Fleas are a pesky part of owning a cat. They can pop up at practically any point, even if your cat spends all their time inside. Once you have an infestation, they are very hard to get rid of. They can infect your bedding and your carpet and then continuously reinfect your cat after that.
If you have a cat, flea treatments are essential for their well-being. You will need them at some point. It is better to have them on hand so you can treat the problems as soon as they crop up. Fleas are best if you treat them as soon as possible or, even better, if you prevent them from infesting your cat altogether.
Of course, not all flea treatments are as effective as others. Some are great, while others don’t work at all. It is essential to choose the right one for you and your cat so you don’t waste valuable time. Fleas can multiply very fast, so you need to treat them effectively as quickly as possible. Let’s get into our best flea treatments for cats’ reviews and get you the best flea treatment for your cat.
The information about the following flea treatments has been fact-checked by one of our licensed veterinarians. With this, the views and opinions expressed are not necessarily their own. We recommend that you contact your pet’s veterinarian to decide the best flea product for your cat’s situation before purchasing any product from this list.
Advantage is the big name in flea treatments for a good reason. Currently, Advantage II Flea Treatment is their best flea treatment for cats. They have a product for just about every cat out there, however. While this treatment is a bit more expensive than some, it works far better. It is a higher price because they use great ingredients and a top-notch formula.
This is one of the few vet-recommended formulas on the market. It kills fleas’ life stages, which means you won’t have to deal with multiple treatments. It attacks eggs, larvae, and adults. It begins working within 12 hours from application and kills fleas on contact, so they don’t have to bite your cat to die. It can also prevent them from jumping back on your cat for a short period. It breaks the flea life cycle, so you have to treat them less.
This formula is entirely waterproof and continues to work for up to four weeks. You don’t have to worry about it washing away after 24 hours from application, as it is quite robust and stays put for a very long time. It contains both imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen, which are very potent.
Pros
Highly effective
Kills fleas on contact
Kills all life stages
Effect lasts for up to four weeks
Available in multiple packs
Available for different cat sizes
Cons
Expensive
2. PetArmor Flea & Tick Squeeze-On Treatment – Best Value
PetArmor Flea & Tick Squeeze-On Treatment is an affordable option for pet owners who want to stick to a budget. It kills adult fleas but it does not kill immature life stages, which is one of its significant downsides. It contains the active ingredient fipronil and it also kills ticks and chewing lice.
This treatment is easy-to-use and fast-acting. Plus, it is waterproof and provides extended control. It should last for approximately 4 weeks. This formula is suited for kittens over 8 weeks of age and over 1.5 pounds.
This treatment does not completely break the entire flea life cycle, and other measures might be needed. For this reason, we only ranked it at #2. However, it is still extremely affordable for what it offers. We consider it to be the best flea treatment for cats for the money.
Pros
Kills fleas, ticks, and chewing lice
Waterproof
Provides 4 weeks protection
Suitable for kittens over 8 weeks of age and 1.5 pounds
Cons
Does not break the flea life cycle
3. Revolution Topical Solution for Cats – Premium Choice
If you’re on your last leg and have a bit of money to spend, Revolution Topical Solution for Cats is the best on the market. It works exceptionally well. However, it is more expensive and requires a prescription. It kills adult fleas and prevents new flea eggs from hatching within one month. When applied every 30 days, it can also protect your furry friend for the long term. It is also effective against heartworm disease, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms.
This formula kills multiple parasites, so you’re getting quite a bit for your money. It works as an internal and external parasite treatment, so you don’t need to use other products. It is easy to apply and well tolerated.
Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Cat Treatment isn’t a lousy treatment option by any means. However, it does work decently well, especially when compared to other options on the market. It does kill fleas, and it is not expensive. It works for kittens and adults as long as they are older than eight weeks and weigh more than 1.5 pounds. It works for a full 30 days and kills all life stages of fleas. It is also protective against ticks and chewing lice.
It works fast and works for an extended period. It is also waterproof, which helps it last for a full 30 days. It contains fipronil and (S)-methoprene. These two ingredients are effective and work quite well.
However, there were a few downsides to this treatment. The packaging is not good at all. This can cause the tubs to break in transit, which isn’t good for anyone. You can’t use a product that has leaked all over the box.
There are a few other circumstances where this product doesn’t seem to work. It is only useful in some situations, it would appear, which is why we rated it decently lower than other options.
Pros
Works for kittens over 8 weeks of age and 1.5 pounds
Cheristin Flea Treatment Topical for Cats is moderately priced and it is quite effective. This is why it lands right in the middle of our list. It works effectively in most cases but isn’t the absolute best. It is designed to be used once a month. It kills fleas and prevents them from coming back. It is suitable for kittens that are eight weeks or older. However, they have to weigh at least 1.8 pounds.
It kills fleas, starting within 30 minutes of application. It kills most fleas within 12 hours and then continues working for up to a month after that. Each treatment lasts for one month. The easy applicator makes it very easy to use. Perhaps best of all, this formula is completely non-greasy. It gets all the way down to your cat’s skin easily, which is precisely what you want it to do.
While it is advertised to last a month, some cats exposed to a high flea burden may be reinfected sooner. Outdoor cats may be infected sooner as well.
Capstar Flea Tablets are a newer addition to the market. They are relatively inexpensive, which makes them seem like the right choice for many people. However, this product only kills adult fleas and it has no persistent activity, therefore another dose 24 or 48 hours later might be needed. It is made for oral use, not topical use. This can make it a bit harder to give your cat. However, some cats are very food-motivated, making this food easy to hide in a piece of meat.
It is suitable for cats over 4 weeks of age and between 2.2 and 25 pounds. It starts working within 30 minutes and is 90% effective on adult fleas within a few hours. This isn’t an awful effective rate, but it is not as good as many other options on this list. This is one of the reasons we rated it so much lower than our other options.
The tablets are entirely mess-free, which is an excellent addition if you don’t like topical options.
This product just isn’t as effective as some of the other options on the market. It kills adult fleas but it has no residual effect and it doesn’t break the flea life cycle. To prevent re-infestations your cat will also need a product that kills immature stages of the flea.
Pros
Only kills adult fleas
Tablet form, not topical
90% Effective
Cons
No residual effect, it lasts approximately 24 hours
This product is one of the most inexpensive options on the market. Catego Flea & Tick Treatment is a spot-on treatment suitable for cats over 8 weeks of age and over 1.5 pounds. It is formulated to kill fleas within 6 hours and to last 30 days. Some users reported that it was not as effective as other options, so we rated it lower. It does come with a patented applicator that we found relatively easy to use. It kills chewing lice, ticks, and all flea life stages, preventing further infections and stopping the fleas in their tracks.
The topical solution is non-greasy and seems to reach the cat’s skin quite effectively.
Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats is moderately priced but it claims to offer 12 weeks of protection. It works against ticks as well and can only be used in cats over 6 months of age. It comes in a topical form and is decently easy to apply.
However, this is quite greasy and irritating. There are many reports of cats complaining about the formula and trying to clean it off. It is quite annoying to some cats, which you should keep in mind if your cat is particularly sensitive.
Again, the specifics of how long this flea treatment lasts depend on your particular cat and environment. Cats that are exposed to the elements will need to retreat more often. If there are more fleas in your area, you may also notice a flea infestation sooner.
Credelio chewable tablets for cats are indicated to treat and prevent flea infestations in cats over 8 weeks of age and weighing between 4.1–17 pounds. It is also formulated to kill ticks in cats over 6 months of age. Credelio will kill fleas once they start feeding from your cat, and therefore, it doesn’t prevent the transmission of diseases. It needs to be given every 4 weeks.
This product doesn’t have effects against the immature life stages of fleas, so you will need another product to break the cycle completely. Before mixing with other medications, you should consult your vet on potential interactions between flea treatment products.
Pros
Kills fleas within minutes and keeps them away for up to a month
Chewable tablet
Also effective against ticks
Cons
Doesn’t kill eggs or larvae
Must be given with food or within 30 minutes after feeding
The Sentry FiproGuard Flea & Tick Squeeze-On is exceptionally inexpensive. For this reason, many people may be drawn to buying it. However, it is not the best on the market by any means. Its efficacy seems to vary depending on the flea burden in your cat.
This product can be used in cats over 8 weeks of age and 1.5 pounds. It kills adult fleas, ticks, and chewing lice, and it should work for a month.
Pros
Inexpensive
Kills fleas, ticks, and chewing lice
Cons
Not as effective as other options
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Flea Treatment for Cats
Most flea treatments look the same. However, if you look carefully, they can be very different. It is essential to be aware of the factors that contribute to effective flea treatment. These medications can be expensive, and you can often not use more than one back-to-back. Because of this, you must choose right the first time.
In this section, we’ll help you do just that by explaining some of the key features to look for when choosing a flea treatment for your feline.
Oral vs Topical Cat Flea Treatment
There are two main ways to apply flea treatments: orally and topically. Oral medications can be given straight into your cat’s mouth or by placing them in food. This can be easier said than done for some cats, however. Many cats are suspicious of food and will quickly tell you tried to sneak a tablet into it.
In many situations, cats have spit out the tablet while eating whatever food it was hidden in. They’re often smarter than we consider them to be, especially when it comes to their food! This can make giving oral pills difficult, so if you struggle, you can ask the staff at your veterinary clinic to train you.
Luckily, manufacturers have figured out a way around this with topical solutions. These often work better than oral tablets because they don’t require the cat to be bitten by the fleas for the fleas to die. Instead, it kills on contact. The fleas just have to be on your cats’ fur. This makes them able to kill flea eggs and larvae quite quickly.
However, topical solutions can be a bit messy and may make your cat greasy. Many cats are sensitive to topical products and may find it very irritating. This varies a lot from cat to cat, though, so it just depends on your particular cat’s preferences.
Cat Flea Treatment Effectiveness
Not all cat flea treatments are equally as effective. Some are not very effective at all, while others work within a few hours. What is useful for one cat isn’t always going to be effective for another. However, a well-designed formula should work for practically every cat.
Some flawed formulas don’t seem to work for some felines, while others work very well. It is usually better to choose a formula that works for practically every feline, even if it may cost you a bit more money.
Relying on reviews like ours is necessary if you want to understand how effective a particular product is. No company is going to tell you that their product is only so-so. You must rely on your vet’s recommendations and the reviews of those who have used it to grasp whether or not it works.
Image Credit: Csaba Deli, Shutterstock
Ticks, Ear Mites, and Other Critters
Some formulas work as preventative measures against ticks, ear mites, and other parasites. This can save you a bit of money since you won’t have to invest in another product to control these troublesome critters as well. You also won’t have to deal with two application processes, which can be a considerable upside depending on your cat.
Most formulas control ticks as well as fleas. Higher quality formulas often control more parasites as well, including chewing lice. The same parasites you need to protect against depend on your area. Different places have different bugs, so be aware of your area’s parasites when choosing a treatment.
Cat Flea Treatment Cost
Flea treatments can be expensive, but they are worth the money. Most are moderately priced at around $50. However, we did see some for upwards of $100 and others that cost around $20. The price is often a huge selling point, given that $50 is a lot to spend on one treatment.
When looking at the price, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. The product with the lowest price tag isn’t necessarily the cheapest. Often, flea treatments come with multiple doses. You may save money by buying a box with many doses in it instead of buying a single dosage.
Furthermore, different flea treatments last for different periods. One may last for a month, while another one might last for three. The longer dosage will save you money, as you won’t be applying it nearly as often.
Cat Flea Treatment Duration
The length of time that a flea treatment remains effective is essential. As we already discussed, longer-lasting treatments are going to save you money. They have other benefits as well.
Long-lasting treatments mean you won’t have to deal with the application as much. This may not be much of a problem for you. However, some cats do not like the application process at all, which can make it very difficult. Some buyers may want a long-lasting option so that they can avoid re-applying the treatment on their cat as often.
Conclusion
Purchasing the perfect flea treatment for your cat is essential for their health and your family’s safety. There are quite a few factors that you need to keep in mind. We hope our reviews and buyer’s guide helped you sort through all the choices.
For most users, we recommend the Advantage II Flea Treatment. This flea treatment is famous for a reason. It kills fleas very well and can kill eggs and larvae, effectively ending the flea lifecycle in one application. It also lasts for a full month.
If you need to stick to a budget, you should consider PetArmor Flea & Tick Squeeze-On Treatment. It is inexpensive but still kills adult fleas well. It is waterproof and offers long-lasting protection.
Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
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