Flea treatment for cats

Cats can catch fleas if they come into contact with infected animals. They can be picked from catteries and vets, or even rodents your feline may chase in the great outdoors. The fleas can jump onto your cat and hitch a ride into your home.

How do indoor cats get fleas?

Indoor cats are also more susceptible to fleas than you may think. The tiny intruders can hitch a ride in on visitors, on animals or clothes. Flea control in cats is essential – according to the RSPCA, a female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. So, worryingly, it doesn’t take much for an infestation to take hold. 
 

Here’s the unsettling thing. Fleas can lie dormant in your home for up to six months in soft furnishings – like carpets, sofas, bedding, and more – so it’s important to be on top of it.

Here are the telltale symptoms that your cat might have fleas:

• Itching – your feline might appear to scratch more than usual
• Bites – you might notice bites on their, or your, skin
• Flea dirt – these are dark flea droppings. You may find some on their fur when you comb them, on their bedding, or in your home

If your feline has a flea allergy, you may also notice hair loss, inflamed skin, and small scabs.

To rid the creepy crawlies for good, you’ll need a good treatment plan. There are different cat flea treatment options available, depending on whether you buy from your vet or off-the-shelf. It’s important to be aware of the differences so you can decide the best course of action for your cat:

Prescription treatments

Prescription vet-recommended flea treatments for cats are only available when prescribed by your vet, after they’ve physically examined your pet. These prescribed treatments are likely to be safe and effective if you follow the instructions carefully. Once prescribed, you can usually purchase from your vet or a pharmacy. 

Non-prescription off-the-shelf treatments

These treatments can be picked up ‘off-the-shelf’, meaning that you don’t need a vet’s prescription or need to provide details of your pet to access them. You can usually find these cat flea treatments in supermarkets, pet shops, and more.

It’s important to remember that these treatments aren’t tailored to your cat, so they may not always be suitable if your feline has specific health conditions. They may also be less effective or reliable as prescription alternatives.

Non-prescription NFA-VPS treatments

NFA-VPS stands for Non-food Animal – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person. These treatments can be purchased without a prescription, but they are harder to access than typical over-the-counter options. These are only available from locked cupboards in vets, pet shops, or pharmacies. You typically need to answer in-depth questions about your pet, like their weight, before you can buy them.
 

The best flea treatments for cats include ‘spot on’ treatments, flea tablets, and injections from your vet. Spot-on treatments are one of the most popular flea treatments for cats. These involve applying some liquid to the back of your cat’s neck, so they can’t reach around to lick it off.

To apply a spot-on treatment:

1. Try to make sure your cat is calm – you may want to preoccupy them with a treat!
2. Part your cat’s fur at the back of their neck, between their shoulder blades.
3. With the other hand, pace the open applicator as close to their skin as possible.
4. Squeeze out the full dose.
5. Wash your hands and avoid stroking the area for the first 24 hours – or until it’s visibly dry.

Some cats dislike the feel of spot-on treatments and will do everything in their power to avoid the process. After all, from the unusual scent to the feeling of the liquid on their neck – who can blame them?

Here are some tips and tricks from Cats Protection for applying flea treatment to cats. It can take weeks or months to master this, so be patient and take your time!

1. Train your cat to sit. Use a treat to encourage your cat to sit in a particular area.
2. Use a cue word. Once settled, say the cue word and give them a fuss on the back of their neck for a couple of seconds.
3. Repeat. Complete steps one and two again several times over multiple sessions until your cat is comfortable.
4. Divide the fur. Once your cat is happy with steps one and two, start dividing the fur with your fingers at the back of your cat’s neck. Repeat over several sessions.
5. Replicate the treatment bottle. Use something small, such as a pen lid, to allow your cat to get accustomed to it. They may be suspicious at first, so move slowly. Try to move it around the back of the cat’s neck. 
6. Apply minimal pressure. After several sessions, start applying minimal pressure with the pen lid – as if administering the treatment. You may even have the flea treatment open elsewhere in the room, so your cat can get used to the smell.
7. Use the unopened flea bottle. Once your feline is comfortable with the above, use an unopened flea bottle instead of the pen lid.
8. Use the treatment. Your pet should hopefully now be ready to receive the flea treatment.

If your feline still isn’t having any of it, cat flea treatments are available as a tablet or injection form.
 

Trying to get rid of these persistent parasites is an uphill battle. It’s not enough to simply treat your cat – if your pet has fleas, 95% of the total infestation is living in your home. 

Fleas have a complex life cycle, and it can take weeks to several months to completely eradicate them. That’s why it’s important to focus on preventing them and keeping your pet and home flea-free.

Here are some methods of keeping the pesky intruders at bay:

Grooming

Grooming isn’t just an excuse to keep your cat looking their best, but it’s also a good opportunity to check over their coat for any scratches, sores, lumps, or bumps. If you notice any fleas or flea dirt while combing them, it gives you a chance to act fast and deal with the critters before the situation develops.

Fleas are often found in those ‘hard to reach’ areas, like their neck, armpits, or the base of the tail. If you spot any fleas, use a flea comb to remove them. Dip the comb in warm, soapy water and dry it before brushing your cat again.

Vacuuming

While fleas can still exist in clean and tidy homes, vacuuming regularly helps to break the flea cycle by removing fleas and their eggs. Pay close attention to cervices, bed bedding, and soft furnishings. 

Make sure to empty and safely dispose of the vacuum bag and clean the canister to stop the tiny intruders from getting back into your home.

Washing 

The fastest way to eliminate fleas on clothing is by washing in hot water. Choose a high-quality detergent and use temperatures of at least 60°C. This should remove any adult fleas and kill the eggs and larvae. For a powerful one-two-punch, dry your clothes on a high heat setting too.

Wash your pet’s bedding and blankets, as well as soft furnishings like cushion covers and curtains, in hot water too.

Home treatment sprays 

As we now know, it’s not enough to treat your feline. You must tackle your house too. There are various home treatment sprays, and your vet should be able to recommend one. You typically need to spray onto soft furnishings and into the crevices of the room, including corners, edges, and under furniture.

Be sure to follow the safety instructions very carefully and keep all pets out of the rooms you’re treating.