OMG Fleas.

So I have had cats for about 15 years and never once have they had fleas. And guess what...this year, we got them good. They make my skin crawl and the thought of them in the house with my children makes me want to end it all. So I have one cat who is pretty clean, but I did find a flea on him today when I combed him (outside thank goodness) he spends his days outside, but his nights inside. I have bought him a bed to limit where he sleeps, he used to sleep just anywhere. awesome.

So I saw my first flea about a week ago, Frontlined the cat right away, and have used Acclaim in every room, and have been vacuuming regularly. I am still seeing fleas...its 9 day on. Will it ever end? I went to see my vet who told me that Frontline has not worked very well this year and sold me some Advantage, she said in another week I can re-treat him for fleas.

Is anyone else going through this? Have you been there, done that already and have the flea free tee shirt? Can you talk me through how long it took for the fleas to all be dead? Help! Any support would be so helpful! Thanks in advance.

In my area, Revolution works the best, although Advantage Multi (Advocate) is sometimes recommended for cats with flea allergies.  It has something in it to deal with dermatitis from flea allergies. 

In addition to vacuuming, I use my steam cleaner when I see too many fleas.  I will use it on water-only sometimes (this prolongs the life of your steam cleaner too, according to my vacuum-repair guy).  I'll do it 1-2 times weekly. 

I got fleas once in Florida, and I tried the stuff you mentioned and it was not working... and the only way I could get rid of them was to use a super toxic bomb, a fog type thing, in every room of my flat.

I had to leave the flat with the animals for 24 hours, close all the windows, turn off the AC, remove all dishes and glassware, and BOMB IT.

But, it worked.

I got rid of them that way. They were all dead.

I do not recall the name of the bomb, but I recall that it was sold in the supermarket - but, that was in the USA. Here, you may need to go to a pet store - I don't know.

I hope you get it sorted!

Our cats were in-and-out cats and as soon as we'd de-flea them they'd go outside and pick up a whole new batch  When we got our current cat from a shelter we had to sign a paper saying he would not go outside -- because indoor cats are healthier. We live on a busy road so made sense anyway. And he's never had fleas!!

UK shelters usually won't give you a cat if you don't let it outside.

This happened to me about 7 years ago, Racheeee. My cat was an indoor/outdoor cat and he had NEVER had any flea issues until one day BAM! It was awful, so I really do feel your pain.

From what my current vet tells me, fleas have become nearly immune to Frontline so it's not recommended any more these days. My cat uses Stronghold which has worked really well for us.

As for the house, I can't remember what I used back them - but I pretty much flea bombed the whole place and it did kill off the little b*stards. It wasn't a proper flea bomb, but just something I bought from the vet. Whatever it was, it worked.

But, oh, how I remember it all! It was terrible. I'd see fleas hopping on and off my feet and ankles all the time. < shudder >

Thanks everyone! I know it's going to take some time, I just need to be patient.  If I have to  do the bomb I can, but I think I have to wait a few weeks.

UK shelters usually won't give you a cat if you don't let it outside.

Interesting.  I've found it to be the exact opposite near me in the US. If that's indeed the case, I guess I'll never adopt a cat from a shelter in the UK as I refuse to have an indoor/outdoor cat. I won't have a cat that could get lost, stolen by someone else, get the flea problems mentioned in this thread, or hurt/killed by a car. I suppose I could always lie and say they will go outside, even though I have no intention of doing that.

Back to the topic, we've always used Advantage on our cats, if that helps. I've seen those whole house bombs another poster mentioned, and have had friends/family use them successfully. Maybe a combination of a flea dip (if they do those in the UK), plus the 'bomb' will take care of the situation.

I guess I'll never adopt a cat from a shelter in the UK as I refuse to have an indoor/outdoor cat. I won't have a cat that could get lost, stolen by someone else, get the flea problems mentioned in this thread, or hurt/killed by a car.

Many of us have very healthy and happy outdoor cats.

Many of us have very healthy and happy outdoor cats.

Maybe it's only the a$$holes around me then.  Because I've heard and read plenty of stories about people deliberately going out of their way to harm cats walking around the neighborhood. It's pretty much assumed here that any cat walking around is a stray, and is therefore liable to be picked up by someone, or possibly injured by people pissed off that the cat is crapping in their flowers. I couldn't face the possibility of a beloved pet getting hurt in that way, so I refuse to take the chance. Maybe people in the UK are much nicer to cats roaming around their neighborhoods. But let's just let this topic go since I know it digresses from the topic at hand.

When I got fleas in Florida, it was in Miami Beach, and I was renting a ground floor flat, and they were INDOOR cats! But those pesky fleas got in anyway! And tried to eat my kitties, and ME!

When I moved, I purchased a place on the top floor of a highrise, and I never had to use any flea products again.

So, in some parts of the world even indoor cats can get fleas.

I have 2 indoor cats now - I call them my little hostages.

In the UK cats have a legal right to roam:

"However, it is important to remember that cats are free to roam and are protected by law."

http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/faq/-/question/ENQCADDeterCatFromGarden

My cats flat out refuse to go outside.
When they were younger, I forced them, and they just cried at the windows and the door. So, they stay in - which honestly made me happy. I was scared they would get hit by a car.
Maybe because like to stay in because they are pure breeds, and snooty?

All they want to do is eat, poop in a box, and sleep on my hubby's pillows.

I should say my cat is a homebody, he goes outside everyday and sits in the same spot, like one of those old men who sit outside of the town library all day and you wonder if they have a family and a home....he just sits under the tree. Sits there....all day long...

I should say my cat is a homebody, he goes outside everyday and sits in the same spot, like one of those old men who sit outside of the town library all day and you wonder if they have a family and a home....he just sits under the tree. Sits there....all day long...