my cat has fleas..?

Question

I have tried everything - collar, spray, drops, but I can't shift them. any suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi Jo... the most effective flea treatment is using either Frontline or Advantage directly on the pets which are ideally the best solution. You can purchase these directly through 1800 Pet Meds http://www.1800petmeds.com/cat.asp?LV=10.

Most over the counter (OTC) flea products (powders, collars, shampoos, etc) are essentially ineffective towards treating flea infestation and some can even be quite harmful causing chemical burns, seizures or worse fatal. Several class action suits are embroiled against Hartz, Sergents and several other. Please see the following website to learn more about the dangers of the OTC flea products: Hartz - http://www.hartzvictims.org/index.php

For around the home use Borax (boric acid--approx $3) on the flooring found at any at common store...kills fleas both by causing dehydration and by acting as a stomach poison in a matter of minutes. In laboratory tests boric acid damaged sperm and caused miscarriages. Just sprinkle...leave for a couple hours ... vacuum up and repeat two weeks later and if necessary a week later for added insurance. http://www.pesticide.org/fleas.html (See section Less Toxic Chemical Controls)

Answer 2

Along with their natural ability to adapt, fleas are very resilient pests. They can develop a natural resistance over just a few generations, to you and me that is only a timespan of a few months. In addition to this, due to the unseasonal weather we have had this year,alledgedly due to global warming (but that is a whole different question) insects of all types have been more prevalent and been around in much higher numbers than usual. This has a posive feed-back effect in that they in turn breed more and the cycle is self perpetuating. I don't think it is a problem with the treatment you are using, although vets will insist that only treatments prescribed by them are actually effective, but it is just a means for them to charge an additional £25 in consultation fees. I spent several years as a quarantine attendent and we had the same problem one year. There are spray on flea treatments that you can use on your pets weekly, but to be sure it would be a good Idea to spray them and also treat the house & hoover after to get any eggs that may have been missed (particularily under sofas, behind cutains and anywhere dark, as you can be sure if the cats come in with fleas they will have laid eggs in the house as well. Good luck

Answer 3

We use Frontline to stop the fleas reproducing, use a household spray to get rid of the fleas in the curtains, carpets and furniture, and a flea comb to groom the cat regularly.

The cat also wears a cat collar which seems to work in that it keeps the flea numbers down rather than get rid of them altogether.

Answer 4

Until you eliminate fleas either in your home or outside you will keep having fleas. You have to treat the carpets ,under the beds and in the yard. You can usually tell if fleas are present by walking over carpet with white socks. The white socks seem to be magnets to fleas. If you have pinpoint red itching spots on your ankles is a good sign. Fleas can live year round and go dormant (hidden) in the cold months. You have to kill the flea eggs and it will take several treatments. I have seen people put diluted fleakiller in their carpet shampooer when it was really bad.

Answer 5

OK...this will blow your mind. My dog had fleas sooo bad when she was young. My grandma sent me a news article that said to give her YEAST TABLETS...the kind that are in the vitamin section of your pharmacy. She loved them. I just gave her 3 or 4 of those a day at first, then maybe 2 for the rest of the flea season and bam...gone. She went from having zillions to basically having none. But first you will have to get rid of the fleas that are no doubt in your house...gotta take the cat and yourself and leave while you set off a couple of flea bombs...be sure to stay away for the recommended time. BTW the tablets also give the animal a shiny coat.

Answer 6

So does my cat. All of these years only one anwer does it all...take him to get dipped, meanwhile have your carpet shampooed & flea treated, then put down boric acid or some flea begone thing, bring him home. This is the only thorough way I know. Is he an outdoor doggie? Recently, until I can plan for the above (& afford it!), I've been flea combing. It takes a very fine flea comb & a little glass of rubbing alchohol. Comb, dip (long enough for fleas to kak), clean with a cloth, repeat. We actually like doing this together & it provides at least a little relief.

Answer 7

I had major problems with fleas with my 2 cats last year. I went to the vet and got Frontline sachets which you squeeze on to the back of their neck. I also got the household spray. They may be reinfecting themself if you are not treating your house.

You should machine wash all their bedding and spray everywhere the cats go. I basically did my whole house as I wanted to be sure I got them all.

Ive been using the Frontline on them all year (it lasts up to 2 months on the animal) as a preventative measure and I haven't had any problems this year.

Answer 8

i have 4 cats and i never use any stuff from shops as they never work and vets can be very expensive so i put a few drops of citronella oil on my cats collars its completely safe and keeps fleas at bay.... i have used it 4 about 3 years and never have fleas. hope this helps
Amy x

Answer 9

Call your vet. There is a pill called Cap Star or Star Cap , can't remember which I have used it for my pets. It kills all the eggs for fleas and ticks. Cost is about three bucks a pill but well worth it. PS..forgot to tell you it works in less than an hour!

Answer 10

I use FrontLine on my cats. It works really well, killls the little beggers.

You can get it from your vet, but it is cheaper online. Use Yahoo or Google to search for frontline and check the prices on the sites that come up.

Make sure you follow the instructions carefully.