How do flea drops work for kittens? - briefly
Flea treatment drops for kittens contain an insecticide that disperses across the skin after a single application, entering the bloodstream to kill biting fleas. The compound also spreads via the animal’s oil glands, delivering protection for several weeks.
How do flea drops work for kittens? - in detail
Flea spot‑on products for young cats contain an active ingredient—commonly a neonicotinoid (e.g., imidacloprid) or a pyriproxyfen‑based insect growth regulator—dissolved in a carrier solvent. After application to the dorsal midline, the solvent evaporates, leaving the chemical film on the skin. The film spreads via the animal’s natural oil secretions, reaching the entire surface within hours. Systemic absorption occurs through the epidermis; the compound enters the bloodstream and is distributed to the sebaceous glands, hair follicles, and skin surface. Fleas contacting treated areas ingest the toxic agent, leading to rapid paralysis of the nervous system (neonicotinoids) or disruption of development (growth regulators).
Key functional stages:
• Application — single dose applied directly to the skin, avoiding contact with eyes or mouth.
• Absorption — lipophilic properties enable penetration through the stratum corneum.
• Distribution — circulatory transport delivers the active molecule to all body regions.
• Target action — adult fleas die within minutes; larvae fail to mature, breaking the life cycle.
• Duration — protective effect persists for 30 days, depending on formulation and animal weight.
Safety considerations include weight‑based dosing, as under‑dosing reduces efficacy while overdosing may cause toxicity. Kittens under eight weeks or weighing less than 1 kg often require a veterinarian‑approved formulation with reduced concentration. Contraindications comprise known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient and concurrent use of other topical ectoparasitic agents that may cause additive toxicity.
Efficacy monitoring involves inspecting the coat for live fleas 24–48 hours after treatment and confirming the absence of new infestations during the protection window. Persistent re‑infestation suggests environmental reservoirs or inadequate application technique, prompting environmental control measures such as vacuuming, washing bedding, and treating the home with appropriate insecticides.