How do I get rid of my cat's flea's once and for all?

Question

I'vae tried all of the otc treatments with no successess. I've spent way too much money on things that I see advertised but none seem to really work. Poor thing has scratched herself almost naked. Help! Home remedies?

Answer 1

I have four kitties and live in the country where they go inside and out at will. Never see a flea, I use revolution every month and treat my yard. I have never had much success with home remedies for consistent flea prevention. Shampoos and powders kill the fleas on them at the time but don't repel more from jumping on. You should try frontline for cats (over counter), or revolution (which usually requires a prescription), and be consistent, use it once a month. Also, you most likely have an infestation in your home if the cat is inside. The eggs fall off and then hatch in your carpets, rugs, bedding, and furniture. You need to go to your local pet store and ask for a spray that is safe for use around your cat and spray the entire house, especially where the cat hangs out. Also, putting moth balls in your vacuum cleaner bag or canister will help to kill any eggs, fleas, or larva that are sucked up. Otherwise, they will hatch in the vacuum and crawl out later. If the pet goes outside you should also treat your yard. I use sevin dust. Apply just before a rain shower, or use a hose or sprinkler to wet the lawn immediately after application.
If the infestation of the home is too bad you may see persistent fleas and need to treat more than once, or call a professional. I know it's a lot of work, but once you've got them that bad it can be expensive to fix. Also, once your cat is flea free, if she continues scratching a lot, then she may need to see the vet. They can develop a topical, or skin infection from digging themselves. Good luck

Edit: Flea collars should not be used with any other type of topical treatment such as frontline or revolution. Plus, they just don't work well, and pose more health risks to the cat than to the fleas.

Answer 2

Fighting fleas is that ... a fight!

If the topical meds are not working, I believe there is a pill that you can get from the vet that works quickly.

Next is stopping the flea cycle. The cycle for fleas is about 3 weeks from egg to adult flea.

This is where you will really begin fighting the problem....flea eggs can hide everywhere, in carpet, rugs, bedding, clothes, etc, anywhere your cat lies or sleeps. It is alot of work, but try to take up anything that can be washed and wash it daily to get rid of eggs and larvae. Vacuum rugs, carpet and furniture frequently and dispose of the bags/canister collection to an outside trash container.

Keep this up for at least a month, but better 2 months to make sure you have been thru all the flea life cycles.

It's alot of work, but it is the best thing I have found to get rid of fleas! I know, I have had to do this several times for my kitties. I usually do one round of Advantage (works better for my kitties than Frontline and is usually a little cheaper) and then start cleaning like crazy!

Good Luck with your battle!

Answer 3

Dear Flea Bites-

The OTC remedies are not the answer to your problem.

Go to your vet, and ask them about a product called Advantage. My wife and I use it in our house. There is not a flea to be seen. We also have 4 cats.

Just a suggestion too. If you have a back yard, and front yard. You might also start spraying for them in the yard too.

Ortho makes a product called "Yard Defense." Its target pests are fleas, ticks, ants, and roaches. Just follow the mixing instructions for a hose applicator in the yard and you should be good to go.

It will take a couple of applications of the spray, to get the population reduced in your yard. But used in combination with the Advantage on your cat(s), and you should have no more fleas in about a week.

Oh yes, the Ortho Yard Defense is available at:

Ace Hardware
Home Depot
Orchard Supply Hardware
Lowes
and Home Base

Good Luck!

Answer 4

if she's scratching to the point it's making her skin scab and hair fall out she's probably allergic to fleas, Get something from your vet to treat her, they have stuff that's anywhere from 10dollars a month to 24 bucks for a bottle that lasts more than 6 months , but after you've treated her you need to make sure your house is flea free too, treat everything, furniture, floors, the basement if you have one, they will hide any and everywhere.Prevention prevention prevention, go with something tried and true and vet recommended most otc things really are just a waste of money. I've found frontline to be extremelly effective for my cat thats allergic to fleas and the other two that aren't and it can be used on the furniture, but check out all of them your vet has to offer and see what they recommend.

Answer 5

Go to the vet and ask for "Program" flea drops. You put a couple of drops behind your cat's head daily. They're much more effective than OTC remedies. Also, get some flea spray and use it on your cat's bedding, plus your carpets and furniture or anywhere where they cat is allowed to roam in the house.

If you can't get program I'm sure you vet will have something very similar. If in doubt, ask the vet.

Answer 6

I have found that a mixture of 1/2 Witch Hazel and 1/2 Wintergreen Alcohol works. Just mix the two and bathe your kitty working up as much lather - it shouldn't amount to too much - as possible. This also helps relieve the itching and should help kitty's fur grow back.

Answer 7

After treating it with some sort of flea treatment (drops, flea bath/dip, etc) and making sure your house is clean (flea powder, professional exterminators), keep your cat inside (and possibly with a flea collar on). You should have much less problems with fleas.

Answer 8

First keep your cat as an indoor cat only
second - use frontline PLUS..it gets rid of fleas and keeps the new eggs from hatching -thus irraticating your problem

I have four cats and do not have / have not had fleas and their ages are 13yr to 17yr....it can be done.

good luck

Answer 9

I use Frontline... its a miraculous brand that works really well. apply it to the cat/ it absorbs into the skin and when the fleas get on they die!! I recommend it but it usually needs to be purchased from a Vet.....

Answer 10

hiya all my animals get garlic put in2 their food just a bit but every day and they've never had fleas x