Many veterinarians are reluctant to use flea dips on cats because a cat’s reaction to the pesticide is dose dependent. Be sure to keep other pets away from the cat until the product has fully dried, so they also don’t lick it off. Once the product begins to wear off-which might be in as little as seven days-an alternative flea control mechanism will be necessary unless you choose to reapply the dip. The dips contain one or more pesticides that affect the nervous system of the flea, killing it after exposure. This is why the rate of reactions in cats is so high because they feel the need to immediately groom the product off, ingesting it in the process. For most products, the chemical is not rinsed off once applied and is left on to dry. How Do Flea Dips Work?įlea dips are applied on the coat of the animal using a sponge, or by pouring the liquid over the animal’s back. Even the smallest dose of a product safe for dogs may be fatal for cats. This is also why you should never give canine flea medications or products to your cat since the dosage varies. But using these products at an inappropriate dose can be fatal to cats. When this chemical gets into an insect’s nervous system, it shuts down, resulting in death. The most common ingredient currently in flea treatment products is pyrethrin. However, as times have changed and pet parents have become increasingly concerned about household flea infestations, the chemicals in the dips have become stronger. The products at that time were reasonably safe, being based on carbolic acid, which is still used in facial soaps today. These chemicals typically only work for about two to four weeks before they need to be reapplied.įlea dips have been used from at least the late 1800s, when farmers used similar products to treat their cattle and sheep for external parasites. What Are Flea Dips for Cats?Ī flea dip is a parasiticide product that is applied and left on the cat to air dry. Read on to find the answers to these questions and more. Perhaps you’re wondering if these can be used on cats, what these flea dips are made of, and if they are safe for cats. You may have heard of flea dips being used to treat fleas on pets and may have even used one to treat your dog.
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