Can I Use a Canine Flea Collar on My Cat? (Vet Reply)

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Anybody who has been unlucky sufficient to take care of a flea infestation is aware of that it’s significantly better to stop these pests than to face the troublesome activity of eliminating them after they’ve discovered a means into your own home!

Cats who spend time outdoor are the almost certainly to come across fleas, however even indoor kitties can profit from flea safety. Particularly in the event that they reside in an condominium constructing, or with one other pet who goes outdoors.

Flea collars might seem to be an affordable and cheap possibility for flea prevention. Nonetheless, veterinarians typically advise towards flea collars for cats as a result of they pose a strangulation threat (cats ought to solely ever put on quick-release collars).

Many components generally present in canine flea collars are extremely poisonous to cats, so it is best to by no means use a canine flea collar on a cat!

Luckily, there are numerous different protected and efficient merchandise for flea management in cats, which frequently deal with different parasites as nicely. Ask your veterinarian that will help you select the most suitable choice to your cat.

What Are the Risks of Utilizing Canine Flea Collars on Cats?

Other than the strangulation threat, one of many largest risks of utilizing a canine flea collar on cats is that it could trigger extreme toxicity.

As beforehand talked about, canine flea collars typically include components that aren’t protected for cats. Notably dangerous substances embody:

Amitraz
Permethrins, pyrethrins, and pyrethroids
Organophosphates
Carbamates
Important oils

As we now have already talked about, canine flea collars ought to by no means be used on cats.

Woman wearing a collar for dog, kill and repel tick and flea — Picture Credit score: Chutima Chaochaiya, Shutterstock

Indicators of a Destructive Response to a Flea Collar

Cats can have a unfavourable response to any flea collar, even when they’re meant for feline use. Reactions can vary from delicate pores and skin irritation and fur loss to indicators of extreme neurologic toxicity.

Indicators that ought to immediate you to take away the collar and search speedy veterinary consideration embody:

Issue respiratory
Ataxia (wobbliness, normal incoordination)
Excessive tiredness (lethargy) and/or weak point
Vomiting and/or diarrhea
Elevated physique temperature (feeling scorching to the contact)
Muscle twitching, tremors
Seizures

laying cat sick — Picture Credit score: Sisacorn, Shutterstock

What to Do if You Suspect Your Cat Is Having a Dangerous Response to a Flea Collar

Listed here are some steps to take if you happen to suspect your cat could also be having a unfavourable response to a flea collar:

Take away the collar!
In case your cat is displaying any of the indicators listed above, search pressing veterinary consideration. If they simply appear to have some delicate irritation and usually are not displaying indicators of toxicity, you could bathe them in lukewarm water with liquid dish cleaning soap (e.g., Daybreak) to take away any residue from the collar. Repeat if wanted.
After bathing, dry your cat completely, preserve them heat, and monitor them intently.

If at any time you turn into involved about your cat’s well being, please contact your vet or the closest veterinary emergency clinic. You can too name the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 (please word there’s a payment for this service).

wet cat in a bath soaped with shampoo — Picture Credit score: Vera Larina, Shutterstock

How Can I Safely Defend My Cat from Fleas?

There are various nice choices for flea prevention in cats, that are summarized properly on this chart. Your veterinarian will likely be pleased that will help you decide the product that’s proper to your kitty!

Listed here are another essential security ideas:

Solely use merchandise which might be particularly for cats
Make sure that to provide the proper dose to your cat’s present weight
Affirm that kittens are above the minimal age and physique weight for the product you’re utilizing
Don’t use a number of merchandise collectively with out checking along with your veterinarian
Keep away from utilizing flea merchandise in very outdated, sick, and debilitated cats (except directed by a veterinarian)

cat with flea collar lying on the bed — Picture Credit score: sharshonm, Shutterstock

Conclusion

There are such a lot of merchandise accessible for flea management in cats which might be safer (and infrequently more practical) than flea collars. Flea collars can pose a strangulation threat, and cats are identified to be delicate to most of the substances they generally include—particularly flea collars designed for canines.

Please bear in mind to by no means put a canine flea collar in your cat!

Ask your veterinarian that will help you resolve which flea-prevention product is correct to your cat.

Featured Picture Credit score: Inga Gedrovicha, Shutterstock

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