Best flea and tick topical for cats

Best flea and tick topical for cats

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When you bring a pet into your household, it can be easy to assume that it's all cuddles and playtime. But being responsible for an animal is actually a lot more complicated than that. For example, one of the biggest responsibilities of pet ownership is managing your pet's health. For cat owners, this means making sure that you're using the best flea treatment for cats possible.

Being a cat owner can be rewarding, comforting, and so much fun, but making sure that that cat is happy, healthy, and thriving should always be your number one priority. And though fleas may seem like a minor thing, preventing them is very important. Woman's Day spoke with two experts who explained the dangers of fleas, as well as reassuring us that fleas are one of the most preventable health issues for pets, and sharing their top picks for the best flea medications for prevention and treatment.

Meet the experts

  • Dr. Heather Brausa is a staff doctor at the Animal Medical Center in New York City.
  • Dr. Erin Katribe is medical director at Best Friends Animal Society.

    The best flea treatments for cats to buy in 2022

    • 1

      Best flea and tick topical for cats

      best collar

      Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Prevention Collar Seresto

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    • 2

      Best flea and tick topical for cats

      best topical

      Bravecto Topical Solution Bravecto

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    • 3

      Best flea and tick topical for cats

      best for kittens

      Revolution Plus Topical Solution Revolution

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    • 4

      Best flea and tick topical for cats

      best all-around preventative

      Advantage Multi Topical Solution Advantage Multi

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    • 5

      Best flea and tick topical for cats

      best budget

      Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment Frontline

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    The most important thing you can do when considering a flea treatment for your cat is to consult your veterinarian. Only your pet's vet will know exactly what makes sense for your animal, their health, and their lifestyle. "Talk to your vet to determine a safe and effective treatment that is appropriate for your cat. Many over-the-counter products, despite a label indicating they are safe for cats, can cause toxic reactions in some cats," Dr. Katribe says.

    1

    best collar

    Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Prevention Collar

    2

    best topical

    Bravecto Topical Solution

    3

    best for kittens

    Revolution Plus Topical Solution

    4

    best all-around preventative

    Advantage Multi Topical Solution

    5

    best budget

    Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment

    6

    best oral preventative

    Comfortis

    Comfortis Chewable Tablet

    Why are fleas dangerous?"Fleas in and of themselves are a bit of a nuisance. They cause bites which are itchy to both animals and people alike. They are also potential hosts for a number of different diseases and all of this stuff is very preventable with flea preventative," Dr. Brausa says. Dr. Katribe also noted fleas can cause anemia in animals in severe infections, which can be life-threatening to animals.

    How can you tell if your cat has fleas? One of the easiest ways to know if your cat has fleas is to look for them, explains Dr. Katribe. "Common signs of flea infestation include seeing live fleas on your cat; or in some cases, we see 'flea dirt' which looks like fine, black sand in the hair coat, often at the base of the hairs," Dr. Katribe says. "To examine for potential fleas, part the hairs on your cat’s coat near the base and look for fleas or 'flea dirt.' Flea dirt can be combed out with a flea comb. When placed on a paper towel and moistened, the black dirt will turn red, as flea dirt is actually flea excrement – digested blood."

    How can you prevent your cat from getting fleas? Though there are many different options for preventing fleas, Dr. Katribe explains that they're not all created equal. "Some over-the-counter products, despite being labeled for cats, can cause toxicity. We’re also discovering that flea populations in some areas appear to be resistant to some of the older product formulations," Dr. Katribe says. "To prevent fleas, I recommend a newer generation topical or oral flea prevention product. Combination products are also available that prevent other internal and external parasites. Discuss what options are best for your cat’s lifestyle with your veterinarian."

    Olivia Muenter Olivia Muenter is a freelance writer and former fashion and beauty editor who writes about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, relationships, travel, home decor, and more for Woman's Day and beyond.

    What is the most effective flea and tick treatment for cats?

    We recommend Frontline Plus because it not only kills fleas and controls flea infestations, but it also kills ticks and chewing lice. Used and trusted by pet owners for more than 20 years, it protects for 30 days with one application. Fleas do not have to bite your cat for it to work — they die on contact.

    What is the best topical flea medication for cats?

    #1 Best Over-The-Counter Flea Medication For Cats: Sentry Fiproguard Flea and Tick Topical for Cats. ... .
    #2 Best Oral Flea Treatment For Cats: Novartis Capstar Flea Tablets For Dogs And Cats. ... .
    #3 Best Spot-on Flea Treatment For Cats: Frontline Plus For Cats And Kittens..

    What is the healthiest flea treatment for cats?

    Safe and Effective Flea Treatment Products for Cats.
    Advantage® II (topical liquid).
    Advantage MULTI® (topical liquid, also protects cats from heartworms, ear mites, and some types of intestinal worms).
    Bravecto® (topical liquid, also protects cats from certain tick species).

    Is Frontline Plus better than Advantage for cats?

    FRONTLINE Plus and Advantage II are both effective in eliminating fleas in all life stages. Both products feature three-way prevention that lasts up to a month. But when it comes to severe infestations and broad-spectrum protection, FRONTLINE is a better choice between the two.