SUZANNE asked 7 years ago
The fleas are driving us mad. Ive tried using natural sprays to help. I want to take the cats to get dipped, but one is 16 and one is 11. Is this safe?? Next,If i get them thoroughly treated amd continue with a preventative, will they leave thhe cats alone? Poor things are going nuts. We can deal with the aftermath if we at least know the kitties are safe.
Adam Retzer Staff answered 7 years ago
Suzanne,
Topical treatments should be safe if the labeled directions are adhered to. You’ll have to carefully read the instructions of the product you plan on using. That said, it should be safe to use on cats that age.
Most flea drops contain an adulticide and an insect growth regulator (IGR). The adulticide will kill fleas in a few hours, up to 24 hours. The IGR will sterilize female fleas. However, these ingredients don’t repel fleas. It’s possible that your cats will still get bitten before the fleas succumb. This is why it’s important to also treat and vacuum the environment, where immature fleas develop and emerge from. Eggs, larvae, and pupae make up 95-99% of infestations.
Please see our article on How to get rid of fleas for comprehensive information.
If you’re worried about the safety of flea control products, it may be a good idea to see your cats’ veterinarian, as they can offer personalized advice and medications.
Hope this helps,
Adam
