7 Best Flea Treatment Products For Your Cat (2019)

These oral tablets are concentrated with potent drugs that flow into the bloodstream and start killing fleas in just half an hour. Unfortunately, these tablets cannot kill larvae or eggs, only biting adults and their effect last for no more than 24-48 hours. Hence, these tablets should be used in conjunction with other long-term cat flea treatment that also targets eggs and larvae.

These are similar to topical solutions, only this type of treatment is taken by the cat through the mouth. They are also extremely effective and target fleas through the cat’s bloodstream. However, your pet may dislike taking oral drops.

Although many cats dislike taking baths, this should be a part of their regular grooming, the best flea shampoos for cats does not just kill pesty adults, but eliminate their larvae and eggs as well. They also offer some limited repelling properties and make your cat’s fur is left smooth and glossy.

Many cat owners supplement flea shampoos with flea collars. These are highly effective and periodically releases active ingredients that get absorbed into the cat’s boy, killing the fleas. Some of the best flea collars for cats may contain IGR that also kills larvae and eggs. However, since flea collars are worn around the neck, the fleas may escape to further regions of the body like the rump or tail.

The great thing about sprays is that they not only kill fleas in various stages of life on the cat’s body but are also effective in eliminating the pests around the house. They also serve as a repellant, and their effects may last several weeks.

Pyrethroids are generally safe for mammals, but not for cats. Although the product is safe to use in dogs treatment, in cats, in can cause muscle tremors, seizures, loss of balance, hyperthermia and, if left untreated, can result in death.

Pyrethrins are very common active ingredients in cat sprays, collars, and shampoos. However, they must never be ingested. Pyrethrins can cause tremors, drooling, breathing trouble and vomiting and eventually death. However, if used properly, they are quite safe.

Another thing to take into account is how effective the product is on every stage of the flea’s life cycle. There are some products that kill only biting flea adults, while others are IGR that only attack larvae and eggs. You can supplement these with other products; however, the best kind of cat flea treatments contain pesticides that do not just kill mature fleas but also targets their eggs and larvae.

The best cat flea treatment should provide long-lasting protection. There are some products that kill fleas on contact while others kill the pests when they feed on the cat’s blood. Then there are others that can’t kill fleas, but only repel them. Oral medications can only kill fleas but cannot repel them. People who want to rid their cats of fleas no matter which life stages they are in and give them long-lasting protection should buy those products.

All of these treatments can come with a few side effects. Some cat owners complain their cat suffered from hair loss or irritation after they applied topical solutions. Tablets or oral solutions can cause gastric issues in your feline. Sprays with a strong smell can irritate or cause an allergic reaction in your pets. Then there are ingredients like fipronil that can be toxic if ingested by your pet. Even natural products like peppermint can be very irritating to cats. Before thoroughly applying products for external us, do a patch test. For oral products, consult your vet.

Ease of application also matters to a cat owner. If your cat has very thick fur, sprays may not provide adequate protection as it may not adequately penetrate the coat. Topical solutions may also not get sufficiently absorbed by its skin and instead stick to the fur. Other cats dislike the idea of taking oral medication or baths, so tablets, oral drop, and shampoo treatment can be a bit challenging. Find out what application works best for your cat and then get the best product accordingly.

This depends on the type of flea infestation your cat has. If your cat needs quick relief than a fast-acting oral medication is a good option. Tablets like Capstar can start killing fleas in just 30 minutes and peak at 6 hours. However, their effect only lasts for 24 hours. However, products like Bayer cat collar can repel and kill ticks, mites and fleas and its protection can last for 8 months, so this is a good option for a long-term solution. The best type of treatment involves two or three different types of products working in conjunction with each other.

Pyrethroids, pyrethrins, and tetrachlorvinphos can all cause dizziness, nausea, tremors and other side effects, under some circumstances. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are safe for use on cats in small doses and if applied appropriately. However, you should avoid products that have tetrachlorvinphos.

Some cats need to be 12 years old to be treated with certain products. However, there are some options that are also safe for a kitten that are just seven weeks old. To be on the safe side, always consult your vet first.

For cats with sensitive skins, flea sprays, flea tablets, and flea collars are some good options. Anything topical applied directly on the skin of the cat can cause it irritation. Cat sprays are a good option because they are spread on the fur of the cat and are not concentrated on the skin. Cat collars may also be a suitable fit as they release their ingredients slowly, but you need to make sure the collar is loose enough to not chafe the cat’s neck.

Whenever you decide to apply any product to your cat, do a small test and wait a few hours to see if it has any adverse effects.

There are some products that come with essential oils like lemongrass, cedar and peppermint oils that are somewhat effective in repelling fleas. However, most of them are not good for killing pests. The aroma of the essential oils can also irritate your cat or even lead to toxicity.