Cats are curious beings and are known to be independent. But that doesn’t mean they are not vulnerable to outside threats such as fleas and ticks. These blood-sucking parasites are always on the lookout for a blood meal and can infect your cat anytime. And if not taken seriously, they can cause a horde of health issues. This makes it imperative to find a good flea and tick treatment to ensure your beloved cat’s safety.
However, given the myriad of options in the market, narrowing down to one can be an overwhelming task.
So, in this blog, we’ll discuss the primary factors you need to keep in mind while selecting the best flea and tick treatment for cats. We’ll also cover some popular flea and tick treatments for your reference.
Get ready with your notepads!
Why is Flea and Tick Prevention Crucial?
Fleas and ticks are more than a nuisance for our feline friends. These blood-sucking parasites can cause several health issues when they bite their host for a blood meal. Some of the common issues and diseases are:
- Dermatitis
- Several allergies
- Skin infections
- Itching
- Infections
- Anemia
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Paralysis
- Death
If taken lightly, these pesky parasites can cause many more severe issues, making it imperative to select the best treatment.
Factors to Keep in Mind While Selecting the Treatment
Here are the factors that will help you make the right choice when selecting a flea and tick treatment for your cat.
- Age and weight: Consider your cat’s weight and age, as different flea and tick treatments have different weight and age suitability criteria.
- Area and climate: The area and climate conditions you live in are also deciding factors. Considering the geographical aspect will help you recognise the flea and tick species prevalent in your area and select a suitable treatment.
- Lifestyle: Your cat’s lifestyle will also impact the selection. Consider how much time they spend indoors and the kind of areas they visit when out.
- Medical conditions: When selecting the right treatment, you must consider your cat’s health condition, medical history, and earlier reactions to flea and tick treatments.
- Safety: There are some treatments not suitable for breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats. Plus, your cat may show allergic reactions to some treatments, so it’s crucial to keep in mind the safety aspect.
- Mode of administration: Pay attention to your cat’s comfort while selecting from the various modes of administration, such as oral, topical, collar, etc.
Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Cats
Now that you know the major factors to keep in mind before selecting the right treatment. In this segment, we’ll cover some prominent flea and tick treatments to help your selection.
Bravecto Spot-on: Long-lasting topical treatment that provides protection against fleas, paralysis ticks, and brown dog ticks.
Revolution Plus: Broad-spectrum monthly topical treatment that protects against fleas, roundworms, hookworms, ear mites, heartworm disease, and paralysis ticks.
Advantage: Fast-acting topical treatment that treats and prevents flea infestations.
Frontline Plus: Fast-acting topical treatment for protection against fleas, paralysis ticks, brown dog ticks, biting lice, and sarcoptic mange.
Seresto Collar: It’s a long-lasting collar that protects cats against fleas and paralysis ticks for 8 months, treats and controls flea allergy dermatitis, and reduces the transmission of flea tapeworm.
Parting Words
We hope this informative post equipped you with the knowledge to select the right flea and tick treatment for your cat. The treatment options mentioned in this blog are among the top preferred and recommended treatments.
However, it’s best to consult your vet before making any final selection. They will perform a proper diagnosis and suggest the best-suited treatment depending on the condition and medical history of your cat. Good luck!
