Fleas are a source of many problems for pets and their caring owners. Itching, dermatitis, helminthiasis, anemia and infectious diseases - this is not a complete list of the negative consequences of flea infestation.
Today, veterinary pharmacies offer a wide selection of products to kill parasites and protect animals from re-infection. In order to make the right choice, you need to know how this or that product works and how to use it correctly.
Signs of a cat having fleas
Determining a flea infestation in a pet is not difficult. This can be done based on the characteristic symptoms:
- the cat begins to itch frequently, doing it suddenly and very actively;
- the coat becomes dull and thins in places;
- scratches and wounds are visible on the skin;
- by parting the fur, you can see flea eggs and larvae, similar to grains of salt, as well as dark crumbs - excrement;
- with severe infestation, the insects themselves can be seen on the skin.
Fleas
Changes in the pet's behavior also indicate a flea infestation. He becomes nervous, plays less, sleeps poorly, and does not show the same activity.
Types of funds
All antiparasitic agents are divided into two main groups:
- insecticides – causing the death of parasites;
- repellents – repelling insects.
Some manufacturers produce broad-spectrum drugs that contain substances from both groups. The products are available in different forms, which allows each owner to choose the most convenient and effective option for their pet.
Shampoos
Shampoos against cat fleas are one of the most gentle remedies, so they are often used for kittens, pregnant and weakened animals. Medicinal shampoos contain substances that kill insects, while preventive shampoos protect your pet from infection.
Such products are good for getting an immediate effect - getting rid of parasites, but they rarely give long-term results. Therefore, pet owners combine shampoo with other products, such as a collar or use drops.
Powders
Cat flea powders are not the most common remedy. This is primarily due to some difficulties in use - the product must be distributed over the pet’s entire body, rubbed into the skin, and after the time specified in the instructions, combed out thoroughly. However, powders also show good results in the fight against ectoparasites, and they are also convenient for treating a cat’s bed or house.
Collars
A collar impregnated with special substances repels insects from your pet. This is the simplest method of prevention, which is often used (especially in the warm season). Anti-flea collars are often used to prevent infection; to get rid of fleas, it is better to use drops or a spray.
Collar
The popularity of collars is explained not only by the simplicity and ease of use, but also by the duration of action. Some manufacturers' products protect the animal for several months.
Drops
Anti-flea drops for cats are perhaps the most common means for treating and protecting animals. The solution for external application contains from one to three active substances that accumulate in the upper layers of the skin or are absorbed into the blood and kill parasites, and in addition prevent re-infection.
Attention! Among existing flea medications for cats, drops are considered the most effective and convenient remedy.
Manufacturers produce the medicine in packaging of different volumes, so you can choose the appropriate dosage for any pet.
Sprays
Sprays are another popular product for treating and protecting cats from fleas and other insects. The product is easy to apply, it begins to act soon after application, and the effect lasts quite a long time. The disadvantages of aerosols include high toxicity.
Injections
In some cases, flea medications are administered to cats by injection. This is an effective, but quite aggressive method, which has an impressive list of contraindications.
Attention! Injections are used in cases of extensive infection or if other treatments have failed.
Pills
Tablets are another option for treating flea infestation. It also cannot be considered popular, primarily due to the large number of contraindications and side effects. In particular, flea tablets are dangerous for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats, and weakened pets. But if the animal cannot be treated for parasites with external means, then tablets are the most suitable option.
Folk remedies
There are many effective and safe folk remedies for fleas for cats. Most popular:
- herbal infusions (tansy, wormwood, geranium);
- tar soap;
- salty water;
- essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, mint).
Essential oils
Garlic tincture and vinegar help get rid of fleas, but these products have a strong, pungent odor, so you should not treat your animal with them. The same applies to lemon or orange essential oils.
On a note! Cats do not like the smell of citrus fruits, so it is better to choose other products to protect your pet from fleas.
How to rid a pregnant cat of fleas?
Most flea medications are contraindicated for pregnant cats. This is due to the fact that the active ingredients of many drugs are quite toxic, which means they can negatively affect the development of future offspring.
But this does not mean that pregnant cats do not need flea treatment. On the contrary, they need it in the first place. After all, parasites worsen the condition of the cat herself, and in addition, immediately after the birth of the babies, they are also at risk of infection. To avoid this, the pet is removed from fleas using gentle methods. You can find a drug that is approved during pregnancy (there are also such ones) or use safe folk remedies.
Flea drops on the withers
Flea drops have gained popularity due to their effectiveness and ease of use. If your cat walks by himself in the yard and then comes inside for dinner, flea drops are a must. Usually the product is sold in a pipette and is ready for use. The hair on the withers moves apart and the drug is distributed over the skin. Rub it along with your fingers
spine.
The amount of substance applied depends on the age of the pet. Some brands produce special drops for kittens and pregnant cats. Please check this at the time of purchase, as some drugs are strictly contraindicated. The cost of a pipette with drops varies from 150 rubles to one thousand. Cat owners are familiar with Stronghold and Hartz drops.
The domestic manufacturer presents Bars drops. They are cheaper and provide protection for up to two months. Leopard is contraindicated for pregnant cats, sick and convalescent pets, as well as kittens under 10 weeks of age. Advocate drops are also used to treat and treat flea infestations. The product helps in the treatment of flea dermatitis. The product is not indicated for kittens under 9 weeks of age, as well as for sick and weakened animals.
Stas:
We already have an adult cat. Periodically we drop drops on his withers. When I was a kitten, I bathed him with shampoos. Never had any problems with fleas or allergies.
Anastasia:
Foreign funds seem more reliable, but are more expensive. Our veterinarian recommended Hartz drops. We are satisfied and the price is reasonable.
Svetlana:
We never used anything against fleas until we moved into a private house. The cat spends all its time outside. One day I brought these parasites home and for the first time we thought about how they were removed in general. Bars drops were found at the nearest pharmacy. The seller said they were helping. We also bought a collar and saved the cat.
How to rid a kitten of harmful insects?
It is not recommended to treat kittens up to 1.5 - 2 months with pharmaceutical flea products, since they are too aggressive for a fragile organism. The following methods are suitable for treatment for the smallest kittens:
- combing;
- bathing in salt water or herbal infusion;
- washing with tar soap.
From 6 weeks you can use some shampoos, making sure they are age appropriate. As the kitten gets older, more and more products from the veterinary pharmacy range will be suitable.
How to use flea treatments correctly?
Each product has its own application features. The result depends on how correctly the flea treatment is carried out.
Basic Rules:
- use medications intended for a specific species and breed, suitable for age and weight;
- carefully observe the dosage and method of administration;
- When processing an animal, observe safety precautions;
- avoid getting the drug in the eyes, mouth, or mucous membranes;
- do not carry out processing more often than indicated in the instructions;
- be sure to take into account existing contraindications.
Application of drops
If you follow the recommendations, the treatment will be as effective as possible and will avoid side effects.
Flea sprays
The best way to instantly kill parasites is flea spray.
But you should carefully spray the aerosol so as not to harm your pet. Treatment with insecticides can lead to poisoning. Don't forget about your own safety measures. Thus, it is recommended to wear rubber gloves before spraying the drug. To prevent the cat from licking the product, use a special collar. To destroy parasites, 5 to 30 minutes are enough. The spray cannot be used for kittens under 3 months of age. Sprays of popular brands include: Frontline, Hartz, Bars.
Alla:
I used Frontline all summer. A very effective remedy. The cat accidentally even licked some while I was gone, but there were no side effects.
Sofia:
Used for kittens from two months. It was urgent to remove the fleas. I recommend Hartz. Safe and proven product.
Tamara:
The cat did not have an allergy from the spray and the fleas disappeared, but a rash appeared on my hands and I was sneezing while poisoning the fleas.
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The most effective flea treatment for cats
According to experts, the most effective drugs are those containing several active ingredients (contact and systemic insecticides, repellents). Thanks to different mechanisms of action of active substances, such drugs quickly rid the animal of insects. And due to the combined composition, the product works comprehensively, simultaneously destroying parasites and protecting against their reappearance.
But it is impossible to name one product that shows maximum results for all cats without exception. After all, the effect depends on many factors that differ for each specific case.
Flea shampoos
A product that has additional effects. In addition to the fact that shampoo rids pets of parasites, it also cares for the coat, cleanses and softens.
Shampoos can be used to remove fleas from kittens and particularly sensitive animals.
There are two ways to bathe your pet:
- It consists of applying the product to wet fur, holding for a few minutes and rinsing.
- For those pets who are not afraid of water. Foam with anti-flea shampoo is whipped up in the bathroom, and the pet bathes in it.
Do not allow shampoo to get into the eyes and mouth of the animal. Ears should also be hidden. Shampoos do not protect against fleas, but only help remove insects already present on the body. Certain brands of shampoo correspond to certain breeds. So, Swiss Mr. Kiss is ideal for bathing cats with long hair. A similar product is Rolf Club shampoo. You can buy this product at a price of 150 rubles.
Alexei:
I really liked Mister Kiss. If you are not saving on your pet, I recommend it. The fur has improved and there are no fleas.
Alevtina:
We brought home a kitten, and it has fleas. While they were bathing with shampoo, everyone ran away. So far there seem to be no more fleas. We bathe periodically, as I often take the cat for a walk.
Anna:
For us, bathing is a real torture. I can’t even say whether the shampoo helped or not, but it’s impossible to keep the shampoo on the cat for even a few minutes. We tried to quickly wash it off and put on the collar. We don’t let the cat outside and there are no fleas.
Fund selection criteria
When choosing anti-flea drugs, you should consider several factors:
- purpose of treatment (treatment of infestation or protection from insects);
- degree of parasite infestation;
- characteristics of the pet (age, breed, color and length of fur);
- the health status of the animal (including the condition of the skin);
- safety and ease of use of the product;
- speed and duration of action of the drug;
- cost of medicine.
It is also necessary to take into account the presence of other pets in the house that can lick topical preparations from each other.
Review of the best products
There are many flea treatments for cats, and choosing the best among them is an impossible task. But based on customer reviews and expert opinions, several of the most popular flea remedies can be identified:
- Inspector drops (have a wide spectrum of action, help rid cats of fleas, lice, ticks and helminths);
- Frontline spray (causes the death of insects, protects against infection for 1.5 months, approved for kittens and pregnant cats);
- Bars shampoo (an effective flea remedy based on natural ingredients);
- Bars drops (low toxicity, act on adult insects, eggs and larvae, have a long period of action);
- Foresto collar (provides protection against parasites for up to 8 months).
Flea collars
Collars do not remove fleas, but repel them.
It is recommended to use them as an additional tool that will help secure
result and will protect the cat from attack by parasites. Collars last from two to seven months. Check the information when purchasing.
There is no need to worry about the health of a pet wearing a flea collar. The chemicals in its composition only affect insects. The collar is contraindicated for kittens whose protective mechanisms have not yet developed sufficiently. When using an anti-flea collar, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the fur and skin on the pet’s neck in order to detect signs of dermatitis and allergies in time.
The Hartz brand collar is particularly effective. Its cost varies from 450 rubles. The pet will be able to wear the collar throughout the warm season. Bolfo collars can be used from 2 months of age. It costs relatively less - from 250 rubles. Beaphar brand products can be purchased at the same price. The series includes waterproof collars.
Catherine:
We always buy a collar. Never let me down. Our cat often goes for a walk. I've never brought fleas home before. In my opinion, this is the most affordable and effective flea remedy.
Oksana:
And our kitten was poisoned by the collar. The seller said that the collar was suitable for kittens, but it turned out that it was still very small. They barely pumped it out. Consult your doctor and then choose a flea remedy.
Elena:
I take the cat for a walk and put on a collar. We rent it at home. But for prevention, I bathe him with flea shampoo about once every three months.
