What is my best option for fleas?

[catlover100]

I have seen a few fleas on my indoor cats. It has been so many years since I have had to worry about this that I am not familiar with any of the products my vet's lists on their website. I have big problems in the past and I want to stop it now before it gets worse.

Does anyone have any experience with Comfortis or Actyvil Spot On?

Also I really need something that works but inexpensive. Would something at Petsmart work just as well?

Thanks!!

 

[tobilei]

I tried Activyl, it was marginally useful as was Advocate for cats (I think you call it advantage II?) But their effectiveness wore off and I was constantly battling fleas in the house. The Activyl also caused a skin reaction in both of my cats and made the spot really itchy. I was terrified of comfortis after having googled it but I can honestly say it's been a godsend in this house. Both of my kitties have been on it now for months and both are always flea free which has given me the chance to get rid of the one's in the house (vacuum vacuum vacuum).

I know there is a collar you can buy called Seresto. It's about $60 but lasts for 8 months I believe. I haven't tried it yet but it has good reviews.

Some people swear by Diatamacious Earth for a more natural approach but I haven't tried that either.

Obviously you need to watch your cat with whatever method you choose but I love comfortis and am so glad I found it.

 

[catlover100]

I checked with my Vet's and they have Advantage that I can buy one dose so I think I will have to do that because it will be cheaper then spending that much money at one time.

These cats are costing me so much money! In December I had one with a urinary blockage that I am still paying on that bill. He is on Royal Canin food so that gets expensive. Plus I put the other two on canned food since they are male and I was worried about another one getting a blockage. Geeeeee!! It gets expensive!!!!

 

[tobilei]

 
I checked with my Vet's and they have Advantage that I can buy one dose so I think I will have to do that because it will be cheaper then spending that much money at one time.

These cats are costing me so much money! In December I had one with a urinary blockage that I am still paying on that bill. He is on Royal Canin food so that gets expensive. Plus I put the other two on canned food since they are male and I was worried about another one getting a blockage. Geeeeee!! It gets expensive!!!!

Totally understand! My 2 year old boy has really bad allergies and has been in and out of the vets pretty much fortnightly the whole time we've had him. He also fails to gain weight and potentially has dental issues. He also has behaviour problems.

My little girl has a fish allergy, a sore on her foot that won't heal and anal gland problems (possibly also from food intolerance) so she's in and out of the vet as well!

Because of the skin issues with my boy he's on 3 weekly treatments for flea's instead of 4 weekly and we can't ever stop them, a lot of people let it ease up over winter but we can't.

I had a kitty who had urinary crystals and required special foods too. Both of mine currently eat prescription dry food so I totally understand the never ending money that gets poured into them!

 

[catlover100]

I really feel for you. As mine have gotten older especially my 15 yr old he has had several trips to the vets for congestion. I have been hearing him cough periodically but I just can't take him in. Sometimes it seems to go away on his own. I think his could be allergies since I moved here in this apartment almost 3 yrs ago.

I went through a divorce and I swear I should have asked for more alimony to cover their expenses. We both made mistakes but I feel I had no choice but to leave him and I wasn't going to leave any one of my 3 behind .Plus he didn't want them. The 15 yr old has lost weight over the last 6 mos or so and I worry but I can't take him to the Vet. He eats well and is active. But if you don't have the money, you don't have the money.

I have to try and tackle this flea problem first. I have dealt with fleas so bad before they were biting me and I had to use bug spray on myself inside the house to keep them off of me. Even though our cats have always been inside they can always come in or someone who previously lived there had a pet and the eggs lie dormant I guess. 

Hope the health of your babies improves!!

 

[tobilei]

Wow, you've had a rough time of it Yes, sometimes you just can't afford every single thing they need. If I had the money I would have my boy at a specialist, have given him allergy testing and call in an animal behaviour specialist but my budget just can't stretch that far with 3 kids and 2 cats with health issues. I have read that you can ask for payments for pets when you separate, but I don't know how that goes down when people split up. I guess under the law pets aren't seen like human children are.

It could very well be an allergy. I moved here 10 years ago and had 2 cats at the time. Both spent the first few months sneezing a lot and one never really stopped. The other did but she developed skin related allergies. I think losing weight as they get older is common, if he seems healthy otherwise I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe some higher calorie food might help?

And yes, the flea's here are a nightmare. It's warm, it's humid and while it gets cold in winter, not cold enough to kill them off so they're just year round problems.

Thanks for the well wishes! I sure hope it does!