Fleas and mites are parasites that can transmit disease, cause discomfort and quickly turn into bigger issues like flea invasions in your home.
Pets come in a variety of sizes, so you may think it’s okay to use dog fleas to make a clicking noise on your cat, especially if you have both dogs and cats in your home.
However, there are many factors that need to be considered before choosing the right flea and tick medication for your cat, as well as weight. Most importantly, using cat chopping medicines using dog-specific fleas can be dangerous and fatal.
Key takeout
- Dog-specific flea and mites treatment ingredients are toxic to cats and can cause serious reactions.
- If you have a cat and dog, monitor them after flea and tick treatments have been applied topically to prevent the cat from licking it from the dog.
- Drug addiction for cat fleas and ticks is extremely dangerous. If you believe your cat has taken or overdose treatment for fleas and ticks, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Can I use cat dog flea and mites treatment?
The main reason you shouldn’t give cats fleas is to use mites formulated for dogs Permethrin (A common ingredient found in dog fleas and mites products).
Permethrin is a type of insecticide, a synthetic version of pyrethrin, and is a substance naturally found in chrysanthemum flowers. You can also find flea and ticking products containing pyrethrin, but this causes a lot of confusion. This is the truth:
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If used correctly, Pyrethrin It may be safe for cats
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Permethrin is not safe for cats and can even be fatal
Permethrin can be ingested or absorbed by the skin. Some of the many products including:
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Dog flea and mites medications including topical products and collars
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Treatment of environmental fleas and mites including liquids, powders, dust, aerosols and sprays
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Clothes treated with some repellents (usually including hiking, gardening and outdoor gear)
The best way to protect your cat is to avoid using products containing permethrin altogether. If that is not possible, read the product label to determine the time it needs to keep your cat away from the area and dog that has been treated (at least until the product is completely dry).
Symptoms of flea and tick treatment in cats
Cats can be exposed to permethrin via oral, breathing, and local routes, such as licking and grooming a treated companion dog, walking through recently treated wet areas, or rubbing permethrin onto recently applied surfaces.
Signs of permethrin toxicity in cats may include:
If your cat comes in flea and tick products made for dogs, seek immediate veterinary care.
Your veterinarian may be able to treat your cat on an outpatient basis, or you may need to be hospitalized. The prognosis depends on the severity of the exposure, the clinical signs the cat has shown, and the response to treatment. The prognosis can range from good to poverty. Cats can die from permethrin toxicity.
Why can’t cats use dog fleas to chop up medicines?
There are two main reasons why cats should not use dog fleas and drugs.
Cats are different to their response to drugs
Cats and dogs have important differences in liver metabolism. This is the main reason permethrin can be safely used on dog fleas and mites products, but it is not used in cat fleas and mites products.
Cat systems cannot safely metabolize chemicals, which can have negative effects on many organ systems, leading to respiratory, nervous, gastrointestinal complications and even death.
Size matters
Cat size is an important factor in determining the appropriate dosage of flea and tick medication. Medicines are not always evenly distributed across pills and liquids.
Weigh your cat and use a suitable cat safe treatment or prevention of its weight range. Your vet will help you get accurate weight before determining the right dosage.
However, remember that the weight of a pet (cat or dog) is not the only factor that determines the dosage and absorption of the medication. Dogs and cats treat drugs differently, and formulations made for cats are based on their own needs.
That’s also important Do not provide dog fleas and mites treatment for dogs.
Flea and tick medications that are safe for cats and dogs
Both cats and dogs have several safe brands and formulations of flea and mites preventive measures and/or treatment. Below is a list of medications labeled specifically for cats that are safe when used at the right dose. Most of these products are also available to dogs and are great options for treating dogs living with cats.
Other medications you might consider are:
reference
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Toynton, K. ;Rukinen, B. ; Buhl, K. ;Stone, D. National Pesticide Information Center. Permethirn Technical Fact Sheet. March 2009.
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Gwaltney-Brant, S. Veterinary Information Network. Pyrethrin/pyrethroid toxicity (cat). January 2016.