How to Control Cat or Dog Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Sparky - my cat

Most cats and dogs in the US are troubled with fleas. Normally when thy bite them, they make them scratch and itch. Very annoying to the animal and to their human caretakers! Today, there are a plethora of products available that will kill and repel fleas to relieve your pet (and you too).

However, when your pet has flea allergy dermatitis, just one bite by a flea can drive them crazy - they will itch and scratch or chew and lick the spot unit it is RAW. They may even scratch or lick another spot where they can reach that hasn’t been bit. This is what happens to my cat “Sparky”. She gets bit by a flea and will lick off all the fur on her stomach, until she is raw.

I’ve tried a few different flea products - some conventional and some “natural” - before I stumbled on this combination of products that get her flea allergy under control.  For her, this method really works like a charm.





1) Advantage for Cats - I apply this once a month (if you have a dog, use Advantage or Advantix for dogs). Caution - never use a dog product on a cat - (like Advantix for dogs) - as these can contain permethrin which is very toxic to cats.

applying advantage

I like Advantage because it kills fleas after they bite in around 5 minutes - it will kill all the fleas within 12-24 hours after application, where other products may take longer to kill the fleas. It is topical and spreads naturally on the surface of the pet‘s skin when the dog or cat moves around.  It remains on the surface of the skin, so it as not as potentially toxic as other topical/oral flea insecticides.  When my pet has a flea allergy, I want the flea to be killed a quickly as possible.

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2) Homeopet Flea Bite Remedy - this is a homeopathic remedy that helps boost the body’s immune system. I give this to Sparky twice a day - one squirt in the mouth in the morning, and one in the evening. (I tried cutting back to 1 squirt a day for her - but she started back up with the licking after a few days.)  I could also put a few drops into her water dish daily - as long as she drinks from her water dish regularly during the day, it works.

3) Cortisone Spray from my local Veterinarian - this was especially helpful when I was first trying to get my pet over  the bad allergic reaction - aka - raw spots. I apply the spray to her raw spots (or spray some on a cotton ball and then dab on the spots).  I do this once or twice a day until they are healed. Then I stop using it as the Advantage and the Homeopet Flea Bite keep her from itching!

Disclaimer: I do not provide medical advise or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.   The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA.  Consult your veterinarian before following anything you have read on this website.    See my full medical disclaimer under Terms of Use.