Fleas from the cat!!

[jd_1984]

Had a kitten 2 days and it must have arrived with fleas!! We took the kitten off a friend at 7 weeks old as a present for my partners little boy.

However we are finding fleas in the carpet, the couch and on the animal. We have sprayed everwhere with flea stuff from the pet shop and the kitten has had flea treatment. My partner is hoovering twice daily and washing bedding etc...

But how long does it take to be finally rid and is there anything else we can do? We have just got our home perfect and its took the shine off our lovely house!

[jd_1984]

My message isnt getting across well.
I would sooner keep the cat, I am away at the moment with work. My partner has freaked out, admitedly way OTT. I first wrote the post to ask for help regarding the fleas. As they day has progressed my partner has spoken with her sister, and she is willing to take it on. BUT I dont want that especially. Yes we have a nice home but the kitten, I dont think, will ruin the house if we are mature about this.
Too many judgemental people on this site at times. Im doing my best to be mindful of the animal and the stress that my partner is under balancing work, toddler and now kitten with fleas.
YES agreed it wasnt the best time to get the kitten, I am angry about the situation but trying to do the best by everyone.
Perhaps if the fleas go, the cat gets used to us and we to it, it may stay.
Its one of those situations that has blown out of proportion. I know it isnt the kittens fault at all

[daffy654]

I gave advice regarding the flea problem and even gave a link to a great product to help. I haven't been judgemental in any way... which is unusual for me :)

[jd_1984]

daffy, i read the link and attatched to an email for my partner back home - thankyou x

[China Doll]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be judgemental, I just really 'don't get it'... It does sound like your partner is really rather overreacting. Perhaps let the dust settle and by the time you get back there things will have calmed down. The rowing over it is probably just addiing to the drama.

[dotty.]

. lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PYoP1vK0-M

[Brinjal]

I don't think cats are suitable pets for toddlers anyway.

[Pumbah]

As the servant of one cat (previously two, the other being an "ex-feral" which managed to tame us, til it died - at 18+ - last year) I think your wife's reaction IS very OTT. Although they both suffered very occasional bouts of fleas, they were quickly cleared up with flea treatment on the cats, but little or nothing on the house. Another good ploy is a flea comb (bit like a nit comb). Used regularly this will show both fleas and "flea dirt", which can indicate the presence of new fleas. That said, I'm not sure a small kitten is a good start for a 4-year old. Without prejudging your wife's son, they can often "over love" a small kitten, which may then get fed up and react badly to constant attention, however kindly meant. Something like a hamster or goldfish, or even a budgie, might be more appropriate.

[B00]

I wouldn't have said any animal would be suitable for a 4 year old to be blunt. Animals are not toys and a 4 year old has no concept of an animal's well being, whether it be a goldfish, hamster, or in this case a cat.

If you get a pet, get one because you want one, and have every intention of looking after it.

[dotty.]

ah now jd first mistake of a cat slave, you try not to blame the cat, that's never really true, it may not seem to be the cats fault, but that's how clever they are.

[jd_1984]

We rushed into this didnt we!! My partner is very obsessive about cleanliness and I know this is the root of it. If I was at home it wouldnt have got to this point!
I do appreciate all comments, I am sure all are constructive.

[B00]

Glad you took it on the chin jd, I do tend to get on my soap box where animals are concerned!

Really do hope that poor kitten gets his forever home soon.

[jd_1984]

Boo, I agree to a point. I was conflicted when we got it and not much better now. You should be sure that a pet is a good idea for your family, it isnt an accessory or a toy.
We did beleive that the child, 5 next week. Would be able to assist us keeping the animal etc and see it as a responsibility and family member not a toy. Yes this makes the decision on whether we should keep sound ridiculous and NOT responsible on our part. Thanks for your concern, I will ensure the best thing is done for all concerned from now on

[Pumbah]

If your partner is that concerned about cleanliness then I fear for the future. Should you keep the cat and, as suggested earlier, instal a cat-flap, be prepared for little "presents", in the form of mice and/or birds, both dead and alive. Our ex-feral regularly brought them in through the flap, thinking we must be hungry since we gave her all our food! In later years, as senility crept in (her, NOT us), pieces of wood from the garden appeared instead.

[B00]

lol pumbah, your last sentence made me laugh- bless!

[China Doll]

Pah... I mainly get sticks/wood from the garden, and the cat doesn't have senality as an excuse! ;0)

[netibiza]

When i was in England for 6 weeks my cat infested the house, and poor Mr N had to spray it, powder it and hoover it everyday for about a week, and also wash all the bedding. dreadful time, and even i got bitten when I came back so another round of spraying hoovering, finally got rid! It has been said that sea salt sprinkled around will dehydrate the fleas, but becquse we live in a hot climate it wouldn't work because it melted. Good luck.

[Pumbah]

Glad you liked it, Boo. She sometimes sat on the garden path calling to us (it wasn't a real meow) with a twig or piece of fencing slat in front of her. A lot funnier than when she brought a live mouse in and let it go! It disappeared under the piano in the lounge, and took several hours to get out.

[jd_1984]

UPDATE
After a long telephone converstion (and the mrs had sunk a large Malibu) we have decided that we are going to keep the cat. I think the flea incident should only have been a minor thing but it highlighted the bigger picture which is that we as a couple underestimated how much is involved with keeping an animal and maintaining a clean and tidy home.
But that said, as the day progressed yesterday I started to feel that this kitten is OUR responsibility and was from the minute we collected it, taking it from its mother. I want the animal to feel safe and happy and offloading it again isnt the right thing to do.

I think that the situation was made worse by me being away with work and the mrs was having work, childcare and family issues all thrown at her at once and the fleas if you like were "the straw that broke the camels back!"

So on reflection we will provide a loving home for the kitten and hopefully we have seen the end of the fleas for a while!

Phew!!! Why is it always the little things that keep you so pre-occupied.....

[Smowball]

Oh I'm glad you are keeping the kitten. Cats can be such funny,amusing pets. Mine both adore my son and will go to him over anybody.

[magsmay]

God help your partner if it has an accident on your new carpet, or drags a half eaten 'trophy' into your kitchen then sicks up the rest on your new sofa . she really doesn't sound like an 'animal' person. her reaction may seem OTT to you - but maybe she doesn't want the kitten now she knows how much 'mess' it makes. Is it litter trained LOL!