Please help a new cat mum with flea/worm advice!

[RescueCatMum]

I've just adopted a lovely pair of 5 year old rescue cats. I want to religiously keep on top of defleaing/ worming (they will go outside in time) but I'm not sure how best to do it - is it worth signing up to the monthly plan the vet offers, or the plan pets at home offer, or just buy myself? Any advice or brand recommendations etc appreciated! (I'm also worried about getting the treatment onto a nervous cat - tips about that very welcome too!)

I use advantage flea treatment and drontal wormers. My vet told me these are very good. I've not heard good things about some of the other spot on treatments.

The only thing I've heard is better is the dronspot which is a prescription version of the two combined at a higher strength I think? You obviously have to get the vet to prescribe though and it does cost more so maybe if they have persistent issues? My cats have never had fleas (fingers crossed I haven't jinxed myself now).

Agree with PP

Also: cat tax??

Also wrap them in a towel so their claws are trapped and they can't destroy your arms trying to get away and then ply with plenty of treats. One of mine takes it ok, the other is mortally offended for about an hour after but it's one if those things unfortunately!

Firstly, don't be tricked into thinking you can save money by buying over the counter flea & worm treatments - fleas have become resistant to near enough all of them so the only ones that really work are the prescription ones..

It's worth checking out the differences between the cost of PaH vs your vet with the monthly plans, trying to ensure they are like for like. Also ceck if either/both are offering spot on treatments rather than tablets, as those are so much easier to use! Some vets will issue you with a prescription at a charge and you can then buy the treatments at an on line pet pharmacy, so again worth comparing the costs of doing that.

Regarding getting a spot on done, I started out by getting mine used to being stroked from the head down the neck to past where you would apply the treatment. Once they got used to me scritching round that area, I would have the tube already open close at hand before starting a session, then just pick my moment when they are relaxed. Just part the hair by stroking it backwards with a finger or thumb, then a quick squirt and it's done 😀

Haha yes as Allergictoironing suggests, sly is sometimes best with the flea treatment. One of my cats is faster on the uptake though and gets suspicious about what's in my hand and legs it. More so it's the wormer I have to wrap them for as I have large cats and the tablets are huge! I doubt I could swallow one easily. Fortunately that's quarterly.

Just thought I'd add one of my favorites here...

I’d go with the vet plan as then you get prescription strength stuff which is what you need . Ours have the program injection for fleas as it was too stressful to all concerned using a spot on as we were concerned about them licking each other .

Speak to your vet.

don’t buy otc or pet shop ones. Often ineffective at best, harmful at worst.

fleas become resistant very easily, and often in local patterns as fleas are shared between treated and non treated cats.

your vet should have a reasonable idea of which products are best specific to your area, so I don’t think there’s any point anyone here recommending one. My vets rotate brands fairly regularly as they get feedback that the current one isn’t working so well any more.

This is brilliant 😂

We have a Pets at Home subscription, Advantage and Dronspot, it costs £10 a month per cat and comes through the post every month. It's always worked for us, never had fleas or worms, ours are indoor cats though so I appreciate that's a factor

I used to get a 3 month spot-on flea treatment prescribed by the vet but within 5 or 6 weeks my cat was picking up fleas again. I now get a monthly treatment mailed to me via Pets at Home which (crossed fingers) appears to be working better.

Also… pics please OP 😺

Thank you all so much, I've learned loads! (I haven't taken them to the vet yet as I'm worried they'll think they are losing their home again when they see the carrier!!). The vet plan cost and PaH plan are fairly similar (and the vet one has added benefits) so it sounds like its the way to go especially as I'm quite anxious about it!

I can't get photos to upload but one is calico and one tabby, they are wonderful 😀

I use the pets at home £12 plan and can't fault it. It includes vaccine boosters and the flea and worm treatment is every 3 months, which lines up perfectly with getting claws clipped (indoor cats!), so they give my boys the pills for me. Also get 6 monthly check ups included, but whoever I see for the flea and worm gives them a lookover every 3 months too.

Also find the text reminders very helpful and you get month off each visit too (claw clipping and flea/worming visits are free on the plan)

Should read *money off!

Gosh triple quoting myself, gah! I don't mean pets at home, I mean vets4pets!

I'm worried they'll think they are losing their home again when they see the carrier!!

If you have the room leave the carrier out & put the odd treat in it, and preferably put in a blanket or towel that they lie on. That way, the carrier won't be a trap to them just a normal bit of furniture.