Feline Flea Treatments

Cats and dogs can both be subject to flea infestations, but not all flea treatments work for both cats and dogs. There are a variety of methods for treating felines with fleas, with varying degrees of expense and success. If your cat has fleas, talk to your veterinarian about the flea treatment that will work best for your cat.

  1. Flea Drops

    • Some companies make a liquid medication that you apply topically to rid your cat of fleas. These types of medications come in little vials, and you pour the drops onto your cat's back and rub them in. They work to kill any fleas present and prevent further infestations due to their main ingredient, fipronil. According to the Placerville, California, Veterinary Clinic's website, topical spot treatments like these generally cost about $12 per month.

    Sprays

    • Flea sprays can be an economical alternative to topical drops. The cat owner has to spray the cat's entire body, but the medication begins to work immediately. This type of treatment also contains fipronil, but you get more volume for your purchase in this form, which generally costs about $1 per month.

    Pills

    • Pills and liquid medications are available that you feed your cat in order to rid him of fleas. Some can take up to two months to be fully effective, however. The ingredients in the medications are lufenuron and diflubenzuron, which work their way into your cat's skin and then kill all of the young fleas that bite him. Any older fleas already on your cat will have to die naturally, because this medication does not work for them. The Cat Health Guide website advises using these oral medications in combination with topical drops or a spray.

    Flea Collars

    • Flea collars are preventative. They help keep fleas off your cat, but they do not kill or destroy any fleas that may have already bitten the cat. Some will kill adult fleas and eggs, but are not overly effective, according to the Placerville Veterinary Clinic. They also have an accompanying odor which many cat owners find offensive.

    Dips

    • Flea dips are effective treatments for large dogs; they are unsafe for use on cats.