How do you cure a cat with fleas and constant itching?

[DodgerGirl]

My mom and I have been dealing with a new problem with our cat and I would like to know how you can deal with it? A few weeks ago my mom put a new flea collar on our cat but ever since we put the new flea collar on our cat we started noticing that our cat is itching himself a lot and now has fleas and we cannot figure out where the fleas are coming from since we don't bring any other animals in the house or have other animals at home. When my cat itches he will itch himself like crazy and has an itchy watery eye and we tried everything to cure my cat of itching himself. My mom thinks it's the new flea collar not working and wants to try something else like flea drops and a lice comb. Also when he does get fleas my cat will sneeze and act weird like he will eat very little but sleeps most of the time and I also think my cat might have an allergy too
Has anyone noticed this with their cats?

 

[AgentMama]

We've always used Frontline on our cats. Sounds like you might need a vet visit for him. But a flea bath and treating your home sounds needed.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I also use frontline on my cats and have not had an issue. I have never had luck with a flea collar, they don’t seem to do much. If a flea bath did not take care of the issue I would go to the vet. It’s also possible, if the issue was not treated with your cat quickly, that they are in your house and you may need to treat your house.

My female cat has allergies. Cats need to be a least 14 months old before allergy tests can be done. (They need to go through all the seasons). It’s a blood test and you want a vet that specializes in allergy issues. My vet recommended an allergy vet for me. It was not cheap but I have her on a special diet and we don’t have many issues (she used to scratch until she was bald). Allergy treatment for dogs are much more advanced than for cats so it may take some trial and error even with testing to figure it out. I also adopted her brother (same litter) and he has no allergy issues.

 

[QueenIsabella]

A few years ago, regular Frontline stopped working in certain areas--the fleas had built up a resistance. We now use Frontline Plus, I think it's called--we get it from the vet (you could probably order it off of Chewy.com, too).

One of our cats was particularly sensitive to fleas, and she was scratching/chewing herself raw. The vet thought she might have a fish allergy, so we get them Purina sensitive skin and stomach food, as well as canned food that doesn't contain fish. We have not challenged the "extra" cat on this, not wanting to cause a problem.

Not only do you need a better flea medication, you need to de-flea the house. Shampoo any carpets (check for flea-killing rug shampoo), shampoo the cat, and get her on a better flea med. Wash any pet bedding, blankets, etc. Use a lice comb to comb through the cat--I would have Vaseline on a q-tip to help snag the, then drop them in a cup of water.

 

[badiggio]

Get that collar off immediately,if you haven't already.Sounds like it also has allergies.We give both our dog and cat,half an allergy pill a day for skin conditions and itching.

 

[mom2rtk]

If your cat has fleas, you have to treat the cat AND the house.

 

[disneychrista]

Seems like the cat might be allergic to this new flea collar. Take it off and see if there is any improvement.

 

[BrianL]

If your cat has fleas, you have to treat the cat AND the house.

Yes. You can put the flea medicine on the cat, but if they or the eggs remain in the house, they will just come back. I have used a product called "Knock Out" previously and it will kill the fleas/eggs in the carpet, bedding, etc. For the cat, I recommend using whatever the vet suggests, which will likely be a topical like Frontline or Revolution (I understand it can vary by the doominnat flea type in an area).

 

[kymom99]

As far as how the cat could have fleas, you could bring the larva or eggs in on your shoes. I’ve had 2 exclusively indoor cats get fleas. Also had one get intestinal worms.

Forget the flea collar. Have the cat treated at the vet and treat your house as suggested.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Those things can cause severe neurological damage and even death, read up on them and remove from your pet with the eyes being off and scratching.

If you can manage to wash residue off the fur I would do so. I would absolutely not give the pet anything else at all or expose them to another chemical for a long while, the animal might need to recover and see a Vet.

We treated our pets space so sprayed the yard and kept close watch on their sleeping area, kept everything very clean. Right now maybe get some of those light up flea traps.

https://oag.dc.gov/release/consumer-alert-flea-and-tick-prevention-pet

 

[DodgerGirl]

My mom brushes our cat's fur every day but where he usually gets fleas is between his ears and his chin and today my mom and I noticed that our cat had scratched his chin raw because he had dried blood on his chin. But we are gonna try a new flea collar on our cat and see if it fixes the flea problem on my cat. I have heard of Frontline for cats because i've seen the commercial for it. Does it really work to get rid of cat fleas well? And you can buy it at the pet store rather than a vet? It sounds like my mom and I would like to try it on our cat. The only other place our cat might've gotten fleas is from the neighborhood cat that Mom feeds outside but we haven't checked yet

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Vet for cat, bomb the house.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Flea collars are not safe! Ask your vet to prescribe Revolution Plus. It's much more effective than Frontline. it's applied once a month and will end the issue quickly.

 

[SirDuff]

The OP has previously said that they won’t take their cat to the vet, so all the good suggestions to do so will be ignored. Again.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The OP has previously said that they won’t take their cat to the vet, so all the good suggestions to do so will be ignored. Again.

Regardless, the answer is the vet. If the pet owner doesn’t want to do that, then they really don’t want the correct remedy.

 

[LSUmiss]

My mom brushes our cat's fur every day but where he usually gets fleas is between his ears and his chin and today my mom and I noticed that our cat had scratched his chin raw because he had dried blood on his chin. But we are gonna try a new flea collar on our cat and see if it fixes the flea problem on my cat. I have heard of Frontline for cats because i've seen the commercial for it. Does it really work to get rid of cat fleas well? And you can buy it at the pet store rather than a vet? It sounds like my mom and I would like to try it on our cat. The only other place our cat might've gotten fleas is from the neighborhood cat that Mom feeds outside but we haven't checked yet

Yes flea collars can be dangerous & at best worthless. I use revolution. You will need to get it from the vet usually. Frontline is OTC & still better than a flea collar. I would recommend starting with capstar. It’s a pill though. But it’ll kill the live fleas within hours. Then whatever you’re using should for a preventative should kill anything remaining. I disagree you have to treat the house. I’ve gotten rid of fleas by treating the pets with a product that works. But you will most likely need to get something that works that well from your vet.

 

[kymom99]

Revolution will also kill ear mites. I don’t give my cat revolution anymore. I did when I first got him for about a year. As long as he has clean checkups I don’t see the need, but would if something came up. He’s indoors, but as I said, indoor cats can still get fleas and other parasites.

 

[BrianL]

My mom brushes our cat's fur every day but where he usually gets fleas is between his ears and his chin and today my mom and I noticed that our cat had scratched his chin raw because he had dried blood on his chin. But we are gonna try a new flea collar on our cat and see if it fixes the flea problem on my cat. I have heard of Frontline for cats because i've seen the commercial for it. Does it really work to get rid of cat fleas well? And you can buy it at the pet store rather than a vet? It sounds like my mom and I would like to try it on our cat. The only other place our cat might've gotten fleas is from the neighborhood cat that Mom feeds outside but we haven't checked yet

Frontline is significantly better than any flea collar. I usually prefer Revolution+ too, but you do have to get that through a vet. Frontline can be bought over the counter though I believe. Also, make sure to treat the house and bedding, etc. or more fleas will just come along.

 

[china mom]

Capstar (pill) for immediate relief. It will kill all flies on the cat but not prevent new ones from jumping on. Bravecto drops to prevent fleas from infesting the cat. Both can be purchased through canadapetmends.com without a prescription (and cheaper than most US stores)

Vacuum the house daily for a week or two. The vibration of the vacuum will cause the larvae to hatch and then the next vacuum run will scoop them up. All a pesticide tot he vacuum canister and dump outside daily. Wash bedding and such where ether cat tends to sleep.

 

[mom2rtk]

Flea collars don't work. Things you can but over the counter don't work. SEE THE VET. Your cat needs you to do this.