We have an indoor cat who is not on flea medication right now. We are getting a dog who will be on flea medication. We asked our vet if we should give our cat flea medication too and she said it was up to us. Do you have any experience with this? Should we put them on flea medication or is it unnecessary?
2007-04-13 05:47:47 · 22 answers · asked by boggs 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Flea medication is already necessary, even if you only have one dog or cat that is always indoors.
Fleas are attracted to the slightest heat source, and they can enter doorways! Indoor-only cats are as likely as any to have fleas. It is also a myth that flea prevention only needs to be used during warm months - fleas breed all year round, especially in winter, when they take delight from hiding from the cold in our centrally heated houses!
Use some monthly flea prevention from your vets. Frontline treats and prevents fleas when applied every 4-6 weeks in cat, and every 8 weeks in dogs. Frontline Combo/Plus is great as it also kills the eggs and so stops the fleas multiplying in the environment.
Use flea treatment BEFORE you get fleas - they are easy to prevent, but can be very difficult to get rid of totally from the environment once they are present.
Chalice
2007-04-13 05:54:13 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should treat both animals for fleas as prevention is aways better than cure. However, make sure that you purchase the flea treatment from your vet and bear in mind that under no circumstances can a dog flea treatment ever be used on a cat. I saw an animal hospital programme on television where someone had made this mistake by accident and the vet said it can have fatal consequences for the cat. Luckily they were able to save the cat featured, but it was touch and go for a few days.
2007-04-13 08:17:12 · answer #2 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are planning to bring a flea infested dog into your home then yes. I have two dogs, one 12 yrs of age. Neither have EVER been on flea meds. I take both dogs hiking and have had only one tick in 12 years. If you live in an area that is know for flea problems then maybe but I would not treat for something if I did have a problem with it.
2007-04-13 06:11:19 · answer #3 · answered by - Kaytie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, put your cat on flea medication but get it from your vet. Some of the flea drops they sell in the stores can be harmful to pets. You can also get a flea collar for your cat. That way your cat won't be able to swallow the flea medication.
2007-04-13 05:55:17 · answer #4 · answered by Erika B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES..most definitely use flea medication for the cat too. I have one cat (NEVER goes outdoors) and two dogs. I used to treat only the dogs, because they went outside, but they brought in fleas (that apparently didn't have a chance to die yet) and my cat had fleas all over her before I figured out what the heck happened.
2007-04-13 05:54:25 · answer #5 · answered by thambycart 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the exact same situation. You really do need to put flea medicine on your cat if he is going to be in contact with your dog at all. Even though you put flea meds on your dog, there could be a few fleas that had just jumped onto your dog that will jump on to the cat. Good luck with your new puppy!
2007-04-13 05:53:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You asked the vet and she did give you a valid answer. She can't guarantee the cat would pick up fleas so she feels it should be YOUR choice what to do.
If you're treating the dog for fleas (fleas and ticks actually) every month, then there's much less likelihood that any would go from the dog to the cat as they'd be poisoned by the flea medication you give your dog.
So the choice is YOURS. It's your comfort level that's important.
2007-04-13 05:53:31 · answer #7 · answered by Nedra E 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
MOST DEFINITELY. I had a cat that was strictly indoor and we ended up having to do a "flea bomb" and stay out of the house for 24 hours.
The dogs can carry fleas into the house....even if the dog is on medication. The fleas don't die instantaneously!
It can't hurt to put the cat on meds...it can only potentially hurt if you don't.
2007-04-13 05:52:11 · answer #8 · answered by addicted2eu 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your dog is on a GOOD quality flea medication and your cat NEVER goes outside. I wouldnt bother. Also it might depend on where you live. Here in Montana it is too cold for flea problems. I have never seen a flea. If you live in a warmer climate it might be enough of a problem you might get fleas in the house.
2007-04-13 06:01:41 · answer #9 · answered by Kel Kel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had this same experience. The dog can bring home fleas and transfer them to your cat before they are killed by the medication. The med. works through the animals blood stream to kill the pests. Therefore if the cat doesn't have the meds. going through it's system, the fleas will reproduce and infest the cat. Get them both treated.
2007-04-13 06:01:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋