Not sure which option for tick or flea control is best for your cat?
Some cats hate having their flea & tick treatments applied, so take our quiz below to see what option would suit you and your cat best. Then ask your vet about the options they have available.
Not sure how to ask your vet about the other options available for tick and flea control?
Here are some useful questions to ask your vet at your cat's next visit - just screenshot these to take them with you:
- My cat lives indoors and does not go out; do I still need to treat them for ticks and fleas?
- My cat tries to escape when I try to treat for ticks and fleas. Are there other options?
- What treatment options are available to treat my cat for ticks and fleas?
- Is there a different way to treat my cat for ticks and fleas other than collars or spot-ons?
- Are there tablet options for tick and flea treatments that can be given to my cat at home?
- What treatment option might be less stressful or disruptive for my cat?
You can also Download our full Vet Questions Guide here.
Treating ticks and fleas on cats
Does your cat run and hide when it is tick and flea treatment time?
This doesn't have to be stressful or disruptive for you or your cat!
Make treatment hassle and stress-free by asking for newer options that many vets are recommending.
Ticks and fleas can be treated using tablets, collars or spot-ons.
TabletsNewer tablets are designed specifically for cats so can be easy to give; this means they may just be eaten by your cat, but you may want to hide it in their favourite treat.
Flea CollarsThese can vary in how they work; they can kill fleas, and repel and kill ticks, through contact without the need for them to bite your pet1. Just put it on your cat like a normal collar for long term protection.
Spot onsSpot on treatments contain a small amount of liquid that is applied to your cat’s skin once a month. Many pet owners find them convenient as they are simple to apply.
Top tips from the experts to help cats take tablets
In this video, Cat the Vet and Sarah will share all their top tips to make giving a tablet to your cat or kitten a stress-free experience.
Why is it so important to protect your cat against fleas and ticks?
Ticks and fleas can be irritating for your pet as these tiny parasites hide in their fur and feed on their blood. The bites can be irritating and make pets itch, but in some cases they also spread nasty diseases. Therefore regular flea and tick protection is important to keep pets healthy and prevent infestations in your home.
There are actually than 2,000 different species of flea and 900 species of ticks in the world - and both fleas & ticks are prevalent in the UK.
Fleas & ticks are not fussy and will feed on many different hosts (including dogs, cats and humans!) to find a blood meal.
Fleas can spread Bartonella, or cat scratch disease, as well as tapeworms, while ticks can spread Lyme disease between animals as well as humans.
Adult fleas can survive without a meal for up to 2 weeks and larvae & pupae can for about 3 months - but ticks can survive up to 2 years!
While both fleas and ticks prefer warmth and humidity, they can survive both drought and low temperatures - even as low as -7C for ticks!
While both fleas and ticks live outside, they can easily be carried into the home on humans and animals, such as other pets or even rodents.
Is treating your cat for ticks or fleas difficult?
Take our quiz to see which option your cat may prefer
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