If you've noticed your cat is scratching itself almost constantly or you see small red spots where your cat is missing its fur, these are signs of a flea infestation. You might consider using some cat flea powder to quickly address the problem.
Fleas are not only a health issue for your cat; they can be for people as well. In fact, if your cat’s flea infestation goes untreated, your cat could eventually develop anemia from too many flea bites, and this could become a life-threatening problem. And fleas transmit serious diseases such as the bubonic plague that can affect us.
Cat Flea Powder
Cat flea powder can be an effective way to rid your cat of fleas but most offer only short-term protection. Also, most cat flea powders will kill only adult fleas, while some do offer additional flea protection because they contain an insect growth regulator (IGR) that will inhibit flea eggs in larval development.
Cat Flea Powders
Before you use a cat flea powder, be sure to talk to your vet as only he or she can recommend the best treatment for you cat, given its age, health and size.
Here are some of the more popular cat flea powders:
Sentry Natural Defense Flea & Tick Powder For Cats & Kittens
The Sentry Company's Defense Natural Flea & Tick Powder for Cats & Kittens will kill and repel fleas and
ticks. Yet, according to the company, is safe for use even around your family. The product comes in an easy-to-use
canister and includes natural active ingredients such as peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, thyme
oil and eugenol.
Cost: $9.89
NaturVet Herbal Flea Powder for Cats & Cat Bedding
NaturVet’s flea powder is a natural combination of rosemary and cedar oil and will repel fleas. It will also leave your cat with a fresh, herbal scent and can be used on both the cat and its bedding. Moreover, this product will not interfere with the use of spot-on products such as Advantage®.
Hartz 2-in-1 Cat Flea & Tick Powder
This product from the Hartz Mountain Company will kill fleas, lice and ticks, including the deer tick which can carry Lyme disease. It is fast acting and will continue to repel fleas for seven days. To apply the product, all you do is lightly dust your cat with the powder.
Hartz® UltraGuard® Flea & Tick Powder for Cats
This Hartz Mountain product is water resistant and will kill fleas, ticks and lice for up to seven days.
This will help to reduce the itching and scratching your cat suffers due to the insect bites. To apply the UltraGuard,
you simply dust the entire cat beginning with its head and working back to its tail – not forgetting its legs
and paws.
Cost: $4.49
Zodiac Flea & Tick Powder
Zodiac Flea and Tick and Powder kills fleas, ticks and lice fast and has a pleasant citrus scent. It kills on contact and has a convenient shaker top for easy application. Zodiac says that this product is ideal for multi-pet households because it can be used on both dogs and cats. You can use Zodiac Flea and Tick Powder on cats more than 12 weeks of age. It can also be used as an aid in the control of brown dog ticks on cats. $9.99
Sergeant’s Nature’s Guardian Natural Flea & Tick Powder for Cats & Kittens
Nature’s Guardian® Natural Flea & Tick Powder for Cats & Kittens kills and repels fleas and ticks, yet is
safe for use around children. It features both a quick kill action and long-lasting control.
Cost: $4.09
Zema Flea and Tick Powder for Cats
Zima Flea Powder controls fleas, ticks and lice. It contains 10% natural Pyrethrin and has a white talc base
so will not stain even a white cat. The manufacturer of this product says it is safe to use on bedding, kennel
and sleeping areas.
Cost: $6.49
Effectiveness Of Cat Flea Powder
Cat flea powder can be an effective way to rid your cat of these pests. However, most veterinarians today advise cat owners to use one of the newer, more long-lasting anti-flea products such as the oral cat flea medicines and spot-on cat flea medicines.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Cat Flea Powder
The advantages of a cat flea powder is that it is relatively inexpensive -- especially when compared with the cost of oral flea pills and spot-on medicines. In fact, these cat flea powders can cost as little as $5-$6. Also, cat flea powders are very easy to apply. Most of them come in a canister with a shaker top so you just dust your cat lightly beginning with its head, down to his tail, not forgetting its legs and paws.
The major disadvantage of these powders is that they are not very long lasting. In fact, most of them will protect your cat for only a week. In comparison, some of the newer medicines, such as the oral pills, will protect your cat for an entire month. Also, if your cat gets caught out in the rain, the flea powder could wash off.
However, applying the cat flea powder can be a nice bonding experience for you and your cat, and a pleasurable experience for your cat as well.
Next >> Cat Flea Collar