I treat my cat regularly with Advantage, but she keeps turning up with fleas! Why won’t they go away?
You’re not alone with this problem — flea and tick management can be a constant battle. Here are some things that might help turn the tide in your favor.
- Make sure you are applying the medication correctly. The liquid needs to go on the skin, not on the fur — hair won’t absorb the medication. Make sure you place the medication in a place your pet can’t reach to lick off. Be sure to apply ALL the medication!
- Make sure your pet’s skin is in good shape. Flea medications are carried by the oils on the skin, so if your pet’s skin is dry or otherwise unhealthy, the medication may be less effective. You may also find that fleas die off more slowly on pets with dry skin or extremely heavy fur.
- Keep up with grooming. Regular brushing and combing can help you stay aware of your pet’s skin condition and flea status. A fine-toothed comb can help remove adult fleas.
- Don’t forget to treat the house and yard, too. If you find fleas on your pet, they have to come from somewhere. Your house and yard may be home to large flea populations! Shady areas of the yard, leaf litter, and under fences are prime outdoor flea zones. Regular vacuuming and cleaning (especially upholstery and pet beds) can help keep flea populations down inside.
- Keep your pet away from wildlife. Raccoons, possums, deer, mice, cattle, foxes, ferrets, and skunks can all carry fleas that can infect pets.
- Kill fleas once they leave the cocoon. While in the cocoon, fleas are pretty much invincible. Once they come out, flea products can go to work on eggs, larva, and adults. Be patient and thorough… it may take months to clear up a flea infestation.
- Choose products that contain insect growth regulators (IGRs) or insect development inhibitors (IDIs). IGRs prevent larvae from turning into adults; IDIs prevent eggs from hatching.
If all else fails, try a different type of flea and tick preventative. There are different insecticides available for flea control; one may work better for your cat than another. Fleas may develop a resistance to products, so a change may make all the difference!