Fleas are the bane of every pet owner’s existence. They’re not only a nuisance for you, but they can cause itching and discomfort for your cat. Worse yet, fleas can carry diseases that can be serious.
If your cat gets a flea infestation, what options do you have? Some people swear by Palmolive to kill fleas on cats. Yes, Palmolive can kill adult fleas, but not the eggs or larvae. It’s not an ideal option for controlling fleas. Instead you should visit your local veterinary clinic for advice and effective products.
Does Palmolive Kill Fleas?
Anecdotally, Palmolive can kill adult fleas. Like other dish soaps, it may impact the flea’s exoskeleton, causing it to sink and drown in water.
As a short-term solution, Palmolive seems to be effective at killing adult fleas and getting rid of them quickly, but it won’t solve the problem completely. Adult fleas only account for about 5% of the total flea infestation, so you still have to contend with the eggs, larvae, and pupae. You may kill some of the adults, but in a short time, the eggs will hatch, and you’ll be dealing with a whole new batch.
Does Palmolive Repel Fleas?
Palmolive may kill the adult fleas to give your cat some relief, but it doesn’t repel them. It’s not going to keep the fleas that are already in your home from getting back onto your cat and causing itching and discomfort.
Is Palmolive Safe for Cats?
The one benefit Palmolive has going for it is that it’s a safe option to get rid of adult fleas and give your cat some relief. This is meant as a one-time, emergency option to kill the fleas and give flea treatment time to work, but it’s not a good choice for regular flea control.
Palmolive and other dish soaps are powerful. They’re designed to work on greasy dishes. If you hand-wash your dishes, you know how much it can dry your skin out. The same can happen if you use it to bathe your cat on a regular basis.
Your cat may also ingest some of the residue from the dish soap while grooming itself as well, which can cause other health problems. Some people in particular are concerned about the ingredient methylisothiazolinone.
Flea and Tick Prevention for Cats
So, Palmolive is a short-term, one-time solution for a flea infestation in an emergency. It only helps with one aspect of the flea life cycle, which can make the infestation that much harder to combat.
Modern veterinary medicine offers virtually limitless options for flea and tick prevention for cats. You can choose from a variety of forms, including a monthly topical treatment, a pill, flea collars, shampoos, and more—all with their benefits and drawbacks.
The biggest reason to use a flea and tick preventative is that it often treats the entire flea life cycle. Some combination prevention products include multiple ingredients to kill several pests, such as heartworm or intestinal parasites.
If you’re concerned about fleas and other parasites, speak to your vet about your options for flea and tick prevention. Your vet can help you determine the best product for your needs based on your cat’s age, current health, weight, and species. It also helps if your vet understands what’s most convenient for your lifestyle. No medication will work if you can’t administer it properly.
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Conclusion
If your cat brings home fleas, don’t only reach for your dish soap. Palmolive is handy in an emergency and is relatively safe for your cat as a one-time shampoo, but it’s not enough to kill the current infestation and prevent future infestations. Fleas are more than a nuisance; they can cause serious diseases, so protect your cat from fleas all year round with flea and tick preventatives.
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Featured Image Credit: Marie-Claude Lemay, Shutterstock
