Flea infestation - But only on 1 cat!

So I'm wondering if there's a need for concern - We currently have a flea infestation (Treated kitties 2 days ago with revolution) so it should be under control soon.

Here's my concern - both cats scratch occasionally - but when I part their fur and look for fleas only 1 has them! I've searched both of them up and down eery day for the last 5 days - Each time I find multiple feas, and flea dirt on Milo - and absolutely nothing on Otis.

Could this indicate that Otis is sick if the fleas don't want to go on him? He has been spraying a lot recently... (He's an 18 month old neuted boy) and I've just got the feliway despenser today. (I haven't had a vet checkup to see if there's an underlying issue because I've always had spraying issues on and off with him)

Hi,

So much to talk about!  If you haven't treated Otis with revolution even as a preventative then you should.  It's just standard procedure with two cats and one having fleas, and i would just assume otis has them.  There is another way to check for fleas though.  Hold him over a wet paper towel and brush him, if little specks of black "dirt" fall to the towel and turn red, then its blood and that means flea dirt.

You say he is spraying. Is he an intact male?  Is he getting up on his hind legs to spray? Details about this please.  If he is neutered, when did this begin? where is he going?  Does he also use the box? What type of litter? Where is the box located?

You may want to post on the behavior forum as well.

Stephen

Sorry to hear about your flea situation .. You have my sympathies! ..

I went through this last year with our newest addition, Thomas, who showed up at our door and later we found out, came bearing a gift - fleas! Neither of my other two cats had fleas, nor have they ever to my knowledge, so it is entirely possible for one cat to have them, but not the other, but not for very long if you don't treat them both.

stephenq is quite right, you must treat both cats, and a couple of different times in order to ensure that you get all of the fleas. You should also wash all bedding and areas where the cats have been. I vacuumed the whole house and disinfected surfaces and afterward used an aerosol environmental spray which is specially designed to spray large areas to kill off fleas and flea eggs that have been laid, as fleas can get trapped in carpets and survive even in cooler temperatures for some time only to re-infect your cats again. Cats need to be out of the area for at least two hours when using the aerosol. Your vet will likely have such a product. Hope this helps and best of luck.