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If the thought of fleas hop between you and your pet makes your tegument itch , you ’re not alone . That , paired with the fact that fleas can convey serious disease to youandyour dearie , is why veterinarian recommend everyday flea bar for quat .
“ Fleas are small louse that last by feeding on animal or human blood , ” explainsDr . Kathryn Duncan , DVM , Ph.D. , DACVM , a parasitology field of operations specializer at Merck Animal Health . “ They ’re find in many geographical locations and environment — even indoors — and can bear upon cats of all ages and breeds . ”
To protect both pets and human beings from these nasty critter , we ’ve rounded up the most effectual alternative for preventing flea on CAT .
Flea Prevention for Cats: Why It’s Important
Once flea receive a stiff intellectual nourishment source , like your computerized tomography , they run to remain on that animal . However , theireggswill fall down off into the surroundings , becoming scattered throughout your home . These nut will eventually incubate and become larvae , and then they will grow into bite adults . Once fleas invade your home , it could take month to get rid of them .
“ Fleas cause irritation and skin allergic reaction , and can transmit other parasites such astapewormsto your cat , ” Dr. Duncan say . “ In kitten , fleas can causefatal anemiaif present in tumid numbers . ”
When not biting your cat — ordinarily around their neck opening , auricle , and tail — fleas happily junket on humans . Duncan warns that flea do n’t just cause fidgety welt ; they can unfold diseases to us , such as flea - borne typhus and cat scratch disease ( CSD ) .
for forbid the risky and unpleasant core of fleas , it ’s all important to insure that all of your pets receive veterinarian - recommended flea bar on a unconstipated basis .
How to Prevent Fleas on Cats: 5 Methods to Try
Fleas are a problem for many cats ; just ask Dr. Patrik Holmboe , DVM , who say handle and talk over computerized tomography flea bar is an everyday happening at hisAmsterdam - based clinic . But there ’s good newsworthiness : flea infestations are typically preventable — when your cat is routinely treated with preventive flea medicinal drug , he says .
While there are many ideas when it fare to flea prevention for cat , Dr. Duncan says she only trusts Federal Drug Administration ( FDA)- or Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA)-approved product to be effective and dependable .
In addition to give prescription medicine flea bar for khat , the following stair can also helpreducethe jeopardy of fleas entering your domicile :
boundary change of location . Anywhere other favorite have been , like a boarding facility , is at risk of exposure of harboring flea .
Keep a healthful home . rodent have their own fleas , but despite the name ( rat fleas ) , they ’ll happily hop onto you or your computerized tomography .
confine out-of-door exposure . Even if your cat does n’t jeopardize outdoors , flea from the environment can latch onto shoes or clothing from other flea - infested home .
Do n’t share pet supplies . This is especially true for any copse , favorite clothing , or carriers from friends or the parsimoniousness memory board . If bringing home any secondhand supplies , enchant them in a plastered plastic bag and like a shot wash away them once home .
terminal point photo to other pets . Since flea can jump from pet to ducky or humans — yes , dogs can give flea to humansand cats — invalidate pass sentence with any pets that are n’t treated with flea control medication .
Vacuuming your habitation and piece of furniture continuously for about three calendar week is a all-important pace ineradicating an established flea infestation . However , the veterinarians we speak to say abstruse cleansing , pesticides , and natural remedies will not stop fleas from hitching a drive on your pet . Treating your home base is improbable to be fruitful unless you take steps to forestall reinfestation .
Remember , these measures are not as good as the year - rung use of an effective flea bar product . To unfeignedly prevent fleas , you ’re croak to need to work with your veterinarian to develop a flea bar plan .
Flea Preventatives for Cats: Options to Consider
According to Drs . Holmboe and Duncan , preventative flea medication is the number one way to protect your qat , yourself , and your home from fleas .
“ We are lucky there are options for effective and dependable flea mastery in cats , and product passport alter based on individual preferences , ” Dr. Duncan says . When in doubt about the skilful flea bar for cats , consider these pick , then talk to your veterinary .
Topical Flea Treatment for Cats
FDA- and EPA - approved topical or dapple - on flea treatments for CAT are a safe and effectual style to prevent fleas — if applied correctly , our experts accent . “This involves placing the intersection on the animals ’ peel , not their fur , ” Dr. Holmboe says . “ Additionally , verify the animal does n’t lick it off or otherwise get the medicine washed off within 24 hours of program program . ” Some products are occupy through the skin and enter the bloodstream [ 1,2 ] , while many topical preventatives instead deal across your African tea ’s cutis and oil secretor .
A compelling fringe benefit of topical flea medications for kat is that they may protect your pet against other sponge , such asheartworms , hookworms , ear mites , andticks , in add-on to killing and preventing flea . Topical flea treatments for cats should be applied every one to three months , depending on the medication you choose . Read the merchandise recording label or ask your veterinarian if you have questions about the dosing frequency for your cat ’s flea prevention .
Oral Flea Treatment for Cats
unwritten medicament is Dr. Holmboe ’s go - to method of flea bar for cats , and it works very quickly . Medications with the active element nitenpyram , for example , start stamp out flea within 30 minutes of taking the pill [ 3 ] , however this product only stay in the bloodstream for a curt clip and does not offer any long - last prevention . In contrast , lotilaner ( Credelio ) begins killing fleas in as little as 8 hour [ 4 ] and prevents reinfestation for one full month .
While unwritten medication allows you to avoid the need for skin covering , you have toconvince your cat to swallow a pillor eat a chewable pad of paper . true cat may readily accept the medicinal drug if it has an appealing smell and look . For model , Credelio CATis a small , chewable tablet made with a vanilla and yeast scent and flavor to please even picky big cat . Like topical flea treatments , FDA - approved unwritten flea treatments for qat are considered safe and effectual . reckon on the product you pick out , it should be administer every one to three month , according to the instructions on the label .
Flea Collars for Cats
According to Dr. Holmboe , the benefit of Arabian tea flea collarsis that they are good for six or more months . However , he say they ’re not as effective as unwritten or speckle - on flea intervention for guy [ 5 ] and can become a safety hazard if snagged . Many true cat flea collars kill existing fleas and protect against flea and ticks .
Natural Flea Treatment for Cats and Other Product Considerations
Other African tea flea treatments include medicated flea shampoo , powder , and dip made specially for cats and kitten . These can be utilitarian for treating an initial flea infestation , but they wo n’t protect your cat from succeeding flea , Dr. Holmboe says . to boot , some products may be toxic for cats . Unlike other true cat flea treatments , there are some flea shampoo that may be safe for kittens . However , always consult your veterinarian before put anything in your kitten ’s fur on their hide .
As for natural flea remedies for cats , Dr. Holmboe tell they ’re just not effective . Rather than reaching forpotentially serious indispensable oilsor other born remedies , talk over the professional and yardbird of each medicated option carefully with your veterinarian . They can help you decide which flea preventative is best for your bozo .
Cat Flea Preventatives: Safety Tips
According to the FDA , there have been limited reports of topical flea products with the active factor isoxazoline associated with neurologic adverse reactions , include muscle tremors , ataxia , and seizure [ 6 ] . However , Dr. Duncan says , “ the benefits of flea bar outweigh the potential , and rare , side event . ”
To ensure the safest and most effective software of flea medication , our experts offer up a few tip :
Use the right dose and never cleave VD between pets . Because product made for hound can be toxic to cats , only apply or administer flea medicinal drug labeled for cats .
Do n’t expend buy the farm medications . “ It ’s best to throw aside expired products and purchase young as efficaciousness declines after expiration , ” Dr. Duncan says .
supervise your cat . “There are minor and rare side effects that may result from using flea and check mark preventives , such as low appetite , phlegm , or vomit , ” Dr. Duncan says . “ Pet owners should supervise their dearie ’s behaviors within the first few days of treatment and seek care from a vet if side effects occur . ”
What to Do if You Find a Flea on Your Cat
Look for signs of redness , crusting , or scabs on your cat-o'-nine-tails ’s skin if they ’re scratching more than usual . When visit your cat ’s skin , you may spot live fleas moving around in their pelt and little black loony toons , which are flea shit or flea waste material . Flea combscan also be used at home to routinely gibe your cat for fleas .
If you mistrust your cat has fleas — or any other peel term — call your veterinary for care . They ’ll likely recommend or prescribe medication to kill fleas and keep their return .
