Can you use the same flea treatment on cats and dogs?
The safest answer is no. We strongly recommend to carefully read the instructions of any product you intend to apply to your pet, as many supermarket dog flea treatments are extremely toxic to cats.
What is the difference between dog and cat flea medicine?
The difference between flea control products for dogs and cats is a chemical called permethrin. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, this chemical is very safe for dogs and is common in flea sprays and drops. Cats, though, are especially sensitive to it and many of its variants.
What happens if you put a flea product on your cat?
These products frequently contain pyrethrins. Some cats are more sensitive to these products than others. Because of owner error, owners mistakenly put certain DOG flea products on their cat, causing neurologic signs, seizures, coma, even death. The dangerous ingredient in these products is permethrin.
What to do if your dog has fleas?
Maybe you pick up stuff for the dog AND the cat. You get home, throw them in a drawer. The cat is around later that night, and you grab a box and empty the tube on the cat’s neck. You didn’t see the picture of the 80-pound Lab on the box or the tiny cat icon with a diagonal stripe through it hiding somewhere at the bottom.
Can you put flea ticks on a dog?
In the confusion of a big, noisy store, they may not shop carefully, and they purchase flea and tick products without any guidance. Unfortunately, these are also the folks who are least able to afford a veterinary emergency when their cat is dying of a toxic reaction to an OTC flea medication. But I Would Never Put Dog Stuff on a Cat!
Which is the best flea medicine for dogs?
The only permethrin-containing product most vets carry is K9 Advantix, because it is a good choice for certain dogs exposed to heavy burdens of fleas and ticks.
What happens if you put flea medication on a cat?
One of the most commonly presenting emergencies I see is accidental poisoning of cats by their well-intentioned pet owners. They often put “small dog” flea medication onto their “big cat,” without appropriately consulting with their veterinarian or reading the label carefully, resulting in severe poisoning in cats.
What kind of flea medication can I give my Dog?
Flea medications can be administered to dogs and cats a variety of ways including: Topical – Typically applied to the back of the neck in a location that is not able to be licked off by your pet, topical flea medications are available both over the counter and from your veterinarian. Most safe flea medications for cats are in a topical form.
Are there any over the counter flea products that are toxic to cats?
It’s a fact. Many over-the-counter products labeled as safe for cats can still be toxic to some kitties. These products frequently contain pyrethrins. Some cats are more sensitive to these products than others. Because of owner error, owners mistakenly put certain DOG flea products on their cat, causing neurologic signs, seizures, coma, even death.
Maybe you pick up stuff for the dog AND the cat. You get home, throw them in a drawer. The cat is around later that night, and you grab a box and empty the tube on the cat’s neck. You didn’t see the picture of the 80-pound Lab on the box or the tiny cat icon with a diagonal stripe through it hiding somewhere at the bottom.