How soon can I pet my cat after treating her for fleas?

Regular cat flea treatment is essential to keep your feline friend safe from these disease-bearing insects. However, it's important to consider the safety of your cat and your own as well when applying flea control products.

How long after flea treatment can I pet my cat - Bearded man holding and kissing Devon Rex cat

Let flea spray and drops dry completely before you touch your cat again.

The most important thing is to purchase the right product. Read the directions carefully to ensure that the flea collar or flea spray is intended for your cat based on her age and size. For instance, the Hartz® UltraGuard Plus ® Flea & Tick Collar for Cats and Kittens isn't suitable for kittens younger than 12 weeks.

When applying a cat flea treatment to your cat, wear a pair of gloves if possible to avoid skin contact with the product. If you do get any on you, wash your hands thoroughly after treating your feline friend. PetMD recommends letting flea spray and drops dry completely before you touch your cat again. You should also watch her closely for signs of any adverse reactions to the product for the first few hours after application.

With flea collars, it's not as simple as waiting for the treatment to dry. The Environmental Protection Agency suggested washing hands after every time you touch your cat, as the collars release chemicals to protect your cat continuously.

This content is provided by the flea and tick experts at Hartz. We believe in offering safe, effective and affordable parasite prevention for every dog and cat.