Fleas can be irritating at the best of times, but if left untreated, they can cause discomfort and even lead to your cat developing flea allergy dermatitis. At the first sign of fleas, it’s a great idea to treat your cat using a flea spray so you can start getting rid of those nasty little critters. The important thing is to break the flea life cycle, so your cat and home will be rid of all fleas, from adults to larvae and eggs too!

There’s plenty of flea sprays available on the market; the trouble is deciding which one is going to suit you and your cat best. Some sprays are designed for use on both your cat and home surfaces, while others should only be sprayed on your cat itself. There are versions using conventional pesticides and insect repellents, as well as natural alternatives that use plant-based extracts instead.

If you’re struggling to decide which flea spray to buy, our reviews can help you quickly and easily identify the best flea sprays for your cat.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Frontline Flea Spray	Choose from two bottle sizes 100% waterproof Effective for 30 days	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Vet's Best Cat Flea & Tick Home Spray	Available in two bottle sizes Non-staining 100% plant-based formula	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Cedarcide Original Biting Insect Cat Spray	Plant-based formula Quick-drying Can be used on cats and upholstery	CHECK PRICE
		Natural Care Cat Flea & Tick Spray	Made from plant-based extracts Safe for use around children Safe for use around children	CHECK PRICE
		Adams Plus Flea & Tick Pet Spray	Also works as a mosquito repellent Suitable for cats over 12 weeks Good value for the money	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Flea Spray for Cats

1. Frontline Flea Spray — Best Overall

If you’re looking for the best flea spray for cats out there, then you simply can’t beat Frontline Flea Spray. This spray gets to work right away and kills all life cycles of fleas, ticks, and biting lice. For cats who hate tablets or for kittens who are too young for topical treatments, this spray is a great choice. Once applied, it’s completely waterproof, so you can still give your cat a bath if they need one. It also continues working when exposed to strong sunlight, so your cat can sunbathe as usual.

Once applied, this spray remains effective for 30 days, and all live fleas will die within 24 hours of exposure. You may need to keep spraying your cat once a month to kill fleas that remain in the environment too. This spray is easy to apply, although you’ll need to wear gloves. Make sure your cat’s coat is damp. Frontline recommends one to two pumps per pound of your cat’s body weight. This spray is strong smelling, so it’s best to apply it in a well-ventilated area if you can.

2. Vet’s Best Cat Flea & Tick Home Spray — Best Value

As the best flea spray for cats for the money, we recommend the Vet’s Best Cat Flea & Tick Home Spray. As well as being safe to apply on cats over 12 weeks of age, this spray can also be used on furniture, pet bedding, crates, carpets, and more. Rather than use harsh chemicals, this contains a blend of steam-distilled essential oils, including peppermint oil and eugenol. So, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a more natural alternative.

Unlike chemical formulas, this flea spray smells great, and it’s safe to use both inside and outside. But bear in mind that it might not be quite as effective as chemical flea sprays, so you may need to reapply more frequently. This is recommended for cats over 12 weeks of age.

3. Cedarcide Original Biting Insect Cat Spray — Premium Choice

As a premium choice, the Cedarcide Original Biting Insect Cat Spray is our recommendation. This has a laboratory-tested effectiveness rate of 99% for killing fleas. This is made with natural, plant-based ingredients, including cedarwood oil, non-GMO soybean oil, and diatomaceous earth. This kills and repels fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, bed bugs, chiggers, and mites! When used regularly, it works to build a pest-repellent barrier around your cat.

This spray is completely safe to use around the whole family, and the quick-drying formula is non-oily and doesn’t leave any residue. This can be used weekly but works on contact, so you may need to keep reapplying as it works at killing off any infestation over a period of weeks. It’s also only effective on live fleas, so you’ll need to keep applying as the eggs and larvae mature. This has a pleasant smell due to the cedarwood, although some people will find it a bit strong! The only thing that keeps Cedarcide out of the top two positions on this list is the price, especially as you’ll need to apply this weekly.

4. Natural Care Cat Flea & Tick Spray

Sometimes trying to spray your cat’s tummy using a regular nozzle spray bottle can be a bit of a challenge if you need to turn the bottle upside down, but the Natural Care Cat Flea & Tick Spray takes care of that problem with its continuous 360-degree spray. This formula uses natural plant-based extracts, including clove extract and peppermint oil, to kill fleas, flea eggs, and ticks on contact.

This is suitable for cats and kittens aged 12 weeks and over. It’s great value for money, especially since it can also be used on soft furnishings, bedding, and other fabrics. The peppermint scent is appealing, unlike some flea sprays that use harsh chemicals. You may need to reapply this over a period of 30 days to break the flea cycle, as this doesn’t affect flea larvae.

5. Adams Plus Flea & Tick Pet Spray

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Pet Spray uses the active ingredients etofenprox, (S)-Methoprene and piperonyl butoxide to effectively break the flea life cycle and keep your cat or kitten free from both fleas and ticks. This trigger-action spray contains the same active ingredients as some of the most effective topical applications, so you can be sure that it will do a great job protecting your cat from irritating fleas.

If your cat suffers from flea allergy dermatitis, then this spray can help soothe and treat their skin, as well as quickly eliminate the fleas that cause the dermatitis in the first place. This spray is great value for the money and comes in two bottle sizes. The active ingredients can cause skin irritation for humans if you’re exposed to them repeatedly over a short amount of time. So, it’s best to wear gloves and minimize contact as much as possible.

6. Bayer Advantage Flea Treatment Spray

The Bayer Advantage Flea Treatment Spray contains pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide, and MGK 264 Insecticide Synergist. This spray effectively kills adult fleas, lea larvae, flea eggs, ticks, and lice. The whisper-quiet spray is perfect for nervous cats and can be used upside down for those hard-to-reach areas on their bellies. It will also help combat flea bite dermatitis and keep fleas from maturing enough to reach the stage at which they bite.

A single application of this spray lasts an incredible 100 days, so while this is a little more expensive per ounce than some other flea sprays, you get value for the money! This spray can also be used to treat bedding, carpets, upholstery, and more, to help remove any fleas that may be on your cat’s bedding and other surfaces.

7. Wondercide Rosemary Home & Pet Flea Spray

The Wondercide Rosemary Home & Pet Flea Spray. This spray is made in the U.S.A. without the use of harmful chemicals. Instead, it harnesses the power of naturally derived plant-based ingredients, including cedarwood oil and lemongrass oil. It also has a fresh rosemary scent and is completely safe to use on your cat, dog, and all home surfaces. You’ll initially need to apply this every 2 to 3 days to gain control of a flea infestation, but the good news is that you can safely use this repeatedly without worrying about exposing your cat to harsh chemicals.

This biodegradable formula is made in the U.S.A. and is safe enough to use on kittens and adult cats. However, it can’t be shipped to the states of Indiana, Maine, South Dakota, or North Dakota due to the fact that the product label has yet to be registered with those states.

8. Pet Naturals of Vermont Flea + Tick Spray

The Pet Naturals of Vermont Flea + Tick Spray uses lemongrass oil, cinnamon oil, sesame oil, and castor oil to effectively repel fleas, mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. This spray is made in the U.S.A., using a combination of natural plant-based ingredients inspired by the indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest. Rather than killing fleas, this spray creates a scent across your cat’s coat that is undesirable for these critters, so they should be discouraged from staying on your cat.

You may need to use this with another topical flea spray if you have an extreme infestation and want to kill fleas, as well as repel them. The good news is that thanks to the natural ingredients, this spray is safe to use on kittens of any age, unlike some other sprays that can’t be used when they’re very young. This spray has a lemongrass scent, which some cats and their owners may find strongly off-putting.

9. Ark Naturals Flea Flicker! Spray

Ark Naturals Flea Flicker! Spray harnesses the power of essential oils geraniol, eugenol, and peppermint to naturally repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. If your cat has skin sensitivities to traditional flea sprays, then this natural alternative might be the answer. Many natural sprays use citronella, cedarwood or leaf oil, and lemongrass, all of which can cause skin irritation.

This spray will only repel rather than kill fleas, so you may need to reapply this spray multiple times before you notice the number of fleas starting to decrease. Any flea larvae or eggs that are already on your cat or in your house will mature and grow into adult fleas before being affected by this spray. While it does use natural ingredients, it does have a strong scent that can be a little off-putting.

10. Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Spray

The Natural Chemistry Natural Flea Spray uses a blend of cinnamon oil, clove oil, cedarwood oil, and vanillin to kill adult fleas on contact. It uses natural ingredients, although some users may find the smell to be quite strong. This spray is safe to use every 7 days, which is good because you may need to reapply this frequently over a month or so to kill any eggs and larvae that mature into adult fleas.

It can be used at the same time as a topical treatment, which may be a good combination to ensure that larvae and eggs are also killed while this spray controls the adult fleas. This is only available in a small 8-ounce spray bottle, which will end up being used quickly, especially with the frequent re-applications that are recommended for best results.

Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Flea Sprays for Cats

With so many flea sprays out there to choose from, it can be a little confusing to figure out which one will suit your cat best. We put together a handy buyer’s guide to help you decide.

Why use flea spray?

Some cats hate taking flea tablets or can develop irritation from topical flea applications. In these cases, using a spray can be a great alternative. Most cats will be happy to stand while you cover their coat with a light coating of spray, especially if you offer them treats at the same time!

How do flea sprays work?

This depends on the types of active ingredients used and their concentration. Some flea sprays contain insecticides that kill all or some life stages of fleas. Others contain Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) that interrupt the flea life cycle by preventing larvae and eggs from maturing into adult fleas. Other flea sprays contain plant-based ingredients, like essential oils, that kill some or all life stages of fleas. Lastly, some plant-based flea sprays contain essential oils that are designed to repel but not kill fleas. These basically cover your cat’s coat in a smell that is unpleasant for fleas, so they’re less likely to stay on your cat’s coat to lay their eggs and bite your cat.

Ingredients: Natural or chemical?

Traditional chemical flea sprays are usually safe and extremely effective. Some of them can cause localized skin irritation if they’re used too frequently. Natural flea sprays contain plant-based ingredients, including cedarwood oil, lemongrass, and citronella. These may not be as effective at killing fleas as sprays containing insecticides or IGRs, but the choice comes down to your personal preference and which ingredients you’re happy to use.

Can I use flea spray on home surfaces?

If your cat has fleas, there’s every chance that their bedding and your home surfaces have flea eggs on them. As these mature into adult fleas, the cycle of infestation continues. So, as you treat your cat for fleas, you’ll need to also treat surfaces, like your cat’s bed, carpets, soft furnishings, and anywhere else that your cat may sleep or hang out on a regular basis.

Some flea sprays are also suitable for use on home surfaces, but you should always read the label of your preferred product to make sure this is the case.

Can I use other flea treatments at the same time as flea spray?

If you’re battling a flea infestation and looking at ways of quickly controlling the situation, you might be tempted to use other flea treatments at the same time as flea sprays. This is possible with some products, and there are plant-based formulations designed to work concurrently with topical treatments without interfering with their effectiveness.

If you want to use multiple flea treatments at the same time, always consult your vet and let them know which products you want to use together and the active ingredients that these contain. They can advise you whether it will be safe to do so.

Are flea sprays waterproof?

Some are and some aren’t. Always read the label to check if the product that you’re using is waterproof before giving your cat a bath! Our best overall pick is waterproof and resistant to sunlight, so after application, it lasts for a full 30 days, no matter what your cat is doing or where they’re going!

How do I apply flea spray?

Always read the manufacturer’s specific instructions first. As a general rule, you’ll want to spray against the lie of your cat’s coat so the flea spray penetrates their fur and can make contact with their skin and the roots of their hair. Place your cat on a table or other raised surface, and brush their coat the wrong way with your hand. Spray the flea spray just behind your cat, where their coat is raised. Repeat until your cat’s entire coat is damp. Avoid their genitals, eyes, ears, and mouth. If necessary, you can spray a small amount of the liquid onto your hand and gently apply this around their face. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend wearing gloves.

Conclusion

As our choice of best overall flea spray, the Frontline Flea Spray. It is easy to apply and gets to work killing fleas right away. It’s waterproof, resistant to strong sunlight, and effective for up to 30 days.

As the best value flea spray, we recommend the Vet’s Best Cat Flea & Tick Home Spray. This spray uses natural, plant-based extracts to effectively kill all life stages of fleas. It’s safe to use on upholstery and your cat’s bedding too.

Hopefully, our reviews of the best cat flea sprays have made it easier for you to figure out which one will be the best option for your cat. Whether your cat hates taking tablets or you’re looking for a more natural alternative to harsher treatments containing insecticides, you have plenty of options to choose from.

You and your cat will both be happier once those pesky fleas are banished from sharing your home. If you’ve got a favorite flea spray product, let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

See also:

• 10 Best Flea Treatments for Cats – Reviews & Top Picks
• Is Borax Safe for Cats? What You Need to Know!

Featured Image Credit: Maja Marjanovic, Shutterstock