Fleas are extremely common in cats and are quite often the cause for further skin problems that may affect your cat so it is very important to treat them as soon as you notice it. Luckily there are a wide range of treatments you can try and we will give you the low down on the 5 best flea treatments for cats by looking at cost, ease of administration and effectiveness with a rating out of 10 for each to help you decide on the best method for you and your cat.
There are a few tell-tale signs that your cat may have fleas so be sure to check for any of the following:
You will never 100% be able to prevent your cat from ever getting fleas, however there are ways which can certainly help:
Spot-ons are by far the most effective treatment on the market. They are simple, easy to use and can be used on kittens as young as 12 weeks. Consisting in a small vile of liquid, they need to be applied to the back of the cat’s head (just under the collar) which will kill the fleas within 24 hours and further stop the development of eggs. It provides a month long deterrent from those pesky fleas. The medicine gets absorbed into your cat’s skin and works instantly. This is a great option that if you can afford it on a monthly basis will ensure your cat is flea free.
A flea comb is pretty obvious however it can be very effective if used persistently. It is a great cheap alternative to the spot-ons if you want to save your pennies. You need to ensure you comb your cat twice a week as this will prevent any fleas settling in the fur. At the end of the day if they’re not there in the first place, you don’t need to treat it. Prevention is better than cure.
Flea spray is one of the simpler methods to use however the noise of the spray nozzle may effect some cats especially if they are young. This will be dependant on your specific cat but it is definitely worth bearing it in mind before you buy. You simply spray the product onto the roots of the coat and skin and the fleas will be killed instantly as it comes in to contact with the spray. It is cheaper than the spot-ons, not as much hassle as the flea comb but potentially more of a struggle for you to get it on to your cat especially if it scares easily.
Until the spot-ons were introduced this was one of the most popular methods of flea control. This method is very low maintenance for the owner and is cheaper in cost. However some cats don’t get on very well with it as it can irritate their skin and cause some hair loss around the neck. They work by releasing the active ingredient into the body of your cat that will kill off any fleas. Another point to mention is it may not be the most effective as it will only target the main areas around the neck therefore it won’t necessarily kill the fleas throughout your cats fur.
You can get oral medication for your cat. Given to your cat in either a tablet form or soft chew, it will kill any fleas there and then but does not kill flea eggs and larvae. It is easy to administer as it comes in a solid form so will not cause any mess however it may difficult to administer in to your cats mouth. You can get a prescription flea tablet that lasts for 1 month which you can administer yourself however it does not offer a long term solution therefore you would need to purchase on a monthly basis which could be rather costly.
To conclude, Spot-ons have rated the most overall effective flea treatment in cats. While it is on the pricier side, it offers ease of administration for the owner, long term prevention and quick results in killing off the fleas and eggs. If you are still unsure on a method to try, at The Pet Express, we offer a bundle containing a spot-on, tablets and a spray which you can purchase here for £25.99. It will give you the opportunity to try out different methods to see which suits yours and your cats needs. We hope to have provided you with some informative information on the 5 best and most common ways to banish those fleas to keep your cat happy and healthy.
