<p>So my cat has fleas. She was scratching some before but bathing with herbal stuff and combing seemed to do the trick. Now with the sudden warm weather they seem to have gone nuts. I got bit last night! I had always been kind of opposed to oral meds but I’m thinking about it. Other than washing the cat and blankets, etc. again does anyone have tips? It’s time to take decisive action.</p>
<p>The problem with fleas is that by the time you notice them, they have set up shop everywhere. They are not only on the cat itself, but most likely in your carpet and your upholstered furniture. You need to get your cat treated out of the house (at the vet) at the same time you get your house treated, by an exterminator.</p>
<p>Otherwise you’ll be in a vicious circle.</p>
<p>I’ve been there. It’s an expensive PITA.</p>
<p>The cat actually only goes in our bedroom and out the bedroom window to hang out outside and we have wood floors.</p>
<p>Then maybe you don’t have a big problem. Regardless, I would have the vet treat it. I’m not sure the home remedies really do the trick.</p>
<p>Whenever we’ve had fleas, we’ve just done the house bombing. We get flea shampoo for the dogs/cats (can’t remember if from vet or pet store… I’d guess pet store). I’m not sure it’s the most convenient thing, but it always does the trick. </p>
<p>Fleas are a pain. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m with Romani- bomb and shampoo. I agree- fleas are a pain!</p>
<p>We’ve had good luck with using Advantage on our pets. Especially when compared to shampooing a cat. </p>
<p>First thing is to flea treat the cat because cleaning inside won’t work if the cat still has fleas. We use Revolution, which requires a vet prescription (though we fill it at Costco).</p>
<p>Advantage is the one that works for us. Frontline does nothing around here. </p>
<p>I use Capstar tablets. It kills all fleas on the cat within an hour. Supposedly it’s safe enough to give daily and it is not prescription. Look for it on Amazon or at a pet store. When our cat had fleas, I dosed it every other day for about two weeks. It got rid of the fleas. Since your cat goes outdoors also, I’d follow up with something like Advantage, etc.</p>
<p>(We brought a kitten covered with fleas into the house (bathroom). I gave it a Capstar tablet and no fleas next time I checked. I gave him another tablet the next day just to be sure.) </p>
<p>I have been vacuuming, washing bedding on hot and spraying the window sill where she sits with the herbal stuff (after washing). The cat is no place to be seen, likely out taking the sun, so I will trap her and shampoo her with the non-herbal type of shampoo when she finally comes in. I got her a collar as a stop gap until I can get her into the vet to see about possibly Revolution and another “dip” if it seems warranted. She is easier to bathe than some cats I’ve known. 
Thanks for the input. I will need to plan ahead more to take more drastic measures as they all require a bit more logistics RE cat and dog.</p>
<p>Thanks, ignatius. I just ordered the Capstar on Amazon. I remember our vet had given it to our previous dog once. </p>
<p>On the upside I am getting a jump on my spring cleaning . . .</p>
<p>Capstar worked really well on my daughter’s cats, though they were a bit hyper for an hour or so after being dosed. Diatamaceous earth is a natural product that you can sprinkle where ever the cat has been, and even on the cat, then brush out after a bit. It clogs the skin of the fleas and kills them. </p>
<p>When I was hit with both bed bugs and fleas at the same time last fall I had to go so far as sprinkle it over the bed sheets, since I was being bitten by both species. It got rid of everything pretty quickly.</p>
<p>Now cat stays inside and I will not be taking my annual fall retreat to the very posh YMCA camp on Lake George.</p>
<p>I also use the Capstar but not everyday. For immediate relief you can bomb the house and then dunk the cat in the bathtub… the fleas end up in the water, but it’s dangerous (claws) and the cat hates it :-)</p>
<p>I gave my cat a bath once. I’m still scarred by the experience.</p>
<p>Diatomaceous earth is a white non-toxic powder. It kills fleas by blocking their spiracles (how they get oxygen through their exoskeleton). People actually eat DE for various reasons; it is actually quite safe. When I have a flea problem, I do whatever toxics I feel like (dealing with dogs, so the precise products are not the same) but I also spread DE everywhere and sweep it around so that it gets into corners and under baseboards, etc. (I also have wood floors.) Then I vacuum furiously. </p>
<p>Revolution has worked well for us. It is a liquid that you squirt on the back of their neck monthly. </p>
<p>Advantage is also a liquid but is non-prescription. We are trying it but the jury is still out. I’m thinking it doesn’t work as well as Revolution.</p>
<p>I second advantage. Frontline doesn’t work in my area, possibly because the active ingredient is the same as most commonly used to treat termites as I understand it, and fleas get immunized to it. </p>
<p>Fleas spend most of their life cycle on the pet if given the option; but, eggs, larvae and pupae are in the environment. Fleas preferentially bite cats and dogs so they are generally fairly numerous if they bite you. They also are VERY fast and can travel well so assume the whole house has them although worst in the areas where the cat lives. Nothing will “kill” eggs or pupae until they hatch and contact some sort of insecticide. So, bottom line, most of the recommendations are helpful but you really need to follow the multi-pronged approach of 1) Treat the house – exterminators are great but make sure they have a guarantee to come back because the flea eggs WILL hatch. Vacuuming regularly (daily) is very helpful to get the eggs and pupae out and or damaged to prevent hatching. 2) Bathe the fleas and flea dirt off of the cat so that you can monitor for reinfestation. Capstar gives an immediate kill but has no residual activity. 3) Use a long lasting topical such as Advantage, Frontline, Revolution, etc. that will kill the adults and has an insect growth regulator to prevent any fleas that get by the kill from reproducing. Typically, you need to treat for 3 to 6 months before you can feel like you have good control. Your local veterinarian will know what is working best for your area. The over the counter products generally don’t work very well. Check the labels carefully – cats can be very sensitive so it is important to never use dog products on them. Hope this helps – I give this talk daily during flea season!</p>