The answer to this is a resounding “yes,” and I recently learned this form personal experience. I have a dog and an inside Birman cat, Leanne, and because Leanne does not go outside, I made the mistake of thinking she would not be susceptible to fleas—I was wrong. The good thing is, I always try to admit to mistakes, figure out where I went wrong, and make immediate corrections. So, as soon as I noticed a couple of horrid black fleas on her while combing her, I ran to my computer and looked up two things:

• Can you use Frontline for dogs on cats?
• How to use a flea comb?

I had both Frontline and a flea comb on hand! I use Frontline on my dog, Beardog, once a month along with Heart Guard to prevent heartworm, and had a tube left in my pet box. While Frontline has worked for my dog, many pet owners find it doesn't work on their pets. Some pet owners find Frontline may work on one pet, but not on another pet, and have had better results with Advantage. This requires some trail and some error and making sure you are checking your pets regularly for fleas with the flea comb.

So, I immediately got online to plan my attack on the fleas, and found an article and a video by a veterinarian who said that both Frontline for cats and Frontline for dogs is the same product. However, the product is packaged for animals according to their weight, so it is recommended you buy the product for either cats or dogs. And I planned to do that when the vet opened on Monday, but my discovery took place on a Saturday. I’m terrified of fleas, so I did some quick math, and applied the recommended dose for cats on Leanne. Here is the math:

CAT
Kitten 0.10 ml (Only recommended for severe, life-threatening flee infestation)
Young Cat 0.25 ml
Adult Cat 0.5 ml

DOG
10 lbs 0.5 ml
20 lbs 0.9 ml
30 lbs 1.4 ml
40 lbs 1.8 ml
50 lbs 2.3 ml
60 lbs 2.8 ml
70 lbs 3.1 ml
80 lbs 3.2 ml
90 lbs 3.4 ml
100 lbs 3.5 ml

I then went for the flea comb, which was in my pet supply box but I never used (I definitely regretted that one!), got online again, and read instructions on how to use a flea comb on cats. Of course I now recommend all cat owners use a flea comb as a regular part of cat grooming. Using a flea comb regularly will help you avoid having flea problems before a serious infestation arises!

But, if your cat already has fleas, here is how to use the flea comb:

Bring your cat to a comfortable spot where you have placed a container of soapy water.

Start combing your cat at the head and remove the fleas and flea dirt immersing the comb in the soapy water after each removal. The soapy water kills the fleas. Continue combing the cat thoroughly until the cat is clean. Flush the water down the toilet.

Natural Flea Repelling Supplements versus Frontline or Advantage

Some studies have shown that adding Brewer’s Yeast and garlic to your cat’s diet can reduce the number of fleas on your cat. However, many veterinarians claim that Brewer’s Yeast and garlic are ineffective. There are other natural products that are also recommended to control fleas. However, because I have seen friends addressing severe flea infestations, even while faithfully using natural flea control methods, I’m a fan of Frontline or Advantage, depending on which one works on your pet. I also understand that there are now reports that Frontline may be toxic to pets. I have read articles on both sides of the issue. However, Frontline has kept my dog flea free for twelve years, and my dog has shown no signs of ill health or allergies as a result of using the product. However, it may be that some animals have adverse reactions to the product, so I’m only speaking from my personal experience.

So, if you have a strictly indoor feline, consider using a flea prevention product recommended by your veterinarian. As I mentioned, different dogs and cats respond differently to the two most recommended products--Frontline and Advantage. Also, use the flea comb as part of your grooming routine to make certain your cat is flea free.