7 Effective Ways to Prevent Fleas and Ticks On Cats

We all enjoy the warm weather, but with the increased temperatures come a host of pests that feed on our cats. Yes - we’re referring to fleas and ticks, and they are already planning to set up a camp in your cat’s fur and your home.

The last thing you want to see when petting your lovely cat is a tick attached. If your pet already has ticks, you’ll probably need to take him to your vet for a checkup. Ticks can transmit many harmful diseases to your cat as well as people.

The easiest way to ensure your safety and that of your pets is to prevent fleas and ticks from ever setting foot in your home. If you are unsure how to protect your cat from fleas and ticks, look no further. Here you’ll see ways you can use to prevent fleas and ticks from setting up camp on your cat’s fur and in your home.

The most straightforward way to prevent and kill fleas and ticks on your cat is to use a prescription from your vet. While many people would not like to use chemicals on their pets, sometimes they are unavoidable.

Your vet will prescribe preventive medications targeting both fleas and ticks, especially for outdoor cats. But before using these medications, read all the directions carefully so that you can understand the dosage and side effects.

Also, make sure that the medication that you use is specially designed for cats. Using a medication meant for dogs is dangerous for cats and can cause death.

The use of flea and tick collars can be an excellent way to prevent flea and tick breakout. You can either use collars designed to kill ticks after they bite your cat or the one that will prevent ticks from invading your cats.

You should also choose a breakaway collar as it will detach easily when entangled in something. We would not recommend the use of tick collars on outdoor cats because of trees and other hazards.

Today, you can get pet shampoo containing chemicals that kill pests. For better results, you’ll have to bathe your pet every 14 days so that the compound can remain on your cat’s fur. However, this method might not work well if your cat is not used to traditional bathing. In that case, you can use a dry shampoo for similar results.

There are many topical flea and tick products that you can use to protect your cat from ticks. Luckily, most of these products are made from natural ingredients, so it will not cause problems to your pet’s fur.

But if you are looking for a more effective approach, you may want to consider long term topical treatments such as Bravecto anti-flea and tick topical solution. This product repels and kills fleas and ticks quickly and keeps killing them for up to three months.

However, you must be careful to avoid petting your cat while the topical is still on his fur and take measures to ensure your cat isn't licking it off.

Fleas and ticks are notorious, and you may need to suck them up using a vacuum. You should have a habit of vacuuming your home more regularly, including the carpet, bare floors, area rugs, pillows, upholstered furniture, and beddings (both yours and the cat’s).

Invest in a crevice device and other attachments that can get around the corners of the furniture and baseboards. Ticks and fleas can use the hard to reach places for hiding, and so you should vacuum them carefully.

Your yard can be a great source of ticks and fleas that get into your house. To prevent this, you’ll need to treat your yard from time to time. If you can succeed in preventing fleas and ticks from the source, you’ll not need to stress yourself with other methods of prevention.

If your cat goes out, be on guard at all times. Restrict your cat's access from wooded and bushy areas, as such places are likely to harbor ticks. If your cat goes outside, let her remain in the backyard. Even if your cat spends most of her time outside, you should find ways to monitor her. Don’t allow your cat to stay out without supervision.