Best Flea Medicine and Treatment for Cats
Some people are surprised to learn that fleas can be as much of a problem for cats as they are for dogs. Indeed, a warm-blooded mammal is a warm-blooded mammal as far as the fleas are concerned, and they’re not particularly picky about which type of animal serves as their host. Of course, cat owners will be very displeased about the parasites biting their pet and will do whatever they can to make sure that the cat isn’t bothered by fleas. Finding an effective flea medicine for cats will be a priority, and fortunately there are a number of them.
Buy Advantage Multi Buy Broadline Buy Frontline Plus Buy Program Buy Revolution Buy VectraThese types of flea medications for cats will usually be one of two types; oral medications that are taken as a pill or tablet, and topical application medications that are sprayed directly on the skin of the cat under its coat. One is not any better than the other, but for some owners one may be a better choice based on their pet’s individual characteristics.
Evaluating Each Popular Flea Medicine for Cats
There are 6 flea and tick medications for cats that are most commonly purchased by consumers. These include Advantage Multi Cat, Broadline, Frontline Plus, Program for Dogs and Cats, Revolution, and Vectra for Dogs and Cats. Of these six, only Program for Dogs and Cats is an oral medication. The other 5 are all topical medications that are applied at the base of the cat’s neck and between its shoulder blades for maximum effectiveness.
Identifying one best flea treatment for cats isn’t very realistic as they effectiveness of any treatment will depend on the many different external factors as well as physiology specifics for the cat. What is best for one may not be the ideal treatment for another cat. That said, using any of the 6 products we’re looking at here is very likely going to provide the relief from fleas that you want for you cat.
1. Advantage Multi Cat (also known as Advocate)
When it comes to flea medicine for cats, Advantage Multi is the go-to choice for a lot of pet owners. A big part of that is because it also works to prevent heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, and ear mites, and it only needs to be applied once a month. It is designed to be taken every month to prevent fleas and worms rather than killing them once they’ve set up on or inside your cat, but many cat owners believe this approach is part of what makes up the best flea treatment for cats.
It’s entirely safe, and the only thing you need to do is make sure that you don’t allow you cat to lick the application area for at least 30 minutes after administering this flea medication.
2. Broadline
Broadline is also a good flea medicine for cats that gets great reviews for customers for its effectiveness, ease of application, and lack of any negative side effects for the animal. It contains an insecticide to kill fleas like any other best flea treatment for cats (killing most present fleas within 8 to 24 hours), but also works to control flea bite hypersensitivity so that cats and kittens don’t have to experience the profound itching that comes with flea bites. If that’s been a big problem for your cat then this may the flea medicine for cats that suits your pet best.
3. Frontline Plus
Frontline Plus (Frontline Combo) is the #1 veterinarian-recommended flea and tick protection in America, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best flea treatment for cats by default. It does have the advantage of being able to eliminate ticks and lice along with fleas, and it also prevents the spread of sarcoptic mange infections by killing sarcoptic mites.
Frontline Plus is very popular for use by both dog and cat owners in areas of the country where deer ticks are common, and that’s because deer ticks are a major risk to humans too because of being the major carrier of Lyme disease.
The only especially important application guideline for Frontline Plus is to not bathe your pet for at least 48 hours before AND after application. But realistically, how many of you have ever had any success bathing a cat? Few if any we imagine.
4. Program for Cats and Dogs
As mentioned, Program is the only oral flea medication for cats on our list here. It will be the most ideal flea medicine for cats for owners with cats who don’t take well to being sprayed with anything, and it’s also likely the best flea treatment for cats for owners who also have dogs with fleas. That’s because – as the name suggests – Program is for use by dogs, cats, puppies and kittens and offers an equal level of effectiveness for all of them.
Most people will place / disguise the tablet in food and then have their pet ingest it that way. Some people mix Program with Capstar, another popular flea medicine for cats.
5. Revolution
Revolution (also known as Stronghold) stakes its claim as a best flea treatment for cats based on the fact that its parasiticide is also effective for killing the flea eggs. Not only that, it also kills ear mites, scabies, ticks and even helps to prevent heartworm, roundworm, and hookworm in the same way Advantage Multi does. It is also usually taken monthly to prevent infestations, and it’s also applied topically once a month with the same need to make sure your cat doesn’t lick the application spot for 30 minutes before or after application.
6. Vectra for Dogs and Cats
Vectra and its claim to fame as flea medicine for cats is that it acts fast – VERY fast. It kills fleas within 2 to 6 hours of application and kills on contact. That means that it will kill the fleas even if they’re not biting the cat at that time. One application of this medication will last for one month, and it also has the advantage of being quick drying and non-greasy. Lastly, much like Program it is a good choice for people with both cats and dogs needing a good flea treatment.
