How can I get rid of stubborn fleas on my cat?

Question

I have 2 cats, one 22lb male, and a small female. They never go outside, well almost never. On one fast escape to the outdoors, I guess the big guypicked up a flea. Anyway, i was a bit lax on the flea meds and the little suckers took hold. When I discovered that they both had fleas, I started in with the flea meds (Frontline, the best kind I think), I also treated the house and got a "flea trap", which does actually catch fleas, though not in huge numbers. Anyway, the point is that while the little cat is good now, and I have kept it up with the meds, the big guy still has fleas. I will find them on him 2 days after I give the medicine. Is he too big for the meds to work well enough? Is there a BIG cat version? Or does the vet have some sort of ultra flea bomb? What should I do? I am getting really sick of this, and I know my poor cat must be misserable. Help!

Answer 1

I have heard of people putting moth balls inside the bag of a vacuum cleaner and it helps. Frontline needs to be reapplied every 30 days. If fleas get on your pet they die pretty quick. Sooner or latter all fleas will die.... problem solved.

Answer 2

Yes the vet can provide you with a proper treatment for your house. It will not be a 'bomb'. Flea traps are pretty much a waste of time - there's no point catching a few fleas in your house when there are zillions more laying eggs - you need to kill them ALL.

Continue with the Frontline, regularly. Cats don't need to go outside to get fleas.

Chalice

Answer 3

I personally prefer Advantage as the better flea-killer. If your big guy still has fleas, it's possible that you used the wrong-sized dosage on him.

Because he's 22 pounds, he will require more Frontline than your smaller cat. If you used the same-sized tube for both of them -- especially if you used the tube for cats under 9 lbs. -- then it's likely that he just didn't get enough of the medicine to cover his entire body. Look at the Frontline label and the number of pounds that it's intended for.

Read the package label on your Frontline before giving him more -- I know that Advantage says not to give more than 1 treatment in a week's time.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Go to the vet and get a pill called Capstar for the big guy that will do a one-time flea kill and get rid of the buggers. Then keep him on the Frontline Plus or switch to Advantage. I have a huge cat and have him on Advantage and it always works (my dogs are on Frontline).

The flea traps don't work. If they persist in your house, then get a professional in. It works better than those bombs that spew chemicals everywhere, is less toxic and they guarantee their work for a certain period of time.

Oh and indoor animals can get fleas - fleas will come inside any opportunity they get if there is a warm blooded animal to jump on to.

Answer 5

Question have yo cleaned there blankets or where they sleep ,
they could also be getting them if they go out side you may have to treat the outside area to .
flea comb helps
but front line and flea bombs and washing bedding's usly can stop the fleas also cleaning the rooms where the cats live check the couch , under the couch may need to be cleaned with a flea treatment same with under the beds once fleas take hold it a full out war who going to win .also speak to local pet stores and vets again for advices .

Ps
Bozema has good advice on getting a exterminator to come in to spray inside and out .

Answer 6

Poor guy!

Since he is so big, he might need more medicine to protect him. You might want to go ahead and have a vet or groomer dip him to get rid of the stubborn fleas. And keep on vacuuming the house so the infestation won't start again.

Good luck!

Answer 7

...... did you also know that cats can get heartworm like dogs from fleas ? Yep, it's true! Might have to get at the carpets if you have any, just to be sure. Good luck.

Answer 8

as of size i would speak to vet as might need a bit more,dont do without speaking to as might overdose.