Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Best Flea Repellent For Cats

By Bertha Wells


Fleas are more than a nuisance. Cats bothered by fleas may scratch open sores which can become infected. Fleas transmit Lyme disease, mountain spotted fever, and tapeworms. The essential steps in eradicating this pest are to remove fleas from the environment, remove from pets, and keep immature forms from developing into biting adults. Flea repellent for cats is an essential part of pest control.

A daily combing with a flea comb will alert you to any increase before things get out of control. Wash pet bedding weekly. Vacuum regularly disposing of the bag, or emptying the canister immediately. Treat all your furry pets using non-detergent shampoos, repellent collars, sprays, powders, or topicals. Use repellent products for home and yard. Wildlife will continue to re-infest your yard so regular maintenance is a necessity. With heaters running all winter, there isn't a totally pest free season.

Some flea collars use pesticides. Repellent collars use herbal citrus scents to repel. They don't protect the body but inhibit the pests from feeding. Some cats will be bothered by chemicals in the collar. They'll scratch sores and/or lose hair. Collars containing Permethrin, Arnitraz, or Organophosphates are toxic to felines.

Many sprays contain insecticides. Some also contain Insect Growth Regulator or Insect Development Inhibitors that keep larvae from developing into adults. Use these when you see many active fleas on your pet. When the problem is under control use less toxic sprays with herbal and/or citrus ingredients that are unappetizing to pests.

Spot Ons, also called topicals, are a liquid squeezed on to the back of the neck. The product spreads on its own throughout the fur. They're odorless and easy to apply. Some kill only adults, some kill larvae and eggs. Some even control intestinal worms, heartworm, whipworm, and lice. The more it does, the more toxic chemicals are required. Natural non-toxic spot ons using natural geranium and peppermint are available. They're a preventative but won't kill a current infestation.

Unique non-toxic choices include the repellent flea and tick tag, and ultrasonic repellents. The repellent tag uses your pets energy to create an electromagnetic barrier to pests. It takes a few weeks to be fully effective. Ultrasonic repellents emit ultrasonic sound waves, a nuisance to pests, harmless to pets and people. Ultrasonic tags for your pets collar can repel fleas.

Cats can have allergic reactions to generally safe products. Some react to citrus products, tea tree oil, or pennyroyal. Many products safe for dogs are toxic to felines causing seizure and death. Pyrethrin is usually safe unless it's in a concentrated form used in dog products. Permethrin, commonly used in dog repellents and some house control products, is toxic to cats. Essential oils are safe for canines, toxic to felines. Use only products labeled for use in cats.

Very old, young, or sick cats are prime targets for a hungry flea population. They're also very sensitive to toxic chemicals that kill pests. Households with infants, elderly, or asthma sufferers will also want to avoid insecticides as much as possible. Flea repellent for cats, along with a systematic daily and weekly flea control effort, can eliminate the need for more toxic chemicals.




About the Author:



No comments: