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Flea and Tick Control for Cats

Is Fluffy itchier than normal?  Do you two like to go out walking in high grasses?  Are you itchier than normal?  Maybe you have a flea or tick problem.  I hate to break it to you, but that's a big deal.  You need to get yourself (and Fluffy) some medicine right away.  And, while you're at it, you should probably get some repellent for the future. You don't want to have to go through this hassle again.  Read on for some sound advice.  And always follow the instructions exactly.  You're dealing with toxins here. You wouldn't want to hurt more than those little buggers, would you?

Make sure your products are meant for cats and not for dogs.  For Fluffy, not Fido.

Products
Flea Combs  have very fine teeth to brush the fleas out. Inexpensive. Not very effective if your cat has a serious flea problem. Ineffective against ticks. Should be used in conjunction with another preventitive method or a treatment.	Shampoo Baby shampoo  will work just fine. Likewise, any gentle shampoo without a lot of fragrances will also suffice. But if you want flea shampoo,  that's even stronger. It will actually kill the fleas and aid in a faster improvement if your cat has a severe problem. Not always the best option: it's not an easy task to get Fluffy into the tub or sink to wash.	Flea Powder  sprinkles onto Fluffy's skin to kill those suckers on contact. Imidicloprid is safe for kittens over six weeks old and deadly to fleas but not ticks. Fipronil claims to kill fleas and ticks on cats over eight weeks old. Selamectin kills fleas, ticks, and ear mites as well as protecting against heartworm. It gets into the bloodstream and should not be used on kittens under six weeks. It may cause allergic reactions.	Flea Collars  stay on all the time to keep fleas at bay. This is the best preventitive measure. Inexpensive. Needs to be replaced regularly. Can cause discomfort for some cats, thus they may try to get it off or lose it while out of the house. Some of the chemicals may cause problems and adverse reactions for some cats, especially those with weak immune systems.	Natural Solutions can be better for the environment and sometimes cheaper. Thinly slice a lemon (with peel), add to 1 pint boiling water, steep overnight, and sponge onto Fluffy's skin the next day. Brewer's Yeast  into skin or food is another natural choice to keep the critters at bay.

Avoid These Chemicals

READ LABELS

• Permethtin or Fluffy will go into permethrin toxicosis that will cause tremors, seizures, and difficulty walking.
• Methoprene has been an ingredient in many Hartz Mountain brand products. It can cause hyperactivity, panting, hissing, among other things.
• Organophosphates are a key factor in Mad Cow Disease.
• Diazinon is particularly toxic to Persian cats.
• Phosmet is also toxic.
• If any symptons appear that seem dangerous, consult your vet.

Fleas Also Cause

• Anemia by the blood loss.
• Tapeworms are common too, especially in kittens.
• Haemobartonellosis which is a more serious form of anemia. For this, Fluffy'll need antibiotics, steroids, and maybe blood transfusions.

Related Articles

• Cat Care
• Cat Collars
• Cat Grooming Supplies

Additional Links

• Fab Cats - How to identify and get rid of fleas.
• The Pet Center - Information by vets about fleas.
• About.com - How to keep fleas off your cat.
• About.com - How to read the labels correctly.
• About.com - Top three topical flea repellents.
• About.com - How to keep your pet pest free.
• About.com - How to keep your home pest free in a natural way.
• About.com - How to bathe your cat.
• Hartz Victims - For people whose cats were killed by Hartz products.