When your furry pet is attacked by parasites, flea drops for cats will come to the rescue. The body structure of these insects allows them to quickly run between hairs and jump onto animals from walls and plants. If fleas appear on your pet's body after a walk in thick grass, you need to immediately begin eliminating them. One female can lay up to 400 eggs; after a while, both the animal’s fur and bed will be covered with parasites. Of all the products offered, many owners prefer drops due to their effectiveness and ease of use. The owner’s main task is to correctly choose the most suitable drugs. What to prefer: cheap “Bars” for cats or an expensive imported product?
How to choose the best flea drops for cats
The advantages of these drugs include ease of application and effective results. The substances in the drops are dangerous to insects and not too toxic for warm-blooded predators. If the animal does not live permanently in an apartment, but walks along the street or is taken out to the country, you can purchase drops against fleas and ticks for cats. Many companies produce entire series of insecticides under one brand. You can buy both drops and sprays from Frontline. Why do negative reviews and even angry accusations appear against manufacturers and sellers of insecticidal products?
First of all, you need to choose the right drug. The buyer does not always understand what kind of flea drops for cats he needs. Cheap product for cats "Bars", bought on the market, can poison and even kill your pet. It is not the manufacturing company that is to blame, but the scammers who manufacture counterfeits of unknown composition in garages. The advice of veterinarians does not always help: even unscrupulous specialists can treat animals. Under an agreement with the pharmacy, for a fee, he will recommend you a medicine that is profitable for pharmacists to sell. The doctor does not always think about how such a remedy will affect small kittens or a pregnant female.
In specialized retail outlets they will not give you a simple bottle with a crooked label - they sell products from official companies in original packaging with detailed instructions. Read carefully whether the product is suitable for your pet, how it is combined with the age and health of the cat. First, drop a small dose of an unfamiliar product to check if the animal is allergic. Listen to feedback from pet owners too. Many people praise Bars flea drops for their effectiveness at a low price.
The best reviews also earned:
- German drops "Rolf";
- "Dana";
- "Inspector";
- "Lawyer" for cats;
- "Barrier" to combat all external parasites;
- "Stronghold" and many others.
Advice
When purchasing, please note that many manufacturers produce product lines under similar names. For example, the drug for cats "Bars" is made on the basis of permethrin, and drops "Bars Forte" for fleas are made with a more modern active ingredient - fipronil.
Pay attention to the active ingredient. Three types of toxic compounds are most often used as insecticides.
- Fipronil. The most modern and secure connection. Various drugs are produced based on it: flea drops “Barrier”, “Bars Forte” and many others.
- Permethrin. A precursor to fipronil, which does not enter the bloodstream and, if accidentally licked, is quickly eliminated from the body and does not cause poisoning.
- Ivermectin acts against a variety of insects: fleas, nematodes, lice eaters, ticks.
Owner reviews
Most dog owners have left positive reviews of the flea drops.
Buyers who gave a negative rating noted the following shortcomings:
- Stronghold, Advantix, Advocate, Frontline are expensive;
- Inspector drops did not eliminate skin itching;
- IN-AP is not effective against ticks;
- Dana Ultra and Bars do not help, side effects occur after their use.
Reviews from dog owners about the effect of insecticides are subjective, but the most complaints are made against the drugs Bars and Dana Ultra. There are no complaints about the drugs Stronghold and Advantix, except for their high cost.
If you really love your dog, then we recommend reading about the use of fish oil for dogs on the advice of veterinarians or finding out what holistic food is and the rating of these foods.
How to use drops correctly
Even when using the best drug, harmful consequences can occur due to an incorrect procedure. Drops for cats "Bars", like the main range of other products, need to be applied and rubbed into the skin of the animal so that the cat does not touch them with its paw and lick it off. The safest place: withers at the base of the skull. Be careful not to get the product in your eyes or on the mucous membranes of your nose and mouth. If this happens, immediately wash off the insecticide with water.
How to properly use flea drops for cats? You need to drip not on the fur, but on the skin. Part the hair and treat the exposed area. After the procedure, do not wash or comb the animal for 3 days. Do not let him go for a walk in rainy weather: water will neutralize the effect of the drug and there will be no effect. Please note that there are drops against fleas and worms for cats, in this case you can solve two problems at once in one procedure. Correct use of the drug will allow you to make the most of its capabilities.
Some medications are recommended to be used differently. Read how flea drops for cats work: are they absorbed into the blood or have only an external effect. Sometimes domestic remedies need to be rubbed into several areas of the body near the spine to be more effective. Read the instructions carefully, find out the exact dose and process according to the desired regimen. Some preparations, for example, which contain celandine, do not need to be rubbed. These drops do not penetrate the blood and act externally.
Do not exceed the dosage. The amount of the drug depends on the weight of the animal. Don't rely on your intuition, use scales. When handling kittens, make sure that the mother does not lick them and that the babies themselves do not lick or bite each other. It is not recommended to use drops on kittens that are still feeding on mother's milk.
Advice
Carry out the procedure outdoors at a distance from your home and summer cottage so that parasites do not remain on your territory. When using some medications, fleas begin to jump out of the fur, scattering in different directions.
Application rules
An anthelmintic agent in the form of drops is used, observing the following rules:
A mandatory part of the procedure is to put gloves on your hands so that the drug used does not get on them.
- The animal's skin must be undamaged and dry.
- The medicine pipette is opened only before application.
- Be sure to wear rubber gloves before working with the drug to avoid getting the solution on the epidermis of your hands.
- The medicinal solution for parasites is applied to the cat's neck and between the shoulder blades so that she cannot lick the product.
- After use, the pipette is discarded.
How long do the drops last?
The instructions will answer the question of how often the treatment should be repeated. High-quality preparations have not only an insecticidal, but also a repellent effect; insects simply do not want to settle on the fur again. When warm days arrive, animals that do not leave the apartment are often taken to the dacha. To prevent parasites from jumping onto your cat from the grass, treat the withers with drops before the summer season.
Typically, flea medications protect the animal for 2 months. If you want to protect your pet from lice and ticks, remember that for them the period is shorter; after a month, parasites can again appear in the fluffy fur. Be sure to check the instructions for how long your drops last and how often you can repeat the treatment.
Indications for use
The main direction of action of the drug "Stronghold" is the fight against diseases caused by parasites.
| Name of the disease | Description and symptoms |
| 1. Toxocariasis | The causative agent is Toxocara, not very large worms: males no more than 4 cm, females up to 10 cm. The development cycle of the parasite is complex, getting into the lungs, causing cough and bronchitis . Some of the larvae reach the liver, kidneys and even penetrate the heart. There they continue to develop and provoke the formation of abscesses, kidney and heart failure. |
| 2. Otodectosis | The causative agent is Otodectes cynotis, ear mite. A tiny parasite, about 0.5 mm, causes big trouble: inflammation from the middle and inner ear spreads to the meninges . |
| 3. Hookworm | The causative agent is Ancylostoma, an aggressive intestinal parasite, the structural features of which are hooks for attachment to the mucous membrane and the structure of the mouth with massive cutting plates. The parasite severely injures mucosal tissues, causing severe forms of anemia and prolonged diarrhea. |
| 4. Sarcoptic mange | The causative agent is Sarcoptes Canis, an intradermal itch mite. Once on the dog's skin, the female parasite makes subcutaneous passages into which it lays eggs. The tick settles on surfaces with a small amount of fur: on the ears and joints. As the disease progresses, papules, scabs, and bleeding ulcers appear on the skin. |
| 5. Entomoses | This is the parasitism of various groups of insects on the skin of dogs. Some of them can carry dangerous diseases:
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| 6. Dirofilariasis | The causative agent is Dirofilaria immitis, a roundworm that develops and multiplies in the heart, circulatory system and muscles of dogs. Another representative of Dirofilaria repens chooses a subcutaneous existence. The worms are viviparous, but go through several developmental stages from the larval stage to the adult stage. Infection occurs through mosquitoes. Dirofilariasis is dangerous due to impaired blood circulation, heart failure, and pulmonary thromboembolism. |
The drug "Advantage"
The drug "Advantage 40" can be used for adult animals and kittens older than 2 months. The product is valid for 1 month. If there is more than one animal in the house, isolate the treated cats for several hours after the procedure. When playing, other pets may lick the poisonous area.
The drug is produced by the famous German company Bayer Health Care. The drops have both a contact and systemic effect, helping to get rid of not only adults, but also larvae. When the cat lies down on its bed, the treated wool destroys parasites there too.
Advice
This product can also be used for domestic rabbits. When protecting litter from fleas, remember that baby rabbits should not use drops until they are 3 months old.
Flea drops "Bars"
Among the products of Russian manufacturers, flea drops for cats and dogs “Bars” have won special recognition. They use insecticides that are harmless to warm-blooded animals. Owners of cats and dogs note the high effectiveness of the drug. You can also purchase a more advanced product - Bars Forte drops against fleas.
The dosage of drops for cats "Bars" depends on the weight of the animal. For kittens up to 1 kg, 10 drops will be enough. A well-fed cat heavier than 3 kg will need at least 1 ml. The low price also attracts consumers. The product costs about 50 rubles, and works no worse than expensive imported insecticides. The line includes not only Bars flea drops, but also many other useful drugs.
Means "Dana"
Drops created on the basis of the safest active compound, fipronil. The advantage of this product is that “Dana” flea drops do not lose effectiveness when bathing animals. The product is available in convenient pipettes; for treatment you only need to cut off the cap and apply 3-4 drops to the withers.
Advice
If you have used this drug before and were disappointed in it, you can try again now. Until 2015, “Dana” for cats was produced on the basis of another active ingredient, which often caused allergic reactions. Now only fipronil is used in production, and the number of negative reviews has sharply decreased.
The product is not intended for kittens under 3 months of age. It is also not recommended to treat pregnant and lactating females. The drug protects not only from fleas, but also from ticks and lice-eaters. The price is quite high: from 200 rubles, but the quality is worth it.
What's included
Stronghold is produced in liquid form and is a clear solution. A pale yellow color of the drug is also allowed. The active component is selamectin with a concentration of 6% or 12 percent.
The medicine is packaged in plastic pipettes with a volume of 0.25 ml (with a purple cap) and 0.75 ml (with a blue cap), which are packaged in individual blisters. The manufacturer puts 3 doses of the drug in each pack.
Complex preparation "Inspector"
Another expensive, but effective and safe drug. If your cat goes out for a few days and comes back covered in ticks, fleas and lice, there is no better remedy. “Inspector” can also be used in the treatment of worms in cats.
A convenient pipette makes it easy to apply flea and worm drops for cats to the withers. The drug is approved for use in pregnant and lactating females. Kittens can be treated at least 7 weeks of age. Use with caution; Inspector drops for cats may cause an allergic reaction.
Composition and release form
The drug "Stronghold" is a colorless solution (may be slightly yellow), transparent, without impurities or sediment. The main active ingredient is selamectin. A special feature of selamectin is that, in addition to its insecticidal and antiparasitic effect on adults, it has larvicidal (action at the larval stage) and ovicidal (destruction of eggs of parasitic worms) properties.
The drug Stronghold is intended to destroy external and internal parasites.
"Stronghold" is available in two types: with 6% and 12% concentration of the main substance. Pipettes are packaged in threes and placed in packaging boxes. The box contains photographs of animals, dogs and cats, information about indications for use is printed, the dosage of the drug, the main active ingredient, date of manufacture and expiration date are indicated. The colored pipette caps match the color on the cardboard box.
Important! The drug "Stronghold" belongs to hazard class 3: moderately hazardous substances. In recommended doses, it is non-toxic, non-addictive, and eliminates the formation of irritations and allergic reactions on the animal’s skin.
Drops "Stronghold"
If you want to purchase Stronghold drops, weigh your cat before going to the pharmacy. For ease of use, the manufacturer produces packaging of different sizes. Read the instructions and choose the most convenient option, depending on the fatness of the animal.
Kittens can be treated from the age of 1.5 months. The medicine also affects parasite eggs and protects the animal for a whole month. The drug for cats "Stronghold" helps get rid of fleas, ticks and helminths. If you live in an area where heartworm disease is common, or you want to visit this region with your animal for a while, treat your cat with the drug for prevention.
The drug paralyzes the nervous system of insects, but will not have a harmful effect on the health of warm-blooded animals. When using, you need to remember that until the product has completely dried, the cat should not be allowed near the stove or open fire.
Tips for choosing
Before purchasing, we strongly recommend that you contact a qualified veterinarian to select the most optimal option suitable for your pet. We advise you to pay immediate attention to:
- Active substance. The less toxic the product is to the animal, the better.
- Brand. Choose only proven products in specialized stores.
- Age and breed. For this purpose, selection is carried out individually.
- Weight. Depending on this parameter, the amount of product required, as well as the cost, fluctuates.
- Duration of action. The longer the drops keep unwanted insects away, the better.
- Efficiency. There are usually a lot of reviews. People willingly share their observations online. Please read and take note.
- Package. Check it for integrity.
- Instructions. Read it carefully for any contraindications and possible side effects.
- Best before date. The longer it is, the better. Do not use expired medications.
We wish your pet health!
Flea remedy "Advocate"
Advocate drops for cats effectively kill lice, ticks, including ear and subcutaneous ticks, fleas, lice and helminths. They can be used as a prophylactic against infections transmitted through mosquito bites.
Advocate flea drops are not recommended for emaciated animals, pregnant or lactating females. Kittens can only be treated from 9 weeks. If the cat weighs more than 8 kg, it is better to consult a veterinarian to calculate the exact dosage. The drops are quite expensive; packaging intended for animals weighing up to 10 kg costs over 700 rubles. There is no need to be surprised: the more effective the drug, the higher the price.
Each drug is intended for a specific purpose. There are flea drops for pregnant cats, kittens or sick and weakened animals. If your pet is young and healthy, you can choose the product yourself and use it strictly according to the instructions, for example, use Bars flea drops. If your animal has any problems, is not feeling well, or is elderly, consult a veterinarian. There are a lot of methods for getting rid of parasites; a specialist will definitely find a way to properly use flea drops for cats and remove insects without harm to the animal’s body.
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Directions for use and dosage
Sprays and drops on the withers are applied only externally, to the skin. The skin of the animal being processed must meet the following requirements:
- It should be dry.
- It is highly desirable that the skin be clean. The purer it is, the more evenly the medicine will be distributed throughout it, and the more pronounced its effect will be. Veterinarians advise washing your pet before treatment. The use of shampoos with an antiparasitic effect is not prohibited, but before doing so, you should consult a veterinarian (to avoid drug incompatibility).
- It cannot have cuts, scratches, areas of inflammation or other types of erosion. Otherwise, the risk of poisoning increases sharply (the pure drug should not end up in the general circulation).
- If there is a rash or signs of dermatitis on the skin, or there are other symptoms of allergic pathologies, the use of the drug should also be postponed “until better times.”
The spray is somewhat easier to use: it is used to evenly irrigate the pet’s fur on all parts of its body. True, after this the cat will need to be occupied with something for about an hour so that she does not have time for licking.
In the case when chewable tablets are used, the cat should not have pathologies of the digestive system, that is, constipation or diarrhea. In addition, it is highly undesirable to treat animals (regardless of the dosage form used) suffering from acute or chronic liver and kidney diseases.
Application of drops/spray
In such cases, the medicine is applied to the withers, between the shoulder blades. The fur needs to be parted (we remind you that it must be clean), after which the required volume of the drug is applied to the exposed skin.
When treating ear mites, everything is somewhat more complicated:
- It is necessary to clean the ear canals from deposits of mite waste products. To do this, you can use either 3% hydrogen peroxide or sterile vegetable oil (you can make it yourself by “calcining” the oil in a water bath). Regular cotton swabs are ideal for this purpose. You need to clean your ears carefully, being careful not to damage the ear canal or eardrum.
- After this, you need to drop a couple of drops of medicine into each ear canal. Plug the ear canal for about a minute with a finger, while lightly massaging the skin at the base of the ear. These actions help the medicine to be distributed more evenly, which significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment.
Important! Under no circumstances should the place where the drug was applied (on the withers or base of the skull) need to be massaged or rubbed! The nature of the drug we are describing is such that it itself is perfectly absorbed and distributed in the epidermal layer.
For treating cats, we recommend using only 0.5 ml pipettes. In this case, the dosage is extremely simple: one dispenser per animal.
Use of chewable tablets
With them everything is much simpler: the drug is given once, orally, always with food.
But! Considering the variety of packaging, release forms and concentrations of the active substance, we can give only one piece of advice: carefully read the instructions for use included with the medicine by the manufacturer! With tablets, everything is much simpler: the medicine is given at the rate of 2.5 mg of active substance per kilogram of live weight.
