Cat Flea & Tick Treatments

There are many flea and tick treatment options to choose from for cats. You should choose the right treatment for a flea and tick problem based on your individual situation. An indoor-only cat should not require a tick preventative, for example. An indoor-outdoor cat must be treated more vigorously because there is greater exposure to these parasitic insects.

  1. Function

    • The purpose of a cat flea and tick treatment is simple: It should stop a flea and tick infestation by killing any insects that are present, and it should prevent more from appearing. Some products work only to handle one type of infestation or the other, while other products work toward the eradication of both. Fleas can quickly infest a host animal by laying hundreds or thousands of eggs, and so you must repel new fleas as well as kill the ones that are already present. The basic mechanism by which a flea and tick treatment works depends on what type of treatment it is.

    Types

    • Flea and tick treatments for cats come in many different forms including topical treatments, shampoo and dip products, flea collars, sprays and pills. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages depending on the animal. Flea collars, for example, cannot reach the entire body, and so they cannot kill all of the fleas on a cat. Shampoos and dips are only useful during a bath and do not promote long-term support. Topical treatments are absorbed into the skin and hair, and can provide all-over flea and tick prevention. Pill treatments offer similar all-over power, but both topical treatments and pills can pose a risk because they involve the cat absorbing an insecticide.

    Brands

    • Just as there are different types of flea and tick treatments for cats, there are also a number of different companies and brand names offering these products. If you have any doubt about a particular brand, do some research before you buy the products.

    Considerations

    • Talk to your veterinarian about your flea and tick control needs. He will be able to provide you with recommendations for flea and tick prevention products that are safe for your cat. Different products are intended for specific purposes, and buying or using the wrong product can cause issues with your pet.

    Warnings

    • With any flea and tick product, watch your cat after application to make sure that there are no adverse reactions or allergic reactions. Flea and tick treatments contain insecticides and other chemical compounds that can cause reactions in some cats. If your cat appears to be having a bad reaction to the medication, such as vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, lethargy or hair loss around the area of application, consult your veterinarian immediately to determine the cause.