Garga Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I have 5 indoor cats. They never, ever, ever go outside. Ever. Yet, today I discovered that they have fleas--at least 2 of them (I haven't checked the other 3 yet as I am popping on here immediately for help.) So, what's the best way to get rid of them ASAP? A week ago, one of the cats started peeing and pooing out side of his box. I'm 99% sure it's because of the fleas and he's trying to tell me he's upset. Frontline? Can I get it over the counter? Do I have to go to a vet? I don't want to waste any time and have the pee/poo cat get too entrenched in peeing/pooing outside of the box. I want fast and effective. (Don't we all.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 For cats, I like Revolution. You should he able to call your vet to get it without an appointment. I don't know if pet stores sell it, maybe behind the counter. Don't use the stuff like Hartz that are on the shelves. If you need to order online you could bathe them in blue Dawn soap today to kill the fleas and then in a few days when the treatment comes give it to them. They need a few days to get the skin oils back in their fur after you wash them because the oils spread the medicine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Frontline of course works as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 You can purchase both Frontline and Advantage at the pet store - but it's much, much cheaper online. Get one dose now at the pet store, but get future doses online. Also: Start a rigorous vacuuming routine for all areas the pets go. Be sure to get the baseboards, and also launder their bedding at least twice a month in hot water. If the fleas are really bad, or if you have other pest issues, consider spraying an IGR in hotspot areas. If you have your own lawn, you might also consider as a long-term solution putting in parasitic anti-flea nematodes. Undoubtedly, the fleas came in on you. (If you think you can sneak these into other people's lawns in your block, more power to you.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 And yes - don't bother with Hartz, or with flea collars - they're crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Around here the over the counter anti flea medications have stopped working- Frontline, Advantage, etc. We now have to use even newer preparations from the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Coast Sue Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Washing with Dawn and then combining works well, but I can't imagine doing that for 5 cats. I did have to treat 4 kittens (foster) and it was exhausting. Eventually, they were cleared for a spray that I wiped onto their fur. About 90%+ were eliminated with a simple bath in Dawn, combing, and pieces of a cut-up flea collar placed at corners and doorways. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AimeeM Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 BTDT, but with dogs. So, no advice on treating the cats, but I will say that it took not only the preventatives, but several doses of the immediate "kill" pills for our dogs. And you might want to have your yards treated. Even if your cats never go in them, if the yards have fleas, your kids could have tracked them in. Vacuum like it's going out of style. Like, 4 times day. If you are already contracted with a pest control company, have them come out and spray the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Capstar for immediate death of adult fleas. You can use it often to turn the cats into flea killing machines. Then you also want a monthly medication, we like Revolution for our cats. CAPSTAR is the best stuff ever though, within a couple hours all the adult fleas on the cat are dead, then you can give it to the cats again in 24 hours. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 One of the things I really like about washing them in Dawn is you get a good idea.of how big of an infestation it is. One time, after a dog with fleas visited our house my dogs started itching a few days later. When I washed them they had at least a hundred fleas on them. All from one dog staying with us for a few days. The fleas were literally jumping into the dogs eyes to get away from the soap. It was disgusting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Capstar for immediate death of adult fleas. You can use it often to turn the cats into flea killing machines. Then you also want a monthly medication, we like Revolution for our cats. CAPSTAR is the best stuff ever though, within a couple hours all the adult fleas on the cat are dead, then you can give it to the cats again in 24 hours. Yes to the above a 100 times over. Capstar is a life saver! Add the the combing, the topical flea treatment and the very frequent vacuuming (I did daily until our flea problem was over and I still vacuum every other day to keep the problem at bay), and you should be good to go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Do not bathe in dawn and then apply a topical treatment, Dawn strips all the oils needed to protect their skin and help the topical stuff spread. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Comfortis is like Capstar . . . a pill that turns your cat (or dog) flea-proof. But Comfortis keeps killing for about a month instead of Capstar's 1-2 days. It's RX from the vet. It's awesome. Beyond that, I'd recommend talking to the vet sometime soon anyway about parasite control measures. If you really can't go to the vet . . . Frontline may work and is over-the-counter and very safe. There are many resistant populations, but if it works, it's good. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 We have 6 indoor cats and they sometimes get fleas too. We buy Advantage online (much cheaper!), give it to all the cats, and then vacuum as much as possible and wash the bedding. We have to give the Advantage for at least 2 months in a row to completely get rid of the fleas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Do not bathe in dawn and then apply a topical treatment, Dawn strips all the oils needed to protect their skin and help the topical stuff spread. Yep, gotta wait a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 If I wanted to get rid of the fleas ASAP (and I would) I'd get Comfortis or Capstar. Nothing else will work as quickly. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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