Most Effective Flea Control for Dogs and Cats

Flea control for dogs and cats continues to be a dilemma for many pet owners. With so many products available, it can be difficult to decide which products to use. Knowing how to use the products safely and effectively is also extremely important.

Prevention is the Easiest Form of Flea Control

Preventing fleas is much easier than battling an existing infestation. Adult fleas lay eggs which fall off of the pet and continue to mature where the pet lives. For every adult flea seen on a dog or cat, there are thousands of flea eggs, pupae and larvae which are unseen and they may inhabit carpeting, cracks in hardwood or tile floors, furniture upholstery and bedding. Adult fleas are only the proverbial “tip of the iceberg” in a flea infestation and killing the adults is easy compared to killing the eggs and pupae.

How to Prevent a Flea Infestation

The best way to control a flea infestation is to remain vigilant in using one of the monthly topical flea preventive medications. These products do need to be used monthly and it is easy to become lax in their application. Marking a calender as a reminder to apply the medication is a good idea. The most effective flea preventive medications tend to be those which are marketed through a veterinarian, although many are now available through other sources as well. These include Frontline Plus©, Promeris©, Advantage©, Advantage Multi© and Revolution©. Revolution© and Advantage Multi© also contain prescription heartworm preventive medicine and are only available through a veterinarian or through an online pharmacy with a valid prescription from a veterinarian.

Treating an Existing Flea Infestation

Monthly topical flea control products can also be used to treat an existing flea infestation. However, dog and cat owners should not expect to see fleas disappear overnight in these situations. The existing eggs and pupae will not be effected by the medications and will take time to hatch and become susceptible to the flea control medications. It may take months to control an existing flea infestation using only the monthly topical medications. However, other strategies to help reduce this time include:

• vacuuming all surfaces frequently and promptly removing the bag from the home
• using products containing boric acid or borax on carpets and other flooring
• washing all bedding

Integrated flea control, using various methods to kill and control the fleas, is likely to be the most effective means of handling this situation.

Natural flea control methods for dogs and cats

Many pet owners have concerns about using chemicals on their pets regularly and may prefer natural flea control methods. These methods are much more labor intensive and may not be as effective as the monthly topical medications in many cases. However, the pet owner must weigh the advantages and the disadvantages. It should also be remembered that because a product is “natural” does not automatically guarantee that it is safe. Pyrethrins are a good example. Derived from the chrysanthemum plant, pyrethrins are quite effective at killing fleas. However, if used improperly, pyrethrins can also be toxic. Therefore, they should only be used according to the label directions. Another example are essential oils, many of which are toxic to pets, even in small quantities.

• Regular grooming and the use of a flea comb is the safest form of natural flea control, though it is incredibly labor intensive.
• Pyrethrins, used according to label directions, can be used as a natural form of flea control.
• Neem oil can be added to shampoos, sprays and powders.
• Garlic is commonly used a natural flea control. However, garlic can also be toxic to pets. Used in small quantities, the risk of toxicity is lower but it is also less likely to kill fleas at low dosages.
• Limonene, an essential oil, can be effective in controlling fleas on dogs, though it has a strong odor. It should never be used on cats.
• Flea traps can be used and may decrease the flea population. However, they are unlikely to catch all the fleas in the household.
• Diatomaceous earth has also been used to kill fleas in carpets and other areas. However, there is some concern about the safety of breathing in the particles of dust produced.
• Nematodes can be inoculated into yards and gardens to eat the flea eggs, pupae and larvae present there.

Whether a pet owner decides to use natural flea control methods or chemical means of flea control, it is important to treat all pets in the household, including cats.

Capstar© and Comfortis© and Flea Control in Dogs and Cats

Capstar© and Comfortis© are oral medications which are also effective flea control medications. These medications can be used to replace monthly topical medications. They are particularly useful for pets which are extremely sensitive to flea bites as they have a very quick kill rate (i.e. they kill the fleas very rapidly). Comfortis© is administered monthly and should only be given to dogs. Capstar© needs to be given frequently, often on a daily basis although some pet owners are able to control fleas by giving it every three to four days. Capstar© is safe for cats as well as dogs.

For More Information: Fleas on Dogs and Cats