Flea drops: rating of effective medications for cats

Even a domestic cat that has never gone outside can become infected with fleas, ticks, and helminths. If a kitten is taken from the street, there is a high probability that it is infected with ecto- or endoparasites.

There are many veterinary remedies for parasites: drops, tablets, sprays. For opponents of medications, there are time-tested folk methods. What is the most effective treatment for fleas and worms?

What to do in such a situation? To get started, we recommend reading this article. This article describes in detail methods of controlling parasites. We also recommend that you consult a specialist. Read the article >>>

Operating principle and effectiveness of flea drops

Flea drops for cats are concentrated solutions containing substances with an insecticidal effect. They contain additional ingredients that ensure rapid penetration of the main component into the skin. Flea drops for cats spread evenly over the entire skin of the animal, penetrating into every hair follicle. What happens next:

• when an insect comes into contact with an insecticide, the latter is absorbed into its smooth body equipped with bristles;
• the toxic substance affects the flea’s nervous system, causing muscle paralysis and immobilization;
• the insect loses the ability to move and feed, and therefore soon dies.

Cats and kittens stop itching mainly in the first day after applying the drops. Insecticides are metabolized in the skin to substances that are harmless to the animal, and then naturally eliminated from the body.

In what cases do veterinarians recommend using drip medications?

Applying drops to the withers against fleas for cats is practiced everywhere in veterinary medicine. Thanks to this form of the insecticide, it almost completely penetrates the skin. For example, a stream of spray is sprayed several centimeters around. In addition, it ends up on those parts of the animal’s body that it can lick. Therefore, veterinarians recommend using drops to treat young cats and kittens that are unable to remain still for even a few minutes.

Interesting! These medications are well suited for both short-haired and long-haired pets. The insecticide does not wet the hairs, but is absorbed directly into the skin. Since fleas feed on the animal’s blood, they will certainly be immobilized within 24 hours.

Instructions for use

Drops against blood-sucking fleas are easy to use. It is necessary to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

• lay the cat on its stomach, stroke it, calm it down, but at the same time hold it well;
• spread the fur on the withers and (or) back of the head - places inaccessible for licking;
• Apply the concentrated solution and gently rub it into the skin.

No preliminary preparation is required. But veterinarians recommend not bathing your cat for several days before the procedure. A sufficient amount of sebum will accumulate on the surface of the epidermis, which perfectly absorbs the insecticide.

Important! The cat should not have any microtraumas in the areas where the flea medication is applied - scratches, cracks, damage from bites of other animals. Otherwise, the insecticide will penetrate the bloodstream, which may cause side effects.

Side effects

Flea drops are not highly toxic, and if you notice that your pet has licked a little of the drug, there is no need to worry. Nothing serious will happen. For prevention, you can rinse your tongue and mouth with running water. However, if you did not follow the rules of application, and the cat licked large quantities of flea drops, the following side effects may occur:

• itching;
• allergic reaction;
• shiver;
• weakness;
• refusal of food;
• vomit;
• weight loss;
• temperature;
• lacrimation;
• severe salivation (sometimes until foam appears).

Your actions in case of poisoning must be immediate. For the first two days, you need to give your pet warm water and liquid food. Immediately after side effects appear, the animal should be bathed in warm water with shampoo, wiped dry and create comfortable conditions for rest. If drops get on the mucous membranes of the eyes or mouth during treatment, rinse the damaged area with boiled water.

In the event that symptoms of poisoning last more than two days, self-medication should be stopped and professional help should be sought.

Nuances and rules for safe application of the drug

The owner must protect not only the cat, but also himself from the negative effects of the insecticidal drug. Processing must be carried out with thin gloves. If you are prone to developing allergic reactions, you need to wear a medical mask and then throw it away. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment procedure, you should use the following tips:

• Before treating a large animal, you should contact your veterinarian to calculate the dose of the drug.
• You need to use a pipette, which is equipped with a flat plastic bottle, to evenly distribute the product on the skin. It is also very convenient for counting drops when treating kittens.
• After the procedure, you should not bathe the animal for three to four days.

Larger cats are given a larger amount of solution, distributing it throughout the spine. After the procedure, they immediately have a desire to lick the drops, which can lead to intoxication. It is advisable to place your pet in a carrier for a couple of hours and wait until the insecticide is absorbed.

Attention! Situations when a cat is frightened by the owner’s manipulations, breaks out and hides are not uncommon. You shouldn’t catch it and try to complete the procedure. Application of the remaining drug can be continued after the animal has calmed down.

Compound

Good drops contain a new generation insecticidal substance. Fipronil and deltamethrin can be used. Auxiliary components enhance the penetrating ability of active substances, form consistency, and extend the duration of the drug.

The insecticide belongs to a low hazard class and, when used correctly, does not harm the animal. The owner should use rubber gloves when treating the pet, since if drops come into contact with the skin, an allergic reaction may develop.

Contraindications and side effects

An absolute contraindication to the use of flea drops is individual intolerance to the components. To determine hypersensitivity, you should first apply a minimum amount of the product to the withers. If the animal feels well during the day, the skin does not turn red or swell, then you can begin the procedure. It is recommended to also consult a veterinarian to identify intolerance. The list of contraindications for drugs from some manufacturers also includes:

• poor health of the pet due to infectious diseases or exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
• low body weight;
• pregnancy, lactation.

Do not give your cat other means to kill fleas or other insects at the same time. An overdose will occur - a condition that threatens not only her health, but also her life. And if the recommendations for use are not followed, there is a high risk of side effects: shortness of breath, paw twitching, attacks of nausea, often ending in vomiting, diarrhea.

Vet advice! If any side effect occurs, it is necessary to wash off the insecticide from the skin, and then immediately contact a veterinary clinic for medical help.

Folk remedies

How to kill fleas and worms at home using traditional methods? If the owners do not want to resort to medications, then time-tested treatment methods will come to their aid:

• Hellebore water. An alcoholic infusion of hellebore is a plant that is a natural insecticide. The wool is sprayed with a spray bottle until the insects are completely destroyed. Dead parasites are combed out with a fine comb.
• Wormwood decoction. The specific smell of wormwood repels most insects - ticks, fleas, lice eaters. For the decoction, take dry wormwood, eucalyptus, tansy in equal proportions, pour boiling water over it and cook over low heat for 20 minutes. When the liquid has cooled, bathe the cat in it, making sure that the broth does not get on the face.
• Decoction of geranium and lavender leaves. It will help rid the animal of both insects and worms. 2 tbsp. l. wormwood and tansy are poured with 250 ml of boiling water. The cat is given 3 tbsp. l. infusion for 3 days.
• Garlic. The pungent garlic smell repels parasites. A few cloves of garlic are crushed and poured with 3 cups of boiling water. The liquid is infused for 12 hours and then dripped onto the animal’s withers. From there, the cat will not be able to lick off the poisonous infusion.
• Tar soap. This remedy is good because it not only destroys insects, but also promotes the healing of wounds, ulcers, and irritation after bites. Whisk the soap into a thick foam and wash the cat. The procedure should be repeated until the ectoparasites are completely eliminated.
• Pumpkin seeds. One of the most popular folk methods of getting rid of worms. 300 g of seeds are crushed to a paste, mixed with 50 ml of water and 15 g of honey. The resulting mixture is given to the cat, and after half an hour an enema is given. Another recipe with pumpkin seeds: 5 g of crushed pumpkin seeds are mixed with 5 g of pork fat. The cat is fed this mixture on an empty stomach for 5 days.

Review of the best drops for fleas in cats

All modern means for killing fleas in cats combine high quality with safety. Before going on sale, all necessary laboratory tests and clinical experiments were carried out.

However, some drugs are more in demand than others. They are inexpensive, act quickly, and practically do not provoke the development of adverse local and systemic reactions. Below is a rating of the most popular insecticides in the form of drops for cats.

Rating of flea collars for cats: selection criteria and rules of use, read more in this article.

Beaphar

This is a clear, thick solution without foreign matter, with a slight odor and the active ingredient diazinon. The principle of action is based on damage to the locomotor system of fleas, through paralysis, which leads to their death within 24 hours. Additional components included in the complex penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, exhibiting antimicrobial and regenerating activity.

Hartz

An insecticidal agent designed to quickly destroy ectoparasites and prevent their reappearance within a month. The effect is provided by the active component methoprene. After application, it accumulates in the sebaceous glands and dermis of the animal, providing a contact insecto-acaricidal effect.

Inspector

“Inspector” is an anti-flea agent, the active composition of which is fipronil and moxidetin. They are able to quickly distribute on the surface of the pet’s body, accumulating in the dermis and not being absorbed into the blood. Thanks to this complex universal effect, effective protection against parasites is noted, which eliminates re-infection for up to one and a half months.

RolfClub 3D

This is a clear, thick, amber-colored liquid containing fipronil, etofenprox, and pyriproxyfen. The mechanism of action of the insecticide is to block innervation. This leads to impaired coordination of movements, paralysis and death of parasites that occur upon first contact with the animal’s fur.

Stronghold

"Stronghold" is an insecticide in the form of a clear solution with selamectin. It is characterized by a wide spectrum of action. The product has a paralyzing effect on ticks and helminths. To kill fleas and prevent re-infection, the drug is used once a month.

"Advantage"

The drug containing imidacloprid is used to kill and prevent fleas. Suitable for regular treatment of pets that often walk outside or come into contact with other animals. Highly effective, eliminates fleas within 12 hours. Affects parasites at any stage of development.

"Advocate"

This is a combined antiparasitic drug for cats with the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin from the group of insecticides. It is available in the form of a viscous thick solution in doses for kittens and cats. “Advocate” reliably protects pets from re-infection for several months.

"LEOPARD"

The composition of flea and tick drops for cats includes fipronil, diflubenzuron and dicarboximide. The active substances are evenly distributed on the body and are not absorbed into the bloodstream. They accumulate in the animal’s dermis and have an insecticidal effect and provide high-quality protection for the pet against fleas and ticks.

Bars drops for cats against fleas: read the instructions for use in this article.

"Bolfo-aerosol"

A solution for external use in the form of an aerosol with the active ingredient propoxur. Before using the drug, its contents are shaken, then the spray is sprayed. The product is ideal for treating bedding, beds, houses, and hammocks for cats.

"VetExpert Pro Insecta"

The action of the drug is based on the properties of the active ingredients thiamethoxam, pyriproxyfen and cyfluthrin. In combination, they disrupt the functioning of all insect life systems. This causes paralysis and death of fleas.

"Dana"

The main composition of the veterinary drug is represented exclusively by fipronil. The disinfecting effect of the product appears within a day and continues for one and a half months after one treatment of the cat. It is relatively safe, and side effects are rare in clinical practice.

"Prasicide-complex"

This is the name of antiparasitic drops for external use with praziquantel, ivermectin, levamisole, fipronil. Additional ingredients ensure their good absorption at the site of application and long-term presence in the highest possible concentration in the body. One-time use of drops guarantees protection for about a month.

"Frontline"

A thick, viscous solution of “Frontline” with fipronil is a quick, effective, convenient way to get rid of fleas. It is used monthly, since the active substance destroys all fleas for exactly this period. The result of using the product is observed for a month and a half, but the likelihood of re-infection appears after 30 days.

"Celandine"

A special feature of the medicine is its effectiveness against fleas at all stages of development - from eggs to mature individuals. The active composition of the insecticidal drug is fipronil and permethrin. It is recommended to use Celandine drops against fleas for cats in advance to prevent attacks by blood-sucking parasites.

Right choice

Drops and collar for cats
Using drops is very convenient. Processing one pet takes a maximum of 5 minutes. Side effects are rare. However, there are other anti-flea products with a similar mechanism of action.

Which is better, a collar or drops is a question that makes the owner think. The collar is also easy to use. Put it around your neck, secure it, cut off the excess part. The protection lasts for about 6 months. But the collar is not recommended for small kittens, as well as active cats, cats that climb trees or like to walk along the street. An accident may happen.

What to choose: shampoo or drops. Cats that don't like baths won't be happy with the shampoo. A lengthy procedure is required, whereas effective drops are applied in a few seconds.

Reviews from veterinarians

N. G. Goryachev, veterinarian, Penza.

The high quality of drops for killing fleas has long been confirmed in practice. Cats tolerate them well due to gradual absorption into the bloodstream.

S. M. Klinyev, veterinarian, Voronezh.

I always prefer to prescribe drops to my pets. The therapeutic effect appears within an hour, and the result lasts for 2 months or more.

I.L. Doroshenko, veterinarian, Moscow.

Modern drops do not have the disadvantages of their predecessors. In my practice, there have been no cases where such remedies did not work and did not provide protection for the animal.