The best cat flea treatment will work quickly, kill fleas, and stay that way until the next regular treatment, all without completely burning a hole in your wallet.
Lots of pet health companies make flea treatment and prevention medication, and we’ve done an extensive review of several such treatments available from pet stores, veterinary clinics, and online markets.
If you’re looking for an effective cat flea treatment? Keep reading for our review of our favorites.
Flea Treatment and Prevention
Table of Contents
Treatments for cats and dogs use certain chemicals and pesticides to kill and prevent fleas, as well as ticks, worms, and other types of unpleasant parasites (depending on the treatment). The treatments can be in many different forms, but the ones we reviewed are tablets or topical solutions squirted between the shoulders or on the neck/head.
In the United States, what can and cannot go into an animal parasite treatment is regulated by either the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The treatments we’ve reviewed here are intended to be used during an outbreak of fleas, but also as a preventative measure to avoid flea infestations altogether.
Does My Indoor Cat Need Flea Treatments?
Yes! Indoor cats need flea treatments like outdoor cats. If you’ve ever tried to capture fruit flies in your kitchen or spiders in your bathroom, you know that bugs get into our homes, whether we like it or not. Fleas are no exception.
Fleas can get into your home by way of other pets (like dogs), but sometimes it just happens. Regularly applying flea treatments will help prevent a flea infestation on your cat and in your home.
Disclaimer
Different medications will work better for some cats more than others, regardless of how effective the manufacturer claims they are. Since we are not veterinarians, our reviews for flea treatments for cats are based on our own experiences. Your veterinarian can give you personalized, professional advice on finding the best flea treatments for your feline friend.
Additionally, keep in mind that the treatments we reviewed are meant to kill fleas, though a few will also kill chewing lice. If your cat is dealing with other pests like ticks or worms, your veterinarian can suggest other treatments for them, since these flea treatments will not work.
Best Cat Flea Treatment Reviews
Advantage II Flea Prevention for Cats by Bayer Animal Health
Bayer’s flea treatment for cats weighing 5-9 pounds will start killing all life stages of fleas on your cat within 12 hours after application, and the protection lasts for up to 30 days.
The fleas don’t have to bite your cat to be killed: contact with this waterproof (for up to 24 hours) solution will kill them. The solution is also fragrance-free, so your cat and any scent-sensitive people in your household won’t be bothered by it.
Monthly application of Advantage II will keep your cat (and house) flea-free!
Pros
- Purchase includes 6 dosages of the treatment, which means you’ll have enough to last you for half a year (if you only have 1 cat).
- Breaks the flea life cycle by killing all life stages.
- Waterproof for up to 24 hours. This gives the solution time to dry and work.
Cons
- This treatment is effective, but it’s pretty expensive.
- It may not be scented, there is a bit of a ‘chemical’ smell, though this should dissipate quickly.
Cheristin Topical Flea Treatment for Cats by Elanco Animal Health
Elanco’s flea treatment is the most expensive on our list, but its effectiveness makes the price worthwhile. Effective for up to 6 weeks (monthly application recommended), this flea treatment will start killing fleas within half an hour.
According to a controlled study, if you apply Cheristin (spinetoram) in the morning, 98-100% of the fleas on your cat will be dead by the time you go to bed! This makes this treatment a great purchase if your cat is prone to and struggles with flea infestations, or your area is known to have robust, hard-to-kill fleas.
This topical solution is suitable for use with cats older than 8 weeks, and that weighs over 1.8 pounds, making it an excellent choice for a household with multiple cats.
Elanco also makes a cat flea treatment called Assurity, which uses the same pesticide as Cheristin, but has a significantly higher dosage of it. Assurity is very effective at killing fleas but is known to cause health problems in many cats, especially if they were sensitive to such products already. Flea treatments are essential, but there is a risk. Please talk to your veterinarian about flea treatments and how to find the best one for your cat(s).
Pros
- Starts working within 30 minutes of application and kills 98-100% of fleas in 12 hours.
- For cats of all sizes. Intended for use with cats older than 8 weeks and weighing over 1.8 pounds.
- One treatment lasts for up to 6 weeks, though a monthly application is recommended.
Cons
- Cheristin is the most expensive flea treatment we reviewed.
Actispot II Flea Prevention & Treatment for Small Cats by TevraPet
TevraPet’s Actispot II topical treatment contains the same active ingredients as Bayer’s Advantage II, but with a lower price.
Actispot II kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs, larvae, and pupae from becoming adults, therefore breaking the flea life cycle. Since contact with the solution is all that’s needed to be effective, fleas don’t even have to bite your cat to be killed.
This treatment lasts for a month and is intended for use with cats weighing 5-9 pounds.
Pros
- Significantly cheaper than Bayer’s Advantage II.
- Kills fleas by contact, not by biting your cat.
- Ends the flea life cycle by killing adult fleas and preventing eggs, larvae, and pupae from becoming adults.
Cons
- This treatment claims to last for 30 days/1 month, but it mightn’t be as effective a couple weeks after application.
- The solution vials are a bit difficult to open.
Triple Flea Protection for Larger Cats by Adventure Plus
Adventure Plus’ topical flea treatment also contains the same active ingredients as Bayer’s Advantage II, but it has a much better price.
Adventure Plus’ flea treatment will start killing fleas, larvae, and eggs within 12 hours after application.
It’s a waterproof formula, so once the treatment dries and starts working, it’ll be safe to give your cat a bath.
This flea treatment is intended for use with cats weighing over 9 pounds.
Pros
- Contains the same active ingredients as Bayer’s Advantage II, but it is more affordable.
- Waterproof after drying, so you can give your cat a bath if you need to.
- For use with cats weighing over 9 pounds.
- Effective for about 4 weeks (or 1 month). Adventure Plus’ flea treatment is available in boxes of 4 or 8 dosages, so you’ll have enough to get your kitty through the warm spring and summer seasons (though fleas can live in a warm house all-year-round).
Cons
- May not be fully effective for the whole 4 weeks/month and require reapplication (speak to your veterinarian before doing this).
Fast-Acting Oral Flea Treatment for Cats by Capstar
Unlike the other flea treatments we reviewed, Capstar’s is a tablet that your cat swallows.
This affordable treatment, intended for use with cats weighing between 2-25 pounds, will start killing fleas within 30 minutes and will kill up to 90% of them in 6 hours.
What’s great about this tablet is that if your cat seems to have another flea infestation after the first treatment, it’s safe to give up to 1 tablet a day until the infestation calms down.
This treatment is also safe to give to pregnant cats, which can be a godsend if you’re fostering a mother cat for an animal shelter.
Pros
- Tablets aren’t as messy as a topical solution.
- Starts working within 30 minutes and kills up to 90% of them within 6 hours.
- Suitable for cats 4 weeks of age and older, weighing between 2-25 pounds.
- It’s safe to give your cat 1 tablet a day until the fleas are gone.
Cons
- It can be tough to get a cat to do anything it doesn’t want to do, and that includes making them take a pill.
- Like any flea treatment, there are potential unwanted side effects. Make sure you thoroughly read this flea treatment’s information booklet before giving this (and any other) flea treatment to your cat(s).
Conclusion
Out of the flea treatments we’ve reviewed here, we like Advantage II Flea Prevention for Cats. While topicals can make a mess if you’re not careful, they are fast acting and less difficult to administer to a fussy cat.
When you’re dealing with fleas, getting rid of them as fast as you can is ideal. Advantage II will start working within 12 hrs, but typically you will start to see some flea-death within 30 minutes. This treatment is affordable and works well for dealing with fleas. It is especially effective at treating an infestation in multiple-cat hoouseholds.
However, no one cat flea treatment will work for everyone. You and your veterinarian know your cat(s) better than we do, so please talk to them before starting any new flea treatment and prevention medicine!