Providing solid flea protection for cats is vital. Flea bites cause itching and make cats scratch and bite themselves, which can lead to skin infections. These tiny parasites can transmit disease-causing bacteria and tapeworms to cats. Fleas are so problematic that veterinarians recommend protecting indoor and outdoor cats against them.

It’s critical to speak to your veterinarian before selecting a flea product; using the wrong one can have devastating consequences. This also applies to over-the-counter medications you can purchase at pet stores.

Some flea products designed for dogs are toxic to cats, and a veterinarian must check pets with medical issues before their owners use a preventative formula. To help you find the best product for your cat, we have reviews of the top flea drops and a handy buyer’s guide.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Flea Drops For Cats In 2024

1. Advantage II Flea Spot Treatment for Cats – Best Overall

Advantage II Flea Spot Treatment for Cats is our pick for the best overall flea drops for cats since it delivers long-lasting protection against fleas and is available without a prescription. It works for 30 days and kills flea larvae, eggs, and adult fleas.

It’s fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about overwhelming odors. It even has the added benefit of being waterproof after 24 hours. The treatment can be used in cats who are at least 8 weeks old and weigh 5 pounds. Keep in mind that it only protects against fleas; it’s not designed to be effective against ticks, roundworms, ear mites, hookworms, or heartworms.

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2. Revolt Topical Solution for Cats – Best Value

Revolt Topical Solution is the best flea product for cats for the money. It’s effective against adult fleas and their eggs, and it also works on heartworms and kills hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites. Unfortunately, it’s not formulated to keep ticks at bay.

It’s designed for cats who are at least 8 weeks old, and it comes pre-measured for pets of different weights. It’s specifically formulated for cats who weigh between 5.1 and 15 pounds. Each application is good for one month, and the product is only available with a prescription from your veterinarian.

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3. Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats – Premium Choice

Revolution Plus Topical Solution provides broad-spectrum protection and only needs to be applied once a month to be effective. It kills fleas, ticks, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms. It also prevents heartworm infections.

It’s crucial to pick the formula that corresponds to your cat’s weight; there are three options to choose from. Revolution Plus may be worth considering if your cat regularly goes outside and needs heavy-duty parasite protection.

Revolution Plus contains a chemical that may rarely cause neurological signs like seizures. It requires a prescription to purchase, and we recommend discussing any concerns with your veterinarian before using it.

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4. Revolution Topical Solution for Kittens & Puppies — Best for Kittens

Revolution Topical Solution for Kittens & Puppies is designed for baby cats. It can be used in kittens once they reach 8 weeks old, and it’s safe for cats who weigh less than 5 pounds.

The drops protect against fleas and ear mites (which kittens are prone to getting). The solution also helps prevent heartworm infections. You’ll need to speak to your veterinarian if you’re interested in purchasing Revolution Topical Solution, as it’s only available by prescription.

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5. Cheristin Flea Spot Treatment for Cats

Cheristin Flea Spot Treatment is a nice option that concentrates on getting rid of fleas. It works quickly — it only takes about 30 minutes to kick in and is designed to kill 98% of fleas in 12 hours or so.

It can be used on kittens once they’re 8 weeks old if they weigh at least 1.8 pounds. Unfortunately, the solution doesn’t provide tick protection. Each application lasts up to 6 weeks, but the manufacturer suggests applying it monthly for top efficacy. It’s an over-the-counter formula, so you don’t need a prescription.

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6. NexGard COMBO Topical for Cats

NexGard COMBO Topical is effective against several parasites, including fleas, heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms. It can even get rid of tapeworm infections. It kills adult fleas, black-legged ticks, and Lone Star ticks.

It’s ideal for younger pets since it can be used once kitties reach 8 weeks old, but they must weigh at least 1.8 pounds for the product to be safely administered. Like other effective tick preventions, it can have rare neurological side effects. The medication requires a prescription and can be expensive.

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7. Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats

Bravecto’s Topical Solution eliminates ticks and fleas. Each dose delivers 12 weeks of protection against fleas and regular ticks and can keep Lone Star ticks away for up to 8 weeks.

You’ll likely need to look a bit further if you’re looking for flea protection for your kitten since Bravecto is only approved for cats who are at least 6 months old and weigh at least 2.6 pounds. However, as with other drugs in this class, use in cats with neurological conditions should be cautious and discussed with your vet. You’ll need to present a valid prescription to order it.

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8. Advantage XD Small Cat Treatment

Advantage XD Small Cat Treatment is an easy-to-use, long-lasting formula that doesn’t require a prescription. Each application keeps fleas at bay for about 2 months, which makes it effective when it comes to managing infestations, as each pack lasts longer than a typical flea’s life cycle.

It can be used once cats reach 8 weeks old if they weigh at least 1.8 pounds. The drops go to work quickly and kill fleas in about 30 minutes. It’s fragrance-free, so it may be worth considering if your cat is sensitive to strong odors.

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9. Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats

Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment works for one month and is effective against adult fleas as well as flea larvae and eggs. It also keeps cats safe from ticks and chewing lice. It’s designed to keep new infestations at bay. The drops can be used once cats have reached 8 weeks and weigh 1.5 pounds.

It’s waterproof after 24 hours, so it won’t get washed off if your buddy gets caught in a rainstorm, but it doesn’t protect against hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites. It’s an over-the-counter product, so you don’t need a prescription to buy it.

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10. PetArmor Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Cats

PetArmor’s Plus Flea & Tick Spot Treatment keeps fleas, ticks, and chewing lice on the run for up to 1 month. It’s formulated to eliminate adult fleas, flea larvae, and eggs as well.

It’s waterproof after 24 hours, so your cat will be protected even if they get wet. The drops can be used on 8-week-old felines that weigh at least 1.5 pounds.

It’s an over-the-counter formula, but you should still run it by your veterinarian before putting it on your cat! Unfortunately, it’s ineffective against ear mites, hookworms, and roundworms.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Flea Drops for Cats

There are a few things to consider when shopping for flea preventatives, including your cat’s age, whether they regularly go outside, their health conditions and coat type, and where you live. Keep in mind that cats cannot use canine flea products since many contain the chemical permethrin, which can kill cats.

Age

Many flea products aren’t safe for kittens, but some are okay to use once kittens reach about 8 weeks old.

Inside or Outside

Indoor and outdoor cats can get fleas, but outdoor cats require protection against ear mites and ticks as well. It’s important to select a product that will keep your companion safe from the parasites they’re most likely to encounter.

Location

The parasites pet parents need to be most concerned about can vary by geographical location, so it’s important to make sure you’re protecting your cat against problematic pests in the area where you live.

Health Conditions

Not all flea treatments are appropriate for cats with medical conditions. Cats with the MDR-1 gene mutation, linked to increased drug sensitivity, have trouble with some flea treatments.

Owners of cats with neurological diseases or seizures should be conscious of which flea prevention they use, and discuss options with their vet. There’s some evidence that isoxazoline products may occasionally cause adverse reactions such as seizures and other neurologic issues. The drugs in this class may, rarely, cause seizures in cats who have never experienced them before. This risk needs to be weighed up against the risk of vector-borne diseases and other problems caused by parasites.

Weight

Most flea products are formulated for cats of specific weights, and the right dose depends on how much your cat weighs.

Protection Requirements

If your cat has a specific parasite like lice or tapeworm, you should choose an appropriate product.

All cats should be wormed, but your cat may be on a separate worming product already. If you’re not already covered for worms, you should choose a product that kills worms too. Speak to your veterinarian about the best product for your cat.

Application Frequency

If you’ve narrowed down your options to one or two brands, it may be worthwhile to consider the application frequency. Some brands need to be applied every month, and others are effective for up to 12 weeks.

Prescription or Over-the-Counter Products

Some topical flea products don’t require a prescription to purchase. Most target fleas or fleas and ticks, but it’s sometimes possible to find brands that are effective against chewing lice.

Products designed to deal with fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms usually require a prescription. However, it’s best to check with your veterinarian to ensure that whichever product you select is appropriate for your cat’s needs and medical history.

Conclusion

We hope these reviews have given you a few places to get started and sparked a few questions to ask your veterinarian before deciding which brand to select. Advantage II Flea Spot Treatment for Cats is an effective over-the-counter brand that kills fleas and their eggs. Revolt Topical Solution protects against fleas as well as heartworms and hookworms and doesn’t cost a bundle. Revolution Plus Topical Solution is a prescription product that delivers extended protection that’s effective against heartworms and ticks.

• Also see: Natural Home Remedies for Cats With Fleas (Vet Approved)

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Featured Image Credit: goodluz, Shutterstock