Review: Adams Smart Shield Applicator For Cats

If you have pets, I'm sure you have heard the warning about flea and tick season this year. In case you haven't though, fleas and especially ticks are in abundance this year, thanks to the mild winter most of the US had. Unfortunately this means a rough summer for anyone who has pets who go outdoors. Getting rid of fleas in your home, especially if you have carpeting, can be really hard! I had it happen just once years ago with my Old Man cat, and it actually took a hospital grade disinfectant to clear those little monsters out of my apartment! (The sad part is that the flea hitched a ride from the vet's office! Argh!) That's why it's important to treat your pet with a quality flea and tick treatment.

Adams Flea and Tick Control recently launched a new product - the Adams Smart Shield Applicator with Adams Flea & Tick Spot On flea treatment. This innovative new applicator device helps you get the product onto your pet's skin, and not on your skin - so you won't waste any of the product. This new applicator completely surrounds the product tube, opening it automatically and creating a barrier that protects your hands. The tip is specially designed for parting hair, which is great if you have a pet with an extra thick coat or long fur, and it's ergonomically designed to provide a secure grip, unlike other brands that you might have to struggle to hold while applying it on your pet.

The Adams Flea & Tick Spot On for dogs starts killing fleas and ticks within 15 minutes of applying it, killing flea eggs and larvae to prevent re-infestation for up to two months. It also kills and repels mosquitoes - which can carry heartworms - as well as those super annoying Deer Ticks that can carry Lyme disease. It spread naturally with your pet's movement, and even contains Lanolin for coat conditioning. It's also water resistant, so if your pet is low to the ground like our Corgis, or loves to get in the water, the product will still work.

Like other flea products available, the Adams Smart Shield Applicator is available in different strength depending on your pet's size: for cats, weight size under 5 pounds, and 5 pounds and up, and for dogs, 6-12 pounds, 13-31 pounds, 32-55 pounds, 58-80 pounds, and over 81 pounds. If you are unsure of your pet's weight, stop by your local vet's office. Usually you can have your pet hop on the scale for no charge. You want to be sure that the dosage you are purchasing is correct. Too little and the product might not work properly, while too big of a dosage and your pet could get ill.

I was sent on over a package of the Adams Smart Shield Applicator for cats five pounds and up to review. Now all of my cats are indoor only, but since the dogs go in and out, I'm always a little worried about a flea hitching a ride on in here. We decided to treat Magick, since he was the biggest cat we have. Now we don't have fleas at the moment, so I cannot comment on whether or not this product works with existing infestations - if you have a bad flea problem, I suggest speaking to your vet before purchasing any flea & tick products.

FYI, it doesn't come ready to use - you still need to load the flea treatment into the applicator. However, the new Adams Smart Shield Applicator was easy to use, and my DH liked the way it felt in his hand when he was applying it, even though Magick was not thrilled and moving around. You're not close to the pet's skin, so there's no worries about getting it on your hands. (I'd suggest washing your hands afterwards still, just in case!) When you're done applying it, simply toss it into the trash. (I applied flea meds on April 18th for the first time this season - although I used a different product for my dogs, and as of today, we're still flea free over here - even though the Corgis have been to the dog park and hiking a few times. No hitch hikers so far!)

Available for both cats and dogs, Adams Smart Shield Applicator is available at stores like Walmart, and has a suggested retail price of $8.99 for a one month supply, and $19.99 for a three month supply. If you'd like to give it a try, there's a printable coupon available on their website that will save you $3.00 off your purchase!

I received a sample of the product mentioned above in order to try it out and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own. Speak with your vet if you have any questions about this product.