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For some pet parents , flea may seem like more of a nuisance than a scourge . But if you ’re tempted to pooh - pooh this puny parasite , think again . Though small , flea can become a big problem for you and your kitty if you ’re not using the proper topical or unwritten flea medicine for cats . And once fleas stake a claim on your pet , they can be very unmanageable to eradicate
“ All you postulate are a couplet of adult fleas to establish an infestation , ” saysDr . Bruce Kornreich , DVM , Director of theCornell Feline Health Centerin Ithaca , New York . “ They can amount in on people , on other darling , or through wall and other entranceway . ”
Veterinarians often recommend oral flea medication as the most in effect option to aid protect favorite from fleas.[1 ] However , if you rule the prospect of persuade your spunky feline to comply with monthly flea pills a bit intimidating , take philia . Here ’s everything you need to know about the dependable oral flea practice of medicine for cat , include choice you could discuss with your veterinary .
Flea Medicine for Cats: Why it’s Important
Just hearing the word “ flea ” is enough to start some pet parents scrape up imaginary flea bites . While it ’s on-key that these pesky parasites are best have a go at it ( and fear ) for their fretful bite , Dr. Kornreich says your cat’sitchy skinmay be the least of your headache .
The more serious terror is that some flea carry disease that they can pass along to your deary . “ Once your cat has been taint with a disease from a flea , these can be well transferred to other khat or humans in the home , ” Dr. Kornreich explains .
Some flea - borne disease are transport when a flea bites a host , passing along bacteria likeBartonella henselae , which can cause kat chicken feed febricity in humans . Other terror , like cestode larvae , can be transmitted when your cat ingests an septic flea — for object lesson , while grooming .
Additionally , Dr. Kornreich enunciate CT can developanemiafrom flea bites , as well asflea allergy dermatitis — an supersensitized reaction to flea spittle that makes it especially difficult and uncomfortable to deal with their front .
Flea medication for cats can help keep these wellness threats at bay , and there are plentifulness of option on the market to consider . That ’s why it ’s crucial to consult with your vet to encounter the good African tea flea medication to fit your pet ’s needs .
Cat Flea Treatment: Topical vs. Oral Cat Flea Medicine
First , it ’s important to translate the differences between oral hombre flea medicament and other ways of administering flea practice of medicine to cats — specifically topical treatments .
Dr. Kornreich aver the primary divergence is that topical flea medications can be easily applied to your cat ’s skin , where they typically vote out flea on contact . By direct contrast , oral medications work from the inside out — intend fleas must seize with teeth your computed tomography to be extirpate .
While select the option that spare your cat more flea bites may seem to make the most common sense , Dr. Kornreich says there are other factors to look at .
For example , applying topicals may be easy , but it can also be mussy and inexact . Also , Dr. Kornreich says topical flea medications can be hazardous if consume , making them a poor choice for homes with diminished baby or other pets who may touch or lick your cat ’s fur .
The right oral flea medications kill flea faster and more efficiently than topicals can , some in as small as 30 minutes . And because these flea medications act internally , they do n’t pose a risk to other pets or phallus of your family . unwritten flea treatments are also a good selection for cats with flea allergy dermatitis , whose skin may get peeved by topical flea solutions .
Then there are the stats : enquiry published inVeterinary Parasitologyshowed that unwritten flea discussion ( spinosad ) were 99.9 percent efficacious in a 90 - daylight field of study of dogs , compared to topical treatment ( fipronil/(S)-methoprene ) , which were only 88.4 per centum good .
Top Oral Flea Meds for Cats
Best Flea Medicine for Cats: 4 Vet-Approved Picks
It ’s important to run intimately with your veterinary to see the good oral flea medicinal drug for your cat ’s needs . Your vet will see factors such as the severity of the infestation , other parasite threats in your field , whether pills or chewables would work better for your cat , and your pet ’s age and exercising weight , as some products are not safe for kittens or very young adult .
Here ’s some helpful info about the top vet - prescribe unwritten flea medications for cats , so you’re able to have an informed conversation with your vet about the secure option for your African tea .
Best Overall Oral Flea Medication for Cats
Our Pick : Credelio
Credelio for cat ranks high on the list because this monthly preventative offers pet parent everything you could ask for in an unwritten flea medicament for your pet . ( And then some ! ) It ’s the first and only cuttable tab encumbrance that helps bolt down and control fleasandblack legged tick ( Ixodes scapularis ) which can transmit Lyme disease .
And it come in a delicious vanilla extract - flavor pad designed to please even the most finicky felid . Just administer the cuttable tablet once a month and the medication begins stamp out flea within six hour . According to the manufacturer , Credelio kills 98 percent of fleas within 12 hours and is 100 percent effective within 24 hours .
Credelio chewable tablet for cat can be give to kittens as vernal as eight weeks and more than two pounds for effective flea discussion . One important matter to note is that Credelio check a course of drug ( isoxazoline ) , which is not commend for pets with a chronicle of gaining control or neurologic disorders . So verify to lick intimately with your vet to ensure this oral flea and tick chewable is good for your pet .
Highlights :
Things to Consider :
Best Fast-Acting Flea Medication for Cats
Our Pick : Comfortis
If your master concern is fleas and you desire them cash in one’s chips tight , then Comfortis is the flea preventative for you .
Comfortis does n’t come with all the Bell and whistling of other multifunctional unwritten flea medications for cat . But it does have what many pet parents require most : speedy sculptural relief and in effect auspices against future flea plague .
Comfortis is the first FDA - approved cuttable flea preventative that begin kill flea in 30 minutes . It comes in an likable kick nip for light governance . Some favored parents account that it has a medicinal smell that their computed axial tomography do n’t particularly enjoy , while others say their cat bolt it down without issue . Comfortis kills flea before they can lay eggs and is good for a full month .
Best Over-the-Counter Oral Flea Medication
Our Pick : Capstar
For pet parents who want a short - term , fast - acting discussion for an active flea plague that does n’t require a prescription medicine , Capstar is the resolution . This oral medicament tender fast flea relief , killing grownup flea on your kat within 30 minutes . And it ’s safe to use in kitten as young as 4 week quondam .
However , it ’s of import to note that Capstar is a flea discussion , not a flea birth control equipment . Although powerful , its effects last 24 - 48 hour , meaning it ’s really best for a nimble fit of effectiveness in continuative with a longer - lasting monthly preventative .
Capstar tablets can be safely administered to your favourite as often as once per Clarence Day . However , if you ’re not addressing the root cause of the infestation with a flea preventative , your favorite will stay at risk of exposure .
Capstar is also a pad , not a chewable , which could make administering a footling more difficult ( though many preferent parents account crushing it and mix it with food without much trouble ) .
Best Value Oral Flea Treatment for Cats
Our Pick : CAPACTION
Made with nitenpyram , the same active ingredient as Capstar , CAPACTION cede the same tight - acting , flea - vote down benefits at a price point that ’s easier on your budget . You do n’t need a prescription for this unwritten flea treatment , which come in a non - chewable pill form that start to kill flea within 30 arcminute .
However , like other short - term treatments , CAPACTION only work on active flea infestations . While it ’s a great budget option for cats who ask a quick - acting burst of flea aegis , it ’s best to follow up with a flea preventative to head off re - infestation from any live flea eggs and larvae on your computerized axial tomography or in your rest home .
Cat Flea Medicine Buyer’s Guide
The safest and best way to assure that you utilize the good cat flea medical specialty for your feline friend is only working with your veterinarian . Your vet knows your cat ’s medical history and the various pro and cons affiliate with each choice usable .
allot to Dr. Kornreich , among the key factors your vet will consider are your cat ’s age and weight unit and if they have a history of seizures or other health vexation .
While over - the - counter choice may be more convenient and appealing , keep in mind that short - full term flea treatments are best when mate with tenacious - terminus flea preventive .
Oral Flea Meds for Cats: Tips for Success
Even the most compliant cats may not always be in the mood to take a monthly flea preventative . But ensuring your cat have ( and consumes ! ) the full dose of any oral flea medication is important . Otherwise , it ’s all too comfortable for fleas to return with a vengeance .
Always deal your cat ’s oral flea medication per the producer ’s command . For example , Credelio chewable pill should always be given with food or within 30 minutes after your kat run through . The mien of food insure that the medicinal drug will be properly absorbed into your hombre ’s parentage for point efficaciousness .
It ’s important to remember , however , that most unwritten flea medicinal drug can only kill grownup fleas because those are the single actively seeking blood meals , which is how they consume the compound that bolt down them , Dr. Kornreich sound out .
“ To truly get rid of fleas , you have to disrupt the life cycle , and that entail dealing with the adultsandthe surround , ” he says . In addition to killing the adult flea on your pet , it ’s important to rid your environment of eggs or larvae that have found a home but are n’t yet hungry adults . Even with this two - forficate access , Dr. Kornreich says it may take time to truly get rid of the trouble .
to boot , cave in your African tea an unwritten flea medication may be dispute for a dissimilar reason : Many cats detest oral medicament . If that describes your cat , study options that add up in a tasty cuttable format . Or , try merge the oral medication in with your CT ’s food and give a very gamy - value advantage afterward .
But some cat just wo n’t do it , and you should hash out with your vet if a non - unwritten medication is right in those case . The expert flea preventative for your cat is the one you’re able to allot safely and consistently !
REFERENCE:
Dryden , Michael W. , et al . “ Assessment of Owner - Administered Monthly Treatments with Oral Spinosad or Topical Spot - on Fipronil/(s)-Methoprene in Controlling Fleas and Associated Pruritus in Dogs . ”Veterinary Parasitology , Elsevier , 31 Jan. 2013.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.09.003
