We started with the users — We scoured review sites to understand the full product landscape. Then we dug through customer reviews and product details to bring you the best options on the market today.
We confirmed with our vets — We don’t just stop at customer reviews. Our in-house vets weigh in on any health, wellness, and safety products with their expert insights and advice, giving their stamp of approval on everything that gets featured on the site.
Some of you may be wondering — why did we only pick these three brands to spotlight?
Most of the products (like Pet Naturals and Tropiclean) have natural oil ingredients that aren’t toxic to our furbabies. Advantage has also had a good track record with their products.
Here at betterpet, our vets avoid recommending Adams products because etofenprox (the active ingredient) is a pyrethroid derivative that is toxic to cats. This also goes for Sentry and Vet-Kem, both of which also have the active ingredient of permethrin. Another to avoid is Vet’s Best flea products. They contain peppermint oil, which is toxic. This is a controversial topic, and although many products have a very low concentration, we’d rather be safe than sorry and avoid recommending any products that contain this potentially toxic substance.
There are a variety of things to consider when choosing the best flea spray. You should consider:
👉 Always read the product label carefully to check if it best fits your situation, and make sure you apply it as safely as possible.
Some people are nervous about the idea of using a chemical-based flea spray, especially on their pet. Fair enough, because certain harsh chemicals (like imidacloprid, fipronil, permethrin, methoprene, and pyriproxyfen) have been known to cause serious health problems in animals. Even if you don’t have pets, people can be sensitive to chemicals, so it’s important to pay special attention to specific ingredients when shopping around, especially if you have small children at home.
The good news is there is another option: natural sprays. These are designed to kill and repel insects on contact. Natural sprays are intended to be used around the home on things like bedding, carpets, upholstery, and in the yard. Unfortunately, natural sprays aren’t always as effective in getting rid of fleas as their chemical counterparts can be. Of the four products we mentioned above, the Pet Naturals and Tropiclean options have the most natural ingredients.
When it comes to having pets, it’s best to have a pest control plan in place before you have a problem arise. Flea repellents are great to have to help prevent a pest infestation — if your pet already has fleas, however, purchasing only a flea repellent product is not going to solve your problem. An existing flea problem must be treated with a product that kills fleas, not one that simply repels them.
You can combine several products to keep your house and your pet’s fur clean. Here are some steps to help get your pest plan in place:
All of the products recommended above also help kill and repel ticks. Be sure to check the ingredients and labels of any flea repellents to see if they also repel other pests, such as ticks, bed bugs, or mosquitos.
There are several topical cat-safe flea control products on the market. It’s very important to avoid using products labeled for dogs on cats. (These can lead to a deadly allergic reaction and an emergency vet visit.) If possible, avoid flea dips, sprays, powders, or collars. If you choose to use such products, do your homework and discuss with your vet. It’s important to be absolutely sure that the ingredients used are safe for cats.
Depending on the product used and level of infestation, it can range from 24 hours up to several months. Often, it can take three to four months to get rid of an infestation in your home, but fleas on your pets should die within the first 18 to 24 hours.
Insecticides containing adulticide, such as permethrin, kill fleas, and insect growth regulators, such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen, kill flea eggs.
It’s recommended to vacuum prior to using a flea spray in your house and again the next day. Continue to vacuum twice a week for the next two weeks to help prevent reinfestation.
