How important is it to get topically applied flea treatments directly onto an animal's skin?

Question

My cat's fur is very thick & even when I separate it as best I can so I see a glimmer of skin, when I apply the flea medication it seems as though more of it gets on the fur than it does on the skin itself. I think for it to work, the skin has to absorb it, so I wonder how much of it he's actually getting - and thus how much that might reduce the effectiveness, & benefit, of the product. (I already tried the oral kind - my cat hated it, so it was difficult to administer; & it didn't seem to as good a job either, so I want to stick with the topical kind). I even tried using an electric clipper once to try to remove a small amt of the fur to get a slightly larger patch of skin available, but his fur is so dense, the clippers wouldn't do a thing so that didn't work). The topical kind works well at 1st, but the effect also seems to wear off in less than the 30 days it's suppose to last(my imagination?) - but that makes me wonder if maybe I'm just not getting enough of it on his skin ...?

Answer 1

It is important to get the treatment on the skin. Try holding the tube directly on his skin, where you've parted his his fur. Some will get on his fur. Try to get most of it on the skin, though. Make sure that you wait atleast 30 days before re-applying the treatment.
Always buy your topical flea treament from a vet. DON'T buy the over the counter stuff--it doesn't work at killing fleas, but it might just kill your cat.
If you do use a treament purchased from a vet and your cats fleas seem to have developed a tolerance for the product, ask your vet for a different brand. I used Advantage for years on my cats. Last summer, I noticed that it didn't seem to work at all anymore. I got Frontline Plus for cats from my vet and so far it works great.
It's also very important to know your cat's weight. Your cat's weight will determine which size tube you need. If you use too little, it won't work properly. If you use too much you can harm your cat even to the point of death. Always check with your vet as insecticides are neurotoxins!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!

Answer 2

The oral flea medications generally work extremely well. The problem could be that while you are treating your cat for fleas you are not treating your environment. If you haven't gotten rid of the fleas in your home then no amount of medication will work. This is because while the flea medication is making sure the ones on your cat are dead the ones in your carpet/furniture/etc. are multiplying. One flea can lay up top 20 eggs at a time!
To clean the home:
Vacuum rugs and furniture daily while treating the cat for fleas. You can purchase flea powder made to destroy fleas in carpets and bedding, or try ordinary table salt sprinkled on the carpets and upholstery then vaccuumed up the next day.
Cedar blocks and/or herbal sachets placed in between the cushions of upholstered furniture can help keep fleas away. Make sure you launder all the cat's bedding, and vaccuum or wash any place where fleas may nest.
If you still want to use topical flea medication on your cat here is how to apply it:
"Part the hair on the neck at the base of the skull until the skin is visible. Place the tip of the tube on the skin and squeeze the tube twice to apply the solution directly on the skin. Do not get this product in your pet's eyes or mouth. The product is bitter tasting and salivation may occur for a short time if the cat licks the product immediately after treatment. Treatment at the base of the skull will minimize the opportunity for the cat to lick the product."
Every site I checked said that it should only be applied to the back of the neck. Brush the cat first so it's easier to see which way the hair is going.
However, I do think the problem is that you are not treating the home for fleas. If the oral medication didn't work and neither did the topical medication, then it stands to reason that it must be an infestation in the environment.
Flea medication is very strong and very irritating to the skin, so you don't want to use too much on your cat. Nor will using more get rid of the fleas any better, especially if the fleas are not coming from your cat but from the carpet/sofa/bedding.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I have had that problem also in some of our long haired foster cats. The only advice I have is this: My hubby would hold the cat firmly but gently to keep it still and feed it cat treats. We would make sure they were on a secure surface, usually the kitchen table.Then I would take a flea comb bc they are really fine toothed and made to seperate fur to lift the fur away from the skin, then I would apply it. And yes, I think it is important for the meds to get on the skin. My experience with fleas is that they are always on the skin crawling around,not just hanging out in the fur anyway,so if the meds do not disperse thru the skin, I would say it would only kill fleas/eggs in that one spot and that is it.Also, the fleas would just flee that spot and go to other areas.I have had cats that we rescued that had fleas so bad, I have had to pull some off with tweezers just to make a dent in the population before meds were applied.And fleas tend to go to areas like the belly between the back legs,the armpits, and under their neck and head, so I think they would just go to those areas if the medicine did not get distributed there.Also, if nothing works,you could go to your vet or groomer and have them help you apply it.Good Luck!

Answer 5

Those "spot-ons" topical de-fleaers usually have a long nozzle that you can insert through thick fur and onto the cat's skin. That should be enough. If your de-fleaer isn't lasting the full 30 days, maybe you should try another brand. I put Avantage on my ong-haired kitty and it lasts more than a month. If yous till find difficulties, just cut back a spot of fur at the nape of his neck (when he is sleeping) with a pair of nail scissors. Don't use an eectric shaver.

By the way, you must have a gourgeous looking kitty with such a thick coat!

Answer 6

I purchased from Hartz One Spot,..Place the tip of the tube between the cats shoulder blades and squeeze out the entire contents. Repeat every 30 days if necesary..
This has helped my cats a great deal
Use on cats or kittens over the age of 12 weeks of age.
If you feel that the tube is not making contact to your kitty take a Q-tip and apply it as mentioned above.

Or call 1-800-275-1414 weekdays 9 to 5pm (est)

Answer 7

If you comb the cats neck before appling the topical flea killer you'll have better luck. What ever you do DO NOT USE HARTZ flea products they have killer and injured hundreds if not thousands of cats and dogs. Stick to the main brands Advantage and Frontline. Don't risk hurting your cat.

Answer 8

you need to get as much as posible on the skin.the treatments follow the oil glands on the skin to the hair all over the body.if you don't get it on the skin it won't work

Answer 9

try a flea collar other than that try garlic in the food