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Best* Flea Treatments for Cats of 2023

Preventive solutions to help keep your cat flea-free.

 
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What to look for in flea treatments for cats

ingredients

Effectiveness

Fleas are irritating, persistent and potentially dangerous, as they can carry a host of diseases. Effective ingredients that stop fleas from harming your cat are the first thing you should look for in flea treatments for cats.

convenience

Convenience

The best flea treatment is one that’s given consistently. Flea treatments that are simple to administer will ensure that you—and your cat—can comfortably find a treatment method that becomes part of your routine.

quality

Quality and Value

The best flea treatment for cats should have effective ingredients, a convenient application method and a price you feel comfortable paying.

Pet Parent Faves

Seresto Bay Flea and Tick Collar for Cats

Seresto

Flea and Tick Collar for Cats

A flea and tick treatment for cats doesn’t need to involve greasy formulas or messy application. This flea and tick collar kills and repels fleas and ticks for 8 months. It stops these parasites on contact, not through substances ingested by the bugs while biting your cat, so you can feel good about taking a proactive approach to flea and tick control.

Features:
  • Available in 1 or 2 count packs
  • Provides 8 months of protection
  • Eliminates need for monthly flea and tick treatments
  • Kills on contact, not through bites
  • Can be worn alongside leash collars
  • Easy to apply

Advantage II Once-A-Month Cat and Kitten Topical Flea Treatment Over 9 lbs.

Advantage II

Once-A-Month Cat and Kitten Topical Flea Treatment Over 9 lbs.

Big cats need a flea treatment effective enough to protect their whole bodies. This monthly topical flea treatment for cats kills fleas on contact—before they have a chance to bite your cat. It’s not only effective against adult fleas, but against immature fleas too, preventing them from reaching maturity and spawning future infestations. This formula begins working within 12 hours of application and remains effective for a full month.

Features:
  • Available in 2, 4, 6 and 12 count packs
  • Each dose provides 30 days of protection
  • Waterproof formula
  • Odorless and fragrance free
  • Works on adult and immature fleas
  • Kills on contact, not through bites
  • Easy to apply
  • Formulated for large cats over 9 lbs.

FRONTLINE Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Cats Over 1.5 lbs.

FRONTLINE

Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Cats Over 1.5 lbs.

This flea treatment for cats does more than just kill adult fleas. Not only does it work against flea eggs and larvae, but it also fights chewing lice and ticks too. It’s designed to be safe for cats and kittens 8 weeks and older who weight at least 1.5 lbs. and it’s waterproof 24 hours after application. This monthly formula is easy to apply and fast acting.

Features:
  • Available in 3, 6, 8 and 12 count packs
  • Each dose provides 30 days of protection
  • Easy to apply
  • Waterproof formula
  • Kills flea, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks and biting lice
  • Designed for cats 8 weeks and older and 1.5 lbs. and over

Advantage II Once-A-Month Cat and Kitten Topical Flea Treatment, 5 to 9 lbs.

Advantage II

Once-A-Month Cat and Kitten Topical Flea Treatment, 5 to 9 lbs.

This is one of our best-selling OTC flea treatments for cats because of how easy it is to apply and how effectively it protects cats. Like Advantage’s large cat formula, this small cat flea treatment disrupts the flea lifecycle to prevent future infestations. It’s waterproof and kills fleas through contact, and it’s effective for a whole month. And cats aren’t the only pets it works on—it can also be used on ferrets that are at least 10 weeks old and weigh at least 1 lb

Features:
  • Available in 2, 4, 6 and 12 count packs
  • Each dose provides 30 days of protection
  • Odorless and fragrance free
  • Kills fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae
  • Kills on contact, not through bites
  • Waterproof formula

Cheristin Flea Treatment for Cats

Cheristin

Flea Treatment for Cats

A best-selling flea treatment for cats and older kittens, this flea-fighting formula is easy to apply and non-greasy. It’s designed to be safe for cats and kittens over 8 weeks old and over 1.8 lbs., and it begins killing fleas within half an hour of application. Each dose is good for a month of protection.

Features:
  • Available in 1, 3, 6 and 12 count packs
  • Each dose provides 30 days of protection
  • Fast acting, begins killing fleas in 30 minutes
  • Easy to apply
  • Non-greasy and quick drying

Advantage II Once-A-Month Topical Kills Flea for Kitten

Advantage II

Once-A-Month Topical Kills Flea for Kitten

Kittens should only have vet recommended flea treatments for cats. In fact, protecting your kitten from flea-borne diseases is one of the best decisions a pet parent can make. Like other flea treatments from Advantage, this formula fights fleas at multiple life stages, begins working quickly and remains waterproof through baths and rainstorms.

Features:
  • Available in 2 count packs
  • Each dose provides 30 days of protection
  • Kills on contact, not through bites
  • Waterproof formula
  • Odorless and fragrance free
  • Formulated for kitten
  • Kills fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae

Advantage Flea and Tick Treatment Spray for Cats

Advantage

Flea and Tick Treatment Spray for Cats

What makes a good flea and tick treatment for cats? Look for a formula that attacks a broad spectrum of parasites and is equally good at treatment and prevention. This treatment spray from Advantage kills fleas at every life stage—from eggs to adult fleas—as well as ticks and lice, and it also acts as a repellant. It can be applied directly to your cat, and it works even when the bottle is held upside down, ensuring that each part of your cat’s body can be spritzed and protected.

Features:
  • Available in 8 fl. oz. spray bottles
  • Kills and repels parasites
  • Works against fleas, ticks and lice
  • Kills flea eggs, flea larvae and adult fleas
  • Can be applied directly to cat
  • Can be applied directly to cat
  • Spray bottle works upside down for full coverage

Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellant Collar for Cats

Vet’s Best

Flea and Tick Repellant Collar for Cats

Effective flea and tick treatment for cats doesn’t have to include strong chemicals. This flea and tick collar utilizes a plant-based formula and repels fleas and ticks with a natural oil blend. The collar is effective for up to 4 months and is constructed with a breakaway design for increased safety. It’s adjustable and fits up to a 20” neck size, so it’s suitable for most adult cats.

Features:
  • Available in 4 count packs
  • Plant-based ingredients
  • Repels fleas and ticks with a natural cedarwood and peppermint oil blend
  • Effective for up to 4 months
  • Breakaway collar design for safety
  • Adjustable collar for necks up to 20”

Capstar Flea Tablets for Cats 2 to 25 lbs.

Capstar

Flea Tablets for Cats 2 to 25 lbs.

This oral flea treatment for cats allows you to treat your cat’s flea infestation according to its severity and tenacity. The tablet begins working rapidly upon ingestion, reaching over 90% effectiveness within 6 hours. It can be given to cats and kittens aged 4 weeks or older and from 2 to 25 lbs., making it a good choice for a variety of kitties. In addition, this versatile treatment can be administered as often as once daily if a re-infestation occurs, and it can be given with or without food.

Features:
  • Available in 6 and 12 count packs
  • Can be given as often as once daily until infestation is halted
  • For cats and kittens over 4 weeks and from 2 to 25 lbs.
  • Begins working within 30 minutes
  • Reaches full effectiveness within 6 hours

PetArmor F&T Cat Squeeze-On Over 1.5 lbs.

PetArmor

F&T Cat Squeeze-On Over 1.5 lbs.

Flea treatments for cats that break the flea lifecycle don’t just provide instant results by killing adult fleas, they prevent future infestations by eliminating eggs and larvae. This treatment from PetArmor kills fleas at all life stages and also kills ticks and chewing lice. The topical applicators are easy to use and waterproof, and each application lasts for up to a month.

Features:
  • Available in 3 and 6 count packs
  • Provides 30 days of protection
  • Kills flea eggs, flea larvae and adult fleas
  • Works against fleas, ticks and chewing lice
  • Waterproof formula

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Learn More About Flea Treatments for Cats

When you’re researching How to Get Rid of Fleas on Cats, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with options. From natural remedies to medicated collars to topical treatments, there are so many flea and tick prevention and treatment supplies to choose from. No matter which flea treatment for cats you choose, the most important thing is consistency. The best flea and tick treatment for cats is one that can become a standard part of your cat care routine. Whether you opt for oral flea treatment for cats, a topical ointment or a plant-based natural solution, remain consistent and proactive in treating your cat for fleas and administer the treatment as often as recommended. Consistent, proactive care is the best flea treatment for cats.

For routine flea preventive care, you may or may not need a prescription from your veterinarian. There are many effective brands of over-the-counter flea medicine and treatments for dogs and cats that do a good job of stopping infestations and preventing new ones. For particularly effective flea treatment for cats, look for a medication that kills fleas at various stages of the flea life cycle, from eggs to larvae to adult fleas. This will ensure that existing fleas are eliminated and that eggs and larvae never have a chance to reproduce. Many of the best-selling flea treatments for cats can be purchased without a prescription.

Your veterinarian will likely recommend flea medicine based on a number of factors, including your cat’s age, weight, sensitivities and lifestyle—as well as whether a flea infestation already exists and, if so, how severe it is. If you need help differentiating among the various treatments available, check out Petco’s guidance on Flea Treatment Options for Your Cat. Typically, vet recommended flea treatments for cats include medications that kill fleas at multiple life stages, from eggs to adult fleas. And your vet might recommend a medicine that also battles ticks and lice so that your cat is armed against multiple types of parasites at once.

*Based on petco.com sales data.

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