Flea treatment for cats

[Shadow666]

Im fairly sure my three lovely cats have fleas. Can anyone recommend a flea treatment? Or is it better to take them to the vet monthly? I've thoroughly washed all their bedding but there seems to be conflicting advice as to the best treatment. I'd be grateful for any help.

I use flea treatment sold by the vet - I think it's Advantage. It's a spot-on one.

You'd probably have to make an appointment for the first time you have it (they'll have to be weighed) but after that you can just buy it.

They're supposed to be treated monthly. I use advocate from the vet. You don't need to physically take them every month, I just go in and buy the treatment

I get mine from the vet to. I alternate between advantage and the one with worm treatment in too (forget the name). I usually by three months worth at one go. It’s not cheap but keeps them free of flees and worms

You need a vet prescribed flea treatment (not Frontline). Anything bought over the counter is likely to be ineffective and may be dangerous.
If a vet hasn't seen your cats they will need to go in and be weighed. No need to take them in every month though. Just pick up the stuff.
You do need to do them every month. We use advocate each month and profender once every three months for worms. Are they vaccinated?
If they have fleas you need to treat the house too. Get some indorex.

Ah yes - that's it! Advocate, not Advantage. Sorry. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Advantage is the only non-prescription one which works. Avoid Frontline and definitely don't use any Bob Martin products.

Yep monthly treatments from vet prescribed is needed-this prevents fleas in the first place. Advocate or Stronghold.
The vet needs to see the cats prior to prescribing.
And you will need to thoroughly treat the whole house.

Advocate really works - I have a very furry cat, and I used one that came from the pet shop and it really wasn't good enough, and we got a very nasty infestation. My vets require you and the cat to visit once a year to check on weight, and will then prescribe 2 x 6 months supply before going back for another visit. They also had a very good flea spray which will help you get rid of any infestations.

I get Broadline from the vet. It's about £8 a dose and does for fleas and worms. Advocate and Advantage are good ones but please please never use over the counter crap like Bob Martins. You're more likely to kill your cat than the fleas.

Advocate from the vet is best. Usually they give you 6 months supply at a time.

Get a flea comb to check if they really do have fleas. You are looking for not just live fleas but also black bits that are the flea dirt.

If they have fleas, you also need to treat the house - Indorex spray is best but very toxic right after application so cats need to be in a separate room. Hoover everywhere, wash all fabrics and cat beds you can (the rest you can spray with Indorex).

mine doesn't give 6 months supply at a time. I go in monthly.

The important thing to know about treating fleas is only 5% of the problem is the pet. The 95% is your home. Therefore the most important thing is to treat your home every 9 - 12 month with Indorex (from your vet). Do not be tempted to use cheaper treatments from the pet shop or supermarket- they don’t work and are a waste of money.

Then on top of that use a spot on treatment on your cat - whichever your vet recommends.

Advocate is the one I use. Your cat will need to be weighed by the vet, as there are three different strengths - small cat and ferrets; medium cat and large cat.

Ok, thanks so much. You’re all amazing. I really dropped the ball on this. I will take them all to the vet and give the house a good spring clean and flea treatment. Hopefully it will help.

I’m not 100% sure it’s fleas but there is some fur loss in two cats and a lot of scratching going on.

We use Bravecto from the vet. It’s applied three monthly which means I don’t have to upset him every month! We used to use Advocate but stopped when it badly damaged our leather sofa.

Thanks. TBH, the vet is very busy and a trip takes around 3 hours so anything to avoid a monthly trip would be great.

Mine isn’t around the corner either which is why I buy a few months worth in one trip.

And you don’t actually have to see the vet. The vet nurse will weigh them and give it to you without having to pay a consulting fee

We take ours in once a year for health check, vaccinations and weighing. The vet is quite happy to prescribe flea and worm treatment for the whole year based on that one visit. (Though I pick up three months worth at a time. Our vets isn't far!)