Okay my cat is what I consider 'indoor' she only goes outside on the balcony-she loves it out there. Last June and this June she got fleas. How does she get them since she doesn't go running around in the grass outside? How long can the eggs remain dormant? I mean I went all out and got rid of all of them last year....it really took a month but we had no signs of them after that. We live in a different apt. now and the same thing happened. I don't think there are as many of them this time (I've been placing white paper down to see if I can find them to have an idea how bad it is) but it could just be because this apt. is larger than the last one. I bathe my cat and everything. How does this happen(or why)??
2007-07-02 08:30:16 · 7 answers · asked by Sassafrass 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thanks so much, it's only the second year, but it seems to becoming a pattern. Last year there was a drought and this year we are way above the normal levels of rain! I never thought about them latching on to us or coming through the windows-thanks! I don't ONLY give her baths but I do that in addition to other things. She doesn't mind too much. I will work on this year round AND do some extra work on it next May! Thanks again!
2007-07-02 09:15:45 · update #1
They could be coming in from other apartments, you could actually be bringing them in from the grocery store, from anywhere. I remember one year, my mom lived next door to me, she went to the vet with one of the dogs. I swear within a few weeks, not only were her dogs going nuts scratching so were mine. That's why I hate going to vets offices or even stores that allow the animals in.
Since it happens every year, your best bet is to get some Frontline or Advantage, and just use that starting about May and use it through the summer time. Lots easier then shampooing, especially if you get the jump on the fleas before they start showing up!!
2007-07-02 08:39:15 · answer #1 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's "flea season". Every Spring/Summer the earth sprouts a whole new crop of insects of all kinds. Living in the "Great Northwest" makes this abundantly clear as we have a seasonal bug invasion which starts in April/May and lasts until October/November. Fleas were the biggest problem for Lewis and Clark...they moved camps dozens of times and burned pretty much everything trying to get rid of them. Their journals are page after page of complaints about the rain and the fleas...LOL.
Did you know that "oil" is really dead bugs and plants? Can you imagine how many bugs there were then? Anyway we just have to put up with the bugs they are part of life on earth....AND it's a real good thing you can't see the microscopic stuff cause then you would turn into Howard Hughes.
2007-07-02 08:45:16 · answer #2 · answered by Perry L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fleas can live in carpet and in furniture...you might not have gotten rid of them all from last year or the new place may have been infected from the previous tentents. Also, you stated your cat likes the balcony...she can get fleas from other outdoor animals even when not in direct contact (dogs, other cats, squirrels, etc.). I would suggest buying some advantage, frontline, or another prescription flea medicaiton. Do not buy anything over the counter...those medicines are actaully poisons and can kill your cat. Flea collars also do not work since they only cover a small radius.
2007-07-02 08:36:29 · answer #3 · answered by Yoyo 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fleas tend to be seasonal, they thrive more in the hot weather. However, in these days of central heating they're often just as prevalent in the winter, when they crowd into our warm homes to escape the cold weather!
Indoor cats get fleas just as much as outdoor cats, simply because fleas can enter our homes through doors and windows as easily as any insect - they come in looking for warmth and a meal.
Bathing a cat won't help much (and I bet she doesn't like it). It's better to use a modern flea treatment like Frontline spot-on, these are much more effective than shampoos, powders and collars. Frontline Plus is the newest and best product, as it treats the environment as well as the animal. Plus you only have to use it every six weeks - I recommend it.
It's a good idea to treat for fleas year-round, to prevent the seasonal infestations before they begin.
Chalice
2007-07-02 08:40:13 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If she gets them every year in June, then try and prepare in May. Get a flee collar and wash her once or twice a week with a flee shampoo in May. Keep it up for most of the summer.
2007-07-02 08:49:19 · answer #5 · answered by seaelven 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
honestly its because it is summer and june and july are known to be very humid which can attract more bugs like mosquitos and such. you cant really get rid of them by bathing her. they are just like louse. the best thing to do is get advice from your vet.
2007-07-02 08:36:18 · answer #6 · answered by info site 93 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe its the allergens or something in nature that makes this happen. Ive never heard of that happening b4? Ask the vet.
2007-07-02 08:35:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put her on flea preventative. problem solved
2007-07-02 08:34:18 · answer #8 · answered by sadiejane 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋