Injectable flea preventatives are usually only administered by veterinarians so taking your cat to the vet is all that is required of you for that option. If your cat shows symptoms that you suspect are related to flea medication, you should call your vet for advice. Even if no treatment is needed, your vet will usually ask you further information. The vet will use this to report the adverse effect to the drug manufacturer. Individual pets may react differently, or the side effects may be more debilitating on top of other illnesses your pet may have. If you treat only your cat because you notice a rash on them, the fleas will simply look for someone else to feed on in your home. As a rule, any pet with fur needs to be treated for fleas to eliminate them from the house. How Long Does It Take to Clear a Flea Infestation?

Until recently, flea collars were not recommended for cats. They simply didn’t work—plus, cats seemed to hate wearing them. That all changed with the release of the Seresto collar, made by Bayer. If you’re thinking your cat can’t have fleas because they don’t go outside, you’ll be surprised to know that even indoor-only cats can get fleas. In fact, it often seems that you see just as many flea cases in indoor cats that are not on flea medication as you do on outdoor cats. Rust MK, Waggoner MM, Hinkle NC, Stansfield D, Barnett S. Efficacy and longevity of nitenpyram against adult cat fleas(Siphonaptera: pulicidae). J Med Entomol. 2003;40(5):678-681. doi:10.1603/0022-2585-40.5.678 Generally speaking, cats that stay inside are at a lower risk of getting fleas than cats that are permitted to go outside.

Nitenpyram (tablet) – hyperactivity, panting, excessive grooming, yowling, and itchiness lasting less than an hour (less than 1 in 10,000 animals treated), muscle tremors, wobbliness, and seizures (less than 1 in 10,000 animals treated). The active ingredient in CAPSTAR—nitenpyram—has been extensively studied and found to be both safe and effective (in most cases, even more effective than CAPSTAR's 90 percent claim). Side effects are rare, but you should monitor your cat for 24 hours after dosing, watching out for symptoms like hyperactivity, panting, lethargy, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, salivation, seizures, and pupil dilation.

Sarolaner - Only used in combination with other ingredients when treating cats (do not buy a sarolaner dog flea treatment for your cat). Also treats ear mites. While you may be thinking that this isn’t a flea shampoo, the truth is that shampoos designed to kill fleas can be very dangerous to cats. Even shampoos labeled as “all-natural” often contain oils that can be toxic or harmful to cats and the traditional flea shampoos contain pyrethrins which can be extremely dangerous. Dawn Ultra dish detergent is safe for animals, as many people may already know from advertisements that show wildlife being bathed with the soap. It's effective in killing fleas, and also in getting your cat clean. As a bonus, many homes already have a bottle of it under the kitchen sink. Even if you have hardwood floors, running the vacuum cleaner twice a week will help get rid of some of the flea eggs and larva. Likewise, throwing pet laundry through the washer and dryer a few times a week will also remove and kill some of these “fleas in waiting.” How Long Must You Treat Your Cat for Fleas? Perhaps the biggest concern with oral flea treatments is that once you have given the medication, it is in your pet’s system until it wears off. If a cat has a reaction to the product, there is no real way to eliminate the medication from the system (unlike collars that can be removed and topicals that can be washed off).Credille, Kelly M. et al. Evaluation Of Hair Loss In Cats Occurring After Treatment With A Topical Flea Control Product. Veterinary Dermatology, vol 24, no. 6, pp. 602-e146, 2013, Wiley. doi:10.1111/vde.12075 Firstly, use a prescription product advised by your veterinarian. They’ll be able to weigh your cat and discuss their individual risks based on their age and other health conditions. They may even say that flea treatment is not needed year-round in your area. The more eggs and larvae you can clear out of the house, the fewer adults that will hatch and cause a problem for your cat. In many cases, the most effective route here is diligent vacuuming and laundering of any bedding that your pets lie on.

Cats are much more sensitive to medications than some other species (such as dogs), so you should not assume that if you can use it on your dog, you can use it on your cat. Many cats have died from this misconception. Lufenuron(injection or oral suspension) – itching, vomiting, and diarrhoea (less than 1 in 10,000 cats). Each product has its own pros and cons, so you should consult with a veterinarian who knows your cat’s medical history to find the best option for flea medication. Oral Flea Treatment Products Not all flea treatments work well with cats, especially because they are very sensitive to certain chemicals (including some often found in flea treatment shampoos). Using vetted, cat-specific treatments is key to maintaining you cat's health while getting rid of their flea problem. We evaluated products for reliability, safety, and ease of use.Untreated pets are at risk of flea infestations. For every adult flea you can see, there are many more eggs, larvae and pupae hidden away in your home, waiting to develop, breed and spread. Around 95% of any flea population exists in immature stages in your home - hidden away in your carpets, bedding and upholstery. So, if you discover fleas on your pet, you may need to treat your home too. It works within 24 hours, and the fleas do not even need to bite your cat to be killed. Topical Products Some ingredients are simply not safe to use as flea treatments in cats. Products specifically designed for dogs are sometimes dangerous to use in cats but even some products labeled or marketed for cats can be harmful.

Flea treatments for cats may come as shampoos, dips, sprays, bombs, powders, spot-ons, orals, collars, combs, and even injections. Some delivery methods are only appropriate for killing live fleas while others will help prevent a flea from being able to reproduce. Some flea treatments, like bombs, aren’t meant to be put on your cat at all, and are actually instead designed to be used in the environment where your cat lives. CAPSTAR tablets start killing fleas in 30 minutes and achieve greater than 90 percent effectiveness within six hours. In addition to its fast-acting effectiveness, one of the big advantages to CAPSTAR Fast-Acting Oral Fela Treatment for Cats is that its dosing doesn't change depending on your cat's size, as is the case with a lot of topical treatments. Instead, CAPSTAR will work for any cat or kitten more than two pounds and over four weeks old. Some people prefer oral products for cats because there is no residual medication left on your cat’s coat. Avoid using pyrethroids in cats as they can be toxic. These are more commonly found in some dog flea treatment products, but are still occasionally seen in cat products. Pyrethrins and permethrin products can also be dangerous to use in cats, but each cat has a different level of sensitivity. One cat may have a seizure from one drop of a pyrethrin or permethrin product while another may have no problem at all. Delivery Method Flea treatments for fleas are not a “one-and-done” experience. Not only do you have to use flea medication year-round, but you need to treat the entire household.Fortunately, treatments for fleas in cats have improved significantly, and there are a lot of options available. Use Only Flea Treatments That Are Made for Cats