Numerous antiparasitic products exist on the market under very different forms. Only a small number of them is really effective to fight against cat fleas. Indeed, the product must be not only active to fight against fleas, but also stay on the hair permanently to kill them before they have time to bite the cat and thus to provoke the allergy. The product must be particularly effective at the level of the rump where the majority of fleas can be found. The antiparasitic finally has to possess a certain resistance to the water to be able to preserve its efficiency when the cat goes out on a rainy day or washes herself.
• Powders
In powders, the antiparasitic is diluted with talc. During the application the product rarely penetrates up to the skin and the talc slides along the coat.
A few hours after the application there is no more enough product to kill fleas. The cat also risks, by licking itself, to swallow accidentally the antiparasitic.
• Sprays
They exterminate quickly fleas present on the animal at the time of the application. They have however the inconvenience to be diluted by water and the noise of the spray often frightens the cat at such a point that it is sometimes difficult to proceed with a second application. To be effective the product must be renewed at least once a week, even by dry weather.
• Shampoos
They can have an interest "as an aggressive treatment" during massive infestations. Inconvenience: when we rinse the cat after its shampoo, the major part of the anti-fleas solution disappears with the rinsing water. So there is no long-lasting effect. And then cats do not like particularly the water!
• Necklaces
The main advantage is an efficiency of several months but they act mainly around the neck while fleas are mostly localized between thighs or around the tail. Attention, certain necklaces are inactivated by the water and finally "exploratory" cats risk hanging themselves on a branch or a fence during a walk.
• Products to be swallowed
Very practical of use, these products act however only when the flea bites the cat (this one is then poisoned and killed). Attention! Some of these products do not kill the flea, but prevent it only from spawning. These products are useful in little infested environment or for animals difficult to treat, but, used alone, they are of no help for cats suffering from a real allergy to flea bites (because they do not prevent the bite).
• Atomizers
They leave a protective film of antiparasitic solution on the hair of the cat which poisons fleas by simple contact in the minutes which follow their arrival on the cat. They prevent bites, and are particularly recommended for allergic animals. Their duration of action is about 1 month. Waterproof, they are invisible on the animal. They can, on the other hand, turn out to be difficult to apply on recalcitrant cats or on those with long hairs.
• Pipettes
It is enough to deposit their contents on the neck of the cat. The product spreads itself alone on the whole body in one day approximately. Pipettes possess all the qualities of atomizers with the ease of application on top of that. They sometimes turn out a little less powerful in case of massive infestation.
• Devices with ultrasounds
Were never able to give evidence of their efficiency.
Advice: in every case, it is better to associate a product for the environment together with treatments used on animals.
Is it necessary to use these products as a precautionary measure?
YES, you should not wait to notice that your companion has fleas, because then it is too late.
It is highly recommended to use antiparasitic products from March and until November. It is evident that by having outdoor access, your cat risk to catch fleas, rather when it is warm (spring through autumn). But she will also going to bring fleas inside your house. Cat fleas are going to lay eggs which will become larvae. These are going to develop and to give grown-up fleas. Now inside the house it is "always" warm. Your cat thus risks to have fleas all year round.
If your cat does not go out, be aware that fleas can come from outside. They can move and pass under your front door, come on your balcony, be brought by nearby animals infested by fleas. It is thus possible that your cat has fleas even if she does not go out. Furthermore, there can be fleas eggs in your home which will give then grown-up fleas.
That is why, it is recommended that you treat your cat nonstop, during summer as well as winter, every month, whether you live in an apartment or in a house so that she will be effectively protected.
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