Is your cat plagues by itchy little fleas? If your feline is itching and acting irritated, chances are that he or she is being bitten and scratched by these pesky little bugs on a regular basis. There are a variety of ways to get rid of these little creatures, and you should probably talk to a local vet to determine which one is the best for your cat. One option you can pursue is a spot-on treatment. These topical liquids can usually be prescribed by a vet. You can drip the ointment onto your cat, and the odor and chemicals may kill the fleas or drive them away. The drops are very effective at cover the cat’s entire body, and will normally kill all the fleas after a few weeks.

If you don’t like that option, then you can also opt to give your cat an oral medication. Flea control pills can be prescribed by a veterinarian, and disrupt the fleas life cycle so that future generations of fleas will die. Oral medications can be easier because they allow your cat to ingest the medication, rather than slather it all over their fur. Also, with topical medications it is important not to pet your cat for several hours after the medicine was administered. When a family has small children, it may be easiest to administer an oral medication so that the kids won’t get the flea ointment on their hands.

If neither of these options is suitable, you can get rid of fleas with a flea bath. Normally, cats abhor flea baths and may squirm and whine when you try to complete this treatment. Yet you may be able to take your cat to a pet spa, or administer the bath by yourself. The benefit of a flea bath is that it often kills the fleas on contact, and your pet will get nice and clean in the process. You may need to repeat the flea bath more often than you would need to administer oral or topical medications. Vets suggest that you give a cat a flea bath every two weeks if this is the method you choose.

If a flea bath isn’t profitable, a flea dip may be. This is a concentrated chemical that can be diluted in water and applied to your cat’s fur with a sponge. You won’t rinse your cat after applying this product, and it does an excellent job of getting flea-killing chemicals all over your cat. But be forewarned, misusing a flea dip can come with terrible reactions. Both cats and the people treating the cats are at danger to a toxic reaction if they use this product incorrectly. Make sure to read the instructions carefully if you choose this method, and remember that flea dips should only be used for extreme cases.

You can also put a flea collar on your cat to get rid of the pesky bugs. Cat flea collars will be more or less effective depending on the amount of fleas hiding in your animal’s fur. Make sure that when you put this collar on your cat you leave about two fingers’ worth of room. Also, cut off any excess collar to keep your pet from chewing on it. You should also watch for signs of discomfort, as some pets may have an allergic reaction or skin irritation because of the chemicals on the collar. You will want to make sure that you choose a collar that is age appropriate for your pet, as collars for older cats often have larger doses of the chemicals. Make sure that collar has a quick-release latch if your kitty is often outside. By exploring these options and talking to a vet, you should be able to eliminate your cat’s flea fiasco in no time!