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Picture this : You ’re on your couch , quick to catch up on your favorite TV show , and your bozo hops up on your lap for cuddle . sound like a nice evening , right ? That is until your kitty suddenly turns her head and begins madly itching , clobber or biting herself . Your heart sinks . Could she havefleas ?
The truth is , fleas are fabulously vernacular , particularly the type know as the “ cat flea ” ( akaCtenocephalides genus Felis ) . Cat fleas love to survive on khat ( and dogs ) and they can affect both indoor and out-of-door kitty . All a flea has to do to get inside your home is hitch a ride on another ducky or your pant peg — and they can reproduce fairly quickly , leading to an infestation . Since fleas are good at hiding in your jackpot ’s fur , you might not detect until it becomes a bigger trouble , such as if your cat has an hypersensitive chemical reaction that causes intense itchiness , redness , pelt personnel casualty , or crusts . cat can also gettapewormfrom accidentally take in an septic flea while curry , and kittens or older cats with serious infestations may be at hazard of flea - induced anaemia .
If you point out flea orflea eggson your cat , black specks in their fur ( known as “ flea dirt ” ) , or get bite yourself , try not to panic . While veterinary - order oral or topical flea treatment are the safest and most effective alternative , there are over - the - return remedies that can also be beneficial .
What Are Cat Flea Collars?
Cat flea collars are collars that are made of material like plastic or silicone polymer that release a chemical substance or essential oil over time that repels or kills flea .
“ They are different from other flea treatments because they are a passive variant of discussion , ” explain Amy Davis , veterinary . “ They can also be used in coincidence with other forms of flea treatment for an increased level of protection . ”
Flea taking into custody can be appropriate for most cats — with some brands even being appropriate for kittens over 12 weeks sure-enough or senior cats . translate the label to verify the dog collar you get is appropriate for your cat ’s years . You might also want to contain with your vet before choosing a collar , especially if your cat has a specific health circumstance .
How Do Cat Flea Collars Work?
Though it calculate on the type of cat flea collar you get and the element it contains , cat flea collars generally make for in one of three ways :
Some cat flea collar will work in a combination of ways against multiple life stage of fleas , wipe out eggs and grownup fleas to give your kitty more thorough protection . However , some flea collars only affect flea a myopic space from the arrest .
to boot , there can be health risks associated with flea collars . Some flea collar contain chemicals , such as organophosphate , that can result in serious signs of toxicity in African tea . Others may contain essential oil that can cause reactions in some khat . Therefore , it ’s of import to do your research .
TheSerestoflea collar for cat is most commonly recommend by veterinarians , due to its efficacy and low risk of harmful side personal effects . A 2021 fact-finding report raised somesafety concernsabout Seresto collars , but they are broadly involve as the safest over - the - return flea collar alternative . The formula is good against flea , flea larvae , and tick — and it lasts up to eight months . It start to repel and kill fleas within 24 hours and tick within 48 hr of initial program .
Are Flea Collars Safe for Cats?
Flea neckband should be used with caution in cats . While the danger associated with a Seresto collar is relatively low , other over - the - counter felid flea collars contain essential oil color or organophosphates that can be toxic in cats . In general , your best option for safe and efficacious flea control come from veterinarian - prescribedflea preventatives for cat .
If you elect to use an over - the - buffet flea collar , take and follow the centering on the label carefully . Do not use a dog flea neckband on your cat , for exercise , as canine tooth flea collars often contain pesticides that are toxic to cat . You ’ll also desire to verify that you do n’t put the neckband on too loosely or too tightly , and that it has a breakaway feature to foreclose inadvertent strangulation .
If your cat run to masticate on thing , you ’ll also want to be careful . “ Some collars take pesticides that can be harmful to cats if they lick or bite their pelt after it ’s been put on , ” explains Davis . “ These collars can [ also ] be harmful to CT if they manducate on them , so it ’s crucial to check that your cat does n’t chew on the collar . ”
Some cat also have sore skin or are allergic to certain ingredients . If your cat has sensitivities or starts developing a rash after don the taking into custody , discontinue using it .
Tetrachlorvinphos is an example of an organophosphate witness in certain cat flea collar that may cause house of perniciousness in some cats , as well as in immature children who touch the collar . Signs of toxicity to watch for include vomiting , diarrhea , muscular tissue tremors , and paralysis . If you notice any of these signs , remove the collar and contact your veterinary immediately .
Shopping for a Cat Flea Collar:What to Look For
When you ’re shopping for a cat flea collar , there are a few things to consider .
Active constituent : First , take a aspect at the active chemicals . taking into custody that contain pesticide are generally highly effective at killing fleas and working against active infestations . However , as noted earlier , they are associated with risks of toxicity . Other neckband are made with essential oils , which ferment by repelling the flea . However , crucial oils can also be very get at to cats , so train with your veterinary surgeon .
Durability : Second , ensure the collar is durable and will last a while . This will aid you get the most use out of the collar for the money you spend on it .
safe : Third , ensure the leash has safety feature of speech for your pussycat , like a breaking away feature of speech to prevent inadvertent strangulation .
Using Cat Flea Collars:Tips and Advice
check that that your cat is wearing their flea collar properly . “ collar should be worn high up on their neck , behind the ears , so that they come up into contact with as much skin as potential , ” says Davis . You ’ll also want to ensure that the collar fit correctly . If you ca n’t fit two fingers under the collar , it ’s on too tightly , but if the collar can easy slip off your hombre ’s top dog , it ’s too loose .
To make the collar more efficient , your cat should wear it for at least eight hour a 24-hour interval . Even though some collars are water - resistant , you might require to remove the collar while bathe your cat .
Finally , supervise your kat closely when using any young over - the - counter flea treatment . While serious toxicities are relatively uncommon , they can certainly occur . The rather you discover signs of toxicity , the earlier your cat can get veterinary treatment .
