cat flea control?

Question

My indoor cat has been attacked by fleas -- first time ever in her life. I'm at the end of my wits and am urgently seeking for help.

I used a dosage of Zodiac Spot On flea control for cats two days ago. I've also been combing her very frequently. She still looks very itching. I don't know how to tell whether she's allergic to flea bites.

Also, I'm considering using the more effective Revolution, Advantage or Frontline. But I don't know if it's dangerous to use it just a few days after Zodiac Spot On.

If this is not safe, how can I help her? Are there instantly effective natural solutions that I can put in her food or on her coat?

Could someone also explain why my indoor cat can catch fleas after peaceful five years. I've recently moved. The new place has cockroaches and the landlady has two dogs in her yard. Are they related to the flea infestation?

Thank you very much for your help!

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Just a couple of more questions: how can I tell whether my cat has developed allergy to bites? She does scratch and bite quite often. But I'm not seeing significant hair loss.

Also, has anyone heard of or used lemon rinse for cats? Is it really safe and effective?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Zodiac is basically junk and won't work long. Advantage or Frontline will do the trick. I'd check with the vet about when it is safe to apply the Advantage. It may be that bathing the cat before application may be sufficient but I'd get vet advice first.

Indoor cats can and do get fleas. The little insects look for any warm blooded critter they can get a blood meal from and are happy to hop in through any open door or window. they aren't very big after all. And this year seems to be an especially bad flea year. Indoor cats get less but they are not immune.

Don't use Sevin around your cat. It's toxic to them and not approved for animal use.

Answer 2

Hello there, congratulations on your new cats what a lovely breed, it depends to what degree of infestation they had when you got them, you have done the cats but what about the house, OK you have said the house is clean but have you used any sprays to stop re-infecting your cats? Alas no matter if cats are in the house or outside they can still get fleas, if you go out to someone Else's house and they have cats a flea can travel back with you, even simply stroking a cat outside can do same. May I suggest you have your flea treatment in the house (a good one from the vet-Frontline for example) and keep it until god forbid you have a problem later on, just the simple liquid form is best behind the neck. As for any further injections ect I cannot see any point in giving the vet further money, they make enough as it is. Good luck and wish you well and hope your little bundles of fun love their new home. I hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

In a bad flea year, fleas can come in almost anyway possible. You need to do two things. Get the fleas under control with your cat, and then bomb the house to get rid of the fleas and any eggs. Others have posted their opinions on Zodiac, but often any over the counter flea medication can be problematic as far as being effective. There is a reason vets have the most effective treatments.

If by combing you are able to reduce the fleas to a low level, then giving brewer's yeast tablets will certainly help, followed by bombing the house. That is what I did. Brewer's yeast makes the blood taste bad for fleas. Brewer's yeast is found in health food stores, and is not the same as baker's yeast.

Answer 4

More than likely , you're bringing in fleas as you walk from your yard , and into your home. Without first asking your vet, it's probably not a good idea to retreat this soon. If your cat will allow itself to be bathed, go to the vet or a professional groomer and tell them what's going on, and they can give you a product to sooth the itchies.( Fleas can make an animal miserable. The scratching can lead to open wounds and infection.) Although an injection from your vet will work very quickly. Sounds like you need to de-flea your house, along with the advice from the first answer. And it's important to do all those things at the same time. You'll need to remove your cat from the premises and yourself also, for several hours. Plus you'll need to make sure your treatment of fleas is on your cat and working. This isn't a one time thing. You'll need to keep on top of the problem all the time.

Answer 5

Flea eggs can live for many months without hatching. When you moved in they sensed the presence of your cat (C02 and heat) and hatched. Yes, you can use Advantage or Frontline with the Zodiac (which is useless and toxic by the way). Revolution is a lousy flea killer, and relys on the flea having to bite the cat to kill the flea. Advantage and Frontline don't get absorbed into the bloodstream, so they are very safe and effective. Use monthly. Spray the house with a product that kills flea eggs. The vet can also give you a package of Capstar tablets...they begin to kill adult fleas on the pet within 30 minutes and can be used as often as needed to hurry up the process.

Answer 6

for one..don't ever buy the biospot..or zodiac or hartz crap because it just does NOT work. Also, you may of gotten the fleas from the yard bc they can get inside via windown screens, underneath doors etc. Also, you can use the advantage, revolution, or frontline on her even after using the zodiac crap..because they are two totally different chemicals. Make sure you don;t bath her 2 days before or afterwards. And also is shes scratching a lot still she may have a flea allergy which is really common in cats. one thing to watch out for when you use the NEW AND BETTER flea control that is guarnteed just watch out for hair loss on her neck. Also make sure you vacuum your carpets a lot and throw away the bag if you have bags on your vacuum.

Answer 7

Lemon rinse won't really do anything, because it won't kill the young fleas or eggs, or deal with any in your house. For natural suggestions, check out this web site:

http://www.fleascontrol.com

Specifically, there is a page with a bunch of ideas such as vacuuming, using a kind of soil called diatomaceous earth, and using flea traps:

http://www.fleascontrol.com/natural-flea-control.htm

Any of those three are pretty effective (or in combination) and because they don't use any chemicals, they would be completely safe to use even with Zodiac while you give it awhile to switch over to a new product.

As for the flea allergy question, you can read about the symptoms and what to do here:

http://www.fleascontrol.com/flea-allergy-dermatitis.htm

The main thing to look for are red spots or loss of hair, which are the usual signs of being allergic to fleas.

Answer 8

The fact that you recently moved, is how your cat may have gotten fleas. Perhaps the neighbor's dogs have fleas, and you somehow carried them on you, indoors.

I've never heard of Zodiac Spot On, and because of that, I would consult a vet to make sure that isn't dangerous for your cat (apparently, many ''over the counter'' flea controls are more dangerous than useful).

I recommend Frontline.

Answer 9

My aunt told me about lemon juice and limes. She said to cut them up in pieces and pour boiling water over them and put in the refrigerator over night, then the next day spray your animals with it and the house. She said it will work. I have tried it, but they keep coming back. I would suggest to get front-line for your cat from the vet. I would also treat my yard for fleas, because you can pack them in on your clothes. I have a suggestion also about the roaches. I had them once and I bought combat which comes in a long slender box. The container looks like a big needle syringe. I used this everywhere. Just put little dots of it everywhere. As soon as I put this out they started coming straight to it and eating it. It really does work I haven't had one or seen one in 10 years or longer. You can buy this right at your local walmart store or any other store that sells this kind of stuff. Good luck, hope u get rid of the fleas and roaches. God Bless

Answer 10

My indoor cat gets fleas from time to time as well. I get Advantage for cats, might want to check with your vet, might be cheaper to get it through him than online. Works like a charm. Also make sure you wash or vac his bedding and perches.

I mentioned this wierd occurrance to my vet last fall and he mentioned that as long as it is warm enough for fleas to live outside, you only need one to be on someones clothes, or a bag or something else you bring in from the outdoors. If it is good at its job, that single flea will find a food source and hang on and multiply. Your cat is more defenseless and pretty pray than you since you are going to take a shower or take off those clothes. Also, if you have the windows open, they can get through many types of screens, so if you cat perches in the window like mine, that is another route.