Insects that parasitize a pet’s body can cause inconvenience not only to the animal, but also to humans. During a bite, bloodsuckers can cause an allergic reaction or infect the victim with various infections.
Cat flea spray helps to quickly and effectively deal with the problem even in conditions of highly infested areas.
Despite all the advantages of choosing, the drug is toxic and needs to be used correctly, so before purchasing you need to carefully read the instructions and contraindications.
General information
Before you start figuring out which flea spray for cats is best for fighting parasites, you need to understand how these products differ from each other. The main difference between the drugs is that they can be conditionally divided into two groups. The first will include those intended for processing animal hair, and the second will include products intended for treating premises.
Preparations belonging to the first group should use ingredients that are as safe as possible for the animal. However, at the same time, the flea spray for cats should destroy all the parasites that your pet has in one go and as quickly as possible. By the way, manufacturers try not to use permethrin in this product, since cats are much more sensitive to it than dogs.
For thin and sick animals, specific sprays can also be used, since due to their thin skin, some drugs may be too toxic for them.
Flea treatment products are usually sold in high concentrations and must be diluted. You can spray such preparations using a regular spray bottle.
You should not experiment and use these two types of sprays for other purposes. Otherwise, either your budget or your pet may suffer, whose health could be harmed.
Description of the product
“Inspector” is a colorless liquid without sediment with a slight odor of alcohol. The drops are packaged in containers. The latter are also a pipette with which liquid is applied. The solution contains two active ingredients: moxidectin and fipronil.
Both of them are low-toxic and completely harmless to the health of humans and their pets, but are deadly to fleas and other arthropod insects. Fipronil can interfere with the absorption of chlorine.
This process inhibits the transmission of nerve impulses, simultaneously building a blockade of all body systems of the flea, which entails its rapid death. The liquid contains 2.5% moxidectin plus 10% fipronil. This is quite enough to destroy blood-sucking parasites.
“Inspector” was developed with the aim of ridding domestic animals, in particular cats, of blood-sucking parasites. It is successfully used against many types of ticks, lice and fleas, as well as against various types of helminths.
Benefits of drops
- "Inspector" is an effective remedy compared to other similar drugs. You can treat your cat with it completely independently, without turning to specialists for help. The procedure will only last a few minutes.
- When using liquid, your pet will not need to be bathed or combed. In general, the bathing procedure does not give cats much pleasure. It is so natural that they do not like water. Although there are exceptions.
- The solution will not require additional funds to purchase an anti-flea collar. For the same money, it will effectively rid the animal of parasites. In addition, collars carry a certain danger for your pet. When walking through grass and thickets, as well as when climbing trees, it can accidentally catch on a branch and even cause suffocation.
- In comparison with folk remedies that only repel pests and are used as preventatives, drops completely destroy insects.
- Liquid is preferable to spray.
- Firstly, the spray is weaker.
- Secondly, they will have to treat the pet entirely. He will start licking himself, and this is certainly undesirable.
- The liquid is safe for humans. You won't need a mask or gauze bandage. It is enough to wear gloves on your hands.
Flaws
Of course, all insecticidal preparations that affect the well-being of animals are dangerous. Drops also have their disadvantages, but there are very few of them.
Manifestation of side effects. This rarely happens, only if the animal’s body is particularly sensitive.
The drug does not kill flea larvae. It is clear why: the larvae live separately from the adults. They can only die if they come into contact with treated cat fur.
To prevent this from happening, flea control should be carried out throughout the entire house, paying special attention to the place where the cat prefers to sleep. Attention! If several cats are being processed at the same time, it is necessary to exclude contact between them by separating them into different rooms
It will take no more than an hour for the drug to be absorbed.
Attention! If several cats are being processed at the same time, it is necessary to exclude contact between them by separating them into different rooms. It will take no more than an hour for the drug to be absorbed.
Features of using flea sprays
Flea spray for cats is usually very effective and safe for the animal. If the treatment is carried out correctly, then toxic substances will not enter the pet’s body and will not cause side effects. But the treatment has a detrimental effect on fleas: they either die or leave the animal within a few minutes.
The standard application and action time of the spray is from half an hour to an hour, after which the cat should be bathed. It is recommended to select the drug depending on the age and size of the animal. They may differ in the concentration of toxic substances.
After the treatment, it is better to take your pet for a walk or distract his attention so that he does not lick himself or wash himself. After the required time has passed, the drug is washed off with running water, sometimes resorting to bathing with shampoo.
As practice shows, there is no need to re-apply the spray; fleas leave the animal’s body after the first treatment. If this does not happen, then there is a possibility that the drug was of poor quality or you did something wrong.
Flea spray "Bars" for cats: instructions
Nowadays, the choice of products for treating pets against parasites is quite large. The consumer has a fairly wide selection of the same sprays of different brands and manufacturers, produced in different countries of the world. Flea spray for cats "Bars", reviews of which are mostly positive, is gaining immense popularity among livestock breeders. The owners of their four-legged friends say that this is due to the high quality of the drug and its reasonable price. The effect is achieved literally after the first use. A can of spray lasts a long time, so this again saves your budget.
Flea spray for cats: instructions for use and recommendations for use.
Treatment should be carried out outdoors or in a very well ventilated area. At the same time, cages with birds, aquariums, etc. are removed from the room.
Avoid allowing the animal to lick the drug. For example, you can use a special muzzle.
You need to shake the bottle with the drug well, and then start spraying its contents onto the pet’s body from a distance of 30 cm.
The spray should be applied as evenly as possible. This way the maximum effect will be achieved.
One press on the head contains approximately 0.5 ml of spray. This amount is enough to process 1 kg of animal weight.
20 minutes after spraying, the cat can be combed. Repeated treatment can be carried out no less than a month later. In addition to the cat itself, this drug can also be used to treat its bed, bedding, etc. Flea spray for cats “Bars” will reliably protect your pet from annoying parasites.
Universal flea sprays
Many of those who have already faced the problem of choosing an anti-parasite drug for their pet noticed that they were also offered a flea spray for dogs and cats. Before choosing any of them, you need to know exactly for what purpose and under what conditions you will use it.
Perhaps you just want to carry out effective preventive treatment, or perhaps your pet has a mild degree of parasite infestation.
It is much more difficult if the infection is already severe. In this case, you will have to resort to using strong insecticides. But strong drugs should not be used for pregnant or lactating animals, as they can harm their health. The exception is when the animal's life is in danger.
Many pet owners take their pets out of town for the summer. In this case, you should worry about purchasing flea spray for cats and dogs in advance. You can also stock up on other preventive measures that can help prevent parasite infection.
Sprays designed to control fleas and ticks
If your pet often goes outside or you live outside the city, then in addition to fleas, there is also a threat of ticks. These parasites, in addition to sucking animal blood, also carry various types of dangerous diseases. Some of them can be fatal. To prevent trouble and preserve the health of your pet, it is better to carry out treatment in advance. Flea and tick spray for cats can help control many types of parasites. The owners of their four-legged friends say that it is these drugs that have the most effective effect and are most popular among livestock farmers. According to cat owners, due to its wide spectrum of action, they eliminate the need to buy several medications. This saves not only money, but also time and nerves, which is important for animal lovers.
Currently, the industry produces universal sprays that can fight both fleas and ticks. However, they should be selected especially carefully, taking into account the weight and biological characteristics of the animal. It is important to pay attention to the fact that he does not have allergic reactions to the components indicated in the composition of the drug.
As a preventative measure, you can treat not the animal itself, but its habitat, with such a spray. However, this is only if the pet does not live on the street.
Flea spray for cats, the reviews of which are positive, is produced by “Clandestine”, “Bars”, etc.
Types of funds
All antiparasitic agents are divided into two main groups:
- insecticides – causing the death of parasites;
- repellents – repelling insects.
Some manufacturers produce broad-spectrum drugs that contain substances from both groups. The products are available in different forms, which allows each owner to choose the most convenient and effective option for their pet.
Shampoos
Shampoos against cat fleas are one of the most gentle remedies, so they are often used for kittens, pregnant and weakened animals. Medicinal shampoos contain substances that kill insects, while preventive shampoos protect your pet from infection.
Such products are good for getting an immediate effect - getting rid of parasites, but they rarely give long-term results. Therefore, pet owners combine shampoo with other products, such as a collar or use drops.
Powders
Cat flea powders are not the most common remedy. This is primarily due to some difficulties in use - the product must be distributed over the pet’s entire body, rubbed into the skin, and after the time specified in the instructions, combed out thoroughly. However, powders also show good results in the fight against ectoparasites, and they are also convenient for treating a cat’s bed or house.
Collars
A collar impregnated with special substances repels insects from your pet. This is the simplest method of prevention, which is often used (especially in the warm season). Anti-flea collars are often used to prevent infection; to get rid of fleas, it is better to use drops or a spray.
Collar
The popularity of collars is explained not only by the simplicity and ease of use, but also by the duration of action. Some manufacturers' products protect the animal for several months.
Drops
Anti-flea drops for cats are perhaps the most common means for treating and protecting animals. The solution for external application contains from one to three active substances that accumulate in the upper layers of the skin or are absorbed into the blood and kill parasites, and in addition prevent re-infection.
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Attention! Among existing flea medications for cats, drops are considered the most effective and convenient remedy. Manufacturers produce the medicine in packaging of different volumes, so you can choose the appropriate dosage for any pet.
Manufacturers produce the medicine in packaging of different volumes, so you can choose the appropriate dosage for any pet.
Manufacturers produce the medicine in packaging of different volumes, so you can choose the appropriate dosage for any pet.
Sprays
Sprays are another popular product for treating and protecting cats from fleas and other insects. The product is easy to apply, it begins to act soon after application, and the effect lasts quite a long time. The disadvantages of aerosols include high toxicity.
Injections
In some cases, flea medications are administered to cats by injection. This is an effective, but quite aggressive method, which has an impressive list of contraindications.
Attention! Injections are used in cases of extensive infection or if other treatments have failed.
Pills
Tablets are another option for treating flea infestation. It also cannot be considered popular, primarily due to the large number of contraindications and side effects. In particular, flea tablets are dangerous for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats, and weakened pets. But if the animal cannot be treated for parasites with external means, then tablets are the most suitable option.
Folk remedies
There are many effective and safe folk remedies for fleas for cats. Most popular:
- herbal infusions (tansy, wormwood, geranium);
- tar soap;
- salty water;
- essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, mint).
Essential oils
Garlic tincture and vinegar help get rid of fleas, but these products have a strong, pungent odor, so you should not treat your animal with them. The same applies to lemon or orange essential oils.
On a note! Cats do not like the smell of citrus fruits, so it is better to choose other products to protect your pet from fleas.
Allergy to flea spray
Flea spray for cats can cause an allergic reaction in an animal if it is intolerant to the components of the drug. If after treatment you notice changes in your pet’s behavior, redness on the skin, itching, scabies, you should contact a veterinary clinic and consult for allergic reactions in the cat’s body. If the assumptions are confirmed, the doctor will prescribe treatment and give an injection, but in the future you will need to carefully select the composition of anti-flea medications and avoid those that contain an allergen.
An allergy to flea spray can also occur in a more severe form, so during the first treatment you need to be very careful and monitor the slightest changes in the animal’s usual behavior.
How to properly use drops on the withers
The use of this medication is not complicated and can be easily done at home. Only basic recommendations need to be followed:
- The cat is not washed for several days before applying the drops so that a layer of sebum (sebum) forms on the skin. It serves as protection; its presence will reduce the likelihood of local allergic reactions.
- You need to apply the drops directly to the animal’s skin so that your pet cannot lick them (therefore, choose the back of the head and upper back to the shoulder blades as the place of application).
- The skin at the site of application should be dry and without any damage.
- To speed up the absorption process, the skin can be lightly massaged.
- If drops accidentally get into the animal's eye, you must immediately rinse it with running water.
- If your cat is heavy, apply in several places along the spine, and also on the head between the ears. In this case, to protect the animal, you will have to put a special collar on its neck for several hours (some cat owners suggest locking the pet in a carrier, where it will not have the opportunity to lick its back).
- After applying the drops, the cat is also not bathed for several days (no more than three) so that the product is completely absorbed by the body.
Safety conditions when using drops on the withers
The drug is low-toxic, but its improper use can lead to poisoning of the animal. Some components (essential oils, fipronil) have a pungent odor, which may cause the animal to reject the drug.
Safety requirements:
- Most flea drops contain insecticides, and contact with human skin and mucous membranes is undesirable. During the procedure, it is better to use gloves and then wash your hands thoroughly.
- After such treatment, for the first two days, small children should not be allowed to communicate with the animal.
- To prevent poisoning of the animal, strictly follow the instructions when determining the amount of the drug, never use the product after the expiration date.
- Do not use drops on the withers at the same time as a flea collar or other means of combating parasites, as this can cause insecticide poisoning.
- If you have several animals in your home, do not allow them to be in the same room, as they may lick each other's fur.
- If signs of poisoning appear (which is very rare), give the cat a large amount of clean water and bathe it to remove the product from the fur. If there is no improvement, you should contact a veterinary clinic.
Symptoms of poisoning after applying drops to the withers may include:
- restless state of the animal;
- rapid breathing;
- intense salivation;
- muscle tremors;
- vomiting and diarrhea.
Contraindications
The instructions for using drops on the withers always specify the following restrictions:
- Do not use on animals suffering from infectious diseases;
- do not use on weakened animals or those weighing less than one kilogram (with the exception of special preparations developed for kittens);
- For lactating or pregnant cats, treatment should only be done under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Storage conditions
The sales period for this product depends on the manufacturer and is usually two to three years.
If you purchased more product than is needed for one treatment of an animal, do not forget about the storage rules:
- an open drug cannot be stored; if you used only half of the pipette to treat the kitten, then the rest must be disposed of;
- products are stored at a positive temperature (ranging from zero to twenty-five degrees) in a dark place with normal humidity;
- this is a toxic drug and is not recommended to be stored near food;
- the drug should be inaccessible to children.
Indoor flea spray
If your pet has become infected with parasites and you have treated its body with special preparations, you should not stop there. The fact is that, most likely, the parasites have already managed to migrate to the habitat of the cat or dog, and perhaps even lay larvae there. In order to finally get rid of this scourge, it is necessary to treat the room.
When choosing a spray to treat a room, you need to pay attention to qualities such as composition, toxicity, and method of application. However, price will also play an important role in the final choice. There is no need to overpay extra money, however, there is also no need to choose the cheapest flea spray for cats, because it is more likely to save on quality.
It is known that fleas, similar to linen lice, are very hardy and are able to hide in inaccessible places. That is why it is advisable to use a spray to treat the room. In this case, processing is carried out in several stages.
First, general cleaning is carried out, as a result of which some insects are removed. After this, animals and people are removed from the apartment. You should also remove food and laundry.
Before using flea spray for cats, be sure to read the instructions for use. If necessary, shake the can and begin processing. Particular attention should be paid to the floor and surfaces near it. Also, you should not ignore hard-to-reach places (cracks, baseboards, etc.).
A few hours after the treatment, the room is thoroughly ventilated and cleaned again. After a week, it is recommended to carry out another treatment of the room. It will help get rid of those parasites that were hatched after the initial treatment.
Room disinfection algorithm
Before treating your house for fleas, this process must begin with pets, since they are often the intermediate carriers of these blood-sucking parasites.
We treat pets
To treat pets, we recommend using insecticidal shampoo, either drops on the withers or spray. The animal needs to be bathed 3 times a week. Before you let it go outside, you need to put an anti-flea collar on your pet and treat its fur with a spray, and if possible, it is better not to let it go outside until the parasites are completely removed.
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Preparatory cleaning of the premises
First you need to move furniture and cabinets away from the walls. Put everything that can be washed in the washing machine. Carpets and rugs should be taken outside. If the weather is sunny, it is advisable to leave them there for a few days. Upholstered furniture should be cleaned with detergent.
Place food products in cabinets and cover household appliances with film. There should be no animals or children in the house during disinfestation. It is better to take indoor plants to the balcony; the use of aerosols and sprays can negatively affect them.
Chemical treatment
Insecticidal substances have been listed above. If you choose a powder, then you need to prepare a solution from it, treat all corners and crevices
Pay special attention to baseboards. You can also treat all rooms with Dichlorvos, but you will have to leave the house for a couple of hours. When you return home, ventilate the room, wipe down the furniture, and do a wet cleaning.
In suspected areas where fleas accumulate, you need to treat them again with the solution or sprinkle with boric acid.
When you return home, ventilate the room, wipe down the furniture, and do a wet cleaning. In suspected areas where fleas accumulate, you need to treat them again with the solution or sprinkle with boric acid.
Repeated disinfestation
It should be carried out 10 days after the first treatment. The products can destroy adult individuals the first time, while larvae may remain, deposited in the most secluded places. In this case, re-processing is necessary.
This time you need to use a different insecticide. This is due to the fact that parasites can develop immunity to the previous remedy. In this case, you need to choose another active agent. If the number of parasites has not decreased, it is better to invite specialists. Otherwise, you will have to wage a continuous struggle with them.
The final stage: check if there are any fleas in the house?
To do this, you need to lay out sticky sheets on the floor; they must be located near the baseboards, under the sofa, armchairs and other objects. If you get at least 3 fleas, you will have to treat again.
Experts recommend treating the room, especially in the summer, every 5-7 days. This also applies to pets.
Safety rules during processing
In order to protect yourself from the effects of insecticides, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment against chemicals. You should also avoid direct contact of poisons with the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. This can cause significant poisoning. You should try to inhale the spray as little as possible and not be in the treated room. After carrying out all activities, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
When carrying out treatment, you need to ensure not only that the poison does not enter your animal’s body, but also your own and your loved ones. It is for this purpose that the listed safety rules should be followed. Some sprays have a high concentration of toxic substances, and therefore can harm health and cause changes in well-being. In case of severe poisoning, it is better to consult a doctor or call an ambulance. Under no circumstances should you ignore the corresponding symptoms; the consequences can be very, very negative. If you notice changes in the behavior of your household, you should also not ignore this: perhaps they simply do not attach importance to the onset of serious poisoning.
Basic compliance with safety rules will help preserve the life and health of you and your pets.
Contraindications
In some cases, it is not recommended to use flea spray for cats.
This may include situations where:
- The cat is waiting or nursing offspring. Compared to drops applied to the withers area, the spray needs to be sprayed onto the entire pet's fur. If it penetrates the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause severe poisoning.
- The kitten is less than 3 months old. At this age, it is difficult to calculate the permissible dose of the drug. Up to 2 months, drops are the best option against parasites.
- The pet is sick.
- The animal has an individual intolerance to the drug.
- Dermatitis or other skin lesions are visualized.
- There are chronic or acute diseases of internal organs.