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

Does your feline pal itch a lot? Uh oh: Fluffy may have fleas. Fleas can not only make pets miserably itchy, they can also cause dangerous health issues, such as anemia; can spread disease; and can carry tapeworms. Keeping up with Fluffy’s flea control is very important! However, you have to be sure to follow proper safety practices since parasite control products contain chemicals. A vet offers some information on this below.

Choosing Products

There are many different products to choose from, including sprays, powders, topical drops, and collars. Ask your vet for recommendations. It’s always best to purchase Fluffy’s products through your vet. Some of the brands you can find in grocery stores and other retailers may use strong, toxic, or low quality chemicals. There have been cases of pets having serious—and even fatal—reactions to them. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Infestations

Do you have a flea problem? Don’t double 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 trying to take over your home environment. Vacuuming daily will help a lot here. You can also try insect growth regulators or other products.

Safety

Never use insecticides on kittens and be sure to check with your vet before using them on older cats, pregnant felines, or kitties with medical problems. If your furry pal fits into one of these categories, remove live fleas with a flea comb instead.

Label

Always read the label instructions carefully. If you have questions or if anything is unclear, contact the manufacturer or your vet before proceeding.

Au Naturale?

It’s great to see more and more eco-friendly products on the market. However, don’t assume that things are safe just because “natural” is on the label. For example, many flea products contain citrus extracts, which many kitties are very sensitive to.

Picking The Product

Choose products that are formulated for cats of Fluffy’s size and age. And never use products made for dogs. Our canine and feline friends respond very differently to certain chemicals. Products intended for Fido could make your kitty really sick. Some may even be deadly! Organophosphates and permethrin are examples of this.

Warning Signs

Always watch for signs of negative reactions, such as lethargy, drooling, trembling, respiratory issues, convulsions, and weakness. Contact your vet immediately if you notice anything off.

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