I have three cats who mutally groom; will front Line hurt them?

Question

I have always treated the house with a spray which keeps the place clear of fleas and their larvae for between 7 and 15 months.
This has worked very well for me for 10 + years.
Recently (six months or so), we had a fitted carpet in the bedroom and en suite bathroom, and a few weeks later we also had a new kitten.
I have treated the house this year but I have noticed the tell-tail signs of fleas recently. This is not a major infestation, I have only actually seen one flea.

I have always been worried about using the
little vials of front line on my cats, as soon after they were introduced, I heard of a cat dieing, the owner thought because he was grooming his pal. I really love my cats and I want to treat them but I am worried I could kill them by using something like this. They all groom each other. My youngest is five months old, the oldest well in his teens.

Is it safe? Can someone recommend something that is?
Please help!

Answer 1

Yes, it can harm them if they groom each other and lick it off each other.

The best suggestion anyone can give is talk to your vet about an alternate flea treatment. My dogs used to get a pill every month that worked rather effectively. It did nothing for ticks or mosquitoes but if your cats are indoor animals then those shouldn't really be a problem. Sorry, I don't remember the name of the pill.

Answer 2

I doubt the story of the cat dying was about Frontline, which is extremely safe stuff. Many other spot-ons, the ones you find at pet stores, have indeed caused many deaths however.

Grooming each other after Frontline shouldn't be a problem for your cat's health - if they get it in their mouths they will salivate a lot because it tastes VILE, but it shouldn'thurt them. But if they wash the Frontline off each other, obviously it isn't going to work!

If you read the instructions of the Frontline, I believe it recommends keeping animals apart for a few hours after application, until the stuff is dry. Also remember if you get the stuff right on the skin where it's supposed to be, rather than on the fur, it will be harder to lick off.

Chalice

EDIT: 'House' says "it's better to bath than to use a chemical" - and how is a flea shampoo NOT a chemical??

Answer 3

I don't use over the counter flea meds. None of them seem trustworthy to me. My vet gives me these little bottles of stuff 6 at a time. They're cheap enough. And as clean as you keep your place you may only need to apply this stuff once every two or three months. I wish I could tell you what it's called but I just recently threw away my last bottle and I'm quite forgetful. Sorry.

Tell your vet you're looking for the little bottles that you push the cap down to open the bottle and then rub the entire contents between the shoulder blades. He'll know exactly what you're looking for.

Meow!

Answer 4

I use Revolution on my cats monthly as a preventative to heathworms, fleas, ticks. etc. which is similar to Frontline in concept.

My cats usually go off somewhere in private to attempt to groom the spot (and fail), and then settle for grooming everywhere else because they feel violated and then they just sit for awhioe. After 2 hours, it is safe for humans to touch, and I assume safe for the cats. They normally do groom each other, but not at Revolution time.

You will just need to watch the cats after applying it to make sure they don't groom each other. I have on occasion missed the correct spot for Revolution and my cats were able to lick a little and they were fine. The key is too watch them and if any abnormals behavior starts to get them to a vet immediately.

Answer 5

Please use a flea and tick shampoo instead.Make sure to rinse the shampoo off well. Any chemicals placed on the fur can be digested by the cat. Keep the cats inside (indoor cats live longer) and bathe them at least once a week. Some cats can be allergic to flea collars, as well. It is better to bathe them instead of using chemicals.

Answer 6

i have used front line in the past but now i use strong hold it kills fleas and some worms in one go. it can only harm the cat if it licks it when it's still wet after you have just put it on, hence why you have to put it on the back of the neck but once the area is dry it's fine.that applies to frontline or strong hold.

Answer 7

I recommend going to www.greenpet.com.au - it is a great help for natural products which won't harm your pets.

I don't like chemical type things as they can build up in our system - whether human or animal - and cause allergies and other problems.

I've put a link in the source list below for a herbal spray.

Hope you get rid of the problem! Lime dust outside is wonderful for getting rid of outside fleas in the grass.

Answer 8

get some tablets instead. you can get them from the vets or pet shops.