Not expensive and very effective! Flea drops for cats: rules of use, as well as a brief overview of the best

Author of the article: Astafieva Ekaterina Alekseevna

*Review of the best according to the editors of simplerule.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Flea drops are insecticidal preparations designed to kill harmful parasites. Products can be purchased at specialized animal stores or veterinary pharmacies. When choosing flea drops for cats, pay attention to the composition, because all substances used to kill insects have approximately the same mechanism of action. To help consumers make the right choice, experts from the online magazine Simplerules conducted market analysis, comparative tests, and studied customer reviews. The information obtained during the test allowed us to compile a rating of the best flea drops, including 11 nominees.

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.

What to do if drops don’t help

Flea medications may not be effective in the following situations:

1. The medicine was chosen incorrectly.
2. Application rules not followed.
3. The dosage was calculated incorrectly.
4. The date of preventative treatment has been missed.
5. The drug is used after the expiration date.

If you have treated your cat according to the instructions, but there is no effect, contact a veterinary clinic for help.

Veterinarian help.

How to use correctly

The principle of processing an animal is as simple as possible and is the same for all types of drops. The process should begin by determining the body weight of the tailed friend . After the weight is determined, you need to read the instructions for the product , finding out how much liquid to use in a particular case.

The last stage of the process is to directly apply the drops to the cat's skin.

The procedure for using the drug should be approached most carefully . All types of flea products are applied to areas of the body that are inaccessible to the animal for licking.

As a rule, such places are the withers and the spine area . After using the product, the cat should not be bathed. If the animal’s habitat is not limited to the apartment, then it is necessary to ensure that the animal does not get caught in the rain. Otherwise, the remedy will not work .

Pharmacological properties

Selamectin has a wide spectrum of systemic antiparasitic action against nematodes, insects and sarcoptic mites that parasitize dogs and cats. Selafort has a detrimental effect on the larvae of round helminths and also has ovicidal properties. The drug does not affect mature nematodes Dirofilaria immitis, but reduces the number of microfilariae circulating in the blood, and it can be safely used even in previously infested animals. The mechanism of action of the drug is the ability of selamectin, by binding to the receptors of the cells of the muscle and nervous tissue of parasites, to increase the permeability of membranes to chlorine ions, which leads to a blockade of the electrical activity of the nerve and muscle cells of nematodes and arthropods, their paralysis and death. Due to the fact that in mammals these receptors are localized only in the central nervous system, and selamectin does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, the drug is safe for dogs and cats at recommended doses. Selafort is well absorbed from the site of application. Selamectin remains in the blood for a long time in a therapeutic concentration, ensuring the destruction of parasites and protecting animals from reinvasion for a month. Stronghold is a low-toxic compound for warm-blooded animals (the LD50 of selamectin for mice when administered orally is 1600 mg/kg).

Flea and tick drops: brands and effectiveness

Many manufacturers of veterinary products are producing insectoacaricidal drops. Let's look at the most common brands

"Leopard"

Insectoacaricidal drug of domestic production. The product has become quite widespread due to its low cost, as well as its sufficient effectiveness in the fight against fleas and ticks . The active component of Bars is the insecticide permethrin .

The main advantage of the drug is that its use causes virtually no side effects. In addition, under the same name, products are produced for kittens, which can be used from the age of two months.

In general, the action of Bars is effective, although sometimes the preventive effect is too short . As a rule, re-infection with parasites occurs within a few weeks after using the insecticide.

more about Bars in the article.

IN-AP complex

The drops contain components such as aversectin , fipronil and praziquantel . IN-AP drops is due to the fact that this product fights all types of parasites in cats, including worms .

Before treatment, it is necessary to examine the animal's skin for damage. If none are found, the pet needs to be washed , giving it the opportunity to dry. Only after this can the drops be applied. The product is highly effective in combating parasites, but does not provide a 100% guarantee of getting rid of fleas .

As reviews from customers who have used the drug show, sometimes insects are able to survive a drug attack .

Important ! IN-AP complex is not recommended for use on pregnant , lactating , or under two months of age .

Inspector

The drops are designed to combat ticks, fleas, lice-eaters and intestinal nematodes. The active components of the drug are fipronil and moxidectin .

The method of applying drops is the same as for other similar drugs. " Inspector " is not used on kittens under 7 weeks of age . It is used with caution on allergy-prone and pregnant animals .

The drops are considered highly effective in anthelmintic prevention and have a sufficient number of positive reviews from cat owners.

You can read more about Inspector

"Dana Ultra"

"Dana" is a domestic anti-flea drug based on fipronil. The effect of the drops lasts for 4 weeks. Treatment of the animal for the purpose of prevention is carried out no more than once a month. It is not recommended to bathe a cat for 3 days after treatment with the drug. In the future, bathing is not prohibited, since at this time it does not reduce the effectiveness of the product.

Operating principle

In order to understand how flea drops for cats work, you need to know that drugs in the form of drops are used only externally and are applied directly to the animal’s skin, so it is important to refrain from water treatments after the procedure. The active substance contained in it dissolves in the lipid layer of the epidermis and spreads over the entire surface of the skin, however, it does not penetrate into the blood. Thanks to this, the product can effectively act on fleas and ticks. The drops block the impulses of the nervous system, which causes paralysis, from which the parasite dies.

In the case of cats, the most effective active ingredients are:

• Fipronil;
• Diazinon;
• Moxidectin;
• Fipronil;
• Imidacloprid.

The effect of the drug can be seen in the cat's behavior. The animal stops constantly itching and becomes calmer. The drugs are highly effective, but at the same time, absolutely safe for your pet’s health. But after application, limit the animal's contact with small children for 48 hours.

For the little ones

It is worth removing fleas from kittens using drops only if they have been weaned from the cat and when the number of parasites threatens the health of the babies. It is important to remember that the insecticides included in the preparations can cause serious harm to a fragile child’s body .

Drops can only be used when the animal reaches two months of age . If the kitten has not yet crossed this age limit, it is better not to risk it and postpone the treatment process, or try to remove some of the parasites with a comb.

Today, there are several types of drops that can be used to treat small pets. These are the drugs:

• Celandine Junior (used from 8 weeks of age).
• Advantage (applicable at 10 weeks of age).
• " Frontline " (used from 8 weeks of age).
• Stronghold (used from 8 weeks of age).

We also recommend reading the article about the types of flea treatments for kittens.

Cat fleas are a real scourge both for the animal itself and for its owners. In addition to the above mentioned remedies, these parasites can be removed using tar soap and Advocate drops.

Rules for applying drops to a cat

In order for the composition to act as effectively as possible, it is important to follow the rules of application. The process itself is quite simple. It is necessary to secure the animal so that it does not twitch during the process. After this, the fur on the neck and between the shoulder blades is pulled apart. The composition drips onto the skin. Ideally, it is better to hold the animal in your hands for a while and calm it down. Next, the process lies in the details:

• If you plan to wash the animal before the effect of the composition expires, you need to stop using it before bathing or carry out the hygiene procedure earlier.
• If the cat has a very thick undercoat and it is very difficult to reach the skin, some owners trim an inconspicuous area of ​​fur with the utmost care. This will make processing much easier.
• If the animal was bathed with flea shampoo or treated with another composition, then it is necessary to maintain the time between medications. The duration of the break depends on the specific form of insecticide.
• In addition to the animal, its bed, the place where it lives, and toys should be treated with flea products. Afterwards, objects and surfaces are thoroughly washed or washed.
• If additional exposure is required, you should consult a veterinarian, as too frequent use of insecticides can lead to poisoning of the cat.
• After applying the product, it is important to ensure that the animal does not shake itself off for some time and does not try to paw into the treatment area. The latter is dangerous in the context of licking.
• If it is not possible to prevent licking, then you should put protective material in the form of a blanket or collar on the cat.

The composition is considered safe immediately after drying. But in no case can you “adjust” the absorption process with the same hairdryer. It pays to be patient here.

Types of funds

In pet stores you can buy antiparasitic drugs in various forms:

• drops on the withers;
• shampoos;
• sprays;
• powders;
• collars;
• solutions for injections, room treatment.

They are used separately or combined. For example, they treat the cat with drops and put on a collar to prevent re-infestation.

Indications

Prescribed to dogs and cats to kill fleas (Stenocefalides spp.) and prevent re-infection of animals within 1 month after application of the drug. For the treatment of allergic flea dermatitis as part of complex therapy. For the prevention and treatment of otodectosis (ear scabies) caused by O. cynotis and sarcoptic mange caused by S. scabiei. For deworming of toxocariasis caused by Toxocara cati, Toxocara canis, and hookworm disease caused by Ancylostoma tubaeforme. For the prevention of dirofilariasis in regions where Dirofilaria immitis is registered.

Contraindications

Increased individual sensitivity to the drug. It is prohibited to use stronghold on puppies and kittens under 6 weeks of age, patients with infectious diseases and convalescent animals. The drug should not be used orally or by injection. When treating otodectosis, do not inject stronghold directly into the ear canal. It is not recommended to apply the drug to wet animal skin. After applying the drug, do not allow the treated animal to come into contact with a source of fire or high temperature until the animal’s fur is completely dry.

How does age influence the choice of product?

Since all antiparasitic drugs contain toxins in varying concentrations, you need to be especially careful when treating small kittens and older individuals.

Babies under three weeks of age are not allowed to use any anti-flea products. If they received insects from their mother, they must regularly wash the floor in the room where the furry predators live, and change the bed every day. Once the kittens are eight weeks old, they can be treated with some drops or shampoos. Preventive measures are recommended to begin at three months of age.

Attention: it is necessary to ensure that the nursing female does not lick the medicines from the cubs, otherwise the poisons will get into the milk.

Elderly cats should be treated only after consultation with a veterinarian to exclude the presence of chronic diseases in which the use of toxic components is contraindicated.

Shampoos

Shampoos for cats
Treating cats against fleas and ticks with shampoos quickly gets rid of insects, but does not provide long-term protection. It is used if the animal is loyal to water procedures. The technology for removing parasites is simple: apply shampoo to wet wool, foam and leave for the time specified in the instructions. Then rinse off and dry the cat with a towel.

Popular shampoos are presented in the table