Maybe an amateur question

I treated my kids for fleas today. First time using a topical product on them. They both seem fine, but one is a long haired cat, and the application area is oily. I took a damp cloth and wiped at it, but it's still oily. Eventually he's going to groom himself....is this a reason to freak out?

Placing the product behind the neck will prevent kitty from grooming. What product did you use?

I used Sentry Purrscriptions. I was told it was a decent product and sort of assumed that they wouldn't sell anything unsafe at a pet store...I followed directions, but of course things never go according to plan. And once I applied it, I started to panic (I do have anxiety), so I started looking around online. Worst thing to do ever. Reviews range from good, no worries, to certain death: panic.

To update and clarify, both my kids are okay. They are eating, drinking, moving around as normal. No lethargy, no vomiting, no drooling. It's been about two hours since application. I just worry excessively. Particularly about my fur babies. But it seems okay, right now.

For the record, after reading horror stories and reviews of that crap, I threw out the rest of the supply and I'm not putting it on the boys ever again regardless of lack of effects.

Good for you!

Let's face it, ALL flea products are risky.   They are ALL toxic.

There is a balance of killing the fleas but not the cat/dog.  There is HUGE money in this business.

The past few years have seen a large upswing in adverse affects/deaths in pets. Especially cats and small dogs.

The EPA has forced the pesticide companies to change their labeling. 

User, beware.

Is it necessary to treat indoor cats?

I live in Texas where it's hot most of the year and fleas don't die in the winter.  I treat my indoor only cats because fleas can hitch a ride on shoes and pants.

I live in Florida, the flea capital..lol.. I use a homeopathic remedy that resolved a flea problem and it keeps us flea free even though cats go outside in an enclosure.

It depends on where you live. Personally, I would not just routinely treat my cats with the commercial pesticides due to the risks.

Frequent combing with a flea comb will alert you to a problem and you can take care of it before it gets out of hand. You see flea dirt, even if you don't see live fleas, you have a problem...

Easy to spot if diligent.

The only topicals I trust are Frontline Plus, Advantage 2 and Revolution. The application site is oily or spiky for a day or two and then returns to the regular fur look. You have to watch for the cats scratching the application site because the flea drops might irritate their skin.

Is it a sufficient plan to watch for signs of fleas and bathe a cat with dawn dish soap when evidence of fleas is found? Or do fleas already start making kitties miserable before the fleas and flea dirt are visible?

In my experience, fleas and flea dirt are obvious fairly quickly.

Now, I live in Tennessee. There are a lot of fleas, they do die in the winter, but we have had a problem this year that has just been crazy. The kids are miserable and have some despite not ever going outside. I treated the yard this weekend as well and normally do not treat them with topical stuff because I worry about it affecting their health. During the next few months, I will probably have to keep treating them regularly, until the problem is fixed. But I am going to call my vet today and ask what sort of options she recommends.

For the record, the kids are okay this morning. They were their usual selves this morning. However, I did throw that stuff away. Too many ugly reviews and way too chancy for my kids.

I'm always open to recommendations to rid them of fleas, btw. It's been a miserably bad battle this year.

I don't use anything other than Frontline Plus, Advantage II, or Revolution.  I am thinking about trying some of the Frontline Plus clones but am a little worried about the possibility of inactive ingredients being harmful.

With the cheap stuff, you get what you pay for.  Sometimes it doesn't kill the fleas.   Sometimes it kills the fleas.  Sometimes it kills your cat.  Many of the el cheapo flea treatments are straight up organophosphates.  Not healthy, and while there is a scientifically-accepted level at which one overdoses, it depends on the individual's sensitivity to OPs on whether or not side effects such as seizures develop.  OPs are very potent neurotoxins to fleas and to kitties and to people, for that matter.

I do treat my indoor-only kitties BUT I have dogs that go in and out, and I have cats constantly coming in to the house from the shelter.  So we do revolution on kitties once a month and Frontline Plus on the dogs.  For people who have no dogs, I have other questions.  If you rent or are new to the house where you're living, do at least a 3 month course of treatment because you don't know who lived there last and had left flea eggs in the carpet, hardwood cracks, etc.  Then every 3 months should be good, unless you notice the kids are getting fleas, in which case, treat more frequently.  Because fleas carry tapeworms and are uncomfortable for pets and their humans, I don't advise only treating when you notice fleas.  If they're managing to pick up fleas as indoor only cats, they should be on a regular schedule of preventative.  If they go outdoors, they should be on a regular schedule of preventative.

Some would say too much chemical exposure.  Remember though every time you see one flea on your pet, there are already hundreds of eggs in their environment.  Fleas aren't really solo types, so there are probably more live ones than you see, as well.  Every time you get a flea on your cat, you would need to go through decontamination with bedding--wash anything kitty likes to sleep on in hot soapy water and vacuum the heck out of things that aren't washable.  I don't recommend putting a flea collar in the vacuum, FYI, because it can aerosolize the chemicals.  But now that most vacuums are bagless, it's not as easy as throwing out the bag with the flea eggs in it...you have to bag up the vacuumed dust, dirt, and hair, AND clean out the vacuum...or else you'll be harboring flea eggs.

I hate fleas with a passion.  In my opinion, much better to err on the side of a monthly treatment than wait for an infestation.

Thank you for your advice! It just sounds like the preventives are so dangerous, like I can't use them unless I have a dose of atropine nearby. I'll start on it though, I don't want my babies to get them!

To me, it's the cheap preventatives that are dangerous.  You get what you pay for.   Frontline Plus and Advantage II have been around for a while with good track records.  Revolution as well.  Just don't overdose, apply correctly at the back of the neck, and be alert for possible side effects.  From my experience, the oral flea treatments (save Capstar) have more issues--particularly vomiting.

The good news is neither of my cats had severe reactions. They did develop little hot spots at the area of application. After taking them to the vet, we determined that topical stuff wasn't a good match for my kiddos. My vet sort of pushed Comfortis on us.
I've been putting off using it because giving my babies flea meds makes me hella anxious. However, I did it tonight. I gave a dose to my poodle and the slightly less problem prone cat at about 3. It's been several hours and both are pretty much flea free and okay. The poodle wasn't affected at all, the kitty is mostly just sort of napping but fine. He doesn't do well with fleas and it's been a trying experience for him. I finally dosed up my other cat. He's....the problem child. He tends to be a bit of a drama queen and flips out about everything. So I'm nervy about this once more. Just sort of wanted to mention the final solution to all of this and let you guys know how the kids are.