On this page, we get into the nitty gritty about the best flea treatment for cats. Fleas can be a bothersome presence for cats and owners, and eradication can sometimes be a multiple step process. We’re here to help you through this process and how to best help your feline friends!
The Truth About Fleas and Cats
Fleas can be a massive irritation for cats. Beyond scratching, they can cause odd behavior and stress. If you see these things combined, it’s possible they have a flea infestation. During warmer months, cat owners tend to see their pets scratching all over. This is the time when fleas thrive and multiply.
Female fleas can lay 20 eggs a day at the very least. Of the 20 eggs that hatch, about half becomes female. This means you can expect 20,000 adult fleas in just two months’ time. Yikes.
To counter this serious problem, you need the best flea treatment for cats available.
This is no laughing matter. Apart from causing your cats to itch, fleas also cause internal infections. Fleas also spread parasites like tapeworms. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective flea treatments you should invest in.
12 Best Flea Treatment for Cats: A Rundown
Cat owners in the United States spend an average of $77 on flea control products annually. Do you think that’s a lot? Try to imagine how much more you need to spend if the flea population goes out of hand.
So what is the best flea treatment for cats? Check out this list of items that will help keep your cats free from fleas:
1. Frontline Plus for Cats
This product will help control fleas both in the short-term and long-term. Frontline Plus eliminates adult fleas. It also kills flea eggs and larvae.
It features two key ingredients: fipronil and (S)-methoprene. The first one deals with the adult fleas while the second one takes care of the next generation of fleas.
A single application of this product works for as much as 30 days. The long-lasting effect helps you break the flea’s life cycle.
2. Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Home Spray for Cats
If you want something that is more natural, this item will do the trick. The Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Home Spray for Cats features a plant-based formula. It is safe for cats and kittens.
But when it comes to fleas, the product is deadly, without a doubt. It uses a special blend of natural essential oils. It features plant-based ingredients like eugenol coming clove plants, as well as peppermint oil.
Moreover, the product does not leave any stains. Thus, you can spray it even on your blankets, pillows, carpets, and beddings.
3. Sentry FiproGuard Plus Flea & Tick Squeeze-On
This product is a good option for cat owners who want something topical. Much like Frontline Plus, the product also provides a 30-day effect. It also comes with fipronil and (S)-methoprene to control both adult fleas and their eggs and larvae.
Since it is topical, it comes with three applicators. It acts quickly and is also waterproof. For best results, apply it directly over your cats’ back and between their shoulder blades. This is one of the best over the counter flea treatment for cats.
4. Lambert Kay Fresh ‘n Clean Flea and Tick Small Pet Conditioning Shampoo
If you wish to stick to good old shampoos, this one is a good option. It features natural pyrethrins that help kill adult fleas.
It doesn’t come with any harsh chemicals, making it safe for kittens. Another plus of this shampoo is its pleasing fragrance that lasts up to two weeks. If you’re hunting for a go-to shampoo for regular use, this will get the job done.
5. Safari Pet Products Flea Comb for Cats
Applying shampoo to your cats is good. But you can take the battle against fleas to the next level with this flea comb.
The Safari Flea Comb is the best product that will complement your anti-flea shampoo. It is effective in pulling out adult fleas from your cat’s fur. It measures 0.2 x 2.5 x 9 inches and weighs 0.8 ounces.
It is lightweight and easy to hold with its ergonomic handle. When using the Safari comb, make sure to focus on key areas such as the nape of the neck, the base of the tail, and the ears.
Keep in mind that having a dependable comb is important in the overall grooming of your cat.
6. Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats
Do you want a flea control product that is far less messy than sprays and shampoos? The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats is the perfect item for you.
The collar kills fleas and ticks upon contact. One collar is enough to protect your cat from fleas for up to 8 months. All you need to do is to put the collar around the cat’s neck and watch it do its job.
Pet owners who are mostly on the go opt to use collars. It saves them time and resources since there is no need for monthly treatments. It can also be less stressful to give to the cats, making it our pick for the best flea and tick treatment for cats.
It is also provides added safety. It features a release mechanism that allows your pet to use his own strength to widen the collar. This is perfect for moments when something tangles with the collar.
7. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor for Dogs and Cats
If you want your cats to have shiny coats while keeping the fleas away, you may want to check out this product. It can help fight fleas and it also helps keep the smell of the litter box at bay. It is tough on fleas and ticks, killing both adults and eggs. It provides a lasting effect for up to as much as 28 days.
It uses a special formula that features natural ingredients. It uses lanolin, coconut extract, soothing aloe vera, and oatmeal. This combination helps achieve a shiny coat that is soft and manageable.
It is also effective in taking out dirt, scales, and loose dandruff.
8. Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Yard & Kennel Spray
Do you have several cats that you shelter in kennels? Then this product is a must-have. The Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Yard & Kennel Spray kills not only fleas and their eggs, but also ticks and mosquitoes upon contact.
It comes with plant-based ingredients and essential oils. It is safe not only to your cats but also to your flowers and trees in the backyard.
You can even connect it to your garden hose. This allows you to spray the product to cover up to 4,500 square feet. Aside from your kennels, you can also spray the product on your lawn, patio, and other outdoor surfaces.
9. Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Spray For Cats
If you only own one or two cats and you need a spray that is easy to use, try the Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Spray. It comes with a formulation exclusively for cats.
It features cedarwood, clove oil, and cinnamon that kills fleas upon contact. It also provides a fresh clove scent. Apply this product on your cats and their bedding once a week.
10. PEUCD Flea Away All Natural Flea Repellent
This product is perfect for pet owners who want something oral for their cats. Flea Away comes in the form of chewable tablets. It is a mixture of vitamins that come with the flavor of a real liver.
The product works by emitting an odor from your cat’s body. This odor keeps fleas away from your pets. You, on the other hand, will not able to smell it.
11. Fleabusters Rx for Fleas Plus
Another effective way of taking out the fleas is targeting the areas they hide. These are the carpets and crevices in your house. Brush the powder into your carpets.
The Fleabusters Rx for Fleas Plus’ formula kills both adult fleas and their larvae. It works by attaching to the larvae when they wiggle across the powder.
Use this product in every room, as well as the stairs and hallways. The simplicity of this product makes it the best flea treatment for indoor cats.
12. Novartis Capstar Flea Tablets
This product is one of the best oral treatments for cats. The Novartis Capstar Flea Tablets features nitenpyram as its active ingredient. It works by going directly into your pet’s bloodstream. When fleas bite into their skin, the former will die within six hours or so.
Keep in mind that the tablets only target adult fleas. The product is a perfect complement for other flea products that cover flea eggs and larvae.
Key Considerations
Before buying flea treatment products, there are key factors that you need to consider. Check out the list below:
1. Talk to Your Vet
If you are a first-time cat owner, it is best to consult your veterinarian. Ask them for recommendations on the best flea treatment for your pet.
Find out the specific treatments that they use on their pets. Ask them why they prefer one product over another.
2. Are they Suitable to Your Pets?
Not all cats are the same. Some behave better than others. If you have a cat that is hard to give oral medications to, then don’t go for tablets. A collar treatment will not work for cats who hate wearing one.
If your cat hates baths, then pass up on the shampoo treatment. Find a treatment that best suits your cat’s personality.
3. The Weight of Your Pet
As the owner, you need to be on top of things. This includes knowing how much your cat weighs. This is crucial if you choose to give them oral flea treatments.
