The Best Flea Treatment for Cats (Vet Recommended)

Having a cat as a pet is all you’ve ever wanted. It’s easy to assume it’s all meows, cuddles, feeding, and playtime. But, having a cat and being responsible for its welfare is more than that. One of the main tasks is managing the health of your pet. And a major one is managing flea infestation and treatment for your cats.

Fleas can be annoying. They are small dark wingless insects that survive as external parasites by consuming blood from their host — in this case, your cat. As a responsible pet owner, it’s your responsibility to detect, remove and offer the best flea treatment for your cats.

In this article, we’ve carried out extensive research and considered many products and their reviews to compile a list of the best and most effective flea treatments you can use on your cats without worry based on recommendations from veterinary physicians. 

We also found out many people complain about a repetitive infestation on their cats even after complete treatment. If you have experienced this, don’t worry anymore because we’ve also considered that in our top pick list. Also, we provided a useful tip to easily eliminate fleas in this article. Be sure not to miss it!

Here is a quick category of all products from our research to ensure you treat your cat from fleas and prevent future infestation.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for the Best Flea Treatments for Cats

#1 Best Overall: Bravecto Topical Solutions for Cats

Bravecto Topical Solutions for Cats made the top on our lists as the overall best choice as prescribed by a veterinarian.

This treatment offers up to 12 weeks of protection and treatment for your cats; unlike other products, which require monthly usage. Instead, you can use Bravecto once and be rest assured that your cat is safe from flea infestation for the next three months.

Bravecto does not only kill adult fleas on your cats; it interrupts their life cycle. It kills flea eggs, larva, and pupa, preventing future infestation. It also kills Lone Star ticks for up to eight weeks.

Its active ingredient is 250mg Fluralaner. It is best recommended for cats at least six months or older and weigh at least 2.6lb. Bravecto-containing fluralaner can be applied directly to your cat’s skin and begins work within 12 hours.

Pros and Cons of the Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats

Best Overall

Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats

• Best overall veterinarian-prescribed choice
• Begins to work within 12 hours and provides up to 12 weeks of protection
• Kills adult fleas, eggs, larva, and pupa, preventing future infestation
• Active ingredient: Fluralaner
• Recommended for cats 6 months old and order that weight at least 2.6 pounds

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2. Best Topical Solution: Revolution Plus Topical Solutions for Cats

In our opinion the best topical solution is the Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats.

This treatment is suitable for cats and kittens aged eight weeks old or older. This is a broad spectrum treatment that kills fleas and ticks and can be used to prevent heartworm, hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites.

Revolution Plus is also easy to use and dries quickly, but you’ll need a prescription from a veterinarian as it contains 30 mg Selamectin and 5mg Sarolaner, which are active ingredients and can be toxic to your cats if in excess, especially pregnant or nursing cats.

Revolution plus comes in three different sizes and colors as well. Each color is specific for a particular weight range — gold for 2.8 to 5.5lb, orange for 5.6 to 11lb, and green for 11.1 to 22lb.

Unfortunately, some customers reported that their pets lacked energy for a few days after applying this treatment.

Pros and Cons of the Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats

3. Best Oral Treatment: Comfortis Chewable Tablets for Dogs & Cats

As an oral treatment we recommend the Comfortis Chewable Tablets for Dogs and Cats.

This product is a beef-flavored chewable tablet which is suitable for both cats and dogs and can be administered monthly. It kills, treats, and prevents flea infestation in your cat. Plus, it can simply be mixed with food as required.

However, this product is only suitable for cats aged 14 weeks and older. It does require a veterinary prescription, but it’s a great option if you’re trying to avoid other topical treatments or your cat does not tolerate spot-on treatments.

Pros and Cons of the Comfortis Chewable Tablets for Dogs & Cats

Best Oral Treatment

Comfortis Chewable Tablets for Dogs & Cats

• Requires a veterinarian's prescription
• Boxes are color-coded by the animal's weight, so be sure to purchase the right one for your pet
• Easy to use: Simply mix it with your cat's food
• Works quickly to kill, treat, and prevent fleas
• Made for cats and kittens 14 weeks old and older

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4. Best Flea Comb: Frisco Double-Row Flea Comb for Cats & Dogs

For effective flea treatment, you need a flea comb to regularly brush your cat to remove fleas. That’s why we recommend the Frisco Double-Row Flea Comb for Cats & Dogs.

This comb removes dead fleas, laid eggs, pupa, and adult fleas from your pet’s fur. Fleas hide mainly under the furs around the neck and belly. With this flea comb you can be sure to remove all remnants of fleas on your cat.

This comb is ideal for all different types of cat coats. It has finely spaced teeth, and the rounded pins slide through your pet’s fur easily. It helps remove fleas and other pests from your cat’s skin without causing any irritation. For the best results, soak in flea shampoo for about five minutes before using.

However, some customers have reported that some of the teeth can fall out after repeated use.

Pros and Cons of the Frisco Double-Row Flea Comb for Cats & Dogs

Best Flea Comb

Frisco Double-Row Flea Comb for Cats & Dogs

• Use regularly to remove dead fleas, their eggs, and their pupa from your cat's fur
• Features a double row of finely spaced teeth
• Rounded pins slide through your cat's fur easily without causing irritation
• Soak in flea shampoo for 5 minutes prior to use for maximum results

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5. Best Spray: Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Spray

Fleas can lay their eggs anywhere in your home, so the best way to eliminate them is with a spray. Therefore, we suggest the Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Spray as the perfect choice.

Fleas are known for laying massive amounts of eggs, and their eggs could be anywhere in your cat’s bed, your lawn, your rug, etc. If these eggs are not correctly eliminated before they hatch, it will be a continuous flea infestation cycle on your cat and your home inclusive.

This is where the Virbac spray comes in. It’s an aerosol that kills adult fleas, pupa, and larva and sterilizes eggs, preventing them from hatching. It provides protection from flea infestation for up to seven months. Plus, it leaves behind no unpleasant odors or sticky residues, nor does it stain furninshings.

Unfortunately, customers have reported that it does not provide protection for the full seven months and and a new application is required.

Pros and Cons of the Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Spray

Best Spray

Virbac Knockout E.S. Area Treatment Spray

• Can be sprayed anywhere fleas may have laid their eggs
• Some recommended areas include your cat's bed, carpets, your lawn
• Use of this product can help break the flea infestation cycle in your home
• Aerosol kills adult fleas, pupa, and larva and sterilizes eggs, preventing them from hatching
• Provides up to 7 months of protection

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

We recommend that you always contact your veterinarian first to let them check your cat because they are a better judge and can decide what’s best for your cat’s health. Then purchase a product based on their prescription.

However, when considering what product to buy for your cat’s flea treatment, you might want to consider the following factors:

Weight

Most topical and oral flea treatment products are recommended for a particular weight range of cats. You might want to know your cat’s weight before choosing a product.

Duration

You want to consider how long a product will be effective and adequately offer protection for your cat. While Bravecto is the only product that offers up to 12 weeks of protection, other products also offer long-lasting protection for a period of 30 days.

Price

You don’t want to get a product out of your budget. So it’s advisable to consider your options, even substitutes for each product according to your pocket size. But, please do ensure you contact your veterinarian when going for other budget-friendly products.

The Different Types of Flea Treatments: Pros and Cons Compared

When choosing the best type of flea treatment for your cats, you also need to know the different methods of product administration available to choose the most suitable for your cat. There are three main administration methods:

• Oral flea treatments are in tablet form, which can be easily administered to your cat by simply mixing in its food. 

• Topical flea treatment is often considered the most effective as it instantly attacks all fleas on the animal. It involves rubbing the product all over your cat’s skin and fur.

• Collar flea treatments involve using a specialized collar around your cat’s neck, which releases low concentration flea repellent chemicals.

Here are the pros and cons for each type:

Oral Flea Treatment

Topical Flea Treatment

Collar Flea Treatment

Useful Tip

Do you know fleas require humidity of at least 50% to survive? The easiest way to eliminate fleas is using a dehumidifier to keep the humidity below 50%, around 45%, and fleas will die naturally, even their eggs!

Bottom Line

Fleas are not friendly, and they’d never back down once they infest your home unless they are eliminated. It’s your responsibility as a pet owner to get rid of them and make sure your pet is in the best condition.

It is essential to consult your veterinarian before using these products on your cats. These products are the best for each category based on our research. If you require additional direction, your veterinarian can help you make an informed decision.