Good OTC flea stuff - does it exist??

[Faceplantagain]

I would much prefer to use the stuff that only comes on prescription, but my vet needs to see said cat every now and then in order to prescribe it (which is entirely reasonable). And I'm finding it really hard to get one of my two cats to the vet - the first time she clawed her way out of my arms before I could pop her in the basket and the second time I mis-timed my grab and she is currently several gardens away, showing no inclination to come back soon. The vet is being very understanding, but I can't go on cancelling appointments. Its not been an issue for a while as I've been sharing the flea stuff prescribed by my other (more compliant) cat, but that has of course now run out before it should, so the vet won't prescribe any more. Aaargh.

I always order from here

https://www.pets-megastore.com.au/

You can get most flea treatments without a prescription from there. We take our cat yearly for jabs and check ups but we can't take her all the time as it stresses her out so much.

We use Bravecto - my understanding was it was prescription only (our vet will sign it off for the year at Dcat's annual vaccination appt) but @LuckysDadsHat 's link has it!

In Australia they have different laws on flea meds. I have been ordering from them for about 18 years it must be and never had an issue. It takes a bit longer to arrive but never longer than 2 weeks.

I found a vet that comes to me once a year. she prescribes sedatives in advance which i give to my anxious cat who is then asleep when she visits

The laws have changed on meds. As long as they see the cat once a year they will prescribe without seeing the cat. But, if your cat hasn’t been seen since the new regs came in, yes you have to take the cat to the vet. Not ideal I know.

To be honest I think you need to work on your strategy for getting cats into their carriers, there are times when they have to go to the vet and I find that now we have established a routine for doing it it is far less stressful for both humans and cats. I try and book appointments for a time of day (mid morning) when they are usually snoozing or chilled out, gradually shut doors or windows - they are getting wise to this now though then grab and drop into the baskets which I don't get out and open till the last minute.

I used the frontline flea and tick, and I have to say it works for us. Get it online from petdrugsonline with worming treatment too.

I use advantage

Thanks everyone. And, yes @EasterlyDirections I do need to work on my strategy for getting this particular cat to the vet - I'm just not convinced I can do so before our current supply of flea stuff runs out! She's always been very nervy, and she always runs away when spooked...

What's the vet stuff you use?
Advantage is supposed to work OK. It has the same flea killing ingredient as Advocate which is prescription only (advocate also kills some worms)

I use Advantage drop on once a month for my cats and it works perfectly. I buy from Vet Uk.

https://www.vetuk.co.uk/advantage-flea-treatments-advantage-for-cats-c-3_660_873/advantage-80-flea-treatment-for-large-cats-and-rabbits-4-pipettes-p-229

My strategy for getting cats into carriers involves locking and blocking the catflap. Shutting the cat in 1 room and then dropping the cat into the carrier bum first.

Same. I always stock up when they have an offer on. Much cheaper than the vets.

I use frontline, the green one. You can buy it from loads of online stores, VetUk is one of them.
I also use the household spray that frontline do, I just got that from a pet shop.
It always works for both my cats. They always get fleas in spring and summer. One of mine is allergic to the fleas, but not the treatment.

Frontline isn't always that effective. I use stronghold plus from the vet and my 2 cats have never had fleas

My vet has given us sedatives for our cat before. Usually after two missed appointments.

I agree with the poster who said when you want to get the cat in the carrier you need to have the cat flap shut, go to the room the cat is in and shut yourself and cat in that room. I have a top loading carrier so it is easy to drop the cat in.

It does not exist.

We slowly trap our cats closing doors so they can't get away.

There's also good advice available on desensitizing your cat to the carrier: basically leaving it out all the time, spraying it with Feliway and feeding treats in it.

That's more ore less it for us too, we prop the carrier on its end in the bath with its door open, lock the catflap, shut all external doors and windows and bedroom doors (otherwise they get under the beds), carry cat into bathroom and kick the door shut behind me, drop the cat in back end first and close the hatch. We had years of them being a nightmare and giving us the right run around but it is much easier now. We have also learned never to say the word V E T in their hearing. We can't leave the carriers out all the time for space reasons but we do get them out of storage when the cats aren't looking.

Thank you everyone! I've now ordered Advantage online, which seems to have the same anti-flea ingredient (imidacloprid) in the same quantity as the stuff on prescription (which is Prinovox btw). So that'll keep us going for a bit.

You will need a separate wormer as your prinovox also treated some worms. It is the same as Advocate