The best flea treatments for cats depends on your needs. Click on the heading to go straight to the section where you would like more information.
Flea Infestation In The Yard
A multi pronged approach will work best. Use a product like Diatomaceous Earth in the yard, in the home and on your pet. A cat flea spray for the yard is another option. Some cat flea sprays can be used indoors and outdoors.
Flea Infestation On The Cat
If you want fleas off your pet fast, fast, fast use a shampoo and a flea comb then follow up with a more conventional treatment.
Longer lasting Cat Flea Treatments
For Longer Lasting Results – Choose a flea collar, flea drops (applied between the shoulder blades) or a flea tablet (pill).
Instant Results To get rid Of Fleas
Instant Results – Choose flea spray, flea powder, flea shampoo, Diatomaceous Earth.
Note: There are some crossovers in the treatments mentioned above. Some flea sprays for example need to be applied daily whereas others can give 30 days protection.
Flea Infestation In The Yard
Diatomaceous Earth
This is a summarized pros and cons of using Diatomaceous Earth. For in depth information this article explains how diatomaceous earth works and how to use it to effectively control fleas inside the home on your pets and in the yard.
Pros
One of the uses of diatomaceous earth is the control of fleas for cats and dogs.
DE can be used throughout the home and yard and on pets. Useful for treating the yard where fleas may be present.
Prevent a re infestation.
Cons
It will take some work to ensure that all areas are covered.
Avoid windy weather when applying.
Cat Flea Spray
Cat flea spray can mean either a spray that you spray onto the cat or a spray that you use in the home and yard. Often the two are used in conjunction with one another.
When using a spray it’s a good idea to first of all spray onto a piece of cloth and rub onto the cat’s fur rather than spraying directly onto the cat. Also treat other flea affected areas such as the cat’s bedding, scratching post etc.
This is a summarized pros and cons of using cat flea spray. For more detailed information and product choices, this article reviews products and gives product ingredients.
Pros
It works straightaway.
It is inexpensive.
Cons
It will need to be reapplied often although some flea spray is effective for up to 30 days.
Click here for in depth information about How To Use Cat Flea Spray and questions regarding using cat flea spray.
Cat Flea Spray For The Yard
This cat flea spray differs from mot cat flea sprays because it can be used indoors and outdoors, making it practical choice.
It can be applied across a wide variety of places that the cat hangs out. This particular spray can also be used directly on cats older than 12 weeks.
Pros
Easy to apply.
Kills fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs, and ticks by the contact without harsh chemicals.
Made in the USA.
Cons
Has a strong smell.
DO NOT use the dog version of this product on your cat.
May take 20 to 30 minutes to dry when sprayed on carpet. This is dependent on weather conditions.
Flea Infestation On The cat
Long Lasting – Cat Flea Drops or Topical Treatment
This is a summarized pros and cons of using cat flea drops. This article gives detailed information about cat flea drops including the active ingredients. Cat flea drops are without a doubt the gold standard of flea treatments for cats.
Cat flea drops are popular because they are effective, closely followed by ease of applying and only having to apply once per month.
For that entire month and often longer, there is excellent flea protection.
Flea drops are applied topically (onto the skin), between the shoulder blades. The applicator usually has a snap top. Snap the top, part the cat’s fur and squeeze the drops onto the skin. That’s it!
Pros
These treatments are basically set and forget. It is a trouble free and effective solution.
Cons
Occasionally an animal will have an allergic reaction. Keep a close eye on your cat for 24 hours after applying.
Long lasting- Cat Flea Collar
A flea collar is undoubtedly one of the best flea treatments for cats and for good reason. It does the job it is supposed to do and that is keep the fleas away.
It may seem costly initially, however the Bayer Seresto collar has 8 months protection so, it actually makes it cost effective as well as convenient and reliable. This product does double duty as it also controls ticks.
This is a summarized pros and cons of using a cat flea collar and in particular the Seresto cat flea collar. This article gives detailed information about cat flea collars including the active ingredients and the required age of the kitten/cat to safely wear a cat flea collar.
Pros
Long lasting, 8 months protection.
Cons
Occasionally an animal will have an allergic reaction, so it’s always wise to keep a close eye on your cat for 24 hours after applying.
For Instant Results To get Rid of Fleas
Cat Flea Shampoo
Using a cat flea shampoo followed by combing with a flea comb will give an excellent instant result. If the thought of giving your cat a bath is scary wear long sleeves for protection. Fill the bath or sink beforehand so that the running water does not scare the cat.
Some find the smell of certain cat flea shampoos overpowering.
This is a summarized pros and cons of using cat flea shampoo. Read this article for detailed information about cat flea shampoo, including the active ingredients and what to do if your cat hates water. The article also includes instruction for giving your cat a bath – necessary if cat flea shampoo is on your shopping list.
Pros
Brilliant for getting rid of a flea infestation fast. Always have a bottle in the cupboard for flea emergencies.
Cons
Not a long lasting protection. May be problematic giving the cat a bath.
Cat Flea Powder
This is not to make kitty smell nice although it may have that effect. Its primary purpose is to get rid of fleas fast.
Flea powder for cats is a quick and convenient choice. It works quickly so brings fast relief. It is a useful product to have on hand for when fleas appear and they will at some point.
Just bear in mind that you will need to keep reapplying this product.
Pros
Easy to apply. Excellent as added protection. Convenient and useful to have at hand when needed.
Cons
It will need to be reapplied if the cat gets wet.
There is more information here about using Flea Powder and how to apply it so that it is effective for flea control.
Cat Flea Comb
A cat flea comb is usually used in conjunction with other products, for example always after a shampoo or after a spray or powder dusting. Even if not an infestation we really don’t like to see our kitties scratching . A flea comb is inexpensive and useful to have for anyone who owns a cat.
Pros
Inexpensive.
Can be used daily or whenever needed.
Can be used in conjunction with other cat flea treatments.
Cons
Requires vigilance to capture all fleas.
Some people may find it difficult to use a cat flea comb.
There’s detailed information here about the different types of flea combs available and an explanation explaining exactly how to use a cat flea comb.
Natural Treatment For Fleas
By natural treatments (in this article) we are referring to treatments that don’t contain chemicals, apart from naturally occurring chemicals. Do natural treatments work as well as those made using chemicals?
It is recognized that using natural or chemical free treatments is going to require more of your time to keep fleas at bay. If this is an issue for you then this is an important consideration.
Often natural products need to be reapplied frequently. They may take longer to apply and you do need to be vigilant about checking for the return of the fleas and then reapplying the treatment.
Click here to read detailed information about natural options and different types of treatments, and how to choose a treatment.
The Top Choice
1. Cat Flea Drops Topical Treatment
Our cat has entered his senior years and is now almost 18.
He has always had the topical treatments (flea drops) and we have had no flea problem ever, apart from when we have forgotten to apply the next dose. It just takes a minute to write the date of application on the calendar or in your phone as a reminder.
Our cat (has passed away since writing this article) never minded having the flea drops administered and he was not an easy cat. It was over so quickly that he didn’t have too much time to think about what was happening.
If your cat is like ours was, a bit grumpy, make sure you have everything ready so that you are not fumbling with opening the applicator and trying to control the cat at the same time.
Have kids? Get the kids to decorate the calendar ahead of time for flea application day.
Another treatment method is using a cat flea bomb. This is not a treatment for the cat however it is a treatment to treat the house for fleas where fleas have taken hold and can’t be removed. It is an option however some precautions need to be taken. This article explains the safe way to use a cat flea bomb.
