It is recommended to consult a veterinarian when selecting flea shampoo for cats. Such remedies should be used not only to treat patients, but also to prevent the appearance of parasites in healthy pets. Grooming should not be neglected even in situations where the cat does not leave the apartment.
There are many pet shampoos against fleas, from the cheapest to the most expensive.
How to choose flea shampoo
When choosing, you must take into account the age of the animal. Products for adult cats are not suitable for kittens, so you will have to select special products for newborn babies.
The purpose of use is also taken into account. If severe infestation is observed, more aggressive preparations that include insecticides are chosen. Shampoos based on natural ingredients are suitable for healthy animals.
Sick, weak, elderly, pregnant and lactating cats require more careful treatment. Harsh insecticides can harm them. You need to choose softer ones.
The preparations also differ depending on the length of the pet’s fur. The formulations are developed separately for long-haired, short-haired and hairless breeds. Since the number of sweat glands in animals differs, it is prohibited to use shampoos that are inappropriate for the length of the coat. They can dry out your cat's skin and cause irritation.
It is necessary to look at the expiration date of the product. If it runs out or has completely expired, you should not buy shampoo.
Fleas in kittens at 1 month
All medicinal products that are indicated for use against fleas in animals are contraindicated at an early age. For a pet who is 1 month old, it is not yet possible to find drops, sprays or other drugs against bloodsucking.
An alternative solution would be to use folk remedies. Once the kitten reaches four weeks of age, you can bathe it in a decoction of medicinal herbs that have antiparasitic properties. These plants include:
- tansy;
- sagebrush;
- peppermint;
- eucalyptus.
A steep, rich decoction must be diluted with water and the animal bathed in it. You cannot rinse the wool with running water, as this will negate the entire therapeutic effect. After bathing, the kitten should be wrapped in a towel and warmed until completely dry.
Composition of shampoos
Anti-flea products contain foam-creating substances, nutritional, hair-caring ingredients, essential oils of medicinal plants, and decoctions of medicinal herbs. Plant components used include celandine, plantain, and coltsfoot. Includes insecticides. They can be synthetic or natural. The first group includes phenothrin, decamethrin, etofenprox. Of the natural ones, peritrin contained in Caucasian, Persian or Dalmatian chamomile is used.
Mechanism of action
When the active substance gets on the chitinous cover of the parasite, the permeability of the nerve cell membranes is disrupted. Because of this, the conduction of nerve impulses becomes impossible. The flea turns out to be paralyzed. The insect then dies within a few minutes. Both larvae and eggs die from exposure to the insecticide. The medications help from the first bath.
There are no aggressive components in prophylactic products. Instead, they contain plant ingredients that insects cannot tolerate.
Reviews
- Svetlana Vasilyeva, 38 years old, Sochi: “I recently picked up a kitten on the street. I was horrified - it was not a kitten, but a complete collection of insects. Without exaggeration! His skin and fur were literally moving. A salesperson at a pet store recommended Celandine to me. Helped a lot!”
- Anna Shipilova, 27 years old, Saratov: “In my grandmother’s village, all the cats have fleas. I bought “Dana” for washing. It is inexpensive, the smell is pleasant, it can be used both against fleas and just for washing. The fleas are out. Now grandma washes them every 2 months using shampoo. Fleas don’t have time to get started”
- Sergey Avdeev, 35 years old, Chekhov: “The shampoo just didn’t help us. The fleas disappeared only after complex use. We combined the detergent composition with Advantix flea drops. The procedure had to be repeated 2 times. I'm happy with the result."
- Alena Mirgorodskaya, 22 years old, Yekaterinburg: “My domestic cats also grabbed these insects somewhere. I figured it out like this: first of all, I washed them with shampoo and put on a collar. Plus, I washed the floors and furniture in the apartment with this same shampoo, but only with diluted shampoo. It helped. By the way, I used “Apit”.
- Elena Oleynikova, 33 years old, Perm: “I use shampoo from the Bio series. It is completely natural and absolutely safe. Kills not only fleas, but also ticks. I bathe my cat with it at least 2 times a season. During this time, insects simply do not have time to appear.”
Types of shampoos
Products against blood-sucking insects are divided into 2 groups:
- medicinal;
- preventive.
The first variety contains insecticides. It is used to destroy bloodsuckers and to treat infected domestic animals. The latter are used for regular processing. The components in them are non-toxic.
Therapeutic and preventive zoo shampoos.
According to the form of release, drugs are divided into dry and liquid. Dry ones are produced in the form of powders. They are sprinkled on the wool, after which the remains are combed out using a fine-toothed comb. Liquids are classic hair wash products.
Review of the best flea shampoos
Before purchasing, you should consult a veterinarian.
Leopard
The shampoo is made based on natural ingredients. The condition of the coat improves and the unpleasant odor disappears. The cost of the product varies from 200 to 270 rubles.
Biovax
The active ingredient in this drug is lanolin. It eliminates parasites, softens the animal's skin, and helps with irritations. The composition includes extracts of chamomile and tea tree. The product helps against fleas, ticks, lice eaters. You can buy it for 80-100 rubles. A separate line has been developed for babies. Products are manufactured in Russia.
Shampoo for cats “Biovax”.
Celandine
The product of this Russian manufacturer is suitable for adult cats and cubs. Permethrin is used as the active ingredient. Excipients are vitamin E and herbal fragrance. The disadvantage of this effective drug is the high risk of developing an allergic reaction in the animal. The cost is approximately 100 rubles.
Lugovoy
Suitable for pets over 12 weeks old. The active ingredient is deltamethrin. Additionally, the product contains chamomile, calendula and coltsfoot, the aromas of which repel fleas. The shampoo promotes wound healing and improves the condition of the coat. The cost is 200 rubles.
Doctor Zoo
Suitable for kittens over 14 days old, sick, weakened, pregnant and lactating animals. Destroys fleas and ticks. Plant components care for the coat and eliminate skin irritations. Shampoo can be used to prevent infection. Costs from 130 to 150 rubles.
Shampoo for cats against fleas and ticks “Doctor ZOO”.
Ms.Kiss (Miss Kiss)
Separate lines are designed for long-haired, short-haired and hairless cats. Helps against fleas, ticks, lice and other parasites. Drugs suitable for kittens have been developed. The biotin contained in the shampoo reduces itching, eliminates irritation, and accelerates regeneration processes. You can buy it for 200-250 rubles.
Rolf Club
This product from a Russian manufacturer is used for medicinal and prophylactic purposes. With the correct dosage, the product does not cause allergies. Can treat sensitive skin of cats. The price is 300-350 rubles.
Bio-Groom
Shampoos have been developed for kittens and adult cats with hair of various lengths. There are hypoallergenic products consisting only of natural ingredients. Manufacturer: United States of America. The cost of shampoos starts from 1000 rubles.
American shampoo for cats Bio-Groom.
Phytoelite
Permethrin was used as an insecticide. In addition to fleas, it destroys lice and lice. Contains natural repellents (wormwood and celandine). Suitable for use on adult pets and kittens over 8 weeks old. You will have to pay 150 rubles.
Dana (Api-San)
This shampoo for cats and dogs gets rid of fleas, lice, and lice. Relieves itching, eliminates irritation, promotes healing of wounds left by parasites. Eliminates odors. Not suitable for lactating, weakened animals, kittens under 3 months. To prevent recurrence of infection, the product can be used when treating animal bedding. The drug costs 100-120 rubles.
Features of the treatment process
On the one hand, keeping a kitten with an adult cat, which is a source of infection, increases the risk of transmitting ectoparasites to the baby. But on the other hand, the mother constantly licks the kittens and gnaws out fleas from them. Until newborn pets have time to grow fur, such care is enough for them.
Owners should think about how to rid a kitten of fleas at home immediately after the babies are weaned from the cat, that is, at the age of 5-6 weeks. The treatment regimen will differ from the one used to remove blood-sucking parasites from adult pets.
To cure, for example, a one-year-old cat, the use of aggressive chemicals is allowed. But this method of treatment is dangerous to use at an early age. To remove fleas from a kitten and not cause him harm, you need to choose harmless and mildly effective products.
How to make flea shampoo with your own hands
To make homemade flea shampoo you will need:
- 1 bar of baby soap;
- 2.5 glasses of clean water;
- 1 PC. onions;
- 1 chicken egg yolk;
- 1 tsp. infusion of wormwood or nettle.
The soap must be crushed using a fine grater. Pour water into the soap shavings, mix thoroughly and cook over low heat until the consistency of the solution becomes jelly-like. Chop the onion and add to the soap jelly. Stir until smooth, then pour in the herbal infusion and yolk. Stir again. The mass should become homogeneous.
Apply the resulting product to the animal’s fur, leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with plenty of warm water.
Ingredients needed to make your own flea soap.
Prevention
To prevent the kitten from picking up fleas, you need to monitor the hygiene of both the animal itself and its mother (if the baby is still feeding on mother's milk). It is necessary to keep the room where the animal is located clean, and do not use any things or toys that previously belonged to another cat. To prevent your pet from catching the parasite from the clothes or shoes of its owners, you need to keep them clean.
Fleas are unpleasant parasites for any animal, but especially for young ones. Now there are available products in the form of shampoos, sprays, powders and so on that will help cope with the problem. It’s up to you to decide which flea remedy for kittens at the age of 1 month or at the age of 2 months to choose.
Contraindications and side effects
It is prohibited to use shampoos to treat an animal if there is an individual intolerance. It is better to avoid such therapy even if there is a strong reluctance to bathe or fear of washing.
Adverse reactions include intoxication when the drug enters the gastrointestinal tract or respiratory organs, and the accumulation of toxic substances with regular use.
If vomiting, excessive salivation, a general asthenic state, weakness, lethargy and other symptoms of poisoning are observed, you need to show your pet to a veterinarian.
