Treatment FAQ

why isn t flea treatment working on my cat

by Stefan Reichel Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Treatments most commonly fail for one or a combination of five reasons:

  • Using the wrong product
  • Failing to apply the product correctly
  • Using the wrong treatment interval
  • Failing to treat all the pets in the household at the same time
  • Fleas are still hiding in the household

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

Full Answer

Can you use too much flea treatment on your cat?

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. Using flea treatment products too late. The most common reason why a flea treatment appears not to work is because pet owners fail to realize the enormity of the situation.

Why is the cat still scratching after flea treatment?

Dec 16, 2017 · 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. There are more tips here: Homemade Flea Remedies For Cats

How to get rid of fleas on your cat?

Incorrect Application of Flea Treatment Incorrectly applying topical flea prevention is the most common cause for its failure to work. 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.

How often should I apply flea treatment on my Cat?

Jun 13, 2017 · By far the most reactions to flea medication occur when cats are exposed to certain flea medications that are meant for dogs, which might happen because a pet owner mistakenly buys the wrong product. Pucheu-Haston says she has also seen it in cases where cats rub against or lick off a topical medication that is on the skin or hair of a dog in the …

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

It's time to go and see your vet. Don't be embarrassed – your local veterinarian deals with fleas all the time and it is no reflection on your home or ability to care for your pet. Your vet will be able to work out what's gone wrong and help you to get rid of the fleas.Jan 13, 2022

Why does my cat keep getting fleas even 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.

How do I get rid of fleas on my cat if frontline doesn't work?

Speak to your veterinarian about this first if your flea medicine is not working. One Frontline alternative is to switch to another topical product. Another alternative is to supplement the topical product with another product that works internally, such as Capstar.

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

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.Jan 24, 2022

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.

How do fleas get into a dog's cocoon?

There are three important things to note here: 1 Fleas go through four life stages 2 Only a very small proportion of the infestation is the adult fleas on your pet 3 None of the flea-killing products can get through the cocoon and kill the pupa

How long should I bathe my dog after flea shampoo?

So, if you’ve just washed your pet and stripped the natural oils, they’ll be less effective. Check the packaging for specific recommendations, but most say you cannot apply within 48 hours of a bath, and you shouldn’t bathe your dog for at least 48 hours after application, either.

Can fleas feed on rabbits?

There’s no point in treating your dogs if the adult fleas can feed on your rabbit, or on the neighbour’s cat that sleeps on your sofa sometimes! The minute you forget a day of your dog’s treatment, or use a sub-standard product, they’ll catch fleas again. Make sure you treat all the animals in the house so the adult fleas have nowhere safe to go! If you have a visiting cat, please check with their owner before applying flea treatment, to avoid double-dosing.

Why isn't flea treatment working?

The most common reason why a flea treatment appears not to work is because pet owners fail to realize the enormity of the situation. 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.

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.

Can you use flea treatment all year round?

Using flea treatment products irregularly. Since it is possible for pets to get fleas during winter, you need to use flea treatment products all-year-round and not just in summer, at the height of flea season. Flea treatment products such as Bravecto, Revolution, or Frontline Plus will effectively get rid of all the fleas, eggs, ...

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 does my dog have a flea reaction?

By far the most reactions to flea medication occur when cats are exposed to certain flea medications that are meant for dogs, which might happen because a pet owner mistakenly buys the wrong product.

Is hair loss a problem for cats?

Milosevic adds that hair loss is particularly common in cats. Like redness of the skin, hair loss is not considered an emergency, but you and your vet should find a new medication for your afflicted pet. While this might suggest a topical problem, the tail base is, in fact, a hot spot for flea allergies.

Can a pet's skin affect the results of a topical?

Your pet’s skin could easily be affecting the medication results. As mentioned above, if the product does not reach your pet’s sebaceous glands, it will not work effectively. This is common in pets that have extremely dry skin or thick fur. When in doubt, a simple trip to the groomer will provide a world of difference. Similar to humans, it is important for your pet’s skin be exfoliated so extraneous dead skin cells are removed and the topical treatment can work properly.

Can flea collars be used for ticks?

Flea collars are effective, hassle free and one of the only forms of prevention can be combined safely. To banish fleas and ticks once and for all, we recommend treating your house and yard with preventative products to ensure an insect-free lifestyle.

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