How often do you need Flea Drops?

Question

I give my cats flea drops every 3 in half weeks (as told by my vet). I went to two different vets several times over the past 6 months. I got different answers every time.

A. Give your cats flea drops every month, even if they don't have fleas.

B. Only give them flea drops when they do have fleas.

C. Only give the out door cats flea drops every month, and give the indoor cats flea drops when they have fleas.

D. If you have and out door cats all cats need flea drops every month.

Answer 1

We only treat for fleas when we see flea dirt on the comb or actual fleas. Since the drops are pesticides, the cat is having to deal with applications which affect their liver (as that processes all toxins).  Putting on drops when the cat has no fleas only stresses the cat with no need.

I've found that Advantage lasts a good 6 weeks before fleas show up again during the height of summer, so we only treat when we see them return (and never give the drops less than 4 weeks apart).  The outdoor cats get their dose same as the indoor cats. Once the fleas are gone I only check with a comb weekly.  We've never had to treat more than twice a year in our area (Wisconsin)

Answer 2

I'd say that A & D are true because depending on what type of flea drops you use, if your cat has any flea eggs/dirt then they can become infested when the fleas hatch.

If you have outdoor cats, they will almost always carry fleas in unless you actively treat your entire yard with flea killer (organic is the way to go in this case) but even this is not a surefire way to prevent fleas.

Flea drops are VERY toxic - once a month is plenty.

Answer 3

my cats have a flea drop on them once a month whether they have them or not.they are 15,16 and 17yr old and they have never been harmed by them,in fact a flea free cat is a healthy cat and so is your home clean from.

Answer 4

I would give any cats that have access to the outdoors flea treatment every month.  Any indoor cats that have contact with cats that go outdoors should also be treated monthly.  From there it depends on how common fleas are in your area and individual preference.

My cats are strictly indoors and are not on flea meds, I check them regularly to make sure they don't have fleas.  Also, my dogs are on regular flea treatments so they do not (hopefully) bring home any fleas from the outdoors.

Essentially, my advice would be D.  Why run the risk of having any of your cats suffer from a flea infestation?

Answer 5

All cats need them every month indoor or outdoor so A.

Answer 6

once a month, regardless of whether or not they have fleas

except during the winter months

Answer 7

Give the cats flea drops everymonth, even if they do not have fleas. it prevents them.

if you do not have the money to be buying flea meds every month, give them drops when they DO have fleas!!

Make sure you bathe them before the flea meds.