Cat reacts funny to topical flea medication – What did I do wrong?

Our question this week was:

Hi Dr. Debra – love your site. I just put a topical flea medication (Revolution®) on my cat and he ran across the room and started trying to groom himself. I put it high on her back/neck where she can’t reach it. Did I do something wrong?

**

Michael K. Bridgeport, CT.

Answer

Hi Michael– thanks for your email. I don’t think you did anything wrong Michael. Most cats don’t like to have their hair messed up and will react that way. Most cats will briefly run away, look at you as though you did something wrong, try to lick at the site, run a little more, then eventually calm down as the liquid dries on their skin.

A couple articles that might be helpful to you is How to Apply Topical Medication to your Cat and a drug profile on Revolution.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra