First time Frontline user?

Question

I just had my first infestation of Fleas with my 4 indoor cats, and was told Frontline was the way to go. Plus all my friends at the shelter recommend it for cats. Now, ive never used a flea treatment before, and websites have proven to NOT answer my questions. So I ask here :) How toxic is it to cats. Mine are extremely uncomfertable lol, as would I be with some crap on my skin. Is it safe for them to itch that spot if they can reach it. And what about licking, will it make them sick?? So far my cats seem to be okay just HIGHLY bothered. Any information from current or previous users would be apppriciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

I had a bad bout of fleas a few years ago and started using frontline plus.

I have found that my cats HATE having that stuff put on them,. From other people who have used the stuff on dogs and cats say that it sometimes stings the animals. However, this is not harmful. It is harmful if the cats lick and eat the medicine as it is toxic. that is why you ahve to put it in between their shoulder blades. This is because it is harder for them to reach it and they are less likely to lick all the medication off. This insures that the animal does not get poisoned and that the fleas (if there are any) go away and die.

Frontline is an established company and is recommended by most vets...the vets that dont recommend it normally recommend Advantage, or something like that.

It is fine for them to scratch. my cats have gotten better about it, but not a whole lot. Like you said it is uncomfortable, however highly effective. I have not had fleas since.

Answer 2

Well, do you have the spot or the spray?, either way, yes it is safe and WAY SAFER than that trash that you find in supermarkets and superstores (like k-mart or walmart), NEVER get those not even for dogs!!!. Many cats have come to my hospital intoxicated with those products. My advice would be to use advantage (I like it better for topical use on cats), there are 2 kinds of advantage: for cats over 9 pounds and under 9 pounds (use accordingly) it is a small amount of liquid that you place on the back of their necks (spot) and then use the frontline spray for spraying around the house because those little blood suckers are experts at hiding out. Include bedding, sofas, carpets and anywhere your kitties hangout (not sure if it'll stain wood so try it first on other surfaces), don't worry about the smell, it smells kinda like rubbing alcohol. Then in 3-4 weeks repeat the advantage, and then again for a total of 4 doses if the infestation is large, if it is mild to medium 2 doses should suffice. By the way, after it dries up it doesn't bother them at all. My cat doesn't notice either way, I treat him sporadically as a prevention method, luckily he's never had fleas. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Go with Frontline Plus, if you haven't already. You should apply it between the shoulder blades where they can't reach to lick it. The good thing about Frontline as opposed to grocery-store type flea treatments (which can literally kill cats) is that it is only absorbed into the sebaceous glands--that is, the skin. It does not through the skin go into their system, which the cheaper brands (Hartz, specifically, is one I know nearly killed a cat) do, which is why they're dangerous. I've used Frontline on many cats; for some, it's a temporary irritant, I think, yet two days ago I put it on a cat that's sort of been adopted by my neighborhood and he didn't bat a whisker. I had one cat (now deceased--of old age) who treated me as though I was applying acid, but that went away very quickly and I think had more to do with how undignified she felt. While it's still wet it may rub off on your furniture, but it dries very quickly. Do NOT apply it more than every 30 days, and follow the instructions. Here's a hint--find it on ebay (but be careful)--I buy mine from a distributor in Australia for considerably less per dose than can be gotten here. I called Merial (The manufacturer) and the formula is identical. I now order it for me and two of my neighbors--I just got 24 applications (we have multiple cats, and summer's pn the way) at about $7 apiece, including shipping, compared to $15.50 apiece charged by my vet. I've become my neighborhood (cat) drug dealer!!! (I only charge cost)

Answer 4

I have been using frontline and found that the cats had hairloss at the treatment site and they too would itch initially. Don't let them lick it, it's designed to be absorbed through the skin, it's toxic if ingested as the organs can't cope with it delivered that way.

I'm sure it's safe on the skin but I don't like the fact it took the hair off and in one case it's never grown back. Obviously my cats have an allergy or sensitivity to it.

Having said that, I prefer advantage, I have never had a problem with it.

Answer 5

Apply it on the back of their necks where they cannot reach it by turning their heads and you'll be fine. If they do lick it, it may cause foaming at the mouth and upset tummy. The reason they seem to get real antsy right after you apply it is the alcohol evaporating from their skin, it can make the skin "crawl" some. If you get it on you, just wash it off. Try not to pet the area for about 24 hours, and same with baths (if you are brave enough to give your cats baths), do not give for 24 hours before or after applying it.
Hope that helps.

Answer 6

Hey, Are you using the spray or the drops between the shoulders. The spray is good to over all spray them and you can use it on floor etc. so that is good, mine don't like the spray and I usually try to comb it in to get it to the skin (have a soapy water cup to drown the fleas on the comb near by) I use the drops between the shoulders on the feral around the house and they do well and don't seem to be bothered by it, it also helps with ticks. as for the house use a powder on the furniture and rug and vacuum it up after the allot ed time (CHANGE THE BAG) after each vacuuming so that fleas and eggs don't stay in the house. it takes a few cycles to kill all eggs, larvae and adults. Good luck

Answer 7

I've used Frontline Plus on my cats for years. It never bothers them. Sometimes they get freaked out that I'm putting it on them, but it doesn't hurt them.

If you apply it right, they can't reach it. Usually the next day, you can't even tell that you put it on. I've never noticed my cats being highly bothered by it.

Your cats should be just fine. I'm sure the medicine isn't as bad as having fleas on them nonstop.

Answer 8

you could, even with the undeniable fact that it is not any longer counseled. you could wisely degree the dosage. this is why they make 2 products. no could order the Frontline, you need to purchase it at a puppy save. your place will now become infested with fleas, so which you will could call out a expert exterminator, and characteristic your place and backyard sprayed for no less than some months.

Answer 9

Since you are applying the Frontline to the back of their necks only, there shouldn't be a problem with them licking it off of their bodies, unless they can really contort themselves, lol.

Mine are uncomfortable when I first apply it, but after a few hours they don't seem to mind it.

Answer 10

They will be fine. The idea is to part the fur as much as you can, to get it on their skin. They shouldn't be able to lick it, though. It should be on the back of their necks.