Table of Contents
Fleas
Types of flea treatment
What flea treatment is safe for pregnant cats?
What to avoid
How to prevent fleas
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Can my pregnant cat use flea treatment?
- By Sarah
-
- October 25, 2024
- 4 MIN READ
Fleas are no fun at all - especially if your cat is pregnant. Not only do flea infestations have the chance to transmit diseases, but if your cat is pregnant then her kittens may also be affected. It is important to know if using flea treatment is safe on your pregnant cat and which treatments you should avoid. Scroll to find out how to protect your cat and kittens from fleas.
Fleas
Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals, commonly cats. Their speed and ability to hop very far, means they are difficult to catch and even harder to get rid of. A single flea can bite your cat up to 400 times a day—no wonder they cause so much discomfort!*
As well as making your cat scratch, fleas can sometimes cause more serious issues. The most common being flea allergy dermatitis, a condition when a pet develops an allergic reaction to flea saliva, resulting in severe itching, redness, and scabbing. Other issues fleas cause are worms. Most pet parents aren’t aware that fleas can actually transmit tapeworms and bacterial infections, and this is more likely during pregnancy.
Protecting your cat and her offspring is extremely important, so you want to make sure you do it right. This is especially important because not all flea treatments are safe to use on pregnant pets, so let’s break down the different types of flea treatment.
Types of flea treatment
There are many different flea treatments available, these are the most popular:
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Spot-on treatment – These are topical medications that you apply directly onto your cat’s skin, usually on the back of their neck, like the Itch Flea treatment for Cats. They work by spreading across your cat’s skin and coat, killing fleas through contact or when they bite.
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Oral treatments – These are tablets that your cat will swallow. Once in their bloodstream, they kill the fleas after they have taken a nibble at your cat. These treatments tend to work very quickly.
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Flea collars – Flea collars are worn around your cat’s neck and a substance is released that kills or repels fleas. It has to be said that most collars are usually not as effective as spot-ons or oral treatments, especially if you are trying to fight off a current flea infestation.
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Flea shampoos – A more traditional method, flea shampoos should be used when bathing your kitty to essentially wash off the fleas. They can be effective for immediate relief but don’t offer long-term protection
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Home treatments – Flea bombs, sprays, and powders can all be used to treat your home. These don’t treat your pet directly but they do help eliminate fleas from bedding, carpet, and furniture. The Itch Flea House Spray, kills all adult fleas for up to 2 months after one blast, and halts the development of flea eggs and larvae for up to 12 months afterwards.
What flea treatment is safe for pregnant cats?
Spot-on treatment is the safest form of flea treatment to use on pregnant cats. This is because it is the most effective treatment and doesn’t enter the bloodstream, making it safer.
We would recommend a spot-on flea treatment with the ingredients Fipronil and S-methoprene. Fipronil kills fleas by attacking their nervous system, causing hyperactivity and then death. S-methoprene prevents flea pupae and larvae from growing into breeding adults. It also kills flea eggs! This double action will not only kill any fleas infesting your cat, but prevent future infestation - protecting your cat and her offspring.
While spot-on treatments are generally considered safe, it's always best to check if the treatment you plan to use is definitely safe for pregnant cats. If you can’t find this information, contact your vet. Every cat is different, and if you have concerns, your vet can recommend safe and appropriate treatment based on your cat’s health, breed, and pregnancy stage.
Itch Flea is safe for pregnant cats
Fast-acting Itch Flea treatment for cats is vet-approved and scientifically proven to protect your cat and your home from fleas. The double action spot-on flea treatment kills adult fleas within 24 hours, halts all other flea life stages in their tracks and stops any new fleas tormenting your dog. Plus it also kills ticks and lice.
Itch Flea is suitable for pregnant cats, for adult cats and kittens 8 weeks or older. We do not advise using Itch Flea on lactating cats.
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What to avoid
We recommend not using these treatments, without consulting your vet first:
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Flea collars - Unless your vet specifically recommends one, avoid flea collars on pregnant cats as most contain chemicals that aren’t suitable.
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Flea treatment with Fluralaner – The active ingredient, fluralaner can cause side effects to your pregnant cat, in some cases it has proved to be fatal.
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Oral flea treatments with Isoxazoline – These are not typically recommended for pregnant or nursing cats.
How to prevent fleas
Staying flea-free is our cup of tea! Here are our vet-recommended tips to avoiding a flea infestation during your cat’s pregnancy:
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Treat all pets in your household
If you have other cats or dogs in the household, make sure they’re treated for fleas as well. Fleas are more than happy to jump from one pet to another, and if one of your animals is carrying fleas, it won’t be long before the others are too.
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Protect your home
Did you know 95% of fleas live in your home environment, not on your pet? Consider treating your home with a fast acting spray, like the Itch Flea House Spray.
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Regular grooming
Keeping your cat clean and regularly brushing them helps to spot fleas early on. If your pregnant cat enjoys baths, consider using a mild flea shampoo as an additional precaution (but always check the ingredients with your vet).
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Keep your home clean
Fleas can’t survive for long without a host (i.e. your cat), but they can lurk in your home for a while. Regularly hoovering your carpets, washing your cat’s bedding, and cleaning soft furnishings will help prevent fleas from setting up camp in your house.
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Outdoor areas
If your cat explores outside a lot, it's a good idea to regularly treat your garden for fleas. You can use pet-safe outdoor sprays to kill fleas, or invest in plants that deter the little blighters away.
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Vet check-ups
Regular visits to your vet can help ensure that your cat remains flea-free. It’s even more important to have her checked by a vet throughout her pregnancy, to monitor her health and make sure she’s receiving the best care.
Tackling fleas with your pregnant feline can be easy if you choose safe and effective flea treatment. Always chat to your vet if you have any concerns before buying and applying. We understand how important it is to keep your cat and kittens safe, so for support contact our friendly Vet Team who are trained to answer all your questions in veterinary medicine advice.
Where we got the facts from:
*2024. The Pet Vet. Source: https://www.thepetvet.co.uk/pet-advice/flea-facts#:~:text=The%20female%20flea%20can%20also,pet%20has%20just%2010%20fleas!
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