Is Flea Treatment Safe for Aging Cats? Here’s a sure-shot answer.

Flea prevention for cats include several methods. But one must be careful in case of aging cats. Vets from animal clinic in Philadelphia suggest taking extra care of older cats in the listed ways.

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Flea prevention for cats is a tricky situation to deal with, especially in case of geriatric cats. Regular treatments involve use of certain harmful chemicals, which can be harmful to senior cats. A diminishing immune system does not help in case of senior cats, presenting a tough case for vets to handle.

1. Age Issues

Flea prevention for cats should the top priority for the owners. The disease starts with incessant scratching. On a closer look, you’ll find imminent white and brown flecks. Many a time one can find live bugs sucking blood from the cat’s skin. One might be eager to start flea treatment on immediate basis. However, experts from animal clinic in Philadelphia suggest consulting experienced vets before starting any treatment.

Senior cats tend to develop chronic health problems, which complicate their treatment. It is also reported that older cats lose their sense of smell and have diminished appetite. Their weakening immune system poses a different problem as chemicals meant to kill fleas are also harmful to them.

2. Risky Decisions

In flea prevention for cats, one can buy a dip, spray, powder or shampoo from the animal store. However, one should carefully read the contents on the label for flea treatment. There are certain chemicals that needs to be avoided, which include amitraz, fenoxycarb, permethrin, propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos. According to several medical reports and organizations like Natural Resources Defense Council, these chemicals can pose great threat to overall health of pets and humans even when used as per the dosage suggested.

Regardless of cat’s age, there are few chemical products like pyrethroids that needs to be avoided. according to a WebMD and several expert vets from animal clinic in Philadelphia claim that several fleas are immune to specific class of insecticides.

3. Advances in Flea Treatment

It is advisable to concern a vet than pick up flea treatment products from supermarket shelves or pet stores. Modern treatment has evolved and new medicines are less toxic. They work by lacing cat’s blood with certain chemicals that does not allow egg formation in adult fleas. These fleas age and die within few months, leaving no new fleas to continue infection.

In modern treatments, senior cats will need to deal with itching, but they will not have to deal with fatal chemicals from insecticides. Owners can also use special flea combs to brush cats and minimize the number of fleas.

4. Precautions and Alternatives

In flea prevention for cats, one can use vacuum clean house, especially furniture, carpets, rugs and cat’s bedding. Change in routine affects older cats, so one should be patient and slow with them. Vets from animal clinic in Philadelphia also recommend adding brewer’s yeast to cat food, which will make their blood unpalatable. One can also use citronella, rosemary and wormwood scents to drive away the fleas.