Guide to Flea and Tick Control for Cats

Every pet owner (and cat) hates it when tiny little pests make their way into the coats of felines. If your cat is itching more than normal, or you want to prevent the arrival of the pests, then you are going to need some flea and tick control products. Why is controlling fleas and ticks important? Well, besides Fluffy's comfort (no one likes to be itchy), fleas and ticks can make their way on to humans, furniture, and other pets. Fleas also cause anemia (from blood loss), tapeworms (especially in kittens), and haemobartonellosis (a serious form on anemia that needs to be treated with antibiotics, steroids, and even blood transfusions at times). Needless to say, these little buggers must be battled with. It's important to ask your veterinarian before trying any products. Your cat may have a more severe flea or tick problem. Always follow the advice and recommendations of a veterinarian.

Never use ANY flea or tick control product that doesn't say that it is meant for cats. Flea and tick controls products for dogs can actually be fatal to felines!

Types of Flea and Tick Control

Products
Flea Combs  The fine teeth will remove fleas from your cat's fur. 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.	Baby shampoo  or flea shampoo  Baby shampoo will work just fine for more minor flea problems. Likewise, any gentle shampoo without a lot of fragrances will also suffice. Flea shampoo is even stronger and 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  Sprinkle onto your cat's skin to kill fleas 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  Let your kitty wear the protection at all times! Inexpensive and great at preventing fleas. Needs to be replaced regularly (see package for when to replace). 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 Remedies Want to go all natural? Try out home remedies or all natural solutions.  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.

Ingredients to Avoid

• Permethtin will cause Fluffy to 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 to felines.
• If any symptons appear that seem dangerous, consult your vet immediately.
• Always read the labels and any other information that comes with the product completely, carefully, and thoroughly!

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