The v best flea preventives and treatments for cats in 2021

This article was medically reviewed by Karie Johnson, DVM, veterinarian and co-founder of VIP Vet Visit, a mobile vet service in the south suburbs of Chicago.

A cat itching itself with its foot

Nils Jacobi/Getty Images
  • Here are the best flea handling and prevention products for cats in 2021
  • How we selected flea treatments and preventives for cats
  • The best topical flea preventive overall
  • The best OTC topical flea preventive
  • The all-time oral flea control product
  • The best flea command for young kittens
  • The all-time flea neckband
  • What else we considered
  • Types of flea command products
  • Can a flea neckband harm your cat?
  • What y'all should know virtually fleas in cats
  • What to consider when shopping for flea control products
  • Our sources

When y'all buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Larn more.

If your cat has fleas, you want them gone and fast. Decades ago, options for killing fleas were limited — and toxic. Today, many unlike safe and effective flea control products are available, both prescription and over the counter.

Choosing safe and effective products for cats can be tricky. Thanks to my background, I'm very familiar with the flea control products bachelor today. I spent 8 years working as a veterinary banana in animal hospitals and have helped treat countless cats for fleas.

For this guide, I conducted research using the quick product reference guide published by the contained, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council. For additional expertise on flea treatments for cats, I consulted with 3 veterinarians. Read more nigh how I selected products in the side by side slide.

Earlier choosing a flea preventive for your true cat, talk to your veterinarian, who can suggest you on what might be all-time depending on your cat's temperament and lifestyle, and what parasites your true cat is about at risk for contracting in your expanse.

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.

Hither are the all-time flea handling and prevention products for cats in 2021

Best topical flea preventive for cats: Revolution Plus Topical Solution., $124 on Chewy
With just i simple monthly awarding, Revolution Plus Topical Solution not simply kills fleas and ticks, it also prevents heartworms and treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites.

Best OTC topical flea treatment for cats: Frontline Plus, $67.48 on Chewy
Available without a prescription, Frontline Plus kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice.

Best fast-acting flea command production for cats: Comfortis Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs. $106.07 on Chewy
Comfortis Chewable Tablets kickoff killing fleas within thirty minutes and offer a total month of protection with one like shooting fish in a barrel-to-give flavored pill.

All-time flea control product for young kittens: Capstar Flea Control Tablets, $36.99 on Chewy
Capstar Flea Command Tablets are condom for kittens every bit young as four weeks erstwhile and get-go killing fleas within xxx minutes.

Best flea neckband for cats: Seresto Flea and Tick Neckband, $59.89 at Petco
The Seresto Flea and Tick Neckband offers eight months of protection against fleas and ticks in all life stages.

How nosotros selected flea treatments and preventives for cats

To find the best flea treatments for cats, we conducted inquiry using the quick product reference guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council. This handy reference, which includes all FDA and EPA-approved parasite control products for pocket-size animals, lists each product'due south agile ingredients, how the product is used, and which parasites it controls.

For additional expertise on treating and preventing fleas in cats, we consulted with three veterinarians: Herman Jeffer, a veterinarian with Cornwallis Fauna Hospital in Durham, Northward Carolina; Ashley Conservative, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist with the Fauna Dermatology Clinic in Portland, Oregon; Colleen Sawyer, a veterinary with Rolesville Veterinary Infirmary in Rolesville, North Carolina; and Keith Harper, a veterinary with VetnCare Alameda in Alameda, California. Our veterinary experts did not specifically endorse whatever of the products included in this guide unless explicitly mentioned in direct quotes.

Here are the chief attributes we used to evaluate products:

Condom and efficacy: Just FDA- or EPA-approved products were considered for this guide.

Number of parasites treated: Nosotros gave higher ratings to preventives that treat more parasites than just fleas. In general, the more parasites a preventive product covers, the higher it was rated. The exceptions are Capstar, which is the only treatment available for kittens younger than 8 weeks, and our over-the-counter pick, Frontline Plus, which treats fleas, ticks, and lice.

Ease of use: Products were rated lower if they were more complicated to use than a similar production. For example, products ranked lower if the pet owner must article of clothing gloves to apply the treatment or if children and pets need to exist kept away from the treated animal for a specified corporeality of time.

The best topical flea preventive overall

Revolution/Business Insider

With just one elementary monthly application, Revolution Plus Topical Solution not only kills fleas and ticks, it too prevents heartworms and treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites.

Pros:Kills and prevents six types of parasites, including deadly heartworm; once-monthly treatment; like shooting fish in a barrel to administer; safe for use in kittens 8 weeks or older

Cons:Does not kill tapeworms; caution required in cats with a history of neurologic disorders; not labeled for employ in breeding, pregnant, or nursing cats

Revolution Plus Topical Solution is hands down the most complete parasite preventive available for cats. Information technology not just treats and prevents flea infestations by killing adult fleas before they can lay eggs, it besides prevents heartworms and treats and controls ear mites, roundworms, hookworms, and infestations of black-legged (deer), Gulf Coast, and American dog ticks.

"The really heady thing about flea control is there are always new developments in how we can make them amend and safer and more than effective," Bourgeois said. "My preference is Revolution Plus." According to Conservative, the active ingredients in Revolution Plus — selamectin and sarolaner — are newer flea controls that are very effective and well-tolerated by cats.

Harper besides likes Revolution Plus. "Overall, Revolution has a pretty good track tape," he said. "Information technology'southward one of the most effective topical flea preventions on the market. I'm a fan of Bravecto too, it'southward a longer-lasting flea prevention, effective confronting fleas and ticks."

Bravecto also contains fluralaner, which is in the same drug class as selamectin and sarolaner, and is also very effective and well-tolerated by cats. However, Bravecto doesn't control as many parasites, and it can't exist used in kittens under vi months of age.

Revolution Plus is easily practical every thirty days in 1 spot to the cat's pare at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades. The liquid medication is a small book that is absorbed and dries rapidly, leaving no remainder behind. Unlike with some of the other topical preventives, you practise not need to wear gloves to use Revolution Plus, and you don't have to avoid touching your true cat after application. If you lot get the product on your hands, merely wash them with lather and water.

Y'all must obtain a prescription from your veterinarian to purchase Revolution Plus. As with all medications that prevent heartworm, your cat volition need a heartworm examination prior starting this medication and every yr afterward. Revolution Plus should be used with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders such equally seizures.

The all-time OTC topical flea preventive

Frontline/Business organization Insider

Available without a prescription, Frontline Plus kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice.

Pros: Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks, and chewing lice; safe for use in kittens at least 8 weeks of age and in convenance, meaning, and nursing cats; fleas don't have to bite for it to work

Cons: Not recommended for kittens younger than 8 weeks of age; does not forestall any parasites other than fleas, ticks, and chewing lice

We recommend Frontline Plus considering it non merely kills fleas and controls flea infestations, but it also kills ticks and chewing lice. Used and trusted past pet owners for more than than twenty years, Frontline Plus protects for xxx days with ane awarding. Fleas do non have to bite your true cat for Frontline Plus to work — they die on contact.

Frontline Plus has agile ii ingredients, fipronil and Southward-methoprene, which work together to kill parasites and break the flea life cycle. Fipronil kills adult fleas and ticks, while S-methoprene is an insect growth regulator that prevents the development of young flea stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae). However, it tin can sometimes take a fiddling fourth dimension of consistent use earlier all fleas are completely gone, especially if your cat was heavily infested, since flea eggs can be present in your home but not on your cat.

"In flea-infested environments, when they do studies looking at the efficacy of these products, sometimes it takes a few months of consistent, high-quality flea prevention to even see that population completely eradicate because there'south four dissimilar stages to the flea life cycle," said Conservative.

Frontline Plus is easy to use. Clasp the entire contents of the tube onto i spot on the true cat's skin between the shoulder blades. The liquid medication spreads across your cat's peel and is stored in the oil glands. It self-distributes continuously through the hair follicles for one month.

The best oral flea control product

Comfortis/Business concern Insider

Comfortis Chewable Tablets start killing fleas within xxx minutes and offering a full month of protection with one easy-to-give flavored pill.

Pros:Fast-acting handling starts killing developed fleas within 30 minutes, safe for kittens 14 weeks or older, easy to give solitary or in food

Cons:Does not kill flea eggs or larvae or forestall parasites other than fleas, not labeled for use in kittens younger than fourteen weeks or convenance, pregnant, or nursing cats

Our top pick for an oral flea command production for cats, Comfortis Chewable Tablets, is fast-acting and good for cats that tin't tolerate topical flea preventives. Its agile ingredient, spinosad, starts to work inside 30 minutes and kills 98% of developed fleas on cats inside four hours.

Although topical flea control products are typically easier to use (no need to convince your true cat to swallow a pill), in that location are some cases when an oral preventive is a better choice. For instance, some cats with sensitive skin tin't tolerate a spot-on treatment. "An oral flea preventive product is better if a cat has had focal hair loss related to the awarding of a topical product or if information technology has a severe flea-related allergy," said Sawyer.

Harper as well recommends an oral production for cats that take very sensitive skin or those that have a lot of irritation. "Comfortis is one of the ones I like," he said. "It's harder to get the cat to take an oral product, simply if you can manage information technology, information technology'south a pretty effective oral flea medication. It's strictly and solely for fleas."

Comfortis is one of two oral flea control products available for cats; the other is Capstar Flea Control Tablets. Unlike Capstar, which kills fleas for only 24 hours, Comfortis protects cats against fleas for a full month. However, Comfortis is not prophylactic for kittens younger than 14 weeks old. Capstar is safe for kittens every bit immature every bit 4 weeks, then information technology'due south our choice for all-time flea command production for kittens (read more about Capstar in our slide for the best flea command product for immature kittens). In order to purchase Comfortis, you will need a prescription from your veterinarian.

The beefiness-flavored flavored tablets should be given with food in one case a calendar month. You can offer them lonely just before or after feeding your cat, or hide them in a small amount of food.

The best flea control for young kittens

Capstar/Business Insider

Capstar Flea Control Tablets are safe for kittens equally young equally 4 weeks old and start killing fleas within xxx minutes.

Pros:Safe for kittens 4 weeks of age or older, safety for pregnant and nursing cats, fast-acting treatment, easy to requite alone or in food, can be used with other flea command products, bachelor without a prescription

Cons:Does not offering long-term protection, does not kill flea eggs or larvae, does not foreclose any parasites other than fleas

Bachelor without a prescription, Capstar is the merely flea control product safe for kittens as immature as 4 weeks and weighing at least ii pounds. With other flea control products, whether topical or oral, kittens must be at least 8 weeks onetime, and sometimes older.

Fleas should exist eliminated every bit apace every bit possible for heavily infested cats, specially young kittens. The agile ingredient in Capstar, nitenpyram, works within 30 minutes and kills greater than 90% of adult fleas in every bit piddling as half-dozen hours.

Capstar simply protects against fleas for 24 hours, but it is safe to requite daily if necessary. Since giving a cat a pill every day can be inconvenient, pet owners should follow up with a long-term flea command product (a spot-on or oral preventive that lasts a month or longer) one time the kitten is old enough.

The best flea collar

Seresto/Business Insider

The Seresto Flea and Tick Neckband offers 8 months of protection against fleas and ticks in all life stages.

A March 2021 investigation by USA Today reported ane,700 creature deaths and other adverse reactions linked to Seresto flea collars. It's unknown if the EPA-approved pesticides used in the collar caused these incidents and this story is still developing. Read "Tin can a flea collar harm your cat?" for more details. Always speak to your veterinarian if you accept concerns earlier using a product and simply purchase Seresto collars from authorized retailers.

Pros: Eight months of protection confronting adult fleas, flea larvae, and ticks; sustained release technology for continuous protection; lightweight and easy to wear; adjustable for cats of all sizes; fleas don't take to bite for it to piece of work

Cons: Not recommended for kittens younger than 10 weeks of age, children should not play with the collar or put it in their mouth, adjusting size can be tricky

Although flea collars were in one case a standard option for flea control, these days they take a back seat to topical and oral preventives. Still, one standout in the flea collar category is the Seresto Flea and Tick Neckband, which uses patented sustained-release applied science to provide eight months of continuous protection against developed fleas, flea larvae, and ticks.

In general, topical spot-on preventives and oral preventives are the easiest and most effective course of flea control for cats, but there are instances when the Seresto collar might be a adept option. "Information technology would be a better choice if compliance is an result, as you do not need to remember to apply it monthly," Sawyer said. "Additionally, it is a better choice if the cat does non tolerate topical flea products and/or it is hard to administer pills."

Conservative said that the Seresto collar might too exist a good option for cats that roam outside a lot. "We have some people who have truly outdoor cats," she said. "They might not see them reliably all the fourth dimension to requite them a monthly product. [The Seresto collar] would be the only collar that I would be trusting of."

Although the EPA is currently conducting a review of the safety of the Seresto collar, Harper doesn't call up pet owners necessarily need to terminate using the collar if it's the best grade of flea control for their cat. "We'll wait and see what this review actually brings to light," Harper said. "The jury is even so out. If you absolutely tin't utilize any other form of flea preventive, I know the fleas are going to exist a problem, so permit's prevent that."

The collar is nongreasy, odor-costless, lightweight, and adaptable for cats of all sizes. It tin be worn alongside your cat's existing neckband and is designed with a two-step safety system to ensure your true cat will not be harmed if the collar becomes snagged on something.

The Seresto Flea and Tick Collar contains imidacloprid and flumethrin, which are released in low concentrations over your cat'south skin and coat to kill fleas on contact before they even have the chance to bite. Information technology kills 100% of fleas within 24 hours of placing the neckband on your cat. The neckband is water-resistant and can remain on the cat even when bathing.

What else nosotros considered

Business Insider
  • Reward Two: Advantage II is a topical spot-on product that uses imidacloprid and pyripoxyfen to kill fleas, eggs, and larvae for one month. Available without a prescription, information technology's safe for adult cats and kittens viii weeks or older weighing at least ii pounds. It is also labeled safety for use in pregnant and nursing cats. Advantage Ii lost out to Frontline Plus considering it does not kill ticks, and different Frontline Plus, its product characterization states that severe infestation may require more than frequent applications, as often as every xiv days for kittens and every vii days for adult cats.
  • Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats: Bravecto is a topical product that uses fluralaner to impale fleas and ticks. Unlike most topical preventives, which must be applied monthly, one application of Bravecto kills fleas for iii months and kills ticks for 2 months. 1 downside to Bravetco is it cannot exist used in kittens younger than half dozen months erstwhile. Our all-time overall choice, Revolution Plus, is rubber for kittens 8 weeks or older, and also treats and controls heartworms and ear mites, which Bravecto does not. Additionally, Bravecto's label states that children should not impact the application site until dry out; Revolution Plus has no such warning. For those true cat owners who are mainly looking for protection against fleas, Bravecto is a dandy choice due to its long-lasting protection. Bravecto should exist used Bravecto should exist used with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders such as seizures.
  • Bravecto Plus Topical Solution for Cats: Bravecto Plus is a topical product that uses fluralaner and moxidectin to kill fleas and ticks, foreclose heartworm, and treat roundworms and hookworms. One application of Bravecto Plus kills fleas and other parasites for 2 months, unlike most topical preventives, which must be practical monthly. One downside to Bravetco is it cannot be used in kittens younger than 6 months quondam. Our best overall selection, Revolution Plus, is condom for kittens 8 weeks or older, and besides treats and controls ear mites, which Bravecto Plus does non. Additionally, Bravecto Plus's label states that children should not touch on the awarding site for two hours after application; Revolution Plus has no such alarm. Bravecto Plus requires a prescription from your veterinarian as well every bit a current negative heartworm test. It should be used with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders such as seizures.
  • Advantage Multi Topical Solution for Cats: Advantage Multi uses imidacloprid and moxidectin to prevent heartworm; kill fleas; and treat and command roundworms, hookworms and ear mites. Different Revolution Plus Topical Solution, Advantage Multi does not impale ticks. Its characterization states that children should non touch the application site for thirty minutes after it's applied, and treated cats should be kept separated from other pets that might lick it; Revolution Plus has no such warning. Advantage Multi requires a prescription from your veterinarian as well as a current negative heartworm test. Information technology is safety for utilise in kittens eight weeks or older and weighing at least 2 pounds.
  • Cheristin: Cheristin is a monthly topical that uses spinetoram to impale developed fleas. Because it doesn't kill flea eggs or larvae or any other parasites, information technology's not a elevation pick for a topical flea preventive.
  • Revolt: This production contains the same agile ingredient as Revolution (selamectin). Similar Revolution, it is applied to the skin in one case a month. It kills the aforementioned parasites equally Revolution. It is manufactured by Aurora pharmaceutical based in Northfield, Minnesota. I recommend Revolution over this version since Revolution is the original, has been on the market longer, and comes from a large, reputable veterinary pharmaceutical visitor.

Types of flea command products

Highwaystarz-Photography/Getty Images

Here are the well-nigh common flea control products for cats and how they work:

  • Topical preventives: Also called "spot-on" products, topical preventives are great for both killing fleas and preventing flea infestations. Every bit they dry, they spread across the entire body, leaving no residual behind. They are usually practical to the skin in one spot on the back of the cervix one time a calendar month.
  • Oral flea control: Oral flea control products, or "flea pills," are given to your true cat by mouth to kill fleas. Some oral flea control products kill fleas for up to a month; others must be given more frequently to go along killing fleas, every bit often every bit once a 24-hour interval.
  • Flea collars: Flea collars are worn effectually the neck, where they deliver flea preventive medication to a cat's skin and coat.  Our experts said that topical and oral products are superior to traditional collars because they are more effective and easier to use. Even so, at to the lowest degree one flea neckband (Seresto) delivers preventive medication for upwards to eight months, a much longer period than topical applications, making it a viable option for true cat owners who don't desire to accept to utilize something every xxx days.
  • Flea shampoos: Flea shampoos impale fleas that are currently on your cat. Nosotros do not recommend them since topical spot-ons and oral products are easier to use and more than effective. Read more than well-nigh this in our slide on "What to consider when shopping for flea control products."
  • Flea spray: Flea sprays are applied to the skin and coat. Like shampoos, we do non recommend them since topical spot-ons and oral products are easier to use and more than constructive. Read more in our slide on "What to consider when purchasing flea control products."

Can a flea neckband impairment your cat?

The safe of flea and tick collars has been in the news lately, specifically the bestselling Seresto flea and tick neckband, which was adult by Bayer and is now sold past Elanco Animal Health. On March 2, 2021, U.s. Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting published a report maintaining that the Seresto neckband has been linked to thousands of adverse incidents, including pet deaths and incidents of harm to humans.

The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a legal petition in April urging the U.Southward. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cancel the registration of the Seresto flea and tick collar. A week later, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) published an article addressing the controversy surrounding the Seresto collar. According to the AVMA, Seresto'south "manufacturer has defended the collars as rubber and constructive, and veterinary experts say they accept seen no cause for alert."

Additionally, Elanco published a argument on its website calling the media coverage "misleading" and stating that the visitor stands by the product. "All data and scientific evaluation used during the product registration procedure and through Elanco's robust pharmacovigilance review supports the product'southward safety profile and efficacy," the argument reads.

On July 12, the EPA announced that it is seeking public annotate on the petition from the CBD requesting that the EPA cancel the registration of Seresto. Public comments volition exist collected for 60 days. "In addition, EPA is reviewing the additional information received past Elanco and Bayer and will use it to evaluate if the connected registration of these pet collars still meets the legally required standard of no unreasonable agin on the surround, taking into account the economic, social, and ecology costs and benefits of the use of the pesticide," said Tim Carroll, deputy press secretarial assistant for the EPA. "Upon completing the analysis and cess, EPA may accept further action, if needed."

What pet owners need to know

If yous have questions about the Seresto Flea and Tick Neckband, or any other flea-command product, speak to your veterinary for advice. Regardless of what blazon of flea-control product you choose for your true cat, the EPA urges pet owners to read the entire label before using the product, follow all directions carefully, and monitor your pet after treatment.

At that place are likewise reports of counterfeit Seresto collars on the market, peculiarly through online retailers. Petco and Petsmart, major suppliers of pet products, told us that they buy Seresto collars directly from the manufacturer, Elanco. It's important to buy from a reputable website, brick-and-mortar store with a guarantee programme, or for the most balls, straight from your veterinarian. Before placing a Seresto collar on your pet, nosotros too recommend that pet owners call Elanco product support (800-422-9874) to verify the authenticity of the product's serial number.

If y'all suspect that your pet is having an adverse reaction to a flea neckband, immediately remove the collar and call your veterinarian. Carroll also advises pet owners to contact the National Pesticide Information Center, which is an EPA data-sharing partner with staff who are specially trained to answer to pesticide exposure incidents, also as to report agin reactions from flea collars and topical treatments on the EPA's website.

What y'all should know virtually fleas in cats

deimagine/Getty Images

If your cat has fleas, you desire to become rid of them every bit chop-chop as possible. Cats that go exterior are more likely to pick up fleas, but fifty-fifty indoor cats can get them, either from the family canis familiaris or when they go to the veterinarian or a boarding facility. Fleas can even hitchhike indoors on your clothes or shoes.

What are the health risks to a cat?

Fleas are more than just a nuisance. These parasites tin pose a threat to your true cat'south wellness. A severe flea infestation tin can seriously damage a cat's peel, induce an allergic reaction, or crusade them to become bloodless from claret loss. Fleas are likewise responsible for cats contracting parasites like tapeworms and may transmit diseases.

"Fleas tin pass on diseases to cats, which tin can then exist passed on to people," Jeffer said. "The most common ane that we run across is cat scratch fever (Bartonella henselae bacteria), which tin can cause all kinds of bug in people, but in cats, it can make them very sick."

How to cheque a cat for fleas

Signs of fleas in cats include scratching, skin irritation, and the presence of dark red or black specks on your cat's peel, fur, bedding, or piece of furniture. These specks, about the size of grains of black pepper, are called "flea clay" and are flea carrion (or digested claret). Back when I worked in the veterinary hospital, I learned a handy trick to help find out if those picayune specks are regular dirt or flea dirt. Scoop some onto a damp paper towel. If the paper towel turns blood-red, it's flea dirt.

To check your cat for fleas or flea clay, run a flea comb (a small, very fine-toothed rummage) through your true cat'south coat or role the hair with your fingers to examine the skin. If you observe any live or dead fleas or flea dirt, your cat has a flea infestation.

Our sources