats every month for optimal flea control. When applied correctly, FRONTLINE PLUS remains active against fleas for at least one month. If you are in a paralysis tick area, apply FRONTLINE PLUS FOR DOGS every 2 weeks to provide paralysis tick control for your dog.

Can I reapply flea treatment early on my cat?

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.

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.

Is oral flea medicine effective?

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. Plus, with an oral flea treatment, you eliminate the mess of topical flea treatments and the worry about whether you’ve applied the product properly.

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 .

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.

What to use on a dog's collar if they don't wear bandanas?

If your pet doesn’t mind wearing bandanas around their neck, apply a diluted water and oil solution ( lavender or cedar) directly onto the fabric. You can also use this solution on a regular collar if bandanas aren’t an option.

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.

Who is Heather Abraham?

Heather Abraham is an owner of two dogs, one cat, a leopard gecko, and a parrot (who her dad still cannot teach bad words to), and an avid blogger. From the time she was a young girl, she always felt a connection with pets. She brings her love of every type of pet to you, with information on animal nutrition, medication, toys, beds, and everything else in between. She puts pups first while offering other various information along the way.

Can you give a dog a flea bath?

Giving your dog baths with a flea-killing shampoo is a helpful and easy way to rid your pet of pesky fleas once Frontline doesn’t work. While flea baths help to alleviate your pet of live fleas, it does not treat flea eggs. So, never rely on flea baths alone as a valid source of flea treatment for your pet. This method should only be one part of ...

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.

Can flea medicine cause vomiting?

If you leave wet flea product on Toby’s coat and she ingests it, or if another fur-covered family member pounces over and licks it off, severe complications can potentially result. Each type of formulation has its own warnings but, in general, ingesting even a small dab of flea medicine could lead to severe vomiting and drooling. In some cases, swallowing flea products can cause your feline to have tremors and no desire to eat. If you notice Toby isn’t acting like himself after you've applied the product, take your fur ball to the emergency clinic right away as a precautionary measure.

How long does flea gel take to dry?

Let the formula dry for a full 30 minutes before allowing your mischievous chum to groom himself or before letting him come into contact with other animals in your home.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 .)

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.

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