What is the best way to keep fleas off of my outside cat?

Question

He's fat. i've tried every thing...fleas sprays, flea drops, flea shampoo, baths 2 a week.....the neighbors cat has tons of fleas and they play together...i can't try to keep them apart

Answer 1

Snag the neighbor's cat and give him a flea bath, and then use a product like Frontline on your cat.

Answer 2

Please do not buy an over the counter flea collar or medication for her. Most of them are toxic and many cats have died from the chemicals in over the counter products. That aside, none of them work. Take her to the vet and ask them to board her for the day. Ask them to give her a Capstar pill. It will remain effective for 24 hours, and will kill any fleas that are on her. It begins working within 30 minutes. While she's at the vet, hire an exterminator to fumigate your home. Have them treat your lawn as well. Make sure they know that you have a pet so they'll use pet safe products. When it's safe to reenter your home (about 4-6 hours), go in and wipe down all surfaces like counter tops and tables to make sure they're safe for your cat. Vacuum all carpets and furniture, and mop any wood or tile floors. Take the vacuum outside to remove the bag or empty the canister then seal the trash bag and take it to a dumpster. Be sure to do all these things BEFORE picking up the cat, as it's best to make sure she's not in contact with the concentrated chemicals. When you go pick up your cat, explain that your flea preventative isn't working and ask about others that may be more effective. I've had the best success with Advantage, but have heard great things about Revolution too. Since your cat is indoor/outdoor Revolution would probably be the better choice. It not only prevents fleas, but also prevents ticks and some worms... both of which cats are at risk for outdoors. I know it sounds like a lot to go through, but if you follow these steps and keep a good preventative on your cat you won't see fleas again. I did this about 8 years ago and haven't had a flea since. I do continue to have the lawn treated twice a year. Of course, keeping your cat indoors will help to reduce the possibility of a reinfestation as well. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

OK don't panic - it's just that you haven't gone about tackling the problem the right way. Flea shampoos are useless - in fact so is anything store-bough, unfortunately. Reason: stores aren't licensed to sell the right drugs. Bathing the cat won't do anything either.

Pop into a vets and get some Frontline. Regular Frontline will keep fleas off your cat for up to a month - Frontline Plus will keep them off for up to six weeks, and helps treat your house as well.

You need to treat your house, as flea eggs will have hatched there. Talk to your neighbour, perhaps give her a pipette of Frontline from your pack so she can see it works too!

No reason for any cat or dog to have fleas in this day and age. I just wish pet stores would stop selling the crap they have, everyone thinks if it doesn't work then nothing works, but it just isn't true!!! Vets are the places that are allowed to sell the stuff that actually works.

Chalice

Answer 4

I agree with Jules! Revolution is the best. It treats mites, fleas and parasites. I haven't seen a flea in 3 years since I started using it and our house was infested. Keep in mind it may take a month or two to completely get rid of all fleas, but it works, I swear! After all the fleas are gone, you only need to use a few drops out of the tube, but until you see all fleas gone, use a whole tube. You could even use it on your neighbor's cat and ask them if they could chip in. The best place to get it: petshed.com. They are the cheapest and you dont need to see a vet to get it. Here's a direct link:

http://www.petshed.com/products/item108.asp
They also have a 6 month supply:
http://www.petshed.com/products/item2806.asp

I swear on my life it works. And you wont need to worry about combs or baths...

Note - your cat may squint its eyes during application but this is normal and he will be fine.

Answer 5

Flea drops, flea shampoo, flea collars, and flea sprays WILL NOT WORK AFFECTIVELY! The best solution to this common problem is Advantage OINTMENT that is applied to the back of the neck. Fleas are killed in hours. Flea collars are also known to be a hazzard to your cat's health.

Answer 6

Any 30 day flea treatment like Frontline or Advantage

Answer 7

Try using a flea collar and continue to give him baths. See if its okay to do the same with the other cat.

Answer 8

If you won't keep him inside, this might be impossible. But you can try any or all of these steps.

Also know that cats are more prone to get fleas if their health isn't of the best. Being overweight may be a factor here.

Case in point - I have two cats, and only one has fleas. Sophie is completely clean, while Poppy (who is still slightly overweight) has them.

. Treat the cat. Go to your vet and get either Advantage or Frontline Plus (I went with Advantage).

2. Get yourself a "flea comb" and comb your cat at least once per day. Have a bucket with dish soap in it handy to dunk the comb in and to collect the hair. Fleas can't jump out of the slippery soap. No point in combing them out only to have them jump back on your cat. Flush this down the toilet, pour it down the sink, or dispose of it away from your house.

3. Treat your house. Options are a borate powder product or something that uses diatomaceous earth. Fleabusters (BP), Fleago Natural Flea Control (BP) or Flea Away Natural Flea Powder (DE). Put about a tablespoon of this in your vacuum cleaner bag (or you can cut up a flea collar to put in there. Just follow the directions which will vary by product, but in general you'll sprinkle on the carpet and vacuum up and also sprinkle into cracks and crevices. (I chose Fleago because it's less expensive than Fleabusters. I may also try Flea Away in time).

4. Vacuum as often as possible. Before vacuuming, stomp around the house. This will bring the fleas to life because they'll think there's a tasty morsel out there. Then vacuum those little bastards up. Be sure to use your attachments to vacuum as many cracks and crevices as you can - they love to hide out there.

5. Wash any pet bedding in hot water, and you'll want to be particularly diligent about vacuuming/treating areas where your cat hangs out.

6. Treat your yard. Even if your cat doesn't go outside, fleas may enter your home if they exist in your yard. There's a small chance that you or others may bring fleas in the house with you (although this is unlikely). Get hold of some nematodes to spray in your yard. I believe you only have to do this once per year. These little creatures will eat the flea larva. As one website put it, these critters are too small to hug, but they deserve it! (I had to order this online; I wasn't able to find a place that sells them in my area and didn't feel like calling every place in the phonebook).

Things not to do: Don't use any essential oils on your cat, particularly anything with pennyroyal or eucalyptus. They're toxic to cats. Don't use flea collars. Don't give your cat any garlic/yeast formulations. Don't give your cat lemon baths.


You're going to want to continue treating your home as directed, whether that be sprinkling once per week or once a month. Continue treating throughout flea season (when it's warm). You can stop during the winter months, but start up again in the spring. You'll nip them in the bud!

The key is to treat the environment, not the cat. If you do that, you may never have to apply another flea product directly on them again.

Answer 9

Talk to your vet about a prescription flea spray.

Answer 10

FRONT LINE after a flea bath from your vet. There, said it.