Can I de flea my pet without a vet?

Flea treatments you can use without a vet

Click on each treatment option to understand what it does best and the type of pet it would work for.

• Spot on flea treatment (flea drops)

  Arguably the most effective flea treatment, Spot On or Topical flea treatment work best to kill adult fleas on your pet, as well as stop any fleas from developing. So it can fight off any fleas, and also prevent fleas from jumping on your pet again. Not all spot on flea treatments are equal though, make sure you opt for one that breaks the flea life cycle, like Itch Flea Treatment for Cats & Dogs. This is important because the root of a flea problem is the flea eggs, not the adult fleas, so a spot on treatment that targets all flea life stages should remove fleas instantly and never let them come back!

  Spot on flea treatment acts as a preventive so it works best for cats and dogs that need protecting all year round. Since fleas are not just a summer problem, pets that regularly venture outside and interact with other pets should be on preventative flea treatment.

• Oral flea tablets

  Oral flea tablets or pills are fast-acting flea treatment for cats and dogs, some even kill fleas in as quick as 30 minutes, just like Itch Instant flea tablet in the Get Rid Of Fleas in Home Kit. Flea tablets are available online and can be given routinely or on a one off basis to your pet, making them an accessible flea treatment you can use without a vet.

  Oral flea tablets or chews work best for pets who aren't fussy, after all getting a cat to swallow a pill is not easy! If your pet is down to eat anything then flea tablets are an option, otherwise you should think about spot on flea treatment.

• Flea collars

  Flea collars are an effective flea solution for killing adult fleas. They don't require an expensive vet prescription and can be worn by your pet for a long amount of time. Flea collars are a practical flea treatment that doesn't put chemicals into your pet's bloodstream. However, flea collars are best for killing adult fleas already on your pet and won't treat flea eggs or larvae. This means they won't work best for homes with an infestation or a multi-pet household.

• Flea shampoos

  Flea shampoos are a gentle chemical treatment to wash your pet with once you spot fleas. You can buy these in supermarkets or online without a vet. Flea shampoos need to be safe to be used all over your pet's fur meaning they don't use the same level of active ingredients than a spot on flea treatment or flea tablet would use. This means they're good as a helping hand to get rid of fleas on your cat or dog, but shouldn't be relied on as an effective flea killer solution.

• Flea comb

  A good flea comb is a thin, tooth-combed brush that picks up fleas on your pet well - It can get in between every hair and close to the skin. Technically a flea comb is a natural method to helping get rid of fleas but it is not an effective flea treatment and won't kill fleas on your pet. A flea comb works best in conjunction with a spot on flea treatment or oral flea tablet. It's great for pet parents who sometimes forget the pet care admin of grooming your cat or dog, it can double up as flea killer support as well as some quick TLC.