If you thought that your cat isn’t the perfect host for fleas, even if they spend most of their time indoors, you’d be dead wrong. Every time your cat goes out, there’s a possibility that he or she might bring home a flea or twelve!
But just how often should you flea a cat, and what are the best products to use to treat your cat for fleas?
Advice on when to de-flea your cat
Most people think that fleas are merely a summertime problem, but because most of us use central heating, fleas are a year-round problem.
It’s important to administer a flea treatment on a regular basis to ensure you’re providing your cat with continuous coverage. If your cat is going to the cattery, administer the treatment before he goes.
Do I really need to treat my indoor cat for fleas?
Without a doubt, YES! Even if your cat doesn’t leave the house, you might have unknowingly brought fleas into your home. Always stick to a monthly routine and flea your cat so you’re safe rather than sorry.
What are the longest lasting flea treatments for cats?
You can go one of 4 ways when treating your cat for fleas, flea collars, spot-on treatments, oral flea treatments, and flea sprays.
Flea collars
Flea collars provide a constant flow of flea prevention, and many collars work for months at a time. Seresto’s Cat Tick & Flea Collar, for example, provides protection against fleas for up to 8 months.
Spot-on treatments
Spot-on treatments are typically applied on the back of your cat’s next and can provide up to a month’s protection against fleas. Compared to oral medications, topical treatments are much easier to administer. If you choose a brand like Bravecto, it’ll provide your cat with protection against fleas for up to 3 months.
Oral flea treatments
Oral flea treatments aren’t the easiest to give to cats, but they do work for some cat owners. These treatments are generally only effective for a month after which you will have to flea your cat again.
Flea sprays
Flea sprays are applied directly onto cars and some might provide protection for longer than 30 days. As with any pet product, it’s essential to read the label to ensure you’re using it correctly.
Final thoughts
You only have to flea your cat once every eight months if you use a flea collar like the one from Seresto. If your cat hates a collar, you can opt for Bravecto spot-on treatment that can repel fleas and ticks for up to 3 months.
Oral flea treatments aren’t as long-lasting as flea collars and spot-on treatments, but they can provide protection against fleas for up to a month.
Flea sprays can also be used if you don’t want to use a collar or spot-on treatments, but rarely offer protection that lasts longer than 30 days.