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This blog is for informational purposes only, it is not medical advice. It is important to discuss flea medication options with your vet prior to starting any treatment or preventative care!
Intro to Flea Meds
Prevention is one of the most important steps in keeping your indoor cat healthy and safe from fleas. Fleas can bring harmful diseases and skin irritations to cats if left untreated, and indoor cats are just as much at risk as outdoor cats. There are many different types of flea medication out there, and it may be overwhelming to sort through all of the options and determine what is going to be the best fit for your cat.
There are two main categories, Over the Counter (OTC) and Prescription. Let’s break down each.
Over the Counter (OTC)
OTC medications are more easily accessible and often be found at your local pet store. Much like human medications, OTC medication are regulated differently and contain different ingredients. These ingredients are considered pesticides by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rather than drugs (Preventative Vet). OTC flea medications are often topical, which is absorbed into the body differently than an ingested medication would. Some examples of OTC flea medications include sprays, shampoos, collars, liquid spot treatments applied to skin.
Typically these are not as strong and offer a limited range of protection (anything stronger would require a prescription)(Revival Animal Health). For example, OTC medications generally kill only the adult fleas and don’t target the eggs or the larvae. (If you want to learn more about the flea lifecycle and why understanding it is important, read here). The medication also wears off quicker and because it is less potent, the fleas may eventually become immune to the treatment. With some brands that have been around for a while, some of the primary ingredients have become ineffective as fleas have evolved to form a resistance to the drug. This may lead to brands adding new ingredients to their medications. OTC medications also often focus on treating a selective number of strains of fleas, which may lead to individuals combining medications to treat a wider range. This can lead to negative side effects in your pet (Preventative Vet).
The biggest risk with OTC flea medications is that because they are not regulated, some ingredients may be under dosed or over dosed. Medications should be chosen based on weight, if there is a misdosage or if the wrong medications are given, it can become potentially very dangerous for your cat.
OTC Pros: cost effective, easy to obtain, easy to administer
OTC Cons: limited effectiveness, not regulated
Popular Brands: Seresto, Frontline Plus, Frontline Gold, Advantage II
Prescription Medications
On the other hand, prescription flea medications are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that they are being used safely (Preventative Vet). The ingredients are more potent and require tighter control (just like human drugs). Because of this, prescription medications may require fewer doses and protect against a wider range of flea variants. Research is constantly being done and new formulas are being tested and implemented, which means less chance of fleas becoming resistant to the drugs. Some common types of prescription medications include chewable tablets, capsules, topical spot treatments, and injections.
Administration of these mediations requires approval from a licensed veterinary professional. They also may require additional diagnostic testing such as blood work to help mitigate any risk of negative reactions and to tailor safe and effective dosage for your cat based on their weight and health status.
Prescription Pros: more effective, safer for your cat
Prescription Cons: more expensive, may require testing and more frequent vet visits
Popular Brands: Revolution Plus, NexGard, Simparica
How To Choose the Best Flea Medication For Your Cat
When choosing the right flea medication, whether you choose to go with an OTC or prescription, there are some factors to take into consideration:
- Lifestyle
- Is your cat an indoor cat or an outdoor cat? An outdoor cat may need more protections against parasites.
- What is your capacity for your cat’s treatment? Are you going to be able to remember to apply a topical treatment each month? A flea bath? An injection? Or give them a capsule? Pick something that is going to fit your speed and go with it.
- Likewise, what is your cat’s capacity for treatment? Some cats just won’t take oral medications. Some are master escape artists and can somehow easily get out of a collar. Some cats have reactions to topical treatments.
- Your cat’s health
- Your cat’s age and weight will play a role in the dosage they should be given
- Some cats may have genetic conditions such as MDR1 (multidrug resistance 1 – a gene mutation that affects the transport of a medication that causes adverse affects to the brain) that causes them to be sensitive or intolerant to many medications (Preventative Vet). They may be more at risk for suffering from side effects. No matter what route you take, it is important to consult your vet to screen your cat for anything that could make the medication less effective or harmful.
- Effectiveness
- Look for a medications that kill fleas at all different stages of the lifestyle
- Ensure that the medication is appropriate for your cat. NEVER use dog flea medication on your cat! Or medication that is for cats of a higher or lower weight class! The wrong dosage could be potentially toxic to your cat
- Duration
- Some medications are meant for short term protection, while others offer protection long term. Check the medication’s label to see how frequently you would need to provide treatment.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of if you choose an OTC or prescription flea medication, taking preventative measures is one of the best things you can do for your cat. Please make sure to consult with your vet to determine the best fit for you and your cat!