What happens to fleas after applying flea drops for cats? - briefly
The applied drops disperse over the cat’s skin, enter the bloodstream, and kill existing fleas while inhibiting the development of any new ones for several weeks.
What happens to fleas after applying flea drops for cats? - in detail
Flea spot‑on treatments for cats contain systemic insecticides that are absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. Within minutes the active ingredient spreads via the cat’s circulatory system, reaching the skin surface where adult fleas feed. When a flea ingests blood containing the chemical, its nervous system is disrupted, leading to rapid paralysis and death, typically within 30–60 minutes.
The lethal effect continues for several weeks. New fleas that hop onto the treated animal encounter the same toxic blood, so the population is suppressed over the product’s duration of action, usually four weeks. Dead fleas fall off the cat and decompose, while those that die on the animal’s coat may be removed by grooming or vacuuming.
Flea eggs laid by surviving females before treatment are not directly affected, because the insecticide does not reach the environment. However, when adult fleas die before laying eggs, overall egg production declines sharply. The reduced egg load limits larval development in the home’s carpet, bedding, and cracks, decreasing the chance of a reinfestation cycle.
Key points of the process:
- Absorption: topical application → skin → bloodstream.
- Distribution: systemic circulation delivers toxin to all skin surfaces.
- Action on fleas: ingestion of toxic blood → nervous‑system failure → death.
- Timeline: onset of kill within an hour; sustained efficacy for 28 days.
- Impact on reproduction: fewer surviving adults → fewer eggs → lower larval population.
- Environmental effect: minimal; chemical remains on the cat, not in the surroundings.
Safety considerations include avoiding contact with the cat’s eyes, nose, and mouth, and keeping the product away from other animals that may be sensitive to the same class of insecticide. Proper dosage, based on the cat’s weight, ensures effective control while minimizing risk of toxicity.