Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

How to treat fleas and mites on cats and rats without a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Other | Unknown - Other | Male | unneutered | 8 months and 4 days old | 1lb

Hello! I have been trying to rid my house of fleas as quickly as possible because my 12 year old cat Junior has Flea Bite Dermatitis. Enzo and my other rat Butters I believe have fleas and maybe even mites.. I don't have money to brings them to the vet because I am 18 and just graduated trying to find a job. I heard Revolution for kittens/cats works for fleas but I need a prescription for it and on sites without prescription is a little more expensive. What do you recommend for my fur babies?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Ann Dion, DVM

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 10th, 2017

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Medications such as Revolution are safe for rats for fleas and mites, however the dosing is important as they require less then cats/dogs, and the medication is formulated in packing for dogs/cats. It is important to know the weight of Butters and Lorenzo in order to treat them appropriately. I would recommend calling your vet where you have your cat seen and asking them about dosing for your rats, and see if they would be willing to recommend a dose without seeing Butters and Lorenzo, as they have a relationship with you with your cat. Getting a prescription from a vet without the vet having seen your animal is illegal, and therefore only if you have a good relationship with your vet, will they possibly help you out with this, if they know you and your cat otherwise. If this isn't possible you can try picking the fleas of Butters and Lorenzo, however this won't work for the mites. This will mean you need to save up and bring them to the vet, which is the recommended action. Best of luck with them!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 20th, 2017

    Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. There are products in the U.S. that you can get 'over the counter' at pet stores that are safe and effective. Revolution is a good product that is safe for rats. There is a kitten dose that is mauve coloured (ask for the lowest dose possible from the pet store), and split that dose between your two rats. You will need to do this once a month for at least 3 doses. Sometimes you will need to use this at 2 week intervals, however this should only be done under supervision of a vet. Best of luck with Butters and Lorenzo. Also, getting them neutered if they aren't is a good idea, as some of the scabs could be due to fighting and not fleas. You may have to separate them.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My pet rats are scratching, losing hair, and have raw skin. What to do?
It sounds indeed like your rats may be suffering from a mite or louse infection. Treatment usually consists of applying an avermectin such as Revolution or ivermectin available either in pet shops, your vet or over the internet. You can use the Revolution for dogs up to 5 lbs, at a dosage of 0.1 ml/lb of rat (you will need a 1ml syringe to measure out the dose correctly. Of course it would be easier to have the treatment done by your vet after he or she verifies whether this is indeed a mite infection/louse infection. Make sure you remove and destroy all bedding and disinfect all cages and toys.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My pet rat has lice. How do I treat them and are they safe for humans?
What a cute little guy! Mice do get lice, and it's usually because they're in poor husbandry conditions (like being sold for food). This means your mice are likely infected with other parasites like dwarf tapeworm that definitely is zoonotic (meaning it can infect you). You should treat this little guy with Revolution for cats, which is a spot-on treatment you can get from your vet, and use it topically ever 3 weeks until the parasites are gone. Disinfect his cage and throw out all the bedding as well. If you spray the cage/furnishings with fipronil topical spray this helps kill all the eggs and disinfects the environment. Hope that helps, and best of luck!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Saw a tiny orange bug moving on my pet mouse. Could it be a mite?
Hello. You may have seen the common mouse fur mite. We can treat this with Revolution ( selamectin ) or ivermectin, but you will really need the help of a veterinarian, first to diagnose, & second to prepare a dose small enough to treat such a tiny patient. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My guinea pig has mites. What should I do to treat them effectively?
Rabbits and rodents with mite issues are best resolved with Revolution for kittens / cats. It is a vet only product so you will need to obtain a vet prescription to obtain the product, which will likely mean bringing your piggy in for a visit. Hope this helps.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Is Revolution a safe and effective flea, mite, worm medicine for cats?
You received a highly effective preventive medication which also covers mites besides the ones you mentioned. Realize that your kitties probably are stressed out with the two moves, one away from the person they loved (yes hoarder kitties are loved too, and love their owner) to the shelter and then from the shelter to you. Give them lots of TLC and they will get used to their new home soon.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
What's the best treatment for cat fleas, ear mites, and licking?
I can give you a flea treatment program for Elmo. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with Revolution. It kills fleas and ear mites, and you put it on the back of his head. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Medications
Is it safe to use Revolution and Frontline together for kitten mites?
I'm sorry to hear about your issue with Cheyletiella. They are a bothersome parasite to deal with! Apply Revolution every 2 weeks for 3 treatments (use appropriate dose for your kittens' weight). You can use Frontline Plus as well if you feel you aren't getting the results you wanted at the dosage of Revolution stated above. Fontline Plus can be applied every 2 weeks at the correct dose based off body weight for this problem. You should also use a lime silver dip or topical flea product to clean the kittens. Diluted bleach 1 part bleach:9 parts water sprayed on all surfaces and allows to sit for 10 minutes before wiping clean should help. All bedding and toys should be washed in hot water or thrown away. Good luck and thank you for contacting me today!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Prescription Flea & Tick Medicine for CatsPrescription Flea & Tick MedicineFlea & Tick Solutions for CatsPrescription Dewormer for CatsAntifungal Medication for CatsCat MedicinePrescription Heartworm MedicationHeartworm Prevention for CatsCat Flea & Tick Pills & ChewsCat House & Yard Flea TreatmentsPet PharmacyHeart & Blood Pressure Medicine for CatsCat AntibioticsVaccines and Shots for CatsFlea Shampoo for CatsPrescription Flea & Tick Medicine for DogsCat Asthma MedicationDog Medicine and PrescriptionsFlea Drops for CatsFlea Sprays for Cats
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button