Cats got fleas....

[ummmm]

We're using Frontline combo but it doesn't seem to be working that well.

Anyone got any tips to get rid of them? He hasn't had them that long, we checked him regularly. He's just had his second treatment.

They're not attracted to me or the kids but seem to be quite fond of OH.

[ummmm]

Can fleas survive in water?

[sandyRoe]

I think you also need to vacuum any carpets and clean the cats bedding. Flea eggs can drop off fur and when they hatch the baby fleas start looking for something to live on.

[boxtops]

Ummmm, you need to get a flea spray and spray absolutely everywhere the cat goes. The eggs of the fleas drop off, fall into the carpet or rugs or blankets, then wake up and hop up as soon as a warm body passes by. This is fine as long as the cat's about but many years ago when my then cat left home, I found flea eggs lurking in safe places like that bit of the carpet just under the edge of the sofa - every time I sat down, I was bitten round the ankles. Wash the cat's bedding, treat everywhere the cat goes, just in case.

[ummmm]

Yeah...we do vacuum. Problem is the cat won't sleep in his bed. He'll sleep where ever takes his fancy.

[ummmm]

That's the whole house then Boxy :-(

[CatGirl4]

The thing is-do you use it regularly? If you lapse,it could mean that the cats did get fleas,have laid eggs,so you will need to treat your furnishings etc,otherwise it's an ongoing problem! Some people use a "BOMB" which is thought to be good at clearing.Good luck.

[boxtops]

Yep ummm, whole house, sorry. Mine would be the same.....

[anneasquith]

shave all his hair off ?

[ummmm]

Can anyone recommend a good flea spray for the house?

Anne....I would if I could.....but I luv him...!!

Do fleas drown??

[20SilkCut]

here you go ummm - this is good

http://www.vetuk.co.u...-spray-400ml-can-p-16

[237SJ]

ummmm why don`t you phone the vets and ask if they can reccommend a flea spray for the house? My late neighbour`s daughter used to work at a vet`s and she got me a house spray. It wasn`t cheap - about £7- but it did the job.

[ummmm]

Thank you 20 and 23 (lol)

I'm not convinced with the vet. I don't mind buying his flea treatment from them but I'm a bit sceptical about anything they sell in their shop.

I'll look at the links...we're having a clear out next week so perfect timing.

Does this 'frontline' work though? He only has one treatment left before I have to get some more. Is there anything better on the market?

[RATTER15]

Are they just on the cat or do you think they are also in the carpets? If they are in the carpets you would be better off getting the house professionally treated, but make sure the treatment is guaranteed though. The problem with these DIY treatments is: if they fail and believe me they very often do, you then need to buy the the same amount again and this stuff is not cheap, by the time you have done this twice it would have been cheaper to have it done by the experts.
Even professionals will often need to treat a property twice, if their chemicals wont kill it first time, don't expect the stuff you get from the vet to be any better.

[RATTER15]

Frontline is about the best you can get.

[20SilkCut]

ummmm frontline on cat + acclaim flea spray around the house = no more fleas - but you need to be thorough and keep up with the frontline regularly.

[237SJ]

When I had my first cat I could get a product from the vet that went into the cat`s bloodstream so that when the fleas bit, they ingested it and it killed them. You can`t get those type of products now. All the products are topical and even though Frontline is ok, I don`t really see how it can work 100%. The fleas are usually around the neck but if a cat has a bad infestation they can be down the spine as far as the tail. If you put Frontline at the back of the neck, how can it spread around the rest of the body if it doesn`t go into the bloodstream?

[sara3]

I've used a spray, Johnsons 4fleas (a big pink aerosol) which was very good. am also Frontlining Colin (did it again today) and I don't think it's as effective as it used to be.

[RATTER15]

If you do get a DIY treatment, its no good just spraying the edges of a room, you need to do every piece of carpet in every room!

When I was a Pest Control Officer, most of the people I went to see said it would have been cheaper to have called me out in the first place. lol

[RATTER15]

23 read how it works here: http://www.buyfrontline.co.uk/

[237SJ]

Thanks Ratter. Just looked at that but I still don`t understand how putting something on a localised area of an animal can spread over their entire body. I would like to know how that can happen scientifically.