Treatment FAQ

why ia my cat licking himself crazy after flea treatment

by Rudolph Towne Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

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 grooming.

Full Answer

Why do cats lick their paws after flea treatment?

They may bend their necks to reach far back, reach with their tongues, or paw at the area and subsequently lick their paws. Anything they’d do to feed their curious cat mind. Flea prevention products usually have pyrethrin and pyrethroid. These are typically the insecticides used against flea and tick infestations in pets.

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.

Do cats lick flea treatment?

While cats usually stay away from flea and other parasite prevention products, they are still not exempted. Even when you have entirely followed what the manufacturer recommends about applying the product at the back of the neck, they’ll always find a way to lick it.

What happens if a cat licks frontline?

Conclusion 1 Frontline - “If licking occurs, a brief period of hypersalivation may be observed due mainly to the nature of the carrier.” 2 Advantage and Advantage Multi - "Oral ingestion by cats may result in hypersalivation, tremors, vomiting, and decreased appetite." 3 Profender - “Oral ingestion or exposure should be avoided.” More items...

Why does my cat bite my outside cat?

How often should I reapply cheristin for fleas?

Can cats scratch themselves?

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Is it normal for cats to act weird after flea treatment?

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.

Can cats lick themselves after flea treatment?

If an animal is able to lick the product when it is wet on the fur or scratches the area and then licks their foot, the bitter taste of the product can cause the animal to salivate, foam at the mouth, become nauseous or vomit. Also, some cats have been known to become agitated and run around the house.

How do I know if my cat is having a reaction to flea treatment?

If your dog or cat is having a reaction to a flea and tick product, it may show some of the following symptoms:Skin effects. Irritation. Redness.Stomach or intestinal problems. Vomiting. Diarrhea.Nervous system effects. Trembling. Depressed appearance. Seizures.

Can cats have a reaction 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.

What should I do if my cat licks flea treatment?

If your pet happens to lick the topical flea medication, give them a small amount of their food to help relieve the bad taste. Next, contact your veterinarian or the APCC for additional steps to take and signs to monitor for.

Do fleas go crazy after treatment?

Treated fleas may become more active before they die The ingredient in FRONTLINE Spot On and FRONTLINE Plus that kills fleas makes them hyperactive before they die. So you may see fleas come to the surface of your pet's coat and your pet might feel a bit more itchy than usual until those fleas are killed.

How long do flea treatment side effects last?

Living and Management. 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.

How long does flea medicine take to dry on cats?

You can usually cuddle and pet your cat immediately after receiving an oral flea prevention medication. Topical products can take a few hours to soak into the skin layer. Avoid petting your cat for 24-48 hours in the spot where you applied a topical medication.

How do you know 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 does flea medicine toxicity last in cats?

two to three daysThe symptoms typically last two to three days. The most common symptoms of flea and tick medicine poisoning in cats include: Tremors/muscle twitching/trembling. Ear twitching.

What happens if a cat licks Advantage flea treatment?

The product is bitter tasting and salivation may occur for a short time if the cat licks the product immediately after treatment. Treatment at the base of the skull will minimize the opportunity for the cat to lick the product. Do not allow the product to run off. 6.

What happens if my cat licks frontline?

Drooly Kitty Luckily, the main active ingredient in Frontline is fipronil, which is not lethal if ingested. The medication's taste usually causes the most notable reaction, as the cat's mouth waters to get rid of the foul flavor. She'll drool excessively, like foaming-at-the-mouth type of waterfall drool.

Cat still scratching after Flee treatment and bath | TheCatSite

Hey, My name is Angel. My cat Roxie has been scratching under her neck like crazy. Its so bad she has scabs comming up from it. After bathing her with regular flee shampoo I thought maybe it was time to get some really good meds for her since reg. flee shampoo from Wal-Mart didnt work.

More scratching after flea treatment? | TheCatSite

Has anyone experienced this before? I adopted a recently spayed 6 mo. kitten. Kept her in bathroom a week as she had URI and we have another cat. She never scratched herself, but I noticed flea "dirt" on her white bed, so started flea-combing with mild Dawn solution ASAP. Got about 6 fleas over...

Itch Blog | itch. | Why is My Pet Still Scratching After Flea Treatment ...

** Requires active Itch subscription, post-introductory offer periods. T&Cs apply. Itch Petcare Limited is an introducer appointed representative of Pinnacle Insurance plc who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866).

Kitten had flea treatment 2 days ago and still itching, black specks in ...

The flea treatment takes some time to work. You can not retreat right away as you can overdose him on it. Follow the instructions on the package but most have 30 days between treatments. I...

What is the best flea and tick treatment for pets?

Flea prevention products usually have pyrethrin and pyrethroid. These are typically the insecticides used against flea and tick infestations in pets. Pyrethrin is derived from Chrysanthemum cinerariafolium plant. While they appear to be all-natural, they have a potent mixture of six chemicals that are toxic to insects.

How do you know if you have a tick or flea?

Other symptoms you may notice include difficulty in breathing, small pupils, weakness or falling over and drooling. Be extra careful about flea and tick treatment with organophosphate as their toxicity can be rapidly deadly, depending on the components and the dose the feline is exposed to.

How long does it take for a cat to get flea and tick poisoning?

Symptoms and Types of Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats. Signs of flea and tick solution poisoning in cats may manifest from 1 to 12 hours after application. They may also vary in the type of medicine. Cats, as have previously mentioned are particularly sensitive to pyrethroids.

How does pyrethroid work?

This pest-controlling compound work by actively targeting the nervous systems of insects. Pyrethroid, on the other hand, is similar to pyrethrin. Derived from the same plant but are synthetic, making them longer-lasting. Other types of flea products contain organophosphates.

How does flea insecticide work?

Other types of flea products contain organophosphates. This insecticide works by damaging enzymes in the body that are critical for controlling nerve signals. ( 1) These products are tested safe and effective when properly used. They also room for the risk of toxicity and other undesirable health consequences if misused.

What to do if your cat has flea poisoning?

And, while waiting for an appointment, most recommend that you immediately wash your fur baby with warm water and a mild detergent, like Dawn® dishwashing liquid. Please make sure you pat them dry and keep them warm.

Why does my cat have hypersalivation?

Once the cat gets stable, hypersalivation may recur for several days. This is because the cat uses their mouth and paws to clean their entire bodies. Residue from flea treatment may cause them this, but nothing to worry about.

Why does my cat have anemia?

Many things can cause a cat to suffer from anemia. One of them is a severe flea infestation. Fleas can drink lots of blood, which can deprive a cat’s vital organs of much-needed oxygen — the blood, the red blood cells (RBCs), in particular, are the carriers of oxygen.

Why do cats run around after flea treatment?

When cats sense the overly active fleas on their bodies, they may run around, scratch, rub themselves against surfaces, vocalize, and pant. Worry not because your cat’s strange behavior after getting flea treatment will go away on its own, usually when all the fleas on it are already dead and no longer moving around.

Why do cats pick up fleas?

Because cats are very curious animals, they can pick up fleas rather easily. As a matter of fact, up to 18% to 19% of cats have fleas. The good news is that a flea infestation is highly treatable. However, once upon a time, you may have noticed a cat acting weird after flea treatment. There are five most common reasons why ...

How long does an anti-flea collar last?

What’s so nice about an anti-flea collar is that it can provide results for five to eight long months. On the other hand, a spot-on flea treatment’s effect can last for only about one month. But for an anti-flea collar to keep your cat free of fleas for months, it should be worn by your pet all the time.

What to do if my cat is fleaing?

Two of the most popular include applying a spot-on flea treatment and using an anti-flea collar. Some cat owners prefer taking a trip to the vet. Regardless of which flea treatment you prefer, it’s possible for your cat to act weird afterward.

Why does my cat scratch so much?

Sometimes, a cat may experience severe itchiness and scratch violently because of flea allergy dermatitis. As the name suggests, it’s a form of dermatitis resulting from flea bites, and it can cause skin infections, scabbing, and hair loss.

Why does my cat react weirdly after flea treatment?

In some instances, a cat may act weird after flea treatment as a result of stress and anxiety.

Why does my cat act weird after flea treatment?

Other reasons your cat acts 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.

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.

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

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.

How does anti-flea poisoning occur in cats?

How does anti-flea treatment poisoning occur in cats. 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.

How do fleas pass on to cats?

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.

How long does a cat's hair stay in a pipette?

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. The hair is parted at the back of the cats neck and the contents are squeezed out. The area is then gently massaged into this part of the cat.

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 do you know if you have flea toxicity?

Key symptoms of toxicity are hypersalivation, trembling, twitching, and seizures. Sometimes these can happen shortly after application of the flea treatment, but the symptoms can also take some time to manifest as the level of toxins ingested build up.

Is it safe to give a cat flea treatment?

Whatever the cat is suffering from, it may well be something entirely unrelated to the flea treatment and coincidental, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Concerns over flea treatments are valid worries and the recommended course of action is to consult a vet before you buy and apply one.

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.

Is flea spray toxic to cats?

Because they are so hard to kill the chemicals used are very toxic. Supposedly only toxic to the fleas, but that isn’t always the case. Flea treatments come in all sorts of preparations, such as sprays, dips, shampoos, powders and collars. Used correctly, they shouldn’t cause any harm to your cat. If your cat reacts in a weird way, you need ...

Why does my cat bite my outside cat?

Your cat might have some other skin condition that is causing irritation, such as a heat rash or an allergic reaction. Your indoor cat should also be treated for fleas, which can cling to your outdoor cat’s coat, drop off before they bite and hop onto the untreated cat.

How often should I reapply cheristin for fleas?

When the flea bites the cat, it dies. The medication is reapplied every 30 days, so there is a chance that by the end of the month, it has lost some of its potency. You should schedule a trip to the veterinarian to check.

Can cats scratch themselves?

Outdoor cats are more prone to have fle as, but indoor and outdoor cats can scratch themselves silly if they develop rashes and irritations from a variety of causes. DEAR JOAN: I’ve been using Cheristin for my indoor/outdoor cat, but he’s still scratching, and I think he’s brought in fleas to my elderly indoor cat.

Why does my cat bite my outside cat?

Your cat might have some other skin condition that is causing irritation, such as a heat rash or an allergic reaction. Your indoor cat should also be treated for fleas, which can cling to your outdoor cat’s coat, drop off before they bite and hop onto the untreated cat.

How often should I reapply cheristin for fleas?

When the flea bites the cat, it dies. The medication is reapplied every 30 days, so there is a chance that by the end of the month, it has lost some of its potency. You should schedule a trip to the veterinarian to check.

Can cats scratch themselves?

Outdoor cats are more prone to have fle as, but indoor and outdoor cats can scratch themselves silly if they develop rashes and irritations from a variety of causes. DEAR JOAN: I’ve been using Cheristin for my indoor/outdoor cat, but he’s still scratching, and I think he’s brought in fleas to my elderly indoor cat.

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...
See more on tuxedo-cat.co.uk

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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