Why does the cat still have fleas after cat flea treatment? Fleas can be persistent, especially if they have infested the home and other pets.
Why Do The Fleas Come Back?
There are a number of reasons why the cat fleas may not all have been killed by the cat flea method used to kill the fleas. Here are some possible reasons your cat still has fleas and what you can do to help. See below:
1. Was The Flea treatment Administered properly?
This is not a criticism of how the product was applied but sometimes we are just in a rush and maybe we could have done a better job. Take the time to re-read the instructions on the product label.
Did you administer the correct dose for your cat’s weight and age? This is important. A flea treatment meant for a kitten will probably not work on an adult cat.
Did the cat flea treatment have to be reapplied? Some cat flea treatments need frequent applications and some flea treatments last for month or longer.
2. Did Your Cat Get Wet?
Perhaps you bathed your cat too soon or the cat got wet, after applying the flea treatment.
Some products need time to absorb into the skin and coat of your cat. Washing the flea treatment off, can reduce its effectiveness.
Wait 24 hours or more, before bathing your cat after applying a topical flea treatment.
3. Is Your Cat Resistant To the Flea Treatment?
Perhaps your cat is resistant to the flea treatment used. Some fleas develop a resistance to an ingredient, making the fleas even harder to kill.
If you have followed all instructions, it may be time to consider changing flea treatments or using a combination of flea treatments (where this is an option.)
Your vet can help you choose a reliable flea treatment.
Flea treatments are quite expensive and not something that you want to keep on changing.
4. Are There Fleas In Other Areas Of Your Home?
Do you have fleas in your rugs, carpeting, blankets, and pet beds?
Fleas can survive and breed in carpets, furniture, bedding, and other places where your cat spends time.
You need to vacuum, wash, and spray these areas regularly to kill the flea eggs, larvae, and pupae that may be hiding there. Otherwise, your cat will easily be reinfected with fleas.
You can also use flea bombs or foggers when a whole house needs to be treated. Follow the safety precautions and remove your cat and other pets from the area.
The fleas need to be treated everywhere, even outdoor areas.
Check for flea hotspots in your home or outside.
Fleas can hide in dark and moist areas, such as under furniture, in cracks and crevices, in soil, under mulch, or in leaf litter.
5. Have you treated all your pets with the flea treatment?
Fleas can easily jump from one animal to another, so if you have other cats, dogs, or other furry pets in your household, they may also have fleas.
Make sure you treat all your pets with a suitable flea product.
6. Have You Completed The Whole Flea Treatment Process?
Fleas have a complex life cycle that takes several weeks or even months to complete, depending on temperature and humidity.
Even if you kill the adult fleas on your cat, there may still be eggs, larvae, and pupae in the environment that can hatch and reinfest your cat.
You need to continue the flea treatment for at least three months, to break the cycle and stop future outbreaks. Some patience and persistence is required.
7. Have You Waited Long Enough To See The Results Of The Flea Treatment?
Some flea products take hours or days to kill each flea. You may still see some fleas on your cat even though the product is working.
Don’t panic and don’t apply more product than recommended, as this can be harmful to your cat. Monitor your cat’s condition.
You should see fewer fleas and less scratching over time.
What Precautions Can Cat Parents Take to Keep Fleas away?
A few precautions against fleas taking hold in your home. Read below:
- First, use cat flea treatment on your cat once a month to keep fleas away, or as directed by the manufacturer, and be mindful of any side effects.
- Fleas like carpet and regular vacuuming of carpeted areas is essential. It’s easier to keep them at bay with hard flooring like wood or tiles, however that may not always be possible.
- Weekly is the ideal frequency for washing throw rugs, cat beds, and pet bedding to keep fleas away.
- Brushing your cats every day will only take a few minutes out of your day, and it is well worth it. You will be able to see the flea situation first hand and deal quickly with problems as they arise.
Your cat will enjoy the attention, and using a flea comb on your cat once a week is like a gentle reminder to physically check for fleas.
The tummy of the cat is an easy place to spot any fleas that have moved in as the dried blood from the flea bite is easily visible. - Be aware that on hot, humid days, fleas are at a premium.
- Be aware of your kitty scratching excessively.
The Problems Fleas Can Cause
Not only do fleas cause problems for your cat, but fleas in your home can cause many difficulties for pet owners.
A flea infestation becomes a bigger problem to deal with. Humans can bring fleas into the house on their clothing and infect an indoor cat.
There are many different types of flea treatments, and the one you pick may not kill your cat’s fleas. The next one may. All cats react differently.
Flea treatments come in various degrees of strength. Is the one you chose strong enough?
Fleas are a common nuisance for cats. However, getting rid of fleas is vital to your cat’s health. If my cat still has fleas after treatment, I try another treatment in 30 days.
- Fleas are parasites that suck your cat’s blood. Yes, they are nasty!
Fleas transmit diseases and can infect your cat with parasites. Fleas can bite humans and transmit some of these parasites and conditions. Flea bites on humans are unsightly and very itchy.
Fleas do not remain on humans as they do on cats. Some of these diseases transmitted by fleas include:
- Flea allergies
- Dermatitis
- Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasmosis
- Tapeworm
Once fleas enter your house, it takes an effort to get rid of the fleas completely.
Fleas can cause severe anaemia. Anaemia happens more frequently in kittens found in shelters.
What Is a Good Flea Treatment?
A flea treatment is usually a monthly cost, that you will need to work into your budget all year. Fleas keep inflicting harm even in winter.
You could research holistic flea treatments, if that is your preference. Never get any flea solution, holistic or pesticide, in your cat’s eyes. Please use caution.
- Never apply a flea treatment on your cat that is meant to be used on a dog.
- All flea treatments are dispensed according to your cat’s weight.
- Flea treatments for kittens will always stipulate the minimum age for safe usage, on the front of the packet .
The following is the personal experience and opinion of the writer of this article who has fostered over 30 cats and has a great deal of practical experience dealing with fleas on cats.
“I am not here to push any particular product, but I must mention that Revolution met all my cat’s needs. I have never had a cat react in any way to this flea product. If your cat is infected with a parasite, this product will kill it. Revolution is what we use. Although this product is expensive, it does not seem to affect the cats in a negative way as the other products have in the past.”
Revolution and other prescription medications for fleas and ticks are available through Chewy Pharmacy.
The Pros and Cons of Revolution Cat Flea Treatment
Cons of using Revolution from a Personal Perspective:
- A prescription is required from your vet to buy Revolution. The Chewy Pharmacy will get vet approval and ship to your door.
- It is more expensive than some other flea treatments.
Pros of using Revolution from a Personal Perspective:
- I saw no side effects with Revolution as I did with at least two other popular brands.
- When I bought the Revolution Plus, I felt assured that Revolution protects my cats against flea eggs and adult fleas, ticks, ear mites, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms.
- Bonus if you live in Canada! You can buy Revolution Plus from any Canadian pet pharmacy without a prescription, and the cost is lower.
- The cats did not seem to fight me, as I put this on them.
Using Revolution will ensure that fleas don’t come back. Remember to wash all pet related laundry that may be indoors or outdoors at the same time as administering treatment. Your cat can be flea free!
If you still can’t get rid of the fleas and your cat still has fleas after treatment, it is time to consult your vet.
Your vet will explain what will work best for your cat. The vet will also advise you regarding how much time you need to leave between treatments.
The time between treatments will vary depending on the treatment you have already used. It may be unsafe for your cat to receive another flea treatment just yet.
