Fleas Ravaging The Colony Cats

feralcat6

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I am seeking any suggestions regarding relieving the homeless community cats that I care for of the horrible suffering of fleas & parasites.

It is very troubling to see them suffer so much. Has anyone used Brewers Yeast & Garlic tablets mixed in their food daily, or DE food grade?

If so, I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance for any advice
 

red top rescue

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Brewers yeast mixed in the food is supposed to make them less attractive to fleas.  Increased vitamin B in an animal or person seems to be less attractive to biting bugs.  However, if these are cats you can touch, you can get Advantage flea drops for around $2-4 per cat depending on their size through the mail.  Obviously if you can't touch them or if there are more than you can afford even at those prices, that won't work.  As for putting the food grade DE in their food, that will kill parasites inside but will not affect the external ones.  However, if you spread the DE in their bedding if they have any, that will kill the flleas an the eggs as they hatch.
 

happypet6

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We also care for a feral colony and having a horrible time with fleas. Also have 14 kitties inside who have fleas for the first time in their lives. We simply can't afford any of the chemical topical solutions for everyone, so trying DE. Using the food grade, we put it in their food and rub it in their coats. Also sprinkle it all over carpets and upholstered furniture. We use flea comb constantly. This has become a fulltime job but we love them all and it seems to be keeping fleas to a minimum. As for ferals outside, we are going to order Nematodes for the yard and put DE on the ones we can. Trying to keep the yard cut as short as possible. Living in the South, we always know this will be problematic. Sorry I can't offer more advice. Good luck!
 

nansiludie

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I would like to add that you really shouldn't add any garlic in the food as I remember as a child my mother used to put garlic in the dogs food, it never did work. Besides that though, garlic and onions are bad for cats, especially because cats are extra sensitive to chemical compounds.
 
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feralcat6

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My sincere thanks to all that have responded. I recently ordered Brewers Yeast & Garlic tablets from Only Natural Pet. They recommend a

dosage of 1 tablet a day for any cat under 10lb. to be mixed in with their food. I also have bought DE food grade, thus will try that as well.

It is very troubling watching these poor cats suffer so much. Why is this aspect of post TNR never seemingly discussed?
 

nansiludie

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I have used Advantage on mine, during feeding time, I very carefully apply some on their upper shoulder blades. Capstar is a tablet given with food but I am almost certain it only lasts a day.
 

supermax1943

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I have had tremendous luck with "Little City Dog" products.

The FDA is after this little company now, but not because there is something wrong with the product....they are using the product for an "off label" use, but that is the way it is being used by regular pharmaceutical companies. It is obvious it is the pharmaceutical companies that have decided to go after this little company.

I can vouch for their products. I have been using them for years....both the flea meds and the worming meds.

The meds come in capsule form which you can open and sprinkle on the food. I feed both wet and dry, so I mix it into the wet. I have not tried sprinkling it on the dry food, but I bet that would work too. The taste seems to be agreeable....and you cannot get a better price anywhere. I think the flea one is chicken flavored and the worm one is fish flavored.

I imagine the Advisors on this forum might want to look into this before they let this comment go up for everyone, but that is perfectly understandable.

I really support this company for trying to help with a real problem.....fleas and worms for feral cats. It is the only thing I have found (looking for years) that actually works, and  is safe. 

Their website is: LittleCityDogs.com

To get around the FDA, they now no longer describe what the capsule is used for...so, what you do is just google the name to find out what each product is. For instance: the flea med is called "Nitenpyram" (which is the same active ingredient as Capstar). The tapeworm is called Praziquantel (which is the same medication that is in Droncit). Be sure to buy the biggest bottle of each for the biggest saving.

If you are "In to" any kind of activism (I am...it is what else I do) then you might enjoy reading the comments from customers on their website, to see how loyal some of their customers are. To me, as with the information on this website that is so useful because it is from people actively involved in the day to day experience of dealing with cats.....companies like Little City Dogs are providing a super service to the community. I admire their guts to stand up against the "big guys".
 

red top rescue

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Cats are not really supposed to have garlic, @feralcat6, but the brewers yeast may make them a little less attractive to fleas.
 

guy mangano

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I care for 6/7 ferals. All( as well as others have been TNR ) Since I can not touch them I elected to treat their flea problem orally. Initially I would crush capstar pills and add it to the food but that only kills adult fleas for24 hours.I also would feed them Program once per month to kill the larve and prevent infestation. Last year I found www.petsneedmeds.com. They have a Capstar alternative as well as a Program alternative combined with Capstar. You do have to mix some oil with ithe Program alternative for proper effect. I use some Tuna oil. They have the meds in capsule form so its easy to mix it into food and it far far cheaper
 
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