How Long Does It Take for Flea Medicine to Work?

If you’ve just begun to treat your pet for fleas, you’re probably watching them and waiting for the fleas to vanish instantly from their fur. Many pet parents expect the fleas to magically vanish from their pet's fur, and experience a great sense of frustration when they see fleas still roaming them.

To get rid of this frustration, it’s important to learn how long flea treatment takes to kill fleas. Different types of flea medications work at different speeds, and seeing a flea doesn’t mean they are effective. Results depend on the type of treatment used, the severity of the infestation, and the environment where your pet lives.

In this article, we will learn the time it takes for flea and tick medicine to work, how to target and kill fleas in different life stages, and what to do to speed things up. This will apply to both cats and dogs, while noting differences between the species. Let’s jump right in and learn how to keep your pet free from fleas and ticks!

How Flea Medicine Works (Cats & Dogs) — The Science Made Simple

It’s important to know that flea medications don’t kill fleas instantly after being applied to your pet. It begins to work as the fleas come in contact with or ingest the active ingredient. The way a product works depends on which parts of the flea's life cycle it targets. There are four stages of the flea's life cycle:

• Adult fleas

• Eggs

• Larvae

• Pupae (cocoons)

From these, only 1-5% are on your pets’ fur. The rest of them are hidden in the carpet, bedding, and different hidden places in the house. This is why in severe infestations, one treatment isn’t enough, especially if it isn’t combined with good hygiene. It’s important to know and understand how fleas live and reproduce, because even if you’ve given your pet treatment, new fleas may hatch over the next day and cause unnecessary worry and frustration. It can be said that seeing fleas after treatment is normal during the days of treatment.

How Long Does Each Type of Flea Treatment Take to Work?

Seeing the available types of flea treatments can cause a sense of overwhelm for pet owners, especially those who are first-time pet owners and are still learning how to properly take care of their pet. Knowing how long flea and tick medicine takes to work, how long they protect your pet, which is better for sensitive pets, and which for those kept outside helps owners understand what’s normal during the first days after treatment.

To make it easier to understand the basics, we’ve made a table that explains the most important information regarding different types of products:

Why You Might Still See Fleas After Treatment

Even though you have done everything to protect your pet and have seen results, like less itching, fleas may appear on your pet or around the household every once in a while. These fleas don’t always mean that the treatment is failing; it can mean the treatment is still progressing through the flea's different life cycle.

Seeing fleas after treatment happens because:

• There are still eggs and larvae present in the pet's bedding, the carpets, and cracks around the house.

• There are fleas in other stages of the life cycle.

• You’ve underdosed your pet with flea treatment, making it less effective against fleas.

• You’ve given your pet a bath too soon after applying the topical treatment.

The most dangerous mistake an owner can make is treating their pet cat with products intended for dogs. Cats and dogs aren’t the same animal, and the differences between the two species make using products for them unsuitable. Cats are more sensitive than dogs, and they metabolize chemicals differently. Those ingredients and dosages used in canine flea treatment usually contain higher doses and ingredients that are toxic to cats.

Cat vs Dog Flea Treatment Differences

Both cats and dogs can be treated for fleas, but not in the same way. There are differences in the way their bodies handle the ingredients used in flea treatment, making knowing the distinctions very important. Dogs are more tolerant, and they can handle products that have stronger and higher doses. Big-breeds might require larger doses in order to be well protected against fleas.  

We’ve already mentioned that cats are more sensitive compared to dogs, and they can’t tolerate and metabolize some substances that are commonly used in products intended for other pets because of an absence of special liver enzymes.

Some of these substances include pyrethroids or some types of essential oils. This raises the question, “How are natural-based products with essential oils, like FurLife, as ingredients, safe for cats?” While these products do contain essential oils, they are diluted and work only to contain the components that deter and kill fleas, and not cause toxicity in cats. This is why the most important rule that pet owners need to know is to never use dog products on cats because of their higher sensitivity!

The dosages used in flea treatments, and how potent the active ingredient is, depend on where the pet is kept. Usually, veterinarians recommend stronger protection for those pets that are kept outdoors, since they are more predisposed to catching fleas, compared to pets kept indoors. But, this is a double-sided knife - Other veterinarians argue that it should be vice-versa, since indoor pets can develop flea-borne illness more easily because they are more sensitive. The right answer varies from owner to owner, and what they find the easiest, but also the most effective method of flea protection for their pet.

How to Speed Up Flea Treatment Results

Some owners want to see results from flea treatment more quickly, while others want to implement other types of flea deterrence if they are dealing with a severe infestation. To speed up flea treatment results, veterinarians recommend combining consistent pet care and thorough environmental cleaning.

The first, and most important step now, that we know the biggest number of fleas are not on your pet, but the environment, is to wash your pet's bedding in hot water, to kill eggs, larvae, and prevent them from hatching. Another foolproof tip is to vacuum daily for at least two weeks, which stimulates adult fleas to emerge from the cocoon and be killed more easily.

Another tip is to comb your pet with a flea comb every day. By physically removing live, dead, and flea dirt, it becomes easier to see how the treatment is working by seeing the ratio of live to dead fleas. It is also recommended to use a flea spray on your pet and their environment to target the remaining eggs that were missed. FurLife offers a natural-based spray against fleas and ticks, which works momentarily in killing fleas in different life stages, without posing a risk of toxicity to your pets and other household members.

For pets kept in a yard, it is advised to keep the yard clean and trimmed to lower the number of places where fleas can live and reproduce, like shrubs and plants that require higher moisture.

When wanting to achieve faster results, being consistent is key. By sticking to regular reapplication of flea treatment and dealing with fleas before they begin to reproduce, keeping your furry friend flea-free becomes from a burden to an easy task.

When to See a Vet

If you are dealing with a severe infestation or if your pet is more sensitive, they can develop flea-borne diseases. One research done in Cyprus determined that the most common pathogens found in not just fleas, but also ticks are:

• Anaplasma platis

• Rickettsia felis

• Hepatozoon felis and canis

• Bartonelosis (known as Cat Scratch Fever)

Diseases that ticks and fleas spread in the USA include Erlichiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Fever, and Flea-Borne Typhus. Fleas also carry parasites, like Dipilidium canainum, which can cause a digestive infestation. But fleas can cause symptoms without having a pathogen present, just by themselves.

It’s important to know when to see a veterinarian while managing flea infestations, especially if your pet has a history of developing serious symptoms as a reaction to the fleas themselves. Watch your pet for signs of:

• Hair loss

• Changes in skin and open sores, which might indicate flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)

• Persistent scratching even after treatment

• Changes in behavior

• Vomiting

• Page gums, which might indicate flea-induced anemia

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to stop treatment immediately and visit a veterinarian. By getting your pet checked professionally, you ensure that your pet remains safe and comfortable without any risks to their overall health and well-being.

Product Recommendation

If you are looking to offer your pet long-term protection, but with natural ingredients, then you should consider getting FurLifes anti-flea and tick products. FurLife is a brand that is made from pet lovers for pet lovers, assuring that each pet gets the protection and freedom it deserves.

FurLife offers different types of products, but with the same ingredient base - Elements from essential oils, like Cedarwood, Rosemary, or Spearmint Oil, which protect against fleas, but aren’t toxic to either cats or dogs. Our products include:

• FurLifes Repellent Pendants for Cats and Dogs - They offer up to 12 months of protection and work by making your pet seem unattractive to the fleas, as a result of the potent smells of the oils present in the tag. They are ideal for pets that have sensitive skin and can be personalized for each pet by choosing one of the 6 available colors.

• Similar to the pendant, FurLife offers Flea Collars for Cats and Dogs- They work by slowly releasing the active ingredient and slowly repelling and killing fleas over time. They offer up to 8 months of protection for both cats and dogs, making it ideal for pets that want a low-maintenance option while still keeping their pets comfortable.

• FurLifes Flea Spray, when combined with FurLifes Flea Shampoo, is a source of immediate relief during a sudden flea outbreak. The shampoo removes the fleas physically, while the spray is used after the bath to ensure that any remaining fleas are taken care of. But this spray has another role - It can be used in your house as part of a bigger flea treatment plan.

• FurlLifes also offers Oral Chews for households with multiple pets or in environments where flea seasons recur more often. They protect pets from the inside and are designed to be used to complement other prevention methods.

What are you waiting for? Head to our website and pick what works for both you and your pets, offering them a flea-free life and peace of mind. 

Conclusion

Now that we’ve reached the end of this article, we’ve learned all that there is to know about flea treatment, starting from how long flea treatment takes to kill fleas to the types of products and their pros and cons. It’s important to always remember that flea medication works best when being paired with consistency, proper care and keeping a clean environment.

Seeing fleas the first days after treatment shouldn't cause stress, since it doesn’t mean that the product is failing, but that the hidden flea eggs are hatching and coming out of their hiding spaces. As you continue keeping your pet flea-free, they will also be dealt with. By staying consistent, you can give your furry friends the comfort they deserve and give yourself peace of mind that they are protected.

When thinking about which products to choose, if you are seeking a natural but effective approach, consider using FurLifeas products, which aim to provide long-lasting protection for both cats and dogs, without using harsh chemicals. 

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