Fleas and ticks are painful for cats.

These parasites work by clinging themselves to your furry friend and feeding off of her blood. Fleas and ticks also bring along other diseases and need to be removed for your kitty to be pain-free and her happy self again.

There are a lot of treatments available on the market.

However, not all of them are effective, and some even have scary side effects. So, it is a good idea to look into the best natural treatment options and run them by your vet before you give them to your kitty.

In this blog post, we will go the best flea and tick treatments for cats and determine which option is the best for your feline friend.

Let’s begin.

Types of Flea and Tick Treatments Available to Buy 

One of your goals, when looking for flea and tick treatment options for should be the effectiveness of the medicine and the ease of use. While some treatments are mess-free and highly effective, others aren’t.

Flea medicines work by fatally attacking the fleas’ nervous system.

This means that all flea treatment options work similarly. However, they differ regarding effectiveness and longevity. Here are some options to choose from:

1.   Spot-on Treatments

This treatment comes in a small bottle which contains a concentrated liquid that you have to apply to the back of your kitty’s neck.

The medicine starts working within 24-48 hours by dissipating into the natural oils on your cat’s skin. This kills the fleas in some time and even prevents new generations from developing for the next few days.

2.   Oral chews and tablets

The tablets contain insecticides that find their way into your cat’s bloodstream within an hour or so. When the flea or tick bites your kitty, they get exposed to the insecticide and die.

While tablets work faster than other methods, their effects don’t last as long. They generally lose their effect within 24 hours and are an excellent pick to treat an ongoing infestation.

3.   Collars

The collar contains the insecticide which works by either absorbing into your cat’s fat layer to kill the fleas or repels the insects. The effects of a collar last from anywhere from 6 weeks up to 12 weeks and it is a mess-free solution.

4.   Shampoos

This option of treatment works well to kill adult fleas but, the effects last for a short time—a little over 24 hours. This treatment is good if you want to treat an ongoing infestation.

5.   Sprays

Sprays linger on your cat’s skin and work as spot-on treatments do. However, they aren’t as potent, and the effects can be seen a short period of time, usually a week.

In my opinion, when looking for the best flea and tick treatments, tablets, spot-ons, and collars should be the most preferred options as they are quick, easy to use and painless in function. Sprays and shampoos, on the other hand, are messy and time-consuming.

You should choose a treatment option which is easy to use, useful and works for as long as you want it to.

Moving on.

Harmful Side Effects of Flea and Tick Medicines: What to Avoid

For a treatment to be effective, it is essential to use a pesticide to kill the bugs. The Environmental Protection Agency should approve the pesticides used in the flea medicine.

However, this doesn’t mean that the pesticides can’t cause serious harm to your cat’s health and yours if you mishandle them. So, it is a good idea to steer clear of topical treatments. Always wash your hands after applying it.

Now, let’s look at some ingredients that you should stay away from according to credible sources such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the National Pesticide Information Center.

• Tetrachlorvinphos: The Humane Society and the EPA warn that overexposure to this ingredient can have side-effects for humans such as dizziness, nausea, confusion, and can even cause paralysis and death. These symptoms most occur in children so, it is a good idea to stay away
• Propoxur: According to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, exposure to propoxur can cause carbamate poisoning. The effects include nausea, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle twitching, and, in some cases even death. The EPA disallowed its use but, some brands still use it
• Pyrethroids: The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registration, warns that humans exposed to pyrethroids can get itching, numbness, stinging, burning, and tingling. On flea medicine, they are labeled as flumethrin and etofenprox
• Pyrethrins: VCA Hospitals warn that cats are more sensitive to pyrethrins than dogs as they can’t metabolize the ingredient. Pyrethrins in cat products don’t mean that they are inherently unsafe, but they can risk overexposure.

  Pyrethrin poisoning causes incoordination, vomiting, shaking, seizure, tremors, trouble breathing, and hypothermia

• Selamectin: According to research, selamectin leaves a high residue on humans when they come into contact with it which is harmful

Tablets, spot-ons, and collars are the most preferred treatments as they are easy to use, quick, and painless. But, shampoos and sprays are quite messy, and you need to keep applying them after a certain period of time, which may not be feasible for some users.

Natural Remedies for Flea and Tick Treatment

Natural treatments are a good choice if you wish to stay away from chemicals and the side effects they bring with them. However, natural remedies aren’t as fast, and the effects aren’t long-lasting.

In this section of the blog, I’ll share a few natural cat flea and tick treatment recipes.

Let’s take a look.

1.   Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an effective option for removing yeast and allergens, and it makes an excellent flea treatment as well. Apple cider vinegar doesn’t kill the fleas but works by making them jump off your kitty. However, make sure not to use it on open wounds.

You can use a diluted mixture of two parts ACV and one part water and put in a spray bottle.

2.   Cedar Chips

Fleas and ticks hate certain smells—cedar being one of them. Placing cedar chips in your kitty’s bedding is an excellent way to keep the fleas away. However, cats hate the smell as well.

Another option is that you place cedar chips outside your home to keep the fleas away.

3.   Rosemary

Another thing that fleas hate includes rosemary. Grinding rosemary leaves and sprinkling them in areas where your cat sleeps and plays will help keep the pests away.

4.   Aloe Vera Juice

Another natural repellent for fleas includes aloe vera. Mixed with cayenne pepper, you can make a spray and apply it on your kitty’s coat. However, make sure that you don’t get it around your cat’s eyes!

5.   Lemon Spray

One of the natural flea killers include citric acid—something lemons are full of. You can make a citric acid spray. To make it work for cats with sensitive skin, you can boil lemon in water and let it soak for at least 8 hours (or overnight).

These natural remedies take their sweet time to work. However, they are still effective and don’t have any harmful side effects for you and your kitty. You should consider them, for sure.

A Quick Look: The Top 5 Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Cats

Now that I’ve gone through everything that you need to know before getting a flea treatment to make an informed decision, it is now time to look into the best flea and tick treatments for cats.

Keep in mind that some treatments may have an adverse side effect so, you should always consult your vet before getting something— to be cautious.

All treatments work in the same way. It is up to you to decide which one is the best choice for your feline friend.

Following are some options:

Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Cats	Key Features	Our Rating	Price
Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cat	●      Offers eight months of protection for cats ●      The no-mess collar is non-greasy, odorless, and made from high-quality materials ●      The collar kills fleas and ticks through contact—not through bites ●      Comes with a release mechanism that releases the collar quickly	5 Stars	Check now
Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention for Cat	●      The monthly flea treatments kills fleas and ticks within two hours ●      Odorless formula that kills fleas and ticks through contact without requiring them to bite ●      Easy to apply formula ●      Keeps working for 30 days	4.9 Stars	Check now
Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Spray	●      Kills ticks, flea eggs, and fleas by contact ●      Uses certified natural essential oils and other plant-based ingredients ●      Safe to use for cats over 12 weeks of age ●      Smoothens the cat’s skin and has a good smell	4.7 Stars	Check now
Catego Flea and Tick Control for Cat	●      Can be used with kittens above eight weeks of age ●      The fast-acting formula kills the fleas within six hours and provides instant relief ●      Comes with a patented applicator and is easy to apply ●      Non-greasy and quick-drying formula	4.5 Stars	Check now
Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens	●      Long-lasting and fast-acting treatment for cats ●      Can be used on kittens older than eight weeks ●      Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, and larvae ●      Stops an ongoing infestation in a matter of hours, and prevents recurrence for 30 days	4.5 Stars	Check now

Now, let’s look at each of these treatments in detail to determine which one is the best suited for your kitty. Keep in mind to consult your vet before getting a treatment for your kitty. After all, they know best.

Let’s look at these treatments individually, shall we?

1. Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cat

The Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats is one of the best flea and tick treatments for cats. The collar is easy to use, odorless, and non-greasy and continues to repel and kill ticks and fleas for eight months.

The active ingredients stored in the collar release in low concentrations throughout the day and protect your kitty from head to tail. The collar kills fleas and ticks through contact so that they don’t bite your kitty and cause any pain.

Let’s take a look at some key highlights, shall we?

• Offers eight months of continuous head to tail protection for cats
• The no-mess collar is non-greasy, odorless, and made from high-quality materials to ensure durability
• The collar kills fleas and ticks through contact and not through bites so that there’s no pain caused to your furry friend
• Comes with a release mechanism that releases the collar quickly and protects your cat if she gets stuck
• Convenient to use as all you have to do is put it on, and it’ll do the rest itself

Let’s look at the pros and cons of the collar, shall we?

Here’s the deal:

Pros	Cons
●      Easy to use and effective ●      Convenient to use ●      Doesn’t irritate the cat ●      Non-greasy formula ●      Protects the cat for over eight months	●      May cause irritated skin and bald patches in allergic cats

All in all, the Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats is one of the best options available on the market as it’s incredibly convenient, works well, and protects your kitty from head to tail.

2. Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention for Cat

The Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention for Cats is one of the best flea and tick treatments for your kitty. The formula works on contact and doesn’t need the parasite to bite your kitty to work, spearing her the pain and irritation.

The product kills adult fleas by attacking the parasite’s nervous system and paralyzing it. The formula kills flea eggs as well as larvae as well to ensure full protection and safety.

Following are a few highlights:

• The monthly flea treatment kills fleas and ticks within two hours of application
• The odorless formula that kills fleas and ticks through contact without requiring them to bite saving her from the misery of enduring flea bites
• Easy to apply the formula and can be used on cats over eight weeks of age
• Kills flea eggs and larvae for full protection
• Keeps working for 30 days

Following are the pros and cons of this flea and tick treatment:

Pros	Cons
●      Works non-stop for 30 days ●      Kills fleas and ticks through contact ●      Easy to apply and use ●      Odorless and safe formula	●      May cause shedding in some cats ●      May cause an allergic reaction

All in all, the Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention for cats is one of the best available. It works fast and has long-lasting effects. It even kills larvae and eggs along with ticks and fleas, guaranteeing full protection.

3. Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Spray

The Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Spray is one of the best choices when looking to buy an all-natural flea and tick treatment for your kitty. The spray contains certified natural essential oils and plant-based ingredients like peppermint and clove.

The formula protects your cat from fleas, larvae, flea eggs, and ticks, and also repels mosquitoes. It is safe to use for kittens over 12 weeks and can be applied indoors as well as outdoors.

Following are some key features of this treatment:

• The spray kills ticks, flea eggs, and fleas by contact and spares your cat the pain of flea bites
• Uses certified natural essential oils and other plant-based ingredients to make sure that your kitty doesn’t get any allergic reactions
• Has minimal side effects and is safe to use
• Can be used safely for cats over 12 weeks of age
• Helps in smoothing your cat’s skin and has a pleasant smell

Let’s weigh the pros against the cons, shall we?

Pros	Cons
●      Made from all-natural ingredients ●      Minimal side effects ●      Can be used for cats over 12 weeks ●      Has a pleasant smell that cats like ●      Kills parasites on contact	●      Causes swelling around the mouth in some cats ●      Works slowly

All in all, the Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Spray is one of the best flea and tick treatments for cats available on the market. The plant-based formula is safe and does not have any significant side effects.

4. Catego Flea and Tick Control for Cat

The Catego Flea and Tick Control for Cats is one of the best options available to buy. The product is specifically designed for cats, and the fast-acting formula kills the parasites within six hours of administration.

The long-lasting medicine kills flea eggs, larvae, fleas, ticks, and chewing lice and protects your cat for 30 days. The medicine comes with an applicator which makes it easy and convenient to apply.

Following are the key features:

• Can be used with kittens above eight weeks of age
• The fast-acting formula kills the fleas within six hours and provides instant relief from the pain
• Comes with a patented applicator and very is easy to apply and use
• The non-greasy and quick-drying formula ensures that the medicine isn’t wasted

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons, shall we?

Pros	Cons
●      Fast-acting formula designed for cats ●      Kills all the fleas within six hours ●      Applicator convenient to use and minimizes the risk of skin abrasion ●      Works for 30 days	●      May cause allergic reactions ●      Can cause skin irritation

To summarize, the Catego Flea and Tick Control is one of the best options available on the market. This treatment option is fast-acting and kills all the ticks and fleas within six hours of application.

5. Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens

Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens is one of the best available treatment options. The fast-acting treatment provides long-lasting results and kills fleas within hours of application.

The treatment is safe for cats and kittens over the age of eight weeks and prevents new infestations from occurring for the next 30 days and provides you with peace of mind.

Following are the key points you should keep in mind:

• This is a long-lasting and fast-acting treatment for cats which kills pests within hours of use
• The treatment can be used on kittens that are older than eight weeks of age
• It effectively kills all adult fleas, flea eggs, and larvae
• Stops an ongoing infestation in a matter of hours, and prevents recurrence for the next 30 days

Let’s weigh the pros against the cons, shall we?

Pros	Cons
●      Safe and effective treatment ●      The effects last for 30 days ●      Stops an ongoing infestation within hours ●      Safe to use for kittens over eight weeks in age	●      May cause allergic reactions in some cats

To summarize, the Frontline Plus for Cats and Kittens is one of the best treatments available for cats. The long-lasting treatment works efficiently and kills all of the parasites within hours of use.

Summing Up: The Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Cats

Fleas bring a lot of diseases with them and feed on your cat’s blood supply.

Cats like to stay in dark, small spaces, which are usually are infested with fleas and ticks. So, it is essential to keep your kitty protected at all times. Fleas and ticks can be painful and irritating.

They can cause Lyme disease and tapeworm!

There are a lot of treatment and prevention options available to choose from on the market. However, make sure to consult your vet before getting anything as some products may not agree with your cat and cause allergic reactions.

Another thing you should look into is side effects.

Make sure that the treatment option of your choice doesn’t have any aversive side effects that may hurt your kitty.

Did you find the right tick and flea treatment for your cat? Let us know in the comments.

Do you have any questions that you would like to have answered? If so, leave them in the comments, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.