Do's And Don'ts of Giving Your Cat Flea Control

Is your feline buddy itching? Uh oh: Fluffy might have fleas. Fleas can not only make pets miserably itchy, they can also cause medical issues, such as anemia and dermatitis. Plus, they can carry tapeworms and other parasites, and can also spread disease. Keeping up with your pet’s flea control is very important! However, parasite control products contain chemicals, so you’ll need to be sure to follow proper safety practices. A vet offers some information on this below.

Choosing Products

There are many different flea-fighting products to choose from, including powders, sprays, topical drops, and collars. Ask your vet for specific recommendations. It’s always best to purchase Fluffy’s products through your veterinary clinic. Some of the brands you can find in grocery stores, discount stores, and other places may use very toxic, strong, and/or sub-par chemicals. There have been cases of pets having serious—and even fatal—reactions to some products. Better to be safe than sorry!

Infestations

Battling a flea problem? Don’t try to solve the issue by doubling up on flea-control products: this can be very dangerous. In addition to getting Fluffy up-to-date on her flea control, you’ll also want to address the fleas invading your home environment. Vacuuming daily will help a lot here. Be sure to dump the canister into a plastic bag, then immediately seal the bag and take it outside. You can also use insect growth regulators or other products.

Au Naturale?

We love seeing more and more eco-friendly products on the market. However, don’t assume that things are safe just because they’re labeled as natural. For instance, many flea products contain citrus extracts, which many of our feline pals are sensitive to.

Picking The Product

Never use insecticides on kittens. You’ll also need to check with your veterinarian before using flea-killing products on older cats, kitties with medical problems, or pregnant felines. 

Label

Always read the label instructions carefully. Follow the instructions to the letter. This includes information on dosing amounts and cycles. If anything is unclear, or if you have questions, contact your vet or the manufacturer before proceeding. 

Choose products that are formulated for cats of Fluffy’s age and size. Never use products that were made for dogs on Fluffy. Our canine and feline friends respond very differently to certain chemicals. Products made for our canine pals could make your kitty very sick. Some may even be deadly! Permethrin and organophosphates are two examples of this.

Warning Signs

After applying any parasite control, always watch for signs of negative reactions, such as trembling, drooling, lethargy, respiratory issues, weakness, and convulsions. Contact your vet right away if you notice anything off.

Do you have questions about your kitty’s parasite control? Contact us!