Effective Flea Remedies for Cats and Dogs

To choose the best and most effective flea remedy for a dog or cat, you need to clearly understand the conditions in which this remedy will work, know the characteristics of your pet and take into account the specifics of each drug. Only at first glance it may seem that this is all very difficult: in fact, for each specific case, its best flea remedy has long been known.

If the owner of a pet is faced with the task of protecting a pet from parasites, it is enough for him to use the instructions below for choosing and buying the most suitable drug.

 

Selecting the right type of tool

Flea remedies are always selected according to a specific situation:

• to prevent infection of the animal, collars and drops at the withers are suitable. These flea control products have a rather gentle effect on the pet itself, rarely lead to side effects, but at the same time they reliably repel fleas.
• If the animal has few fleas, the best remedy for fleas in him is a collar or drops.
• In case of severe infestation with parasites, it is necessary to resort to the use of special flea sprays or shampoos.
• Collars are suitable for pets that regularly go outside, but live in the city. At home, they can be removed, and the skin of the animal on the neck will not be irritated.
• Animals taken out for a long period to the country, you need to drip drops on the neck.
• Kittens and puppies from the age of one month can be bathed with special shampoos. Grown up cubs can be treated with drops and put flea collars on them.
• It is not recommended to apply any insecticidal agents to lactating and pregnant cats and dogs. Only if the infection is too strong, threatening serious damage to the offspring, you can use special drops or bathe the animal with shampoos.

In general, shampoos are optimal for cats. A feature of high-bred animals is the excellent appearance of the coat, and the use of collars and drops can lead to its deterioration.

Important!

The least allergenic are shampoos and aerosols. Collars and drops can cause serious skin irritations up to dermatitis. Aerosols and shampoos are single-acting products and therefore rarely lead to skin reactions. Shampoos should be used for animals with particularly sensitive skin.

Brief Summary

1. Aerosols are the most effective flea control. Suitable if you need a quick one-time disposal of parasites of a seriously infected animal.
2. Drops on the withers - the most versatile remedy for the destruction of fleas. Provides relief and protection from parasites.
3. Flea shampoos are products for getting rid of fleas in puppies, kittens and animals with very sensitive skin and coat.
4. Flea collars are easy-to-use tools for preventing flea infestations.

And only now, when it is clear what type of product is needed, you can begin to choose a specific product.

 

Flea sprays - speed and reliability

Sprays are used in critical situations when the animal is too heavily infected, or there are no other means at hand. Almost always, the spray turns out to be the most effective flea remedy from the entire range. But it also requires especially careful following of the instructions: if it is used incorrectly, the animal may be poisoned.

It is advisable to treat a cat or dog with gloves and a cotton-gauze bandage. The pet’s entire body is sprayed except for the muzzle, after which it needs some time (up to several hours, depending on the product) not to be washed in order to allow the active substances to work. At this time, you can not let the pet lick its fur. After the animal must be carefully redeemed.

The most famous flea sprays are the following:

• Hartz, represented by a large number of lines for adult cats and dogs, as well as for kittens and puppies.
• Frontline, a very strong flea control, yet has the most side effects and is toxic to humans. Depending on the type of product, Frontline costs from 600 to 800 rubles.
• Bolfo-aerosol, which can be used to treat both the animal itself and the bedding on which it sleeps.

When used correctly, flea sprays, even after bathing, retain a protective effect for several weeks.

Review

“The specifics of burrowing dogs are as follows: they sit in a booth for two weeks, and then one day they go into burrows, and if they come out, they are covered with fleas up to their ears. There's nothing to be done here. The men and I even tried to buy collars for them, but it was useless.There are so many fleas in the fox hole that they do not notice the collar. But my dogs are used to the fact that the day after the hunt I spray them with Frontline. And their booth too. Then it remains only to sweep the fleas with a broom.

Alexander, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

 

Drops at the withers

The main advantages of drops on the withers are ease of use and long-term effect. Drops are either applied in one place at the base of the animal's head, or dripped along the spine. After that, they need to be rubbed into the skin, and they themselves will gradually spread over the entire surface of the body in the future.

At the same time, flea drops only in exceptional cases cause allergies or skin damage.

After applying the drops, the animal will be reliably protected from parasites for a period of one to two months, depending on the brand of the drug. In most cases, drops on the withers are the preferred (best) flea remedy for pets. One pipette means costs from 50 to 300 rubles. It is enough for one time and for about 1-2 months of protection.

Stronghold drops are very popular. In this line of products there are also drops for dogs and puppies from one and a half months of age, which almost never cause poisoning.

The Hartz and Frontline drip lines have drops at the withers for both dogs and cats.

All flea drops should not be used on pregnant or lactating animals.

Review

“No matter how much we tried flea remedies, we liked the Hartz drops the most. They do not extinguish parasites as much as any aerosols, but they work for a long time. I dropped one pipette, rubbed it and for a month I completely forgot about fleas. They even have drops for puppies, which should please serious breeders.In any pharmacy you can buy a choice of Hartz for animals with different weights and different ages. So do not fool around and take proven.

Ilya, St. Petersburg

 

Collars as a means of preventing fleas

A special collar is perhaps the most common flea remedy for animals today. It usually performs a protective function, but can also be used to rid the animal of fleas with a small infestation.

For example, Kiltix collars are very effective (but also expensive). One product costs about 600 rubles, but it protects the animal for 7 months - the entire warm season.

Bolfo and Hartz collars are a little cheaper. Their price is up to 300 rubles, and they differ from the previous ones in their service life, running out of steam in two to four months.

You can buy such a flea remedy at almost any veterinary pharmacy.

 

Shampoos that are gentle and effective

And finally, shampoos, the most delicate and suitable for cats, small decorative dogs and cubs. Using them is simple: the animal bathes with it, as with simple soap, and after spreading and foaming, it stays in the bathroom for several minutes. Then the shampoo is washed off, and the animal's hair is washed with clean running water.

Phytoelita is a well-known shampoo, which includes medicinal herbs. Its insecticidal component is Permethrin. The shampoo is good just as a pet bath, and getting rid of fleas with it increases its versatility.

Rolf-Club shampoo is an elite and effective flea remedy. It has pronounced anti-allergenic properties, helps to soften the pet's skin and heal various wounds.Effectively destroys fleas, lice, withers.

Review

“My husband and I did not stint and bought the Rolf-Club. An excellent tool. It is better to redeem a cocker with him once than five times with some other. It destroys parasites immediately, and the wounds from their bites heal in a matter of days.

Alla, Kyiv

Mr. Kiss is an extremely gentle preparation especially for elite cats and dogs. Destroys fleas, improves the condition of the coat, softens the skin and promotes the rapid healing of parasite bites.

When choosing which remedy is best for fleas, you should always consider the characteristics of your pet. Some animals are prone to allergies, others experience stress when bathing, and others may peel off the collar. In the best case, before buying and using the product, you should consult a veterinarian.

 

Comparison of the effectiveness and safety of different types of flea products