Treatment FAQ

why is my cat still getting fleas after treatment

by Ernest Little Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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An unfavorable reaction leads the list, which can be due to the cat’s sensitivity to the ingredients or accidental ingestion of the product. In some instances, a cat may act weird after flea treatment as a result of stress and anxiety. Dealing with a flea infestation in cats can be done in many ways.

Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.Feb 19, 2018

Full Answer

Why is my cat acting bad after flea treatment?

Having fleas is not pleasant at all. Cats who are infested with them tend to act erratically even before you administer the serum. That’s why it’s not uncommon for them to continue to act that way after the anti-flea treatment. All you have to do is give them time, and they’ll switch back to their default settings soon enough.

How do fleas get on a cat?

Most often, a flea will simply jump up from its natural habitat and attach itself to the host. However, animals (as well as humans) can also pick up larvae while walking through tall grass or wooded areas. The larvae will then develop on the host’s body until they mature into adult fleas. If a flea bites a cat, it can cause itching.

What happens when a flea bites a cat?

The larvae will then develop on the host’s body until they mature into adult fleas. If a flea bites a cat, it can cause itching. The cat will frantically scratch at the bite area to get rid of the itch. This scratching alone can lead to numerous problems, which include loss of fur, swelling, painful sores, and an infection of the bitten area.

What happens if you don’t take care of your pet’s fleas?

This can lead to endlessly larger outbreaks as fleas continue to multiply and become more resistant. Don’t put your sanity or your pet at risk by failing to follow instructions.

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Why am I still finding fleas on my cat after treatment?

By allowing treated pets to access all parts of the home you usually let them into, your pet acts as a 'living vacuum cleaner' to kill the newly hatched fleas before they can lay more eggs. Because of this, it is normal to see fleas on treated pets during this time.

Why is my cats flea treatment not working?

Incorrectly applying topical flea prevention is the most common cause for its failure to work. Flea prevention is expensive, and you don't want to waste a dose. Topical medication should be applied directly to the skin, not the hair. You must part the hair so that you can apply it to the skin at the base of the neck.

Why do my cats fleas keep coming back?

The most common reason for fleas coming back time and time again is not treating the environment thoroughly enough. Because the life cycle of fleas is so long it's imperative to continually vacuum and keep picking up fleas at each stage of their life cycle.

How long can fleas live on cat after treatment?

Once aboard, they remain until they are dislodged or groomed from the animal. Without a host, adult fleas live only a few days to 2 weeks. On short-haired cats and dogs fleas survive an average of 8 days; they live longer on long-haired animals.

Can you double up on flea treatment?

Never double up on products. There's no need to pair a powder with a spot-on treatment. 3. Wear gloves, or wash your hands with soap and water after you apply the drug.

What do I do if flea treatment doesn't work?

Why Has My Pet's Flea Medicine Stopped Working?Make sure to apply topical medications correctly (do not split medications to use on more than one pet)Make sure your pet's skin is healthy so topical flea medications work well.Treat your yard and house where 95-99% of the flea population lives.More items...

Can I treat my cat for fleas twice?

A flea infestation on your pet or in your home can be difficult and frustrating to deal with. Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand.

Do fleas live in cat litter?

The first thing you may be wondering is, “Can fleas live in cat litter?” Unfortunately, the answer is yes; fleas thrive in humid environments like your cat's litter box. The good news is, a flea family won't just decide to set up shop in the litter box.

How do I get rid of fleas in my house fast?

How to Get Rid of Fleas in the House Fast1 Vacuum your home.2 Steam-clean carpets and furniture.3 Wash bedding in hot water.4 Spot-treat your home with insecticide spray.5 Set up some flea traps.6 Apply essential oils to problem areas.7 Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in corners.8 Comb your pet with a flea comb.More items...

Why are there more fleas after treatment?

As eggs hatch and develop, you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment - this is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them. This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.

How many fleas on a cat is considered an infestation?

Just One Flea Can Be a Sign of a Problem As few as 20 fleas might mean your pet is infested, while the most could be between 200 to 300.

Can you get rid of fleas just by vacuuming?

House: Vacuuming the carpet can help to remove the eggs that drop there from the fleas on the pet. Vacuuming will remove a few larvae and the debris that the larvae eat. Vacuuming will cause the adult fleas to come out of their cocoons while the carpet treatment is fresh and effective.

How to treat fleas that can't see?

To treat the fleas you can’t see, wash all of your bedding, blankets, and pillows in very hot water.

How to get rid of fleas in carpet?

As mentioned earlier, carpets are a major haven for flea eggs and larvae. They should be vacuumed frequently and if possible, steam cleaned to kill eggs. Be sure to remove vacuum bags from your machine after cleaning and place outside the house to prevent re-infestations. A vacuum with a True HEPA filter will be able to effectively reduce the population dramatically. You can also treat your carpet using food-grade diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle over areas used frequently by your pet, including those under pet bedding. Wait two to three days, and then vacuum up. You can also spread diatomaceous earth in lines along walls and in crevices near carpeted areas.

How to keep flea traps working?

There are also refillable pads for flea traps to keep them working their best. 6. Re-infestation from Outdoors. Airflow and sunlight kill flea larvae, so the brighter and airier your yard, the less likely your pet will bring a flea inside. Keep your yard clean and free of debris.

How long does it take for a flea to lay eggs?

When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day. Regular treatment is the key to keeping fleas at bay, but bathing your pet does nothing to prevent fleas.

How to treat a carpet with a true HEPA filter?

Sprinkle over areas used frequently by your pet, including those under pet bedding. Wait two to three days, and then vacuum up.

Can fleas be transferred to dogs?

Fleas are uncomfortable for your dog and it’s worth taking them seriously. Not only can they bite and cause infections, they can transfer tapeworms to your pets. Their ability to jump 150 times their own length, drink 15 times their own body weight, and go for 100 days between meals makes them difficult to combat, but by being proactive you can prevent infestations. A holistic plan that includes cleanliness, grooming, natural treatments, and a high-quality diet can ensure that your pet stays happy and flea-free.#N#Pin for later:

Can you rub diatomaceous earth on pets?

You can even rub diatomaceous earth into your pet’s fur, but because it is a fine dust, be careful not to create lung problems for any family members who might suffer from asthma or other breathing difficulties. Additionally, avoid applying near a house fan or in windy environments. 8. Not Treating Year Round.

How to get rid of fleas on kittens?

The fleas have to bite to be killed so you may still see some lingering live fleas on your kitten. Wash ALL bedding, blankets. Vacuum thoroughly and tie vacuum bag into a plastic bag and tie up.

How to treat fleas in the house?

My first suggestion would be to repeat what others here have already stated, treat ALL animals in the house, whether you see fleas on them or not! Treat the house with a spray that is formulated for carpets/furniture and repeat every day for a week, removing the animals when spraying and until it's dry. DO NOT forget to cover/remove ALL food/water for your animals and you before treating the house. Once the spray is dry then vacuum your house and don't forget under the furniture and along any baseboards/cracks in flooring as this is where the pupae are hidden. Revolution kills adult fleas and larva but will not affect the pupae at all! It also prevents the egg from hatching. Don't forget to treat all bedding and any clothing that your cats have laid on as well. I know my cats love to lay on clothes that are in the hamper or on the floor and even in the washer too!

How old was Luna when she had her first flea bath?

East Coast, USA. surille said: My kitten Luna had a mild case of fleas - after her first flea bath I found roughly less than 20 adult fleas on her, she was 8 weeks old. Now 2 weeks later having taken her to the vet to be treated with Revolution, I've still found two or three live fleas on her.

How do flea killers work?

Topicals work by killing the fleas that come in contact with the cat. If the fleas are in the carpet/upholstery/linens and haven't come in contact with the cat, there will be other fleas and you will notice them on your cat before they're dead. Also do not double up on doses, its more than possible to overdose your animal and cause a great deal of harm or even kill it.

How old was Maia when she got fleas?

When I got Maia at 8 weeks old she was infested. I bathed her with Hartz Ultra Guard dip. You just fill the sink and put some of the dip in the water Nd dip your baby . I did it for a couple of times and the fleas disappeared she also had the flea collar for a couple of weeks but I never saw another flea.

How long does it take for fleas to go away?

It costs about the same as a month of Revolution. It's s big can, and if you follow the directions on the can, and use Revolution for a few more months (some use it permanently), you really should be rid of all fleas within 6-8 weeks, tops. Remember too yards (grass) will harbor fleas. If you let your cats or dogs in a flea infested yard, you will get them again. In this case you will need to buy a pet friendly product to kill fleas outside, as well.

How long does Capstar kill fleas?

Also, Capstar, an oral med that is very safe will kill all the fleas in about an hour but must be given daily.

How to treat a cat with fleas?

How to Perform the Treatment. Deworming and anti-flea treatments are crucial for your cat’s safety. Administering them is a bit uncomfortable for the cat, however. You have to take a pipette and apply the anti-flea serum onto the nape of your cat’s neck. The process is rather simple:

Why does my cat react to flea serum?

Other times, your cat might simply have an adverse reaction to the serum because of a weak immune system. You might be the one at fault, as well; if pet owners use dog flea medicine on cats, or adult cat medicine on kittens, their pets are likely to behave erratically after their treatment.

Why does my cat scratch when fleas bite?

If a flea bites a cat, it can cause itching. The cat will frantically scratch at the bite area to get rid of the itch. This scratching alone can lead to numerous problems, which include loss of fur, swelling, painful sores, and an infection of the bitten area. But the fleas are also carriers of various other parasites.

What do fleas eat?

For instance, flea larvae tend to feed on tapeworm proglottids. Each proglottid stays inside of the larva during the pupal stage. Once a cat ingests the pupa, the tapeworm can manifest inside the cat and continue its life cycle.

Why does my cat change his behavior?

A change in your cat’s behavior always causes concern. Your cat’s changing behavior may result from illness, injury, pain, stress, or fear, but before you can bring your cat comfort, you must get...

How are cats similar to humans?

In other words, one cat will have no problem with one type of processed meat, while another one might have severe health issues after a taste.

Can a cat ingest flea medicine?

More often than not, the cat will ingest flea medication by accident, and its body will react. That will result in flea treatment poisoning, or flea collar poisoning if you’re using a special serum-filled collar. Other times, your cat might simply have an adverse reaction to the serum because of a weak immune system.

What happens if my cat gets fleas?

Some of the things that you may notice include hiding, loss of appetite, lethargy and failure to use the litter box properly. For most cats, a trip to the vet can be an overwhelming experience.

Why do cats run around after flea treatment?

When cats sense the overly active fleas on their bodies, they may run around, scratch, rub themselves against surfaces, vocalize, and pant. Worry not because your cat’s strange behavior after getting flea treatment will go away on its own, usually when all the fleas on it are already dead and no longer moving around.

Why does my cat have anemia?

Many things can cause a cat to suffer from anemia. One of them is a severe flea infestation. Fleas can drink lots of blood, which can deprive a cat’s vital organs of much-needed oxygen — the blood, the red blood cells (RBCs), in particular, are the carriers of oxygen.

Why do cats pick up fleas?

Because cats are very curious animals, they can pick up fleas rather easily. As a matter of fact, up to 18% to 19% of cats have fleas. The good news is that a flea infestation is highly treatable. However, once upon a time, you may have noticed a cat acting weird after flea treatment. There are five most common reasons why ...

How long does an anti-flea collar last?

What’s so nice about an anti-flea collar is that it can provide results for five to eight long months. On the other hand, a spot-on flea treatment’s effect can last for only about one month. But for an anti-flea collar to keep your cat free of fleas for months, it should be worn by your pet all the time.

What to do if my cat is fleaing?

Two of the most popular include applying a spot-on flea treatment and using an anti-flea collar. Some cat owners prefer taking a trip to the vet. Regardless of which flea treatment you prefer, it’s possible for your cat to act weird afterward.

Why does my cat scratch so much?

Sometimes, a cat may experience severe itchiness and scratch violently because of flea allergy dermatitis. As the name suggests, it’s a form of dermatitis resulting from flea bites, and it can cause skin infections, scabbing, and hair loss.

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