Treatment FAQ

why does my cat act weird with spot on flea treatment

by Alysa King Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Cats generally don't appreciate flea treatments, but they do generally tolerate them. Some will react in a weird way and this is essentially because they have been poisoned. One thing you have to remember is that flea treatments are chemical solutions to a flea infestation. Fleas are extremely resilient creatures.

Full Answer

Why is my cat acting weird after flea treatment?

While poisoning is the most worrying reason your cat might act weird after flea treatment, it is not the only one. If your flea already has a flea infestation, then they might be acting irritable or annoyed because of the fleas. It might take a little time for the treatment to become effective.

What can cause spot on flea treatment to fail?

What Can Cause Your Cat’s Spot-on Flea Treatments To Fail? 1 Widely ineffective products. ... 2 Flea resistance. ... 3 The wrong size pipette. ... 4 Compromised pipettes. ... 5 Application to the fur not the skin. ... 6 Bad weather. ... 7 A home infestation. ... 8 Application in a place the cat can lick. ... More items...

Why is my flea acting irritable?

If your flea already has a flea infestation, then they might be acting irritable or annoyed because of the fleas. It might take a little time for the treatment to become effective.

Does flea treatment make cats skin itch?

For some cats, it makes their skin itch. Please, please, please use a quality flea treatment like Advantage or Frontline. When I was younger (before I educated myself), I used a Hartz flea treatment on Boo and it landed him in the ER. I use advantage. Yes, it can sting or itch. At the very least, the sensation of wetness may startle her.

Does flea medicine make cats act weird?

If your flea already has a flea infestation, then they might be acting irritable or annoyed because of the fleas. It might take a little time for the treatment to become effective. Another reason your cat might be acting weird is that you have had to take them to the veterinarian.

Do cats feel unwell after flea treatment?

For toxicity, most flea collars only cause stomach upset such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. However, collars containing Deltamethrin can also cause neurologic symptoms such as ataxia, hind limb weakness, tremors or hyperthermia.

Does spot on flea treatment have side effects?

Monitor your pet for side effects after applying the product, particularly when using the product on your pet for the first time. Call your veterinarian if your pet shows symptoms of illness after using a product. Symptoms of poisoning include poor appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive salivation.

Does spot on flea treatment hurt cats?

Spot-ons are commonly used to kill or reduce the numbers of fleas and ticks on pets. Some contain permethrin, a substance that can harm cats, if present in high concentrations. It is very important that you check that the product you are buying is suitable for treating your cat.

How does flea treatment make cats feel?

Cats generally don't appreciate flea treatments, but they do generally tolerate them. Some will react in a weird way and this is essentially because they have been poisoned. One thing you have to remember is that flea treatments are chemical solutions to a flea infestation. Fleas are extremely resilient creatures.

How do cats react to flea treatment?

Signs of Flea Control Product Toxicity in Cats and Dogs Common signs of toxicity from flea products containing organophosphates are diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremor, weakness or falling over, and drooling.

Can cats be allergic to spot on flea treatment?

Unfortunately, some pets can have an adverse reaction to these chemicals, especially those who are young, old or sick. Symptoms of pyrethrin and pyrethroid toxicity range from hives, itching, vomiting and diarrhea to depression and muscle tremors, and the consequences can be serious.

How long do flea treatment side effects last?

Hypersalivation may recur for several days after use of a flea-control product on an animal. Most mild to severe clinical signs resolve within 24 to 72 hours.

What happens after spot on flea treatment?

If you've treated your pet with FRONTLINE Spot On or FRONTLINE Plus those fleas will die within 24 hours, and so will have few opportunities to lay eggs (egg laying normally starts 24 hours after feeding), helping you control the infestation in your home.

Does spot on make cats sleepy?

Those topical flea treatments aren't toxic if ingested, and tend to taste bad to discourage that from happening. They can cause systemic reactions of lethargy and decreased appetite, however.

How do I know if my cats flea treatment is working?

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.

How long after flea treatment can I pet my cat?

24-48 hoursAvoid petting your cat for 24-48 hours in the spot where you applied a topical medication. These treatments aren't harmful for humans, but it's important that as little as possible is removed from the cat and soaked through human skin.

How do fleas get into a cat?

Fleas are an external parasite and pass on to the feline host by attaching themselves to their coat. This occurs either by an adult flea jumping on to the coat of the cat from another animal or person, or by the larvae developing in the environment and attaching themselves to the cat.

Why do cats put flea treatment on their neck?

This is why flea treatment is applied using a pipette on the nape of the neck. Prepackaged pipettes control the dosage and the placement prevents the cat from ingesting the toxic chemicals. While deworming and flea treatment is relatively very safe, you may wonder why your cat is acting weird after flea treatment.

Why is my cat intoxicated with flea treatment?

The contents of the anti-flea treatment pipette are absorbed into the skin. Intoxication can occur when the components are too strong for the individual cat's system. Perhaps they have a weakened immune system or are an otherwise vulnerable cat. The problem often occurs when the product is too strong for its intended usage. This could be when a cheap product is used or when an adult flea treatment is used on a kitten. Different products are marketed in different regions, so it is important to ask your veterinarian for advice on which cat flea treatment you should use.

What diseases can fleas cause?

There are many other possible diseases which can be caused by flea infestation. A report from 2017 even claims that “the prevalence of flea-borne diseases has been greatly underestimated by health practitioners and agencies” [2]. The same report reveals some of these diseases which include: 1 Rickettesial disease (caused by the bacteria Rickettesia) 2 Bartonellosis 3 Plague 4 Tapeworms 5 Flea allergic dermatitis 6 Feline leukemia virus (FLV) 7 Calicivirus

Why does my cat scratch my coat?

This occurs either by an adult flea jumping on to the coat of the cat from another animal or person, or by the larvae developing in the environment and attaching themselves to the cat. Fleas cause their own physical problems in the form of itching, which leads to scratching and discomfort.

How long does it take for a cat to get dewormed?

It works by applying the serum onto the nape of the cat's neck. Most applicators will come in a prepackaged pipette which gives your cat enough protection for a certain amount of time, usually around 3 to 6 months.

How do you know if your cat has flea poisoning?

They will show signs of irritation which may include vocalizations and even slight aggression. However, these behaviors should stop eventually once they have calmed down. This is why it is very important to know the symptoms of flea treatment poisoning in cats.

Why does my cat get weird after flea treatment?

And, for sure, the sensitivity increases for pets which are young, sick and get any health problem before. If you see cat acting weird after flea treatment, there is no doubt that the sensitivity is on. To determine the illness, you can observe whether your cats undergo symptoms. For example, allergic reactions include congestion or itching.

What does it mean when a cat is weird?

The cat weird can also include clinical signs. They could be tremor as well as a seizure. In this case, hospitalization must be on the top of must-do. Some medications regarding muscle relaxants or antiseizure will make little friends more comfortable.

Is pyrethrin good for cats?

On the other hand, the latter is synthetic with a wide range of sub-ingredients. In some cases, toxins in these can result in an adverse reaction. They are all not good for the nervous system of cats at all. There is a continuous disorder in nerve axons. If they do not stop, nerve discharges will take the first steps.

Is a cat more sensitive to medical ingredients than a dog?

In comparison, the reactions of medical ingredient and cat nerve system are different in pets. Normally, cats are more sensitive than dogs . And, for sure, the sensitivity increases for pets which are young, sick and get any health problem before.

Can flea ticks go in water?

With the purpose of removing the flea tick medication, bathing is one of the best simple ways. Due to the oily state, the medication will not go with water only. You had better make use of shampoos specialized for pets.

Can you put blood sugar medication on cats?

However, do never apply these medications on your cats yourself. It is a must to get permission from vets. In addition to the hospitalization mentioned above, the treatment may include intravenous fluids, blood sugar and pressure monitoring along with temperature support.

Why does my cat scratch when fleas bite?

If a flea bites a cat, it can cause itching. The cat will frantically scratch at the bite area to get rid of the itch. This scratching alone can lead to numerous problems, which include loss of fur, swelling, painful sores, and an infection of the bitten area. But the fleas are also carriers of various other parasites.

Why does my cat react to flea serum?

Other times, your cat might simply have an adverse reaction to the serum because of a weak immune system. You might be the one at fault, as well; if pet owners use dog flea medicine on cats, or adult cat medicine on kittens, their pets are likely to behave erratically after their treatment.

What do fleas eat?

For instance, flea larvae tend to feed on tapeworm proglottids. Each proglottid stays inside of the larva during the pupal stage. Once a cat ingests the pupa, the tapeworm can manifest inside the cat and continue its life cycle.

How to treat a cat with fleas?

How to Perform the Treatment. Deworming and anti-flea treatments are crucial for your cat’s safety. Administering them is a bit uncomfortable for the cat, however. You have to take a pipette and apply the anti-flea serum onto the nape of your cat’s neck. The process is rather simple:

What is a flea?

Fleas are external parasites. They attach themselves onto the body of a host, usually a mammal, and bite their flesh. Most often, a flea will simply jump up from its natural habitat and attach itself to the host. However, animals (as well as humans) can also pick up larvae while walking through tall grass or wooded areas. The larvae will then develop on the host’s body until they mature into adult fleas.

What is the best way to treat fleas on cats?

Anti-flea products come in all shapes and sizes. Usually, pet owners use powders or shampoos and rub them into their cats’ fur. Other options include lotions and sprays.

Can cats get flea spray?

When you apply them onto the fur, the cat can ingest them by accident and get flea treatment poisoning. In fact, it doesn’t even have to do it consciously. For example, if I were to get an anti-flea spray, I could accidentally spritz some of it into my pet’s mouth. And it doesn’t end with ingesting the product, either.

Why does my cat eat flea treatment?

Ingesting Flea Treatment Residue While Grooming. Your cat may well be the cause of its own sickness. A cat’s instinctive need for cleanliness may be the culprit. While grooming their fur, they may ingest enough of the flea treatment residue to harm themselves.

Why do cats fall ill?

Even other cats that haven’t been given treatment may fall ill because they have licked the fur of one that has during play or mutual grooming. That is why some flea treatments have been developed to apply to a spot on the back of the neck. It is one place that cats cannot reach themselves.

Why do fleas react weirdly?

Some will react in a weird way and this is essentially because they have been poisoned. One thing you have to remember is that flea treatments are chemical solutions to a flea infestation. Fleas are extremely resilient creatures. They’ve been around since time began and so they are hard to kill off. Because they are so hard to kill the chemicals ...

How to stop other cats from licking medication?

To stop other cats from licking the medication, the treated cat should be isolated.

What to do if your cat is sick?

If your cat continues with signs of sickness or strange behaviour, then take it to a vet.

What are the symptoms of toxic toxicity?

Key symptoms of toxicity are hypersalivation, trembling, twitching, and seizures.

Can fleas affect cats?

Unfortunately, the toxins in flea treatments may affect the kidneys, liver, or even the brain of your cat. No cat lover will deliberately give these treatments to their cats to ingest, but that is the most common cause of flea treatment poisoning.

Why do cats lick fleas?

Flea spot-on treatments are designed to be applied to the scruff of the neck, and the main reason for this is because it is an area that your cat cannot reach to lick the product off! If you apply the pipette in a different area of the body or don’t get your aim quite right, your cat may lick it off and so , render it ineffective.

What happens if you put a pipette on a cat?

If you apply the pipette and your cat then goes out in the rain or otherwise gets wet, the product may well fail.

How long after a cat's treatment should you comb?

This is why combing your cat a couple of days after treatment is important, because this might be the only way you will find out when a product has stopped working. Tell your vet about this, and ask them to recommend a product with a different active ingredient instead.

Do flea treatments work for cats?

Every few years, one or more premium flea products for cats are brought onto the market and these tend to be more expensive than the existing alternatives and often, only available from the vet. This is more than just a marketing gimmick-over time, the flea populations in any given area build up a tolerance to the active ingredient contained within the treatment products, which mean that treating your cat with any given product might work well for years, but then begin to fail.

Can you open a cat flea treatment tube?

You should only open a pipette when you are ready to use it, and remember that your products can become compromised if opened and left for more than a couple of hours before use, or if there is any damage to the immediate packaging.

Does flea food help cats?

The products at the very bottom end of the market, often referred to as supermarket brands-the types you can find for under £5 in the aisle where you buy your pet food-simply are not effective at treating fleas on cats, and the only effect that they have is making the owner feel better about having done something about the fleas! However, such products will not only fail to treat fleas but will cause an adverse reaction in some cats that will make them quite ill, and so if you are using a product of this type, changing to one recommended by your vet will almost certainly solve the problem.

Can you use flea comb on cats?

However, flea-treating your cat is something you should review from time to time to ensure that the product you are using is effective and working as it should, just to be on the safe side! It is a good idea to use a flea comb just before you apply a treatment to check for fleas, and also again a couple of days later to make sure that it has worked.

What Is “Weird”?

Bad Reactions

  • These supposedly safe products can poison your cat, but it isn’t as straightforward as that. As stated before, flea treatments have to be toxic to kill the parasites. There are many brands on the market, and all have different strengths and chemical components. Your cat may react badly to any one of those chemicals. Just like humans, cats have their individual tolerances and sensitivi…
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Ingestion

  • It is unlikely that your cat will be poisoned by absorbing these chemicals through the skin if you follow the application instructions correctly, but if swallowed and they reach the internal organs, they can make your cat very sick. The effects can range from mild to severe, depending on the product and how much is taken internally. Unfortunately, the toxins in flea treatments may affec…
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Ingesting Flea Treatment Residue While Grooming

  • Your cat may well be the cause of its own sickness. A cat’s instinctive need for cleanliness may be the culprit. While grooming their fur, they may ingest enough of the flea treatment residue to harm themselves. Even other cats that haven’t been given treatment may fall ill because they have licked the fur of one that has during play or mutual groo...
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Mistakes

  • Don’t mix up dog and cat flea treatments. If you have both dogs and cats make sure that you use the correct treatment on the correct animal. This advice may sound obvious, but people can get distracted and make mistakes. Dog flea treatments are a bit different and stronger than the ones used on cats and will probably contain a higher dosage of pyrethroids. Long term use of chemic…
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Conclusion

  • If your cat’s behaviour has changed and there are symptoms of sickness shortly after flea treatments you can try bathing it with soap and water. Make sure your cat has completely dried afterwards and hopefully that will get rid of whatever treatment residue is left. If your cat continues with signs of sickness or strange behaviour, then take it to a vet. Whatever the cat is s…
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