Is there a less stressful way to treat for fleas?

[floorchid]

Mr Potato is a rescue and a bit skittish. Over time he has settled down and trusts us enough to come and sit with us for cuddles, but as soon as anyone makes a sudden move, he's out the door and over the horizon. He is also the most flea-prone cat I've ever had, so regular flea treatments are a must. The trouble is he HATES the treatment. It's a spot on the back of the neck - I don't know if it stings, or he doesn't like the smell, or what he hates. But I feel like we spend all this time creating a safe, nice place for him to relax only to betray him every 4 weeks.

I tried distracting him with one of those tubes of treaty mush and did the treatment, and now if he sees a treaty tube, he runs away. Another time he was on his favourite blanket when I did it, and now he doesn't trust blanket and won't sit on it.

It has to be done. but I feel so bad for him. Any advice or ideas?

Well, I have 3 and use the 3-month ones. Missy and Squeak (his brother is Bubble) are fine - struggle a bit when they feel the liquid on the back of their necks. Bubble nearly opened an artery when I did it and knows exactly what the packaging is, the sound of my opening it, etc. So I am a little more devious when it come to him

Imagine having to call in to work - sorry, I'm in A&E because I was giving my cat anti-flea treatment

LandingCat is against spot-on treatment too, and hated Bravecto - don't know if it was the smell or the sensation - so we have also moved onto Credelio. He doesn't enjoy it like a cat treat as others do (or the way he scoffs his Seraquin for his arthritis) but he will take it and it's much less stressful even though it means treating monthly rather than three-monthly