Flea drops: rating of effective medications for cats

Caring for pets should begin from their very first steps. Cats, just like dogs, love to walk outside, play around and jump in the grass, but in this very grass a huge number of parasites can await them, which will cause health problems for pets, and if inactive, even death. Therefore, almost from the birth of kittens, many owners try to use special preparations that will reliably protect their pets from fleas and ticks. You can find a variety of protective collars and tablets on the market, but today we will help you choose anti-mite drops for cats that are also effective against parasites. Happy choosing!

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.

User rating

Advocate (Bayer) Drops against scabies mites, fleas and helminths for cats up to 4 kg

Frontline drops against fleas and ticks Combo for cats, kittens, ferrets from 1 kg

Zoetis (Pfizer) Drops against fleas, ticks and helminths Stronghold 45 mg for cats weighing 2.6-7.5 kg

Inspector drops against fleas and ticks Quadro K for cats from 4 to 8 kg

Apicenna Insectoacaricidal drops Dana Spot-On for carnivores

Helminthal Drops spot-on at the withers for cats less than 4 kg

Selafort Drops against fleas, ticks and lice 45 mg for cats weighing 2.6-7.5 kg

Beaphar drops against fleas and ticks Veto pure for cats

Bravecto (MSD Animal Health) flea and tick drops Spot On for cats 2.8-6.25 kg

Agrovet protection Drops against fleas, ticks and helminths Dironet Spot-on for cats

Advantage (Bayer) Flea drops for cats weighing more than 4 kg, 4 pipettes

Helminthal drops against fleas and ticks Spot-On for cats 4-10 kg for cats from 4 to 10 kg

RolfСlub 3D drops against ticks and fleas for cats 8-15 kg

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.

Symptoms

Insects that live on the surface of the skin of domestic animals are called ectoparasites, and those that settle inside the body are called endoparasites. Their appearance affects the behavior and health of pets.

Ectoparasites

Fleas and ticks are small insects visible to the eye. Parasites cause serious problems for cats. Pets show signs of anxiety, often scratching and licking themselves in the hope of freeing themselves from annoying pests. With severe infestation, the animal's fur becomes dull and falls out.

If the owner suspects an infestation with fleas or ticks, it is enough to wash the animal to make sure. Insects will appear in flush water, on a towel, and small parasites are easier to detect on a wet animal.

Endoparasites

The following types of worms are found in domestic cats:

• roundworms;
• hookworms;
• toxascaridae;
• tapeworms;
• pulmonary fluke;
• nematodes.

Endoparasites most often settle in the intestines, but sometimes they affect other internal organs (liver, lungs, sometimes heart). It is rare to see helminths, so to confirm infection, doctors recommend taking the animal’s feces for analysis.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice the following symptoms:

• loss of appetite;
• lethargy of the animal, decreased activity and playfulness;
• irregular bowel movements or bowel disorders (from diarrhea to constipation);
• flatulence and bloating in cats' tummies;
• periodic vomiting;
• aggression when trying to stroke the belly.

When cats are affected by worms, they experience a depressed mood, loss of shine in their fur, increased temperature, and inflammation of the lymph nodes. Having discovered signs of disease, you need to show the animal to a doctor as soon as possible. Based on the results of the examination and tests, the veterinarian will select the appropriate medications.

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.

Popular vote

What flea remedy would you choose or recommend?

Celandine

25.00 % ( 1 )

Frontline

0.00 % ( 0 )

Prazicide-complex

0.00 % ( 0 )

Dana Spot-On

25.00 % ( 1 )

VetExpert About Insecta

0.00 % ( 0 )

Leopard

25.00 % ( 1 )

"Advocate"

0.00 % ( 0 )

"Advantage"

0.00 % ( 0 )

Stronghold

0.00 % ( 0 )

RolfClub 3D

0.00 % ( 0 )

Inspector

25.00 % ( 1 )

Hartz

0.00 % ( 0 )

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.

Precautions and emergencies

If you follow all the requirements specified in the instructions, there will be no side effects in animals when using anti-flea drops. Only in rare cases is it observed:

• hair loss;
• increased salivation;
• allergic reactions.

If a dog or cat (especially small, pregnant, lactating, old) has a behavior change after treatment, do not use the medicine anymore and contact your veterinarian. Danger signs that indicate a serious allergy are:

• sleep disturbance;
• shiver;
• itching;
• dermatitis at the site of application of drops;
• lacrimation.

If the cat/dog licked the drops

For each drug, the instructions indicate that pets should not be allowed to lick it. But sometimes this happens due to the owner’s negligence, if the cat is very flexible and for other reasons. Depending on how much of the substance enters the body and how strong the animal’s immune system is, poisoning of varying degrees of severity is possible. Its signs:

• loss of appetite;
• strong thirst and profuse salivation;
• lethargy, loss of orientation, weakness;
• gastrointestinal disorders.

If an animal is poisoned by flea drops, consult a veterinarian.

To help your pet, do the following:

1. The very first and most important step is to contact a specialist.
2. Wash off any remaining insecticide from the skin.
3. Make your cat or dog drink more water.
4. Prepare rice water (1.5 cups per 0.5 liter of water, cook for 40 minutes) and give the sick pet a drink.
5. Give Smecta (half a packet per 20 ml of water for an average cat and dog) or activated charcoal (dosage approximately the same as for humans: 1 tablet per 1 kg of weight).
6. If you need painkillers, give 0.5 tablets of No-shpa.

To restore the intestinal microflora, Vetalact and other drugs that should be prescribed by a veterinarian are suitable.

If the product gets into your eyes

Contact of the insecticide with the eyes is undesirable. If this happens, rinse them as soon as possible with plenty of water. Consult a specialist if you notice any abnormalities that do not go away for a long time - redness, burning, blurred vision and others.

If a toxic substance gets into the eyes or inside the body of a pregnant dog/cat, kitten or puppy, then the consequences are more serious and the manifestations of poisoning are stronger. Be careful!

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.

How to choose anti-tick drops for cats

To ensure that your purchase is truly of high quality, we recommend that you study the selection criteria in the article below.

• Place of purchase. Medicines for ectoparasites should be purchased from specialized veterinary pharmacies. Purchasing from dubious places does not guarantee the authenticity of the solutions and the safety of their use for the life and health of not only the animal, but also the owner himself.
• Instructions. Before purchasing a medicine, you should carefully read the instructions for use, learn about its contraindications and side effects.
• What should the drug be? The medicine must have the following characteristics:

1. Have a prolonged action.
2. Do not penetrate deep into the body, but concentrate in the upper layers of the epidermis and the ducts of the sebaceous glands.
3. The substances included in its composition must have low toxicity.
4. It must be active against not only ticks, but also other pathogens of infectious and invasive diseases.

• Rules of application. The first thing to remember is that the drug is applied to dry, but in no case to wet or damaged skin. The composition is distributed pointwise on the withers, which avoids the animal licking the drug. The cat should not be washed for 3 days after treatment. It is also not recommended to wash your pet 2 days before using the product. Reapply the drug only after its protection period has expired.
• Mechanism of action. Exactly how the ticks will be affected depends on the main active ingredient in the drops. Some cause paralysis and death of mites, others stop the development of eggs and larvae hatching from them, thereby preventing the scenario where ear mites in cats may appear again.

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.

Comparison table of characteristics

In order to compare the products presented, we recommend that you study the comparison table in the article below.

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.

Benefits of drops on the withers

Not all cats tolerate classical methods of treatment in the form of tablets, suspensions or injections. In addition, if blood-sucking insects and helminths are found, the list of drugs can be impressive, as well as their cost.

To solve the problem, especially in the initial stages of its occurrence, drips on the withers come to the rescue. These medications have several advantages:

• relatively safe;
• do not have a pungent odor;
• they are easy to apply;
• Buying a complex product is cheaper than buying several different medications.

Doctors more often prescribe drops for prevention, preferring to treat helminthic infestations with specific medications. For preventive purposes, the products are used once every 3 months for cats that do not leave the house, and once a month for free-ranging pets.

Method of applying drops to the withers

The range of complex products is wide, which makes it possible to choose the appropriate drug individually. Drops from different manufacturers are used in the same way:

• preliminarily inspect the skin of the animal: it must be clean, dry and without damage;
• the pipette with the product is opened before use, after wearing gloves;
• the fur on the withers is carefully straightened so that the skin is exposed, and drops are applied there in the recommended dosage;
• Do not store opened packaging; the product is used only externally.

After the procedure, cats cannot be bathed for a couple of days. Contact of an animal treated with drops with children and other pets, if they are in the house, is limited. At the same time, remember that it is better to sanitize all pets at the same time. If necessary, the procedures are repeated following the instructions.

Overdose

Poisoning of dogs and cats with flea drops is extremely rare (3-5% of cases); the risk group includes sick, elderly, weakened animals, puppies and kittens.

Symptoms:

• drooling, increased sweating;
• vomiting (more often in dogs), nausea, diarrhea;
• uncontrolled eye movements, constriction of the pupils;
• trembling, shortness of breath, lethargy;
• frequent urination, fecal incontinence.

At the first manifestation of alarming symptoms, it is necessary to show the animal to a veterinarian. If it is not possible to do this immediately, you should give your pet a sorbent (activated carbon) to drink. Dosage: 1 tablet per 10 kilograms of weight. Plain water will help alleviate the severity of intoxication; it should be poured into the mouth every 15 minutes, 5-10 milliliters. There is no point in gastric lavage or enema - the drops are absorbed through the skin. If the condition worsens or dangerous symptoms increase (convulsions, shortness of breath), a visit to the clinic is essential to avoid the death of the animal. In a hospital setting, the doctor administers intramuscular or intravenous steroids to eliminate allergic manifestations, and prescribes IVs to promptly remove toxins, which improves the condition of the animal.

Flea drops are the drugs of choice for protection against blood-sucking parasites. They are effective, safe and affordable. The main thing is to adhere to simple rules: strictly adhere to the dosage, frequency and application technology. To enhance the effectiveness of the drops, it is recommended to use an anti-flea collar as an additional means.

Tips for choosing

Before purchasing, we strongly recommend that you contact a qualified veterinarian to select the most optimal option suitable for your pet. We advise you to pay immediate attention to:

• Active substance. The less toxic the product is to the animal, the better.
• Brand. Choose only proven products in specialized stores.
• Age and breed. For this purpose, selection is carried out individually.
• Weight. Depending on this parameter, the amount of product required, as well as the cost, fluctuates.
• Duration of action. The longer the drops keep unwanted insects away, the better.
• Efficiency. There are usually a lot of reviews. People willingly share their observations online. Please read and take note.
• Package. Check it for integrity.
• Instructions. Read it carefully for any contraindications and possible side effects.
• Best before date. The longer it is, the better. Do not use expired medications.

We wish your pet health!

What happens to fleas after treatment?

Drops have a detrimental effect on parasites in one of three ways:

1. Impact on the nervous system, resulting in death.
2. Contact action. A toxic substance with a poisonous effect penetrates the insect’s body through direct contact.
3. Repellent effect. The smell of some products can only repel fleas, but will not lead to their destruction.

Protection from parasites.

How long before you can wash after applying drops?

The period before washing a cat after flea treatment depends on the composition of the product used. It takes 1-2 days for a water-based product to absorb, and about 5 days for an oil-based product.

If you notice allergy symptoms (itching, redness, fresh scratching), your cat should be bathed immediately. A local reaction to the use of the drug can cause irreversible consequences that will require urgent treatment of the animal.

In order not to harm the cat and to be sure that the necessary protective layer has been formed, it is recommended to use the drops 2-3 days after bathing. In some cases, this period is 5 days.

Advantages over other insecticidal drugs

suppress the onset of fleas , ticks , and intestinal parasites in a variety of ways. But if you want to get rid of unwanted guests as soon as possible and for a long time, insecticidal drops will be the best remedy .

The popularity of such tools can be explained simply:

• All types of drops are produced in special dropper pipettes . Thus, calculating the dosage of the drug is significantly simplified;
• You can treat a cat captivated by fleas even without outside help;
• most drop manufacturers exclude the possibility of re-infection with parasites within several months after using the product.

Methods of flea infestation

Most often, an animal becomes infected on the street, but even a domestic cat that has never left the apartment and has not been in contact with sick animals can become a victim of blood-sucking insects.

The main factor is the presence of eggs laid by fleas, which the owner himself can bring into the house, for example, on the sole of a shoe.

Close-up view of a flea.

id=»u»>Can drops be used to treat a room?

No you can not. To treat the premises, special preparations containing a higher concentration of chemicals should be used. Due to their toxicity, during spraying it is necessary to use personal protective equipment (mask, gloves, goggles), and take household members and pets outside. If parasites have spread throughout the house, the algorithm of action should be as follows: treatment of the pet until complete recovery - sanitization of the premises - repeated sanitization.