What is a good way of getting rid of flees? My cats are usually indoor but recently I let them out?

Question

in the back yard - now the are scratching a lot and have black stuff on their chins?
Anyone know what it could be - the black stuff
and
The best way to get rid of flees?

Answer 1

Studies have shown that Advantage, Frontline and Revolution are all about equally effective. Advantage works a little faster, which might be worth considering since the cats already have fleas.

Frontline works against ticks as well as fleas, worth considering if ticks are prevalent in your area, and especially if Lyme disease exists in your locality.

Advantage has to be applied every four weeks. Frontline works for six weeks against fleas, but only four against ticks. (I don't know anything in detail about Revolution.)

NEVER buy any of those products on line!!! Dangerous counterfeits have flooded the market and many pets have died! Even legitimate retailers have been fooled into carrying these fakes. A vet practice buys directly from a manufacturer's representative, so you can be sure of getting the real thing from a vet.

Also avoid grocery store look-alike products, like Hartz Mountain flea drops. They've killed a lot of pets too! Last year Hartz Mountain flea drops were pulled from the market by the EPA, but diistributors were allowed to keep moving product already in the pipeline, so the stuff is still available.

The black stuff might be flea dirt, but being on their chins makes me suspect feline acne, which usually takes the form of black or very dark brown bumps, about pinhead sized, on the chin. A vet can give you an antibiotic cream to apply that will prevent infection. Acne often results from the use of feeding bowls that can't be cleaned thoroughly, retaining tiny amounts of food residue. Plastic bowls are notorious for that, and ceramic isn't much better. The best prevention for feline acne is the use of stainless steel food and water bowls. You can get them in pet shops.

Answer 2

I would recommend using flea medication even if your cat is indoors only, especially during the summer months. I thought my cat was safe from fleas because she is an indoor only cat, but I had a horrible infestation last fall... I'm still not sure why because she does not ever go outside and she hadn't been in contact with another cat for months when it happened. It took about a month to fully eradicate the population and she was absolutely miserable, scratching all the time and I was so embarrassed that I wouldn't let any of my friends come over. I use it now every month because it was such a bad experience for both of us. Trust me, it's better to prevent it!

Answer 3

The black stuff is probably blood from scratching so much. The best way that I've found to get rid of fleas is Zodiac Flea Shampoo. It kills flea and eggs and also inhibits fleas from going back on your cats. You'd probably have to shampoo them two or three times before you get rid of them all.

Answer 4

Start with vacuming every day,then buy carpet sprinkles to help,also make sure you bath your cat once a week or put a not tight fiiting collar on your cats,also clean their ears out oncein awile too,you can buy all of this stuff at a Dallor store or walmart.If you don't take care of them they can get really sick from the flee's .

Answer 5

you will have to go to the vet and get frontline or advantage flea medicine the black stuff is debris from the fleas. i would give the cat a bath and then wait 2 or 3 days and put on the flea medicine it will kill the fleas and the eggs also. you will probably have to buy some spray to kill them in your house . treat the cats at least every 6 to 8 weeks to keep them flea free

Answer 6

you will have to treat everywhere,bomb the home, spray down carpets,throw out linens the cats have been on. get a good spot treatment for the cats. the black stuff is the fleas stool, size of a pepper flake sometimes curved, if you were to comb your cat over a white damp towel those flakes would turn to red and dissolve because it's blood from your dear cat....good luck.

Answer 7

1. the black stuff maybe flea eggs
2. you have to wash the linens wherever they have been
3. get some flea spray and thoroughly spray areas they go to
4. can you bathe them with flea shampoo?
5. they need to be doused with flea powder/spray
6. check them daily for new black dots/stuff
7. can you take them to vet?
HAVE YOU LOOKED CAREFULLY AT THEIR FUR - you should be able to SEE the fleas, they may even jump while you're looking...then you'll at least know for sure that it's fleas and not some other thing.

it may take a while to see a diff.
good luck!

the above is from my experience

Answer 8

For fleas I recommend Frontline. It's not the cheapest stuff, but it works a treat. Do get the cats version, the dog version can be toxic to cats.

Answer 9

Best way to rid yourself of fleas is to bomb them (if they are bad in the house). The black stuff on the chins is more than likely debris from the flea infestation. Keep your cat well groomed, that should really help.

Answer 10

the black stuff is from the fleas... a bath with flea soap works best 4 us