Many drugs have been developed to prevent the appearance of blood-sucking insects on the hair of domestic animals and their destruction. The most effective and safe are drops from fleas, which also affect ticks. Means are most often recommended for the treatment of adults, but for puppies and kittens there is also a special line.
Reason for popularity
Drops from fleas are popular with ordinary pet owners, and are also recommended for use by veterinarians. The reason for this lies in the following factors:
- Low cost of the drug along with high efficiency and safety for the animal. Anti-flea drugs have a different price range, but it is the drops that are more accessible to the ordinary consumer.
- Using the tool, you can not only save cats and dogs from bloodsucking parasites, but also provide them with long-term protection. The validity of the drops is about two months, but if the animal is often bathed, then the time can be reduced to two weeks.
- Drops from fleas begin to act instantly. If the insects have already settled in the pet’s hair, but immediately after processing they quickly leave the dangerous area. Those parasites that have bitten the treated skin immediately die. Parasites feel danger and do not even come close to the animal, on the withers of which they applied drops.
- Many drops have a complex effect and kill not only fleas, but also ticks, water-eaters and other blood-sucking parasites. There are tools that can affect helminths and their larvae.
- Flea drops are easy to use and do not require special storage conditions. Typically, the manufacturer releases the drug in a disposable pipette, so after use it is simply thrown away. The package, as a rule, contains several doses of the drug, so one pack is enough for a long time.
- No need to use personal protective equipment. Before processing, it is not necessary to wear gloves and cover the face with a bandage. Drops are not toxic, do not have a pungent odor. After the procedure, it is recommended only to wash your hands with soap.
It is obvious that a flea preparation in the form of drops significantly simplifies the life of the animal owners and helps protect the pet from parasite attacks.
Negative reviews
Like any insecticidal drug, anti-flea also has several disadvantages. In reviews, people warn that drops can cause an individual allergic reaction. Moreover, skin rashes, redness and respiratory phenomena can occur in animals and humans.
Caution should be exercised when handling kittens. If an adult cat licks them, then poisoning can occur. It is necessary to constantly monitor the pets, some time after the procedure and not to allow their excessive washing.
Particularly sensitive people and animals may not like the chemical smell that lasts on the coat for several days.
Drop principle
As soon as flea drops for cats or dogs fall on the animal’s hair, they immediately penetrate the upper layer of the epidermis. However, the active substance does not enter the bloodstream, which reduces the likelihood of intoxication. The parasite receives its share of the poisonous substance in two ways:
- contact - through the outer shell;
- intestinal - with a bite of infected skin.
In modern drops against bloodsucking parasites, substances with a juvenoid effect are often present. Such components block the development of an insect at any stage of its life. Such funds will be most effective if it is necessary to rid the animal of the larvae or eggs of parasites. Drops will simply stop their growth, which will lead to their extinction.
The main active components of the drops
Drops from fleas for cats incorporate antiparasitic components that are detrimental to bloodsucking, but safe for animals. Among the main active ingredients, the most common are:
- Fipronil. It is able to destroy an insect with intestinal contact and contact exposure. In the layers of the skin retains its effect for a long time, providing a lasting preventive effect. After the parasite bites the infected skin or external contact occurs, the transmission of nerve impulses is blocked in the body, which leads to immediate death. However, there are cases when fleas develop a strong immunity against finopril. Therefore, veterinarians recommend alternating anti-parasite products that have different active composition.
- Permethrin. A low-toxic ingredient, often used in drops intended for kittens or puppies. It affects the nervous system of insects and penetrates inside it by contact or intestinal method.
- Ivermectin. The principle of action is similar to finopril, it also blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. But, in addition, ivermectin is effective against larvae and eggs. The substance is of medium toxicity, therefore it is very important to observe the exact dosage and follow the instructions. Drops based on it are not recommended for the treatment of kittens, puppies, weakened animals, pregnant and lactating pets. Among the contraindications, certain breeds of dogs (collie, sheltie) are also indicated.
- Pyriproxyphene. Pretty quickly deals with dolls, eggs and larvae of blood-sucking parasites. It has a low level of toxicity, but the substance quickly stops the development of insects at the larval stage.
- Diflubenzuron. Toxicity is low, but on the development of insects has a powerful effect. At the time of their development, the production of the chitinous membrane stops, which makes the parasite completely unprotected and susceptible to any insecticide.
On sale you can find flea drops for cats, the instruction of which says that they contain only natural ingredients. Mainly used are persistent odor essential oils and herbal extracts. The drugs are not toxic, they do not contribute to the death of blood-sucking parasites, but they are able to repel fleas from the animal. However, caution should be exercised when using such products, because essential oils can cause an individual allergic reaction.
Selection recommendations
Any responsible breeder wants to choose good flea drops. Not all drugs are equally effective and completely safe. At the same time, veterinarians advise picking up drops depending on the age of the pet and its general condition. The composition is distinguished by the concentration of the active ingredient and the presence of additives. To choose the best option, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Be sure to clarify the active component, its concentration and toxicity. When flea and tick drops are selected, the instructions should be studied with great care. It always indicates the dosage and indications for use.
- It is necessary to study the feedback of breeders and the opinion of veterinarians about the drug.
- When choosing it is worth considering the age of the pet. After all, all drugs differ not only in composition, but also in the concentration of the active component. For adults, the percentage will always be higher, so the use of such drops in kittens and puppies can cause poisoning.
- For weakened pets and elderly individuals, special preparations can be purchased that take this feature into account.
- Be sure to pay attention to the packaging, its integrity and the presence of a hologram of the manufacturer. The expiration date must be appropriate.
How to use drops
Before using flea drops, the instructions should be read. The dosage will depend on the weight of the pet and its general condition. Consider the main points requiring attention:
- Before treatment, it is recommended to wash the animal with zoo shampoo, but not insecticidal.
- The wool is well dried and combed.
- Drops on the withers of fleas for cats are applied without rubbing. A large pet needs to process a line along the spine. This place is selected taking into account security. The animal will not be able to lick the withers area, and accordingly will not receive poisoning.
- During the procedure, the animal is spread out, the tip of the pipette is cut off and a drop is applied to the skin. A large pet may need a few drops. The used pipette must be discarded, but exclude the ingestion of another animal in the hands of the child or paws.
- After the procedure, you should carefully monitor the four-legged friend. Adult pets should not lick treated pups. Also, for 3-4 days you can not bathe a dog or a cat and walk in the rain and snow.
- The procedure must be repeated after a certain period of time, which depends on the lifestyle of the pet and the frequency of his bathing.
Possible mistakes
When pet owners find fleas on their skin, they often acquire special drops. But at the same time, some make typical mistakes. Any breeder should know the rules for using the product, so as not to harm the health of the animal.
The increased dosage. Sometimes the breeder does not read the instructions and squeezes the entire contents of the pipette onto the cat's skin, although only one drop is needed. In this case, serious poisoning occurs. Signs of this condition:
- muscle weakness and tremor:
- mucosal inflammation;
- increased salivation;
- redness of the skin.
However, a reduced dosage is also harmful. The effectiveness of this approach is extremely low, and the likelihood of immunity in parasites increases.
Sometimes the owners violate the technology of applying drops and apply them to the stomach, paws and under the throat of the dog. In this case, the animal easily licks the drug and gets severe insecticide poisoning. Such improper use can lead to sad consequences. Therefore, they drip exclusively at the withers. This place is inaccessible to the language of the animal.
Often in the house live adults and their cubs. In this case, the owners use the same drug. But the drug in an adult dosage can be harmful, because the concentration of the active component there is much higher.
Sometimes owners of cats use drops intended for dogs to treat fleas. This is not recommended, because cats often produce an allergic reaction.
In no case should you use several drugs at once against parasites. If you use drops at the same time as a special collar and shampoo, then the insecticidal load on the animal increases significantly, which causes serious health problems.
Popular drops against fleas
Flea drops for cats are quite popular with breeders. Feedback from ordinary people and expert opinion will help make the right choice. Consider the most popular drugs and their features. Below are the options for both cats and dogs.
Drops from fleas and ticks "Bars"
The manufacturer offers an option for both cats and dogs. "Bars Forte" is designed for adults weighing from 2 to 50 kg. It can also be used to process puppies of large breeds. The main active ingredients are fipronil and ivermectin. The package contains three pipettes. One dose can protect the pet from blood-sucking parasites for one month.
Drops from fleas "Bars" are available for cats. In this case, the main component is one fipronil. But the protection extends for two months.
Use the drug according to a single principle, applying to the withers. Adult cats weighing more than three kilograms require a whole pipette for one use. For kittens and pets with low weight, only 10 drops are required. Drops from fleas for cats "Bars" are usually well tolerated by animals, he has no adverse reactions. If you strictly follow the instructions, then the drops are quite effective and are able to provide protection for a long time.
Bars flea drops for dogs must be used in accordance with the weight of the pet and breed. If an adult weighs up to 10 kg, then one pipette is required, from 10 to 20 kg - two pipettes. For especially large dogs, it is necessary to take four doses of the drug.
For puppies and small breeds, the weight of which is no more than 3 kg, you need to take 20 drops. The tool is also applied to the withers. Large individuals are treated along the spine.
"Bayer Advantix 40" for puppies
If it is necessary to treat puppies or a small breed dog, then Bayer Advantix 40 is recommended. The product is suitable for animals weighing no more than 4 kg. Puppies can be processed starting from two months of age.
The main active ingredients are less toxic permethrin and imidacloprid. The death of parasites after treatment occurs within 12 hours. Moreover, the drops have a fairly strong deterrent effect. The protection time is about 1.5 months. The drug is one of the expensive. One package contains four pipettes.
Greenfort - bio-drops for small breeds
The main component is a natural citronella extract. Designed for dogs of small breeds, but can only be used on adults. Drops are not able to kill existing bloodsuckers, but they are effectively scared away.
According to breeders, the product has a rather pungent odor. However, the toxicity of the droplets is at the lowest level, therefore, does not harm the animal. It can be used successfully as a prophylaxis.
"Bayer Profender" for young cats
Drops from fleas for kittens always have a lower concentration of the active substance. This drug is approved for use in the treatment of kittens, starting from two weeks of age, and can also be used for pregnant and lactating animals.
The drug is low toxic. It contains emodepside and praziquantel.
"Beafar Bio" on a natural basis
The drug is recommended for young cats, starting from 12 months. Drops are made on the basis of natural extracts of pyrethrum and margose, as well as cedar, sunflower and citronella oils. The biological agent is classified as repelling. It also effectively relieves itching from parasite bites. Drops do not kill blood-sucking insects, but do not allow their appearance and reproduction on the treated hair of kittens. Drops are completely non-toxic. Their effect extends for about a month.
Vermicon Line-On - flea protection
Fancy drops that are silicone based. The tool completely immobilizes parasites, contributes to blockage of their respiratory tract and rapid death. Aloe extract is added to the drops to provide antibacterial properties. The term of protection is about a month.
Finally
To protect your pet from fleas and ticks, you must regularly process. For this, experts recommend using drops. They are less toxic, their effectiveness is quite high, and the drugs are well tolerated by animals.
In order for the procedure to be successful, bring positive results and not harm the pet, the instructions should be strictly observed. Processing is carried out depending on the weight and breed of the animal.