Oer to contribute to costs of putting the birds up else where while you treat the flat as lets face it do you really want to be covered in fleas and have you your flat mates and fur baby suffering from the itch and bite
Good points. Before using any product, whether it be an herb or chemical, do your research and then talk to your vet. After all, if the cat gets sick from it, the vet is the one to treat ir.
Hi GoldyCat- I know there seems to be a lot of controversy on some of the essential oils and garlic- however, it is mixed. My vet has approved these and I have been using these products for over 15yrs without any issues.
So, I am well aware of the studies on various products/herbs and remedies.. I have worked with animals in various fields of the animal world for a very long time- and it seriously varies as to what is dangerous and what is not. Also, all things I do are in moderation..I am not pouring clove oil on my cats or dogs, nor, am I feeding them raw garlic- there is a big difference. I know that these products work for me and my animals and I would suggest anyone who is leary of these products to talk to their veterinarian and do some research, also watch you pets with the product to make sure they do not have a reaction... The products I use are pet products and made for cats/dogs- and in many cases made for farm animals and people by the same companies (just cheaper if you buy the farm animal product). I know many of the flea/tick products chemicals that are being discussed in this thread- have actually harmed or killed pets in the recent past- due to contamination and bad batches...so pet owners have to be very leary of those, as well. According to my veterinarian there are "fakes" of many of these products being made- and being sold..The only safe place to purchase is a veterinarian or if you have contacts at the company that produces it. ...
So research, research, research... for a happy, healthy pet.
You can buy kits like that online. I don't remember exactly where I saw them, but the price per cat is about one third of the individual tubes.
Well obviously people shouldn't estimate it. My vet provides a kit that includes a small tube to put the flea medicine in. I snip off the top and then pull the appropriate amount out for the size of the cat. The vet...helpfully an actual graduate of a vet school....prints the instructions on the bottle that holds the kit.
That's what I would worry about also, Catspaw.
Yes, DE does work in certain cases. However, you have to be careful not to put a lot down. If cats get a lot on their paws and then lick them, the DE can make microscopic cuts in the digestive tract. Also, it doesn't work as well on bare floors. If it was the best thing, shelters, breeders and cat shows would have it scattered all over.
I would say most of us use a topical flea drop like Advantage, Frontline and such.
DE has been discussed at length in several threads for many years here.