Latest flea treatment for cats

janeys

Hi does anyone know which is the current most effective flea treatment for cats please? My friend treats her cat monthly with Effipro spot on active ingredient Fipronil, but her cat comes in from outside and she has fleas on her. The cat is crying because she has been bitten, my friend grooms her and removes the fleas, there are no eggs. My friend is in her 70's and is finding it upsetting to see her cat in discomfort and the routine is tiring. The cat wont stay in and wont use a litter tray and my friend doesn't want to keep her in there are quite a few other cats in the area I think these other cats have fleas and my friends cat is picking them up by being in shared spaces. I'm looking for any advise I can give my friend that will help her and her cat, I think I read sometimes flea treatments become ineffectual and new ones are needed. I didn't know whether she should be using a spray as well as the spot on, I've never had cats so was unsure what to advise.

Katiehound

Not the spray and spot on at the same time that's for sure- they could react- these are relatively toxic chemicals so you don't want to overdose.

I've got dogs and there have been many reports that the most popular spot on-name escapes me at the moment - is not very efficient now.- Just remembered Frontline.

The most effective action (I agree not the cheapest) would be to get advice from the vet and buy a product from them- at least for the present. You may find that the drug recommended is available online from a reputable UK vet supplier. Some of the most effective drugs are POM so of course can only be obtained from the vet (or a scrip for them)

Bradden

Advocate for cats is recommended by most vets now.

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Advocate-Spot-on-Solution-for-Dogs-Cats/c294/

https://www.animeddirect.co.uk/prescriptions/advocate-40-for-small-cats-up-to-4kg-pack-of-3.html


There are similar products available.. but they are all prescription only.

It may be cheaper to get a long prescription from the vet and then buy online.

peachyprice

One of my cats has vet prescribed flea treatment due to other skin conditions meaning she HAS to stay flea free, she had the Comfortis tablet but she's a nightmare to catch to give it to. Now she has Bravecto drops, which are very expensive, but only needed every 3 months, these seem to work wonders on her, active ingredient is Fluralaner

The others all have Advantage, which works just fine, active ingredient is imidacloprid, same as Advocate but available without prescription.

Slinky

Frontline's main ingredient is Fipronil. It stopped working on our cat about 7 years ago. We use Advantage on our current cat, although you'd think we were attempting murder when applying to the back of her neck, but it does work. I get it from Animed.

NickC1984

We use Bravecto on our cats, after one of them seemed to have an allergic reaction to Advocate. Bravecto may be more expensive, but it's more than made up for by the fact that it's only needed once every 3 months, instead of every month - much less stress for both them and us!

Also, our vet is part of a scheme that does 4 for 3 on it - so you get a whole year's supply for the price of 9 months..

Boba_Fett1

The problem here is that your friend isn't treating her house. I use frontline-plus (which contains Fipronil which kills adult fleas and (S)-methoprene which inhibits egg laying - so minimal house infestation) and indorex household spray which lasts 12 months and also contains these two ingredients and I only spray twice a year - which will combat anything that slips through the net and into my home. Using a spot on treatment alone will not do and you MUST treat the house too .

No fleas here in over 6 years.

A full year of coverage for my pet and whole house is about £33.

Oddjob

Please don't use any spot on treatments, they burn, they melt paint (try it) and burn holes in metal.
If you get garden pesticide on your hands, you should wash it off immediately, so why risk putting it on your pets to have it go into their bodies?
Why do you think pets start shaking their heads when you put it on them - because its hurting them!!
Anyone on facebook, just type in Bravecto, Advantage or any of the other things you use and see how many dogs/cats have been killed.

Please, please, if you love your pets, use natural flea treatments, there are lots about, try Billy No Mates. Put a drop of cider apple vinegar in their water, comb their coats with it, use a fine tooth comb. Garlic in moderation is good for keeping fleas away, joints and heart.
Coconut oil brushed into the fur - Lauric acid in coconut oil has a strong repellent effect, which makes your dog or cat very unattractive as a host for ticks and fleas. And this is a great advantage compared to the chemical treatments, that are based on !!!8220;poisoning!!!8221; the insects. (they often contain neurotoxic poisons, which can even cause seizures and other very serious side effects)


Don't risk burning or even killing them for the sake of a few fleas!!

Oddjob

NickC1984 wrote: »

We use Bravecto on our cats, after one of them seemed to have an allergic reaction to Advocate. Bravecto may be more expensive, but it's more than made up for by the fact that it's only needed once every 3 months, instead of every month - much less stress for both them and us!

Also, our vet is part of a scheme that does 4 for 3 on it - so you get a whole year's supply for the price of 9 months..

It also kills - see - http://www.isbravectosafe.com/bravectotruefacts.htm

Shoshannah

Nice peer-reviewed, evidence-based website there...

GwylimT

Oddjob wrote: »

Please don't use any spot on treatments, they burn, they melt paint (try it) and burn holes in metal.
If you get garden pesticide on your hands, you should wash it off immediately, so why risk putting it on your pets to have it go into their bodies?
Why do you think pets start shaking their heads when you put it on them - because its hurting them!!
Anyone on facebook, just type in Bravecto, Advantage or any of the other things you use and see how many dogs/cats have been killed.

Please, please, if you love your pets, use natural flea treatments, there are lots about, try Billy No Mates. Put a drop of cider apple vinegar in their water, comb their coats with it, use a fine tooth comb. Garlic in moderation is good for keeping fleas away, joints and heart.
Coconut oil brushed into the fur - Lauric acid in coconut oil has a strong repellent effect, which makes your dog or cat very unattractive as a host for ticks and fleas. And this is a great advantage compared to the chemical treatments, that are based on !!!8220;poisoning!!!8221; the insects. (they often contain neurotoxic poisons, which can even cause seizures and other very serious side effects)


Don't risk burning or even killing them for the sake of a few fleas!!

Please don’t follow this advice, garlic is extremely poisonous to dogs.