Worms/Fleas in indoor cat?

[brokenheart]

Hi, can a totally indoor cat who is the only pet in the home get worms or fleas? There are no mice for her to eat, either. Thank you!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I would venture to say yes. Feeby is indoor only and has fleas - but, she does have access to a screened in patio. However, it is very easy for fleas to be in the surrounding yard area of your house, or even with other infected pets in your building if you live in an apartment. These fleas can easily hop a ride on you to get into your home. If you do live in a house and have wildlife around (squirrels, birds, etc.) there are most definitely fleas in your yard.

Not as clear about other forms of worms, but tapeworms can happen if a cat would ingest an infected flea, for example.

 

[KittyJ]

Yes, an indoor cat can get fleas. As, FeebysOwner said above, fleas can hop on you or anyone else in your home. I wouldn't say it's very likely, though.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Absolutely, yes, they can. Worms lay eggs in dirt, and simply walking across an infested area can leave those eggs clinging to your shoes, to be brought in the house. Fleas are well-known to hitchhike in on pants legs. In fact, the worst flea infestation I ever dealt with happened during a period when we did not have any pets.

It is more likely to happen in warm humid climates, but can happen anywhere.

 

[maggie101]

I have been lucky. My cats,now indoors, were strays. My porch faces grass and a dog park. I also have bird feeders so I'm continuously on the grass. No fleas. My oldest is 9,rescued 5 weeks old. I should still get advantage though keep forgetting

 

[maggie101]

I just had to look this up. Fleas flourish in 70-85° weather. It's been in the upper 90s. They would not survive

 

[FeebysOwner]

I just had to look this up. Fleas flourish in 70-85° weather. It's been in the upper 90s. They would not survive

That is so NOT true. We have 90+ temps all summer long, and the fleas are not one bit affected by it. There are so many other variables to be considered. The temp - especially when looking at 90+ - is only one small factor.

 

[vince]

Yup, they can get fleas if they're inside-only. Mine got fleas last year and they never go out. No mice, either. I must have brought some in on my clothes.

 

[KittyJ]

I have been lucky. My cats,now indoors, were strays. My porch faces grass and a dog park. I also have bird feeders so I'm continuously on the grass. No fleas. My oldest is 9,rescued 5 weeks old. I should still get advantage though keep forgetting

Dude. You are lucky. If they don't have fleas, I wouldn't treat them if I were you.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I just had to look this up. Fleas flourish in 70-85° weather. It's been in the upper 90s. They would not survive

I promise you, if you ever go to Florida where it is 90+ for most of the year, you will find LOTS AND LOTS of fleas. The year I evacuated my kids and husband from our home and sprayed the house and yard with a really obnoxious and fatal insecticide, it was 95 degrees, and HUMID. You could step outside (or inside, that year) and watch the fleas hopping on you.

 

[game misconduct]

Hi, can a totally indoor cat who is the only pet in the home get worms or fleas? There are no mice for her to eat, either. Thank you!

yep a cat can easily get fleas just from you walking out side and picking up a hitchiker flea that jumps off into your home

 

[game misconduct]

I promise you, if you ever go to Florida where it is 90+ for most of the year, you will find LOTS AND LOTS of fleas. The year I evacuated my kids and husband from our home and sprayed the house and yard with a really obnoxious and fatal insecticide, it was 95 degrees, and HUMID. You could step outside (or inside, that year) and watch the fleas hopping on you.

your a stroke survivor now to like me that means no escape from the fleaswe cant walk fast enough to avoid em now

 

[Mamanyt1953]

LOL, I hadn't even thought of that, game misconduct !