Best flea treatments for dogs and cats
As pet owners you will know that unfortunately, fleas are an extremely common and annoying occurrence and it is important to treat your dogs and cats for worms and fleas on a regular basis. However, with 95% of flea and egg larvae living in your environment rather than on your pet, it is equally if not more important to treat your home too, otherwise the infestation will return time and time again.
How do I know if my pet has fleas?
It is not uncommon to be able to spot fleas jumping off and on your pet’s body, but they are very small and very fast. They are flat-bodied, dark brown or black in color (unless they are full of blood in which case they can be lighter) and usually less than an eighth of an inch big. However, typical behavioral symptoms include restlessness, and chewing, scratching or licking certain parts of his body more often than usual. If you suspect that your dog or cat has fleas, you can check his skin and coat for signs of them or ‘flea dirt’ which looks like regular dirt but is actually flea faeces. If you aren’t sure if it is actual dirt rather than flea dirt, put some on a paper towel and add some water. If it is flea dirt, then it will turn a reddish brown as it will contain blood that the flea has ingested and then excreted.
Finding the right treatment
With so many different flea treatments available on the market, finding the right one can be tricky. We have put together this list of some of the best and most effective flea treatments for dogs and cats to get you started, but discovering which works best for you and your pets may require some trial and error.
Vet-Kem® Carpet and Premise Spray
Vet-Kem® spray is a spot treatments used to control fleas, ticks, ants, and cockroaches. It prevents flea infestations and flea build-up for up to 7 months. Vet-Kem® is a great for treating your pet's environment for fleas.
Nexgard® for Dogs
Nexgard is an oral flea and tick preventative that lasts for 30 days. It can be used in puppies at least 8 weeks of age and weighing a minimum of 4 pounds.
Nexgard Plus® for Dogs
Nexgard Plus is similar to Nexgard, but with the added bonus of protection against heartworm disease, hookworms and roundworms. Like Nexgard, it can be used in puppies at least 8 weeks of age and weighing a minimum of 4 pounds.
Capstar® Flea Control for Dogs and Cats
If you prefer to administer your pet’s flea treatment orally then this is a good option. It kills fleas and can be used in conjunction with other popular preventatives to help stop any future infestations. It is also safe for pets that are pregnant or nursing. There are a number of formulas available for dogs and cats. Make sure you select the right one for your pet’s weight.
Nexgard Combo® for Cats
This topical treatment prevents against fleas, heartworm disease, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. It lasts for 30 days and can be used in kittens at least 8 weeks of age and weighing a minimum of 1.8 pounds.
Credelio® for Cats
This is a montly flea and tick preventative in the form of a chewable tablet. It can be given to kittens 8 weeks of age or older and weighing a minimum of 2 pounds.
