Are you boarding your feline for the holidays? Make sure hes up-to-date on his flea treatments!

Cat owners are in a unique position during the holiday season - felines are not the best traveling pets, so they will need a place to stay while you're off visiting family and friends. Ideally, you can find a pet sitter who will look after your companion and help you avoid the stress of taking him to a new location, but sometimes there isn't a person available. If you have to take your feline to a boarding facility, the workers' cleanliness standards may be up to par, but the other felines could pose a flea infestation risk to your own furry friend. Luckily, you can take the following steps before and after your trip to avoid the risk of fleas in your home.

Topical drops are one of the easiest ways to safeguard your feline when he is in a strange place. Hartz UltraGuard Plus Drops for Cats are a quick and easy application that will kill fleas, deer ticks and mosquitoes on contact for up to 30 days. The drops are placed at the skin level at the base of your cat's skull, so be sure to part his fur so that the applicator can penetrate deep down where it will be most effective.

When you bring your feline home, it's better to be safe than sorry, so give him a flea bath with Hartz UltraGuard Rid Flea and Tick Cat Shampoo. If you've never bathed your cat before, it's best to start the process in a bathtub and fill it up with lukewarm water so he can get used to the sensation. Wet his fur and rub the flea shampoo into his coat starting with his head, while being sure not to get any in his eyes. Ideally, you should let the lather sink in for about 5 minutes and then promptly rinse him off. You should also cradle him in a towel for ten minutes or so to make sure that he is properly dried and end a potentially stressful experience with a calm period.

The risk of flea infestations is still present during the winter weather, especially in warm indoor areas with an abundance of animals. These treatments will help spare your home from a potential flea problem and keep your companion happy and healthy throughout the season.