Flea treatment for cats with dry skin

Cornish Rex cats have very little fur and noticeably thin skin, so I completely understand the worry about spot-on treatments — it's a fair concern. Before I point you in the right direction, one critical thing to flag first: cat flea treatment has a safety consideration that doesn't apply to dogs at all. Permethrin and several other insecticides that are perfectly safe for dogs are toxic to cats and can be fatal, so it's essential to only ever use products specifically labelled for cats. Now, to help narrow things down — how old and how heavy is your cat, is this an active infestation or are you looking at prevention, and have you treated the home as well?

That's really helpful. At 3.5kg and 6 years old she's fully adult and healthy weight for a Rex, so dosing isn't a concern. Your worry about skin irritation is legitimate — Cornish Rexes are genuinely more sensitive at the application site than most cats because that sparse, fine coat means the product sits closer to the skin with less of a buffer. That said, with a live infestation you do need a proven treatment rather than a collar or tablet alone, and spot-on remains the most reliable route. Can I ask — has she had any previous reactions to spot-ons, or is this the first time you've used one on her?

Good — no history of reactions is reassuring. My recommendation for her would be Broadline spot-on for cats (the small cat 0.5–2.5kg... actually at 3.5kg you'd want the large cat version). Broadline contains fipronil and methoprene for the fleas, plus eprinomectin and praziquantel covering worms too, so it's genuinely comprehensive. The reason I'm suggesting it specifically for a Rex with dry skin is that the vehicle base is relatively low in volume compared to some alternatives, which means less product pooling on the skin at the application site. Apply it precisely at the base of the skull where she genuinely cannot reach to lick, part the fur down to skin level, and let it dry fully before handling her. One important note: you'll still need to treat the home — roughly 95% of a flea infestation lives in the environment as eggs and larvae. A household spray like Indorex or RIP Fleas used on carpets and soft furnishings will break the cycle. Without that step, re-infestation is almost certain.

Yes — for the first 24 to 48 hours, keep an eye on the application site for any redness, persistent scratching at that spot, or visible irritation. A small amount of temporary greasiness at the site is completely normal and not a problem. If she seems to be scratching at it repeatedly or the skin looks inflamed after a day, contact your vet — but in practice this is uncommon with Broadline. The other thing worth knowing is that because Cornish Rexes have so little coat, the product can feel more obvious to them initially. Distracting her with play for the first hour after application helps. She should start killing fleas within 24 hours of treatment.

That's the right combination — treat her and the home at the same time if you can, ideally the same day. Indorex is widely available on Amazon UK and one can covers a standard home. Once the current infestation is clear, monthly spot-on application will keep her protected going forward, and many Rex owners find their cats barely notice it once it becomes routine. Good luck — she should be much more comfortable within a few days.