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The best flea and tick treatment for cats

Written by Mara |

Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to protect your cat against fleas and ticks again. But which product should you choose? With so many flea and tick treatments available, making the right choice can be overwhelming. We’re here to help make the decision easier for you!

Woman cuddling her cat

What Flea and Tick Treatments Are Available for Cats?

Cats are more sensitive to flea and tick treatments than dogs. Some active ingredients used in dog products are actually toxic to cats, such as permethrin and deltamethrin. NEVER use a dog product on your cat.

Fortunately, there are several safe flea and tick treatments specifically for cats:

We’ll explain which option is best for your cat!

Relevant products

When Should You Choose a Flea and Tick Tablet for Your Cat?

Tablets are a relatively new option for flea and tick prevention in cats.

They are best suited for cats that easily take tablets, either as a treat or mixed into their food.

One advantage of flea and tick chewable tablets is that the active ingredient enters the bloodstream, meaning no chemicals remain in the cat’s skin or fur. This makes it a safe choice for households where people regularly cuddle with their cat or allow them to sleep in bed.

The downside is that fleas and ticks must bite before they die, making tablets less suitable for cats with flea allergies. Tablets should also be used with caution in cats with liver or kidney issues.

What Is the Best Flea and Tick Tablet for Cats?

Previously, only garlic tablets were available to make cats less attractive to fleas and ticks. Now, the AdTab Chewable Tablets for Cats provide a more effective solution. These tablets kill fleas within 8 hours and ticks within 18 hours, preventing fleas from laying eggs.

When Should You Choose a Flea and Tick Collar for Your Cat?

A flea and tick collar is a great option for cats that dislike spot-on treatments or tablets. Some cats run away the moment they hear the drawer open where flea treatments are stored. While putting on a collar requires some effort, once fitted, it provides months of continuous protection.

A common question is: “Is a collar safe for outdoor cats?” Yes, high-quality flea collars are designed to break away if they get caught, preventing strangulation. Many also feature an extra breakaway point for added safety.

For a collar to be effective, it must be fitted snugly, allowing only two flat fingers between the collar and the skin.

A flea collar is not recommended for cats that have frequent physical contact with people or sleep in bed with children.

What Is the Best Flea and Tick Collar for Cats?

There is only one collar that effectively protects against both fleas and ticks: the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Cats. It provides up to 8 months of protection and also helps reduce fleas in the cat’s immediate environment.

If you only need flea protection, the Beaphar Reflective Flea Collar is another option, providing 4 months of flea prevention.

When Should You Choose a Flea Shampoo for Your Cat?

Not all cats tolerate bathing. If your cat can be washed, a flea shampoo may be useful in cases of severe flea infestations, as it helps wash away most fleas.

What Is the Best Flea Shampoo for Cats?

The Gentle Shampoo Dimethicone for Dogs & Cats is the safest flea shampoo for cats.

If your cat cannot be bathed, but you still want an external flea treatment, the Francodex Dimethicone Dry Shampoo for Cats is a great alternative.

When Should You Choose a Flea Spray for Your Cat?
Flea sprays are most practical for young kittens and small cats, as the entire body needs to be sprayed for effective protection. However, most cats dislike being sprayed or made wet, so an alternative flea treatment may be easier.

If your cat has fleas, you also need to treat the home environment. A flea spray is ideal for this purpose.

What Is the Best Flea Spray for Cats?

For a kitten or small cat, Effipro Spray is a suitable option.

For home treatment, Beaphar DIMETHIcare Environment Spray is recommended.

There are also sprays containing permethrin, but these should be used with extreme caution in homes with cats, as permethrin is highly toxic to them.

When Should You Choose Natural Flea and Tick Protection for Your Cat?

As an alternative to chemical treatments, you can opt for natural flea and tick protection.

When choosing a natural product, check whether it only repels fleas and ticks or if it actively kills them. Dimethicone is the only natural ingredient that immobilises and kills fleas and ticks by coating them, preventing movement and causing them to die.

What Is the Best Natural Flea and Tick Protection for Cats?

There are several natural products available to protect your cat against fleas and ticks. The choice mostly depends on personal preference.

Natural Flea and Tick Treatments for Cats

Most frequently asked questions

What is the best flea and tick treatment for kittens?

If you want to protect your kitten against fleas and ticks, the choice of product depends on your kitten’s weight and age.

For kittens under 6-7 weeks old and weighing less than 600 grams, the only safe option is Effipro Spray.

After this, you can switch to a spot-on treatment or tablet.

Vectra Felis is for example suitable from 7 weeks old and 0.6 kg. AdTab Chewable Tablets can be given from 8 weeks old and 0.5 kg. Adimere Flea and Tick – Cat is safe from 8 weeks old and 1 kg. Seresto Flea Collar can be used from 10 weeks old. Be mindful of your kitten’s growth and avoid cutting the collar too short.

What is the best product for a cat with skin and coat problems?

If your cat suffers from skin or coat issues, a chewable tablet is often a better choice. Flea drops and collars rely on the sebaceous layer to distribute the active ingredient. In cats with skin problems, this layer is often compromised, which means topical treatments may be less effective.

Shedding can also limit the effectiveness of external treatments. When a cat loses a lot of hair, some of the active ingredient from a flea collar or spot-on can be lost as well. This may result in temporarily reduced protection against fleas and ticks.

How often should I treat my cat for fleas and ticks?

This depends on the product. Most spot-on treatments and tablets provide protection for one month, while the Seresto flea collar offers up to 8 months of protection.

Does a flea treatment also protect against ticks?

Not all products work against both. Check the product description or choose a combination treatment.

Should I treat my indoor cat for fleas and ticks?

Yes, even indoor cats can get fleas. Fleas can hitch a ride on your clothing, shoes, or enter the home via other pets. Ticks can also attach themselves if your cat has access to areas like a balcony. Preventive treatment helps avoid a flea infestation in your home, which can be difficult and time-consuming to eliminate.

How can I prevent a flea infestation in my home?

Fleas go through a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult flea. Adult fleas live on a host (like your cat) and feed on blood. They can lay up to 100 eggs per day, which fall into the fur and quickly spread throughout your home (carpets, bedding, furniture). The eggs hatch into larvae that feed on flea dirt and skin flakes. After several days to weeks, they spin a cocoon and enter the pupal stage, where they can survive for weeks or even months. Once they sense warmth or vibrations (like a nearby pet), they emerge and jump onto a host.

Because of this rapid reproduction, a flea problem in the home can develop quickly, even if you only see a few fleas on your cat. That’s why it’s essential to treat both your cat and the environment. In addition to treating your cat:

  • Clean the environment: wash cushions, blankets, and pet beds at a minimum of 60°C and vacuum regularly, especially along skirting boards and under furniture.
  • Use an environmental spray: specialised flea sprays kill flea eggs and larvae in the home, helping to prevent re-infestation.
  • Treat all pets: if you have multiple animals, treat them all at the same time, even if they don’t show visible signs of fleas.
  • Stick to prevention: treat your cat monthly to prevent a new infestation from taking hold.

Also read our blog: Eliminating fleas in the home

What is the best product for cats with a flea allergy?

If your cat has a flea allergy, they are allergic to flea saliva. In this case, it’s important to prevent flea bites altogether. Chewable tablets are less suitable, as fleas must bite before they are killed.

For a cat with a flea allergy, choose a topical treatment with flea drops or a flea collar.

What is the best product for a cat that may react sensitively to medication?

If your cat is prone to reacting to medication, it’s best to choose a flea and tick collar. The collar gradually releases the active ingredient. If your cat has a reaction, you can simply remove the collar, and in most cases, the symptoms will subside on their own.

If a collar isn’t suitable, opt for a spot-on flea and tick treatment. If your cat shows a reaction, you can wash the active ingredient out of the coat.

With a chewable tablet, once it’s ingested, it’s in the system. If your cat has a reaction, you’ll need to wait for the tablet to wear off.

If your cat has reduced liver or kidney function, or suffers from another medical condition, it’s also best to use a topical flea and tick treatment.

Can I use a dog treatment on my cat?

No, this is dangerous! Some dog treatments contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. Always use a product specifically formulated for cats.

Which is better: a spot-on treatment, tablet, or flea collar?

That depends on your cat’s preferences and your situation.

  • Spot-on treatments (pipettes) are applied to the skin and work quickly against fleas and ticks. They’re popular, but may cause skin irritation in some cats.
  • Tablets work from the inside out, spreading the active ingredient through the bloodstream. They’re ideal for cats that are bathed often or don’t tolerate spot-ons, though some cats refuse to take tablets.
  • Flea collars, like the Seresto collar, offer long-lasting protection (up to 8 months), but are less suitable for outdoor cats that might get caught on branches or fences.

What should I do if my cat has an allergic reaction?

Unfortunately, cats can also have allergic reactions to certain products.

Stop using the product immediately if you notice redness, excessive scratching, hair loss, lethargy, or other signs of an allergic reaction. If it was a spot-on treatment, wash the application area with lukewarm water and a mild soap.

If your cat shows severe symptoms such as vomiting, breathing difficulties, or extreme lethargy, contact your veterinarian straight away. In future, you can switch to a different product with a different active ingredient.

Are natural remedies effective against fleas and ticks?

Natural remedies such as essential oils, herbal extracts, and vinegar are sometimes used to repel fleas and ticks, but their effectiveness is limited and not scientifically proven like that of licensed veterinary products.

What can natural remedies do?

  • Some natural substances, like cedar oil, neem oil, and lavender oil, may have a repellent effect on fleas and ticks.
  • Diatomaceous earth can physically dry out fleas, though it’s less practical for daily use and can be harmful if inhaled.
  • Regular brushing and maintaining a clean environment can help remove fleas early.

What are the drawbacks?

  • Short duration: unlike conventional treatments, natural options usually work for only a few hours or days.
  • Insufficient protection: they typically do not kill fleas or ticks but may only deter them.
  • Potential toxicity: some essential oils, such as tea tree oil and citrus oils, can be toxic to cats, even in small amounts.

When might a natural remedy be an option?

  • If your cat doesn’t have a serious flea infestation and you’re looking for preventive care.
  • For cats that react sensitively to chemical treatments, provided the remedy is vet-approved.
  • When used alongside good hygiene and regular flea checks.

For effective protection—especially in high-risk periods like spring and summer, or if your cat has a flea allergy—a licensed flea treatment is usually recommended.

Environmental sprays for fleas and ticks

Still have questions?

We hope this blog has helped you make a more informed decision about the best flea and tick treatment for your cat.

Check our Step-by-Step Guide: Prevent, Check, and Eliminate Fleas.

Want to learn more about fleas and ticks in cats? Then take a look at our blogs on Fleas in Cats and Ticks in Cats.

Still have questions about flea and tick protection for cats? Feel free to contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.