Flea Treatment for Cats

Fleas are not only an annoyance, but also a danger for your cat’s health. Effects can range from flea allergy dermatitis to tapeworm, if the fleas are eaten. In more severe cases, they can damage your cat’s skin, leave behind diseases, and cause your cat to become anemic from blood loss. Here are some tips to fight against these nasty critters:

• Flea check your cat every day by combing her with a fine-toothed metal comb several times a day.
• Keep your eyes out for common signs that your cat might have fleas. Symptoms include: movement in the fur; the cat scratching or chewing her skin; restlessness; hair loss, redness, thickened skin in areas (e.g. around ear edges). If you see tiny bugs bouncing off your cat’s coat, chances are you’re up against fleas.
• Never, never wait to treat your cat! By the time you notice fleas on your cat, they could have already produced two or three generations of offspring. The longer you wait, the longer it may take to get rid of the fleas.
• You can dip the comb in a mixture of water and liquid dish detergent, combing your cat several times a day, to help kill the fleas.
• Buy flea medication! It is important to make sure that the medication you purchase is approved by your vet and from a reputable source. There are two kinds of medication for fleas: topical and oral.
  • Topical, also called “spot on” medications, are generally applied between the cat’s shoulder blades so that she cannot lick it off. Most last a month; some not only kill fleas, but also repel them.
  • Oral medication comes in chewables or pills, ingested by your cat rather than applied on her body. The medicine is transmitted to adult fleas when they bite. When using oral treatments, use caution to make sure that the cat only eats one dose.
  • A study published in Veterinary Parasitology found that topical treatments were 88.4% effective, while oral treatments were 99.9% effective.
• Some cats respond better to a certain medication than others, so it may take some experimentation to find what works best for your cat(s).
  
• An article published in Business Insider recommends these medications:
  •  Bayer Advantage II
  •  Seresto Flea & Tick Collar
  • Natural Chemistry De Flea Pet Shampoo
  • Vet’s Best Natural Flea & Tick Spray
  • Novartis Capstar Flea Control Tablets
• Treat your indoor cats even if they never go outside. You’d be surprised at what can make it into the house! 
• Don’t miss a treatment! Missing a monthly treatment, even just for a few days, can be enough to give fleas a foothold.
• Wash and dry the bedding at hot temperatures with soap. Clean bedding regularly and vacuum furniture, floors, and skirting boards. Be sure to throw away the dust bag from your vacuum after use.
• Have realistic expectations. Dr. Michael W. Dryden, professor of veterinary parasitology at Kansas State University, explains to the New York Times that “our homes are already infested” by the time we notice fleas. “No home,” he says, “is ever under control in a week, and it can take weeks or months in some homes.”

 
Treating Kittens with Fleas

• Kittens that are two months of age and older, weighing at least two pounds, should be able to take some regular flea medications at smaller doses, or Capstar. Consult a vet when in doubt!
• Young kittens should be given a bath.
  • Immerse your kitten up to the neck in warm, soapy water and make sure all fur is wet.
  • Remove her from the bath and place on a towel to apply mild dishwashing detergent. Gently massage the detergent all over the kitten, avoiding the eyes.
  • Most likely, the fleas will move towards the kitten’s head where it’s drier, so you can pick the fleas off using tweezers or your fingers.

 
After following these tips, those fleas won’t stand a chance! 

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