Best Cat Flea Shampoos
11–13 minutes to read | Updated for 2018
If you have ever walked into the kitchen to find a colony of ants feasting on those cupcakes you were saving, then you understand just how frustrating a bug problem can be.
What is even more frustrating is how most of your efforts to eliminate your ant problem seem futile. You may destroy one trail of ants and think that you’ve killed all of them, only to find that another trail appears a few hours later.
You know how they say that to kill a snake you should sever the head first—this is pretty much the same concept that you need to apply when trying to rid your home of ants. More specifically, the best way to eliminate an ant colony is to destroy the nest—where the queen ant lives.
However, should there be more than one nest, it may be a challenge to locate and destroy all of them. This is where ant baits come into play. All you need to do is lure a few of the ants to take the bait and they’ll take it back to the nest. The poison will do the rest. This article highlights everything you need to know regarding ant baits.
Top Rated Cat Flea Shampoos
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What’s In This Guide
Adam’s Tick and Flea Shampoo for Cats
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Adam’s flea and tick shampoo is a popular choice. For households that have both cats and dogs, you can use this product safely on all your pets. You also will not be required to carry out a separate tick treatment. The shampoo will repel fleas for up to a week after the treatment and as flea eggs are eliminated—any remaining larvae will not hatch for over a month.
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One downside to this treatment is that, in order for it to be completely effective, it is recommended that you lather for five minutes which may be difficult for some cats and owners. The shampoo is bright green so it is easy to see whether you have rinsed it away completely or not.
The shampoo has a cleansing formula, so while your pet may not enjoy their bath they will feel refreshed and cleansed afterward. You can pick up an inexpensive 12 oz. bottle, which will be sufficient for around eight washes, depending on the size of the pet being washed.
PRO
- Treats ticks, flea eggs, an lice as well as fleas
- Safely uses pyrethrins
- Can be used on kittens over twelve weeks old
- CSuitable for cats with sensitive skin
- Cleans and deodorizes
CON
- Does not kill flea larvae
- More than one wash may be required
Sentry Shampoo for Cats
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sentry shampoo for cats is a dual-action shampoo that will kill fleas and ticks. It contains pyriproxyfen, pyrethrins, and nylar that will deal with ticks, flea eggs, larvae, and adult fleas. One major benefit of this product is that, if your cat really does hate bath time, then you will not have to lather this product on your cat for as long as the Adams shampoo, as the active ingredients are stronger and get to work more quickly.
That being said, not all owners will want to use pyriproxyfen. This product not only smells great (similar to baby powder) but it is particularly suitable for owners of long-haired cats. The shampoo contains a conditioner that will help to ensure your cat’s fur remains silky and smooth.
PRO
- Kills fleas, ticks, and lice at ALL stages of life—including larvae
- Repels insects for weeks
- Pleasant non-medicinal smell
- Contains a conditioner
CON
- More than one wash may be required
- Contains pyriproxyfen, which some owners may not wish to use
Triple Action Flea and Tick Shampoo
Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Triple Action Flea and Tick Shampoo is slightly more expensive than the other products in our list; however, a little of this 12 oz. bottle goes a long way. This shampoo will target irritated, tender, and inflamed skin that has been affected by flea bites making it a great choice and providing instant relief for your pet.
It is suitable for cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies, as long as they are over the age of twelve weeks. It contains lanolin, coconut extract, and aloe to soothe and condition your pet’s skin and coat. The product will also tackle scales, dirt, and dandruff. The ingredients in this product make it tough on fleas but gentle on your pet’s skin. The product is so concentrated you can dilute it with two parts water before use, should you choose to give a more gentle formulation. Pets will be instantly relieved after their bath.
PRO
- Suitable for cats with sensitive skin
- Soothes irritated skin from FAD
- Effective ingredients
- Concentrated product goes a long way
- Can be used on kittens over twelve weeks old
CON
- More expensive than other brands
How to Use
Most flea shampoos are very easy to use but do check out the instructions first. A good tip when bathing your cat with a flea shampoo is to wet the cat’s neck before you wet the rest of its body. The fleas on your cat’s body will head straight to your cat’s head and face with it being the only dry area. Wetting your cat’s neck first will make it more difficult for fleas to jump on to your cat’s face and head.
You should use warm but not hot water and wet your cat first before applying the shampoo with your hands and working to a lather. Check the instructions to see how long the product should stay on your cat. Once the shampoo has been left on for the required amount of time, rinse your cat and dry him off.
You may see fleas float away in the water and you may see dead fleas on your cat, which you can brush away with a flea comb once your cat is dry. In recent studies, it has been reported that it is rare for an animal to have over 20 fleas but it is quite possible. Only in very bad infestations will you see huge numbers of fleas.
Even if you just notice five dead fleas, it is quite possible that you have killed all the adult fleas on your cat. Now that you know a little more about cat flea shampoos, let’s take a look at some of the best available on the market…
Fleas and Cats
It is rare for a domestic pet, whether it is a cat or a dog, not to have a flea problem at some point during their lifetime. Most owners think that, while fleas are an annoying irritation to cats and dogs that cause them to itch and scratch, they cause no other health risks.
Vets Flea and Tick Spray
4 minutes to read | Updated for 2018 In This Guide: Our Rating Key Features Vet's Best Flea and Tick Home Spray for Dogs and Home, USA Made from $11.49 Buy on Amazon Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Our...
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Advantage Cat Flea Treatment
5 minutes to read | Updated for 2018 In This Guide: Our Rating The Dangers of Fleas Key Features Sale Bayer Advantage II Flea Prevention Large Cats, over 9 lbs, 2 doses $25.99 Buy on Amazon Last update on 2018-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product...
read moreFlea Bites can Kill
In young, old, and sick animals a flea infestation can kill. A significant number of fleas on small and weaker animals, in particular, can cause death quite quickly as the fleas feast on the animal’s blood cells causing fatal anemia.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
Many animals are allergic to flea bites. As the flea penetrates your pet’s skin, saliva is injected into the bloodstream. To counter the allergy, the animal secretes histamine and the result is painful inflamed skin that can cause a condition called neurodermatitis. The animal will be nervous, irritable, anxious, and extremely restless.
A rash can also appear and pets will bite and chew on their fur and skin in an attempt to alleviate the itching, which often results in infection. Another problem associated with fleas are tapeworms. If a flea starts feasting on your cat and had recently bitten a wild animal, then it could quite easily pass on tapeworms to your cat as well.
Tapeworms can then lead to a whole host of problems from breathing difficulties to malnutrition that will require veterinarian assistance. In extreme cases, pets can suffer anaphylactic shock after a flea bite and this requires immediate veterinarian assistance. Flea bites are certainly no fun for pets. So, as soon as you realize your cat has fleas, you need to act quickly otherwise you will only prolong their suffering and the problem will get worse until it is treated.
Cat Flea Shampoos: How do they Work?
Flea shampoos are specially designed for cats so that they can target fleas while not irritating your cat’s skin. Many of the shampoos that you buy to target fleas will also be effective against ticks too. A flea shampoo bath can deal with 99% of fleas and provide instant relief for your flea-infested kitty.
That being said, it may not provide a long-term solution as flea shampoos deal with fleas that are on the cat—they may not deal with eggs or re-infestation in the way that a spot-on treatment would. Therefore, check out shampoos that will kill eggs and larvae as well as adult fleas.
Shampoos will deal with fleas currently on your cat, but they may not stop other fleas jumping onto your cat afterward. It is, therefore, recommended you wash your cat’s bedding at the same time as your cat. Throw it in the washing machine and dry it on a high heat setting to kill fleas and eggs.
The active ingredients contained within many cat flea shampoos are called pyrethrins, which are plant extracts that are natural insecticides. Be warned, however, that even natural ingredients can be dangerous to small and young cats and it may be better to stick to natural repellents, such as rosemary for cats younger than two years of age.
Tips for Bathing Your Cat
Cats are great self-groomers. It is perfectly fine to never bathe your cat. However, on some occasions—and certainly in the event of your cat becoming flea-infested—a bath may be required. If your cat has regular or semi-regular baths, then the whole procedure is likely to be a little less frantic and stressful than if your cat is never bathed before.
Either way, few cats enjoy baths, so follow a few simple tips to make bath time a bit less fraught for all:
Introduce your cat to the bath over time by placing a toy in the bath when there is no water.
Never run water while your cat is in the bath.
The bath should only ever be about seven to nine inches deep and the water should be at least lukewarm.
Place a mat or a towel at the bottom of the bath so that your cat can grip on to the bottom of the bath and not slip around.
Shampoos will deal with fleas currently on your cat, but they may not stop other fleas jumping onto your cat afterward. It is, therefore, recommended you wash your cat’s bedding at the same time as your cat. Throw it in the washing machine and dry it on a high heat setting to kill fleas and eggs.
Are you prepared? As a cat owner, you should be used to the occasional scratch or bite. Your cat is likely to use all its power to escape bath time including using you as a climbing frame and escape route. Wear some thick protective clothing to avoid injury.
Close the bathroom door to prevent your cat escaping.
If you have shower curtains in the bathroom, you may want to take them down first.
Have everything you need in the bathroom: towels, shampoo, and a flea comb—as you won’t be able to leave your cat once you are involved in the task.
Teamwork may be advisable. A ten-pound cat that does not want a bath is remarkably effective against a 200-pound human. You may want to consider getting a second person to help.
Brush your cat first to de-stress it and detangle fur before it becomes wet.
Turn off the shower hose and use a plastic cup to rinse your cat with water.
Never put a cats head under water.
If it is all getting too stressful it may be best to abandon the bath.
Start early by introducing kittens to baths so it is not such an ordeal.
Once your cat has been bathed and dried, you should make a fuss of your cat and reward it handsomely. Give your cat its favorite dinner or catnip so that it associates bath time with a worthwhile reward.
Cat Flea Shampoos and Kittens
If your kitten is over the age of twelve weeks then it should be okay to shampoo your kitten with a flea shampoo as long as you have carefully checked the label of the bottle. You should never administer a flea shampoo to a kitten under the age of twelve weeks. The active ingredients, either pyrethrins or pyrethroids, will be in too high a concentration and could cause skin irritation or death in young and tiny kittens.
If you have a kitten that is under twelve weeks of age but has fleas you should seek advice from a veterinarian. Owing to the tiny size of your kitten, fleas taking a meal from the kitten’s bloodstream can cause severe anemia. Fleas need to be carefully removed from your kitten manually either with fingers or tweezers. You can bathe your kitten but use warm water only.
The Bottom Line
While bathing a cat will never be fun, these products are so effective that this life and limb-threatening chore will be worthwhile. Please be sure to read all labels for your cat’s safety.