How to Get Rid of Fleas on Cats

Once you’ve verified the presence of fleas on your cat, you’ll want to get rid of the pesky hitchhikers as fast as possible. Because not all flea products treat every life stage, you may need to use multiple steps to properly get fleas treated and out of your home and off your pets. kitten for sale delivery

Step 1: Remove as many fleas as you can from your cat.

If you’re able to see fleas, flea dirt, or flea eggs on your cat, start the treatment process by combing and bathing your cat to get rid of as many as you can (though it may be easier said than done). If you’re wondering how to get rid of fleas on cats that hate water, you’re not alone. This method can be very difficult if your cat doesn’t tolerate your attempts at bathtime, so don’t force it. A spray bottle can help you drown the fleas without all the fuss: just lightly spray your cat with water, then run a flea comb through the fur. Put any fleas into a solution of water and dish soap so they don’t later jump back onto your pet.

Step 2: Administer a flea medication specially created for cats.

After you’ve removed as many fleas as possible through bathing and combing, you’ll need to treat your cat for fleas at every life-stage: egg, larvae, pupa, and adult. Dryden recommends a long-lasting prescription product that will ensure you get rid of every single one of them. Because flea eggs can lay dormant for weeks, treatment needs to cover several months so that the eggs don’t hatch, thus restarting the issue all over again. There are several types of flea medication for cats. Talk to your vet about their recommendations for your pet, since dosing is based on weight, age, and other variables. It’s extremely important that you check to make sure your product is labeled for cats and NOT for dogs, since flea treatments for dogs can be toxic when used on cats. Always ask your vet for advice before beginning any type of treatment, especially if your cat is pregnant or nursing. can i buy a kitten online

Here’s a breakdown of the basic types of flea treatments for cats:

Spot-On Flea Treatments

Cat flea treatments known as “spot-on flea treatments” are a medicinal liquid that’s applied to the back of your cat’s neck. Most of these medications are applied once a month and then absorbed into your cat’s bloodstream to protect against parasites (including ticks). They start working right away. Not all spot-on treatments require a prescription to purchase, but it’s best to check with your vet before applying any new medication to your pet. Be sure to follow the product’s specific label instructions carefully to ensure proper dosage and application. After applying the liquid, aim to keep your cat away from other animals in the home while the medicine absorbs, and keep an eye on them so they don’t rub it off. Examples of spot-on treatments include:

• Advantage: active ingredient imidacloprid
• Frontline: active ingredient fipronil
• Revolution Plus: active ingredients selamectin and sarolaner
• Bravecto Plus: active ingredients fluralaner and moxidectin

Oral Medications

Another fast way to get rid of fleas on cats is with ingestible medications. Pills containing the active ingredient nitenpyram start killing adult fleas on your cat within 30 minutes of administering the medicine. But these don’t have as much of a long-lasting effect, and may require another dose if your cat gets fleas again. Chewables containing the active ingredient spinosad are another fast-acting option that starts killing fleas before they lay eggs, and provides a full month of flea protection to help prevent future infestations.

Sprays, Shampoos, and Powders

Other cat flea treatments that can be found at pet supply retailers include dusts, shampoos, and sprays. But Dryden cautions that these products aren’t always effective because they don’t provide long-lasting coverage to address the hatching eggs. Instead, Dryden recommends prescription products that your veterinarian can provide—especially newer ones that can kill fleas fast. He adds that older flea products don’t work as well anymore since fleas have become resistant to their properties.

Natural Flea Remedies

It’s tempting to search for a chemical-free method to kill fleas on your cat, but Dryden points out that as fleas have become increasingly resilient over time, natural or homemade remedies like essential oils, dish soap, and apple cider vinegar are simply not enough to kill all the fleas on your cat.

Step 3: Keep the fleas from coming back.

Dryden says that even though oral and spot-on medications may kill the fleas on your cat in a matter of hours, it’s important to continue using them for the duration of recommended time for complete eradication of the flea problem. And you should regularly re-apply the treatment if needed based on the product’s instructions.

Treating Your Home for Fleas

In addition to treating your cat, you’ll also need to take steps to get rid of any fleas or eggs that might be hiding in your home. Fleas hang out in the furniture, carpet, or bed—especially in areas where your cat sits frequently. Flea eggs that hide in the upholstery will hatch later and start looking for a furry friend to feast on, so it’s critical that you get rid of these uninvited houseguests ASAP with help from the vacuum.

Experts point out that a regimen of vacuuming and washing makes a huge difference in the overall effectiveness of flea treatment. Focus on vacuuming any cracks and crevices (like the couch cushions), underneath your furniture, and anywhere your pets like to hang out. Don’t forget to dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag, or wash out the canister right away so that no fleas escape. Steam cleaning carpets and furniture once you’ve treated your cat can also help ensure fleas are destroyed at all their life stages.

Along with proper treatment of your pet, vacuuming and thorough washing of textiles are usually enough to eliminate most fleas from your home. Wash sheets, pet bedding, and pillows once a week. Use the high-heat setting on your washer and dryer and bid farewell to any fleas that might be hiding in the fabrics.

But for some households, washing and vacuuming is just not enough—especially if they experience a really stubborn set of fleas. In this case, it may be worth considering a household flea spray or “bug bomb” to get control of an infestation. The Entomology Department at the University of Kentucky recommends sprays that contain certain insecticides in the active ingredients, and warns that the spray must get underneath furniture where fleas and their eggs might be hiding in order to adequately treat the room.

If you still have fleas after trying the above options, it’s time to call a professional exterminator. A pro will assess the infestation and kill the fleas, their eggs, and their larvae. Full treatment may take a few sessions, and if they have to come back more than once it doesn’t mean the first treatment wasn’t a success—it just means there were fleas who were good at hiding!