Flea drops for cats and dogs: the best remedies, instructions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

To prevent the appearance of blood-sucking insects on the hair of pets and their destruction, many drugs have been developed. The most effective and safe are flea drops, which also affect ticks. The products are most often recommended for adults, but there is also a special line for puppies and kittens.

Reason for popularity

Flea drops are popular with regular pet owners and also recommended by veterinarians. The reason for this lies in the following factors:

1. Low cost of the drug along with high efficiency and safety for the animal. Anti-flea drugs have a different price range, but it is the drops that are more affordable for the average consumer.
2. With the help of the product, you can not only save cats and dogs from blood-sucking parasites, but also provide them with long-term protection. The drops are valid for about two months, but if the animal is bathed frequently, the time mayshorten to two weeks.
3. Flea drops begin to act instantly. If insects have already settled in the pet's fur, but immediately after processing they quickly leave the dangerous area. Those parasites that have bitten the treated skin immediately die. Parasites feel danger and do not even come close to the animal, on the withers of which the drops were applied.
4. Many drops have a complex effect and kill not only fleas, but also ticks, lice eaters and other blood-sucking parasites. There are drugs that can affect helminths and their larvae.
5. Flea drops are easy to use and do not require special storage conditions. Usually the manufacturer releases the drug in a disposable pipette, so after use it is simply thrown away. The package usually contains several doses of the drug, so one pack is enough for a long time.
6. No need for personal protective equipment. Before processing, it is not required to wear gloves and cover the face with a bandage. Drops are non-toxic, do not have a strong odor. After the procedure, it is only recommended to wash your hands with soap and water.

Obviously, flea drops make life easier for pet owners and help protect pets from parasite attacks.

Negative reviews

Like any insecticidal drug, anti-flea also has a number of disadvantages. In reviews, people warn that drops can cause an individual allergic reaction. Moreover, skin rashes, redness and respiratory phenomena canmanifest in animals and humans.

Care should be taken when handling kittens. If an adult cat licks them, then poisoning can occur. It is necessary to constantly monitor the pets, some time after the procedure, and avoid excessive washing.

Especially sensitive people and animals may not like the chemical smell that lasts for several days on wool.

The principle of operation of drops

As soon as drops from fleas for cats or dogs fall on the animal's coat, they immediately penetrate into the upper layer of the epidermis. However, the active substance does not enter the bloodstream, which reduces the likelihood of intoxication. The parasite gets its share of the poison in two ways:

• contact - through outer shells;
• intestinal - by biting infected skin.

In modern drops against blood-sucking parasites, substances with a juvenoid effect are often present. Such components block the development of an insect at any stage of its life. Such remedies will be most effective if it is necessary to rid the animal of the larvae or eggs of parasites. The drops will simply stop their growth, leading to their extinction.

The main active ingredients of drops

Flea drops for cats contain antiparasitic components that have a detrimental effect on bloodsucking, but are safe for animals. Among the main active ingredients, the most common are:

• Fipronil. Able to destroy an insect with intestinalhit and contact. In the layers of the skin, it retains its effect for a long time, providing a lasting preventive effect. After the parasite bites the infected skin or external contact occurs, the transmission of nerve impulses in the body is blocked, which leads to immediate death. However, there are cases when fleas develop strong immunity against finopril. Therefore, veterinarians recommend alternating anti-parasite products with different active ingredients.
• Permethrin. A low toxicity ingredient, often used in drops intended for kittens or puppies. Affects the nervous system of insects and penetrates into it by contact or intestinal method.
• Ivermectin. According to the principle of action, it is similar to finopril, it also blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. But, besides, ivermectin is effective against larvae and eggs. The substance is of medium toxicity, so it is very important to follow the exact dosage and follow the instructions. Drops based on it are not recommended for the treatment of kittens, puppies, debilitated animals, pregnant and lactating pets. Among the contraindications, individual breeds of dogs (collie, sheltie) are also indicated.
• Pyriproxyfen. Quite quickly deals with pupae, eggs and larvae of blood-sucking parasites. It has a low level of toxicity, but the substance quickly stops the development of insects at the larval stage.
• Diflubenzuron. The toxicity is low, but it has a powerful effect on the development of insects. At the moment of their development, the production of the chitinous membrane stops, which makes the parasite completelyunprotected and exposed to any insecticide.

On sale you can find flea drops for cats, the instructions of which say that they contain only natural ingredients. Basically, essential oils with a persistent odor and herbal extracts are used. The preparations are not toxic, do not contribute to the death of blood-sucking parasites, but are able to scare away fleas from the animal. However, caution should be exercised when using such products, because essential oils can cause an individual allergic reaction.

Recommendations for selection

Any responsible breeder wants to choose good flea drops. Not all drugs are equally effective and completely safe. At the same time, veterinarians are advised to select drops depending on the age of the pet and its general condition. The composition differs in the concentration of the active ingredient and the presence of additives. To choose the best option, you should adhere to the following rules:

• Be sure to clarify the active ingredient, its concentration and toxicity. When flea and tick drops are selected, the instructions must be studied with particular care. It always indicates the dosage and indications for use.
• It is necessary to study the reviews of breeders and the opinion of veterinarians about the drug.
• When choosing, consider the age of the pet. After all, all drugs differ not only in composition, but also in the concentration of the active ingredient. For adults, the percentage will always be higher, so the use of such drops in kittens and puppies can causepoisoning.
• For weakened pets and the elderly, you can purchase special preparations that take into account this feature.
• Be sure to pay attention to the packaging, its integrity and the presence of the manufacturer's hologram. The expiration date must be appropriate.

How to use drops

Before using flea drops, be sure to read the instructions. The dosage will depend on the weight of the pet and its general condition. Consider the main points that need attention:

1. Before treatment, it is recommended to wash the animal with a pet shampoo, but not insecticidal.
2. Wool dries and combs well.
3. Drops on the withers of fleas for cats are applied without rubbing. A large pet needs to process a line along the spine. This place is chosen with safety in mind. The area of the withers the animal will not be able to lick, and accordingly will not get poisoned.
4. During the procedure, the animal's hair is parted, the tip of the pipette is cut off and a drop is applied to the skin. A large pet may need a few drops. The used pipette must be discarded, but it must not fall into the hands of a child or the paws of another animal.
5. After the procedure, you should carefully monitor your four-legged friend. Adult pets should not lick treated babies. Also, within 3-4 days you can not bathe and walk a dog or a cat in the rain and snow.
6. The procedure must be repeated after a certain period of time, which depends on the lifestyle of the pet and the frequency of its bathing.

Possible errors

When pet owners find fleas on their skin, they often purchase special drops. But at the same time, some people make common mistakes. Any breeder should know the rules for using the product so as not to harm the he alth of the animal.

Increased dosage. Sometimes the breeder does not read the instructions and squeezes the entire contents of the pipette onto the cat's skin, although only one drop is needed. This results in serious poisoning. Signs of this condition:

• muscle weakness and trembling:
• inflammation of mucous membranes;
• increased salivation;
• redness of the skin.

However, reduced dosage is also harmful. The effectiveness of this approach is extremely low, and the likelihood of developing immunity in parasites increases.

Sometimes owners violate the technology of using drops and apply them on the dog's stomach, paws and under the throat. In this case, the animal easily licks off the drug and gets severe insecticide poisoning. Such misuse can lead to sad consequences. Therefore, they drip exclusively at the withers. It is this place that is inaccessible to the language of the animal.

Often adults and their cubs live in the house. In this case, the owners use the same drug. But the remedy in an adult dosage can be harmful, because the concentration of the active ingredient there is much higher.

Sometimes cat owners use flea drops designed for dogs. This is not recommended becausecats are more likely to have an allergic reaction.

In no case should you use several agents at once against parasites. If you use drops simultaneously with a special collar and shampoo, then the insecticidal load on the animal increases significantly, which causes serious he alth problems.

Popular flea drops

Flea drops for cats are quite popular with breeders. Reviews of ordinary people and the opinion of experts will help you make the right choice. Consider the most popular drugs and their features. Below are options for both cats and dogs.

Drops from fleas and ticks "Bars"

The manufacturer offers an option for both cats and dogs. "Bars Forte" is designed for adults weighing from 2 to 50 kg. Can also be used on large breed puppies. The main active ingredients are fipronil and ivermectin. The package contains three pipettes. One dose can protect a pet from blood-sucking parasites for one month.

Drops from fleas "Bars" are also available for cats. In this case, the main component is one fipronil. But the protection extends to two months.

Use the drug according to a single principle, applying to the withers. Adult cats that weigh more than three kilograms require an entire pipette per use. For kittens and pets with low weight, only 10 drops are required. Flea drops for cats "Bars" are usually well tolerated by animals;side reactions. If you strictly follow the instructions, the drops are quite effective and can provide protection for a long time.

Drops from fleas "Bars" for dogs must be used in accordance with the weight of the pet and the breed. If an adult weighs up to 10 kg, then one pipette is required, from 10 to 20 kg - two pipettes. For very large dogs, four doses of the drug should be taken.

For puppies and small breeds weighing no more than 3 kg, take 20 drops. The tool is also applied to the withers. Large individuals are treated with a place along the spine.

"Bayer Advantix 40" for puppies

If it is necessary to treat puppies or a small breed dog, then "Bayer Advantix 40" is recommended. The drug is suitable for animals weighing no more than 4 kg. Puppies can be treated starting from two months of age.

The main active ingredients are less toxic permethrin and imidacloprid. The death of parasites after treatment occurs within 12 hours. Moreover, the drops have a rather strong deterrent effect. The protection time is about 1.5 months. The drug is one of the most expensive. One package contains four pipettes.

Greenfort - bio drops for small breeds

The main component is natural citronella extract. Designed for small breed dogs, but can only be used on adults. Drops are not able to kill existing bloodsuckers, but effectively scare them away.

PoAccording to breeders, the product has a rather pungent odor. However, the toxicity of the drops is at the lowest level, so it does not harm the animal. Can be successfully used as a prophylaxis.

"Bayer Profender" for young cats

Flea drops for kittens always have a lower concentration of the active substance. This product is approved for use in kittens from two weeks of age and can also be used on pregnant and lactating animals.

The drug is low-toxic. It contains emodepsid and praziquantel.

"Beafar Bio" on a natural basis

Recommended for young cats from 12 months of age. The drops are made on the basis of natural extracts of pyrethrum and margose, as well as oils of cedar, sunflower and citronella. The biological agent belongs to the category of repellents. It also effectively relieves itching from parasite bites. Drops do not kill blood-sucking insects, but they do not allow their appearance and reproduction on the treated fur of kittens. Drops are completely non-toxic. Their action extends for about a month.

Vermicon Line-On - Flea Protection

Unusual drops that are designed on the basis of silicone. The tool completely immobilizes parasites, contributes to blockage of their respiratory tract and rapid death. Aloe extract has been added to the drops to provide antibacterial properties. The protection period is about a month.

In closing

To protect your pet from fleas and ticks, it is necessary to treat regularly. For this, expertsdrops are recommended. They are less toxic, their effectiveness is quite high, and at the same time, the drugs are well tolerated by animals.

In order for the procedure to be successful, bring positive results and not harm the pet, you should strictly follow the instructions. Processing is carried out depending on the weight and breed of the animal.