Untreated pets are at risk of flea infestations. For every adult flea you can see, there are many more eggs, larvae and pupae hidden away in your home, waiting to develop, breed and spread. Around 95% of any flea population exists in immature stages in your home - hidden away in your carpets, bedding and upholstery. So, if you discover fleas on your pet, you may need to treat your home too. Flumethrin/imidacloprid(flea collar) – temporary itchiness, redness and hair loss (less than 1 in 100 cats), eczema, inflammation and skin lesions (less than 1 in 1000 cats), change of food intake, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea (less than 1 in 1000 cats).

Nitenpyram (tablet) – hyperactivity, panting, excessive grooming, yowling, and itchiness lasting less than an hour (less than 1 in 10,000 animals treated), muscle tremors, wobbliness, and seizures (less than 1 in 10,000 animals treated).Most cat owners that use preventatives use spot-ons because they are easy to use and last a good amount of time but if your cat will take a treat, oral products may be a good option, too. Collars are easy to place on a cat that will allow them but as previously discussed, concerns surround the use of flea collars. Fortunately, treatments for fleas in cats have improved significantly, and there are a lot of options available. Use Only Flea Treatments That Are Made for Cats Flea treatments for fleas are not a “one-and-done” experience. Not only do you have to use flea medication year-round, but you need to treat the entire household. It is important to remember, however, that for every LIVE flea that you find, there are up to 10,000 more “fleas in waiting” in the environment, and they come in the form of eggs, larvae, and pupae waiting to feed.

Avoid using pyrethroids in cats as they can be toxic. These are more commonly found in some dog flea treatment products, but are still occasionally seen in cat products. Pyrethrins and permethrin products can also be dangerous to use in cats, but each cat has a different level of sensitivity. One cat may have a seizure from one drop of a pyrethrin or permethrin product while another may have no problem at all. Delivery Method It works within 24 hours, and the fleas do not even need to bite your cat to be killed. Topical Products The more eggs and larvae you can clear out of the house, the fewer adults that will hatch and cause a problem for your cat. In many cases, the most effective route here is diligent vacuuming and laundering of any bedding that your pets lie on.The active ingredient in CAPSTAR—nitenpyram—has been extensively studied and found to be both safe and effective (in most cases, even more effective than CAPSTAR's 90 percent claim). Side effects are rare, but you should monitor your cat for 24 hours after dosing, watching out for symptoms like hyperactivity, panting, lethargy, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, salivation, seizures, and pupil dilation. While you may be thinking that this isn’t a flea shampoo, the truth is that shampoos designed to kill fleas can be very dangerous to cats. Even shampoos labeled as “all-natural” often contain oils that can be toxic or harmful to cats and the traditional flea shampoos contain pyrethrins which can be extremely dangerous. Dawn Ultra dish detergent is safe for animals, as many people may already know from advertisements that show wildlife being bathed with the soap. It's effective in killing fleas, and also in getting your cat clean. As a bonus, many homes already have a bottle of it under the kitchen sink. We've only looked at one or two examples of each active ingredient to compile this list. There are many different brand names for some active ingredients that may have other side effects. If your cat shows symptoms that you suspect are related to flea medication, you should call your vet for advice. Even if no treatment is needed, your vet will usually ask you further information. The vet will use this to report the adverse effect to the drug manufacturer. A flea comb can be used to try and catch a live flea but some cats will have fleas and you won’t see live ones because cats are such fastidious self-cleaners.

Flea treatments for cats may come as shampoos, dips, sprays, bombs, powders, spot-ons, orals, collars, combs, and even injections. Some delivery methods are only appropriate for killing live fleas while others will help prevent a flea from being able to reproduce. Some flea treatments, like bombs, aren’t meant to be put on your cat at all, and are actually instead designed to be used in the environment where your cat lives. Generally speaking, cats that stay inside are at a lower risk of getting fleas than cats that are permitted to go outside. Spinosad(tablet) – temporary vomiting in the first 48 hours (less than 1 in 10 cats), diarrhoea and inappetence (less than 1 in 10 cats), lethargy, incoordination and drooling (less than 1 in 100 cats), seizures (less than 1 in 1000).

How Long Does It Take to Clear a Flea Infestation?

Sarolaner - Only used in combination with other ingredients when treating cats (do not buy a sarolaner dog flea treatment for your cat). Also treats ear mites. Cats are much more sensitive to medications than some other species (such as dogs), so you should not assume that if you can use it on your dog, you can use it on your cat. Many cats have died from this misconception. From this information, the product with the least serious and least frequent side effects is likely the lotilaner tablets, with the lufenuron injection coming a close second. However, there are a couple of things to consider here: Each product has its own pros and cons, so you should consult with a veterinarian who knows your cat’s medical history to find the best option for flea medication. Oral Flea Treatment Products Lufenuron(injection or oral suspension) – itching, vomiting, and diarrhoea (less than 1 in 10,000 cats).