Why do my indoor cats have fleas in Florida, and what works?

Hi and thanks for your post! Yes, it is recommended that even indoor cats be on flea preventative. The reason for this is fleas can find ways into your home and even hitch a ride on you! It only takes one flea to induce a flea allergy and cause an infestation eventually so it is better to prevent. Dealing with fleas on your pet and in your house can be a real headache. I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I certainly understand your frustration. There are 2 products that I particularly like in these cases where different therapies have failed to help. I like Bravecto as a preventative and Capstar to be used concurrently as needed for fleas. Capstar is crucial because it can help kill a lot of fleas at once and it can be used as often as once daily to effect. Also, it is important to vacuum the house and all things that have contact with them frequently. Try this for 1-3 months and if does not make a difference, they may have another type of allergy such as a food allergy or environmental allergy. This is likely going to help. Good luck and have a good night!

The majority of a flea problem is environmental. It is best to have the cats treated at a vet's office while your home gets treated at the same time. Flea collars do not typically work well. The most important part of treating fleas is breaking the life cycle which takes 3 months of consistent treatment.

Good day, In addition to treating your pet, for fleas, you should treat the inside of your house and yard, especially if Lucy goes outside. I favor a product named Comfortis for cats with serious flea issues. You can also considering alternating flea products to keep the fleas guessing. If you opt for Comfortis, consider giving it for 3 months in a row to see its full potential. I know a lot about fleas since I work in warm Florida in 32259 zip code.

Over the counter Hartz and Sentry products do not work. I suggest you get prescription strength flea medications. You can easily get these medications from one of our VETCO clinics inside Petco stores. Here are the ones in your area: ( https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/?zip=77081 ) Take the cats with you. It is first come, first serve and there is no exam fee so just the cost of the products. The vet there can advise you when you can give the new product based on when you applied the other product. You also need to treat your house and yard (if you have one for fleas). I suggest these products: ( https://www.allivet.com/p-1389-knockout-es-area-treatment.aspx ) ( https://www.allivet.com/p-9065-vet-kem-yard-spray-32-oz.aspx?SearchTerm=yard%20spray+Auto ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

SIGNS OF TOXICITY All flea control products are potentially toxic or may produce unexpected side effects. Toxicity may result from accidental overdose or unexpected sensitivity. Known side effects, although rare, are vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, sluggishness, weakness, or abnormal behavior. If you suspect that your animal is reacting adversely to a flea control product, stop using the product and consult your veterinarian immediately. If the reaction occurs immediately after application, the product should be rinsed off thoroughly and the animal brought to the veterinarian for evaluation. Adverse reactions may occur from minutes to days following application. Insecticides can be toxic to people; all products should be handled carefully, avoiding direct contact as much as possible. Keep all products out of the reach of children. Cats are particularly sensitive to many pesticides. ONLY USE PRODUCTS LABELED TO BE SAFELY USED ON CATS. If you have any questions about a product’s safety, please consult your veterinarian. FLEA CONTROL IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT Immature life stages of the flea accumulate in the environment when animals with fleas serve to disperse flea eggs into the environment where they then hatch into juvenile life stages. House and yard treatments need to be concentrated on "source points", which are areas where your pets spend most of their time. This typically would include the bedding and resting areas, the feeding location, etc. You can lessen the flea burden in your home by thorough vacuuming of all source points followed by disposal of the vacuum bag and by washing all animal bedding weekly in hot water and drying at high heat for twenty minutes. Steam cleaning of rugs and carpeting +/- upholstery is also helpful. In the yard, focus on areas where your pet(s) or other animals spend most of their time. Typically, fleas survive and reproduce in shaded, moist areas with plant or organic debris (under decks, bushes, storage sheds, etc). Fleas do not survive or reproduce well in sunny, open areas of lawn or patio. Elimination of yard debris will be helpful in reducing flea numbers. You may choose to utilize a professional exterminator service for the treatment of fleas in your home and garden. REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS It is important to realize that the various anti-flea medications do not eliminate the immature forms of fleas in the environment. Thus, for the first month or so you may continue to see fleas on your pet as the juvenile forms mature and search for a new host. This does not mean that the fleas have built up resistance to the medication – in reality, flea resistance to these products is quite rare. The most common reasons for failure to control a flea problem are: 1. Frequent washing of a pet treated with a spot-on product (this includes swimming in pools, lakes or the ocean). 2. Inconsistency in the application of the product. 3. Failure to treat all pets. 4. Wildlife reservoirs of fleas (feral cats, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, etc.). Thus areas below outside decks, old sheds, etc. should be barricaded or locked to discourage such ‘visitors’.

The most comprehensive protection you can get that is also the easiest to apply and has very, very few side effects would be Revolution. I highly recommend this. I will provide broad spectrum coverage for fleas, roundworms, hookworms, ear mites, scabies, etc. This will give you peace of mind. You can get this product easily by going to one of Petco's VETCO clinics inside their stores. Take Ford with you as the vet will need to see him. They do not charge an exam fee so all you will need to pay for is the product. Hope this helps. ( https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/?zip=86001 ) ( https://www.zoetisus.com/products/cats/revolution-plus/efficacy.aspx#FLEACONT )