Flea Collars and Other Flea Treatment for Cats

Flea collars are often the first item considered when thinking about protecting your pet from cat fleas.

However they are by no means the only product available to not only prevent fleas, but to also treat them if they do appear. 

On this page I would like to go through all the various options available for the treatment of fleas to enable you to choose the right one for your cat and home environment.

I will also outline any dangers or health issues associated with them, again to so that you have all the facts at your fingertips and are able to make the right judgement for your circumstances.

Cat Flea Collars

Flea Collars for the prevention of cat fleas are impregnated with insecticidal ingredients such as permethrin or other pyrethroids which are designed to kill off fleas, or flea-growth inhibiting substances such as methoprene.

Using a collar on your cat for the prevention of fleas is only one option but it is worth bearing in mind that they may not be the most effective treatment as the chemicals on the collar may not spread throughout the cat's coat and so not kill off all fleas.

Also some cats can be allergic to some of the ingredients on the collar causing irritation and hair loss around the neck area. Personally I would choose a different method of flea treatment for cats. Please see this true account of one cat owners terrible experience with cat collars.

It is also worth considering that if you do decide to use flea collars it is better to get one that has a snap away feature so that your cat cannot get caught by the collar. One such collar which does have this feature is the Breakaway Flea & Tick Collar for Cats

Flea Powders

There are various flea powders on the market designed to either treat your cat once an infestation has occurred or your home or both.

It is important to make sure that you apply the powders as directed on the powder bottle as some powders may contain chemicals which could be harmful to your cat is used incorrectly.

If you are going to use a powder on your cat choose one that has non-harmful chemicals in it. One such product is the Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy 8 oz which is non toxic and chemical free.

Spot On Products

As the name suggests the treatment is administered by dropping spots of a liquid onto the skin on the cat's neck and shoulder blades. They work in various ways either by killing adult cat fleas or by interrupting the development of the fleas, preventing their growth and reproduction. 

Not all spot on treatments are the same and I would urge you not to be tempted to buy the cheaper varieties as generally these are much less effective and could end up costing you more in the long run if you end up having to treat for a flea infestation in your home.

Some spot on cat frontline products can be used in pregnancy and in lactating queens. It can also be used in kittens from the age of 8 weeks.

The better spot on treatments also contain ingredients that also protect your cat from some types of worm infestation also.

These treatments are available both over the counter and also from your vet (the most affective ones are only available from your vet). Most of these treatments remain effective for around a month and so the treatment only need be administered once a month. It is a fairly easy process, quick, painless and stress free for your cat.

Oral Flea Treatment For Cats

When treating an actual flea infestation, it is possible to give a flea treatment for cats orally that will be effective in killing the adult fleas within hours. However these oral treatments only have a short active time period and so are not effective for the prevention of cat fleas on a regular basis. 

Injections

Injections are available from your vet which acts to prevent development of flea eggs and which only needs to be given once every six months. You must speak with your own vet to see if your cat is a suitable candidate for this treatment. 

Flea Sprays

There are also some sprays that can be used on your cat to treat an infestation of cat fleas. It is important to check that these sprays will not harm your cat, so always read the label and apply as instructed. Sprays have become less popular over the years since the spot on treatments became available as sprays are not that easy to administer due to the fact that your cat may not like the hissing sound made by the spray or the wet feel on the coat. Also you have to prevent your cat from licking it off straight away.

Frontline Flea and Tick Treatment Dog/Cat Spray, 8-1/2-Ounce

Special Considerations

Please note that you should not use two different types of treatment for cat fleas on your pet at the same time as this can lead to overdose of the chemicals involved. So for example, do not use flea collars and a spot on product at the same time!

It is always advisable to speak to your vet before giving any flea treatment to your cat if they are pregnant or younger than six months of age.

If using flea collars make sure your cat is not affected by the chemicals around their neck a few days after first putting it on.

The information provided on this page is to give you an overall picture of the different types of flea treatment for cats that are available. Our Happy Cat .com always recommends that you read the product label and to follow the instructions carefully.

Further reading

Find out what to do to treat your home environment for fleas.

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