Safe and Effective Flea Treatments for Cats
Avoiding Potentially Hazordous Products for Flea Control
Aug 10, 2008
Protecting your cat from harmful fleas and ticks in the summer months is a proactive way to keep your favorite pet healthy. There are many types of flea treatments currently on the market, but what pet owners do not realize is that many of the cheaper brands found in local supermarkets, drug stores, or even pet shops may be potentially harmful to their pets. In some cases the application of these treatments has had fatal results in cats.
These facts do not mean that pet owners should avoid topical flea treatments. Instead pet owners should take steps to make sure that the medication they are giving their cat is safe and effective.
Do Your Research
There are a number of websites detailing accounts of cats getting sick or dying because their owners applied certain brands of flea treatments. A website focused on the dangers of using Hartz brand flea treatments has stories of numerous cat and dog owners who have had horrible experiences with Hartz brand products. Hartz is not the only dangerous over-the-counter flea treatment that may be unsafe and researching others experiences with certain brands of flea treatments will help a cat owner avoid a product that could kill their pet.
Ask Your Veterinarian
The products recommended by a pet's veterinarian are usually safe bets. These doctors would not recommend flea treatments that could poison their patients and often discourage owners from buying cheaper over-the-counter brands. Many times owners can purchase products right at their veterinarian's office, though they will be costly. Ordering flea treatments recommended by vets online is much cheaper and as long as an owner gets exactly what the doctor prescribed the medication will be safe.
Sheridan Animal Hospital in Buffalo, New York recommends Frontline flea treatments for cats. Advantage brand treatments are also often recommended by vets.
Make Sure the Treatment is Just for Cats
Flea treatments for cats are formulated differently than those for dogs. Owners should make sure that the product they buy is meant for cats as applying one meant for dogs can be toxic to cats.
Check Weight Guidelines
When choosing a topical flea treatment a pet owner should make sure the one he chooses is in the dosage prescribed for his pet's size. Most treatments will display on the box what size animal the treatment is for. If a cat weighs less than what the box recommends owners should select a lower dosage.
If pet owners follow the recommendations of their veterinarians, do their own research and use common sense they will be able to find the product that is safest and works best for their pet.
 |
