The best flea remedy for cats

Currently, a huge number of drugs have appeared on the pet products market designed to rid pets of external parasites. On the shelves of stores you can find preparations in the form of the usual flea shampoo, convenient drops that are applied to the withers, sprays and powders.

How to understand this variety? How to choose the most effective and safe flea remedy for cats, but do not overpay for advertising? Let's try to figure this out by reviewing the most popular drugs.

The most popular flea remedies

The following flea medications for cats are most commonly found on sale:

• shampoos
• collars
• drops at the withers
• sprays
• dusting powder
• tablets.

Shampoos are quite effective and easy to use. In addition, it is relatively safe and rarely gives an allergic reaction. However, there is one fat minus - flea shampoo for cats is not a very suitable remedy due to the fact that all of them, with rare exceptions, are afraid of water.

Collars are a rather preventative measure. They do not destroy insects, but scare them away with their smell. As a measure of protecting the animal from the attack of bloodsuckers during a walk, they are effective, but no more.

Drops at the withers are most popular among cat lovers. They are easy to apply, and there is no risk that the animal will recover by licking an insecticide from the coat. In addition, they show a good result according to the reviews of the owners. A detailed description of the mechanism of action, as well as recommendations for selection, can be found in the article: Drops from fleas for large and small pets.

Flea spray for cats gives a quick effect. It is quite simple to apply, however, since it is an aerosol, some of the insecticide enters the lungs of the cat and its owner. And this is not very good for health and creates a risk for the development of allergies.

Powders are easy to use and relatively safe. Some of them can even be used on small kittens. However, here there is a minus - insecticide particles scatter throughout the apartment. Allergy sufferers are unlikely to add health.

How to choose the most suitable flea remedy?

Good flea remedy for cats should have the following qualities and properties:

• effectiveness;
• safety for both the animal and its owner;
• be convenient to use;
• give a quick result.

Efficiency is one of the most important qualities by which insecticides are usually chosen. It cannot be determined by looking at the packaging of the product. And yet, you can try to predict it. To do this, read reviews about the drug on the forums of cat lovers, ask friends, find out the opinion of a veterinarian whom you trust.

Speed ​​of action - this indicator is not so important, but desirable. After all, every minute of delay, oh, how long does it take for an animal exhausted by the bloodsuckers. Spray and flea shampoo, as a rule, give an instant result. Powders and tablets have a longer effect.

For application on cats, drops are most convenient. The medicine is applied to the withers with intermittent drops and remains there for some time. The cat cannot reach it with his tongue, which ensures its safety, and after a certain time, the drops can be washed off with warm water.

If a quick effect is not required, and the animal resists any kind of treatment, then you can give him flea pills. However, they can not be used for pregnant and lactating cats.

The issue of security must be approached with particular seriousness. In order not to accidentally poison a pet, you should carefully read the composition of the funds that they offer us. A number of insecticides have serious side effects, and some of them are completely contraindicated in cats.

Flea Insecticides

So, what substances do flea preparations for cats contain? The most common insecticides are:

1. Fipronil is a fairly effective insecticide against fleas. When exposed to the nervous system, parasites blocks nerve impulses, causing their paralysis. Preparations containing this substance are also used against ticks. When used on especially sensitive animals, an allergic reaction may develop, so an allergy test must be performed before use.
2. Ivermectin is a contact-intestinal poison with a wide spectrum of action. Drugs with this insecticide are effective against most cutaneous parasites, including ticks and lice eaters.
3. Piriproksifen - most often included in drops and aerosols. When processing the premises, it destroys the eggs and larvae of fleas. The flea remedy for cats, containing pyriproxyphene, is assigned to the 3rd hazard class - moderate.
4. Pyrethrin is perhaps the most common insecticide used in flea medications for pets. It has a neuroparalytic effect on parasites and has low toxicity. Pyrethrins are found in the flowers of some herbs.
5. Imidacloprid is one of the latest insecticides. It is quite effective against fleas, but does not affect ticks. For cats, imidacloprid is relatively safe and causes allergies extremely rarely.
6. Nitenpiram - used mainly in the form of tablets. It has a fairly fast action and low toxicity. A flea medicine for cats containing nitenpyram can be used for pregnant animals and kittens older than 4 weeks.

Attention! Preparations containing permethrin and organophosphorus compounds cannot be used on cats.

Overview of the most popular flea medications

Choosing a good flea remedy greatly complicates the abundance of products. Each drug promises a wonderful disposal of insects and lures bright advertising. Which one is really effective? Let's look at the most popular tools.

Sprays

Among aerosol products, the most popular are Hartz, Frontline and the domestic drug Bars.

Harts Spray - has low toxicity. It can be used to process kittens from 2 months. Very rarely causes allergic reactions and is quite effective against adult insects. The spray instantly destroys fleas and subsequently reliably protects the animal for a week.

Frontline is practically safe for animals. It can be used on kittens older than 2 days of age and pregnant females. The design of the bottle is very convenient, it allows you to dose a portion of the applied product. Front Line begins to act immediately after application and remains effective for 40 days.

Flea spray for cats is a domestic drug. It has a fairly wide spectrum of action against most cutaneous parasites. For kittens, use from 2 months of age is recommended. When applied to the skin, it immediately begins to act, causing mass death of parasites. Repeated processing will be required no earlier than in a month.

Drops

Among manufacturers of flea drops, Frontline, Harts and Bars are also worth noting.

Harts drops are approved for use by kittens from 2 months of age. One 1 ml pipette protects the animal for up to 30 days. In total, the package contains 3 such doses.

“Frontline” for cats in the form of drops has proven its worth over the long term. The drug begins to be used from the age of 2 months. After application, the product spreads over the skin during the day and begins to act. The duration of the protection of the animal is 3 weeks.

Drops "Bars" also showed good effectiveness. They can be used from 10 days of age. After application, the insecticide is absorbed into the bloodstream and through it affects insects. The validity of the drops is 2 months.

Advice! Simultaneously with the processing of the animal, it is necessary to carry out disinfection in the apartment, the only way to achieve a lasting effect.

Shampoos

Among domestic products produced in the form of shampoo, Bars, Fitoelita, and Lugovoi showed good efficacy.

Shampoo "Bars" reliably eliminates fleas after the first use. It contains essential oils and plant extracts with an insecticidal effect. The product gently cleanses the hair and makes it easy to comb. Bars flea shampoo for kittens has been used since the age of one month.

“Phytoelitis” is another effective remedy for fleas in the form of shampoo. It has a neuroparalytic effect on parasites. Their mass death is observed within 5 minutes. after application.

Lugovoi shampoo has proven itself in the fight against fleas in cats. It contains herbal extracts and, in addition to getting rid of parasites, promotes enhanced regeneration of damaged skin and hair follicles.

Video on how to use flea drops correctly: