Fleas for Christmas?? WWUD

[Albieinthesun]

Me, DH, our toddler DD and cat have arrived at my in-laws and are staying over Christmas and NY. My BIL and wife have recently gotten kittens and are due to also come down for Christmas, they'll probably stay a week (everyone lives far apart and we have always had long christmases together). BIL texted the family WhatsApp group on Fri saying the kittens have fleas. They have delayed their journey to try and get rid of the fleas as much as poss but are still coming down. I've read flea infestations take at least 2 weeks to get rid of, and concerned that my toddler (who crawls on the floor / licks things constantly) will get bitten, and that we will end up taking the fleas back to our home too but I've never dealt with fleas before. Should I be worried? What would you do?

Just a recipe for unhappy cats all round isn't it

Have you tried bathing a cat?

Indorex flea spray for the house and some flea drops for the cat/cats from the vet. Also some worming drops because fleas can carry worm eggs too.

Why is everyone taking their cats away with them, I've never heard of this before!

If you've treated all the cats beforehand you'll probably be fine though.

This - totally.

Washing won’t kill fleas!
Fleas also transmit worms - are the cats routinely wormed as well?
The fleas will LOVE a warm house with carpets.

My dog takes a monthly wormer/ flea treatment .

I've been there twice this year!! First time we tried to do it ourselves, used treatment on our cat and combed him multiple times a day and hoovered daily but it didn't help so we got professionals in.
Second time, we got in the professional immediately. They put treatment down and you have to vacate the property for about 4 hours. It's well worth it.
By the way, we have a one year old and he didn't get bitten once, they seemed to love me though.

I think the main issue is that DH is allergic to bites and detests them, while rest of family aren't that fussed and don't think it's a big deal, so trying to figure out how worried I should be. Helpful to know we can call up the professionals if needed...!

@Albieinthesun My cat got fleas and I had to have the exterminator round my house three times before they actually went!!!

There is absolutely no way on this earth I would have an animal that had fleas knowingly any where near my pet and even less of a chance said animal would enter my home. YUCK!

My toddler was covered, it was so upsetting.

It started during COVID, our cat seems to genuinely enjoy the change in scenery / doesn't show signs of stress so made sense. Might have to rethink things now there are 2 more kittens in the picture though!

Sorry but the toddler is unwell and I’d hate to pass it on. See you next year.

Fleas for Christmas? Think I’ll just stick with Turkey thanks.

But joking aside - you’ve had good advice on here re frontline/spot on, containment.

Front line doesn't work. Best to get it from the vets

I’d make sure your cat and the kittens are treated with vet strength flea treatment. Kittens combed and bathed. That will probably do the trick to be honest.

However I’d probably get some flea spray for your in-laws house and spray the fuck out of the carpet etc in the room where the kittens are going to be. That will probably finish off any that do happen to travel. Obviously follow the instructions for timings with letting cats and children back in the room.

Urgh. My indoor cat somehow had fleas back in the summer. We got rid of them but it was not an experience I want to repeat.

We r talking kittens

Why on earth are any of you subjecting your cats to travelling then staying a week in a strange environment with other cats? They'll be beyond stressed - including the kittens. Have any of you actually owned cats before? You know they're not dogs?