Don’t want to go to friend’s house while she has fleas

[Theantisleepfairy]

I have a close friend with a LOT of pets. She has 4 dogs, 7 cats, and a hamster in the house, and guineas and rabbits outside. One of that cats was taken to the vets recently as she was covered in sores and scabs, and it turned out she was allergic to her fleas. She was asked to bring the other cats in but refused, and refused to buy the vet’s flea treatment as it would cost too much to treat all the pets, and she told me that she treated them all herself. When I asked her what she used she said tea tree.

We have a dog at home, and we are about to bring home a puppy. The last thing I want right now is to bring fleas into the situation too!

We are meant to be going for tea tonight. Do I be honest and straight with her and say that we don’t want to come because of the fleas? Just the thought of how many could be in the house by now makes me shudder!

I wouldn't be visiting her at all because I wouldn't be friends with someone who neglects their animals.
Fleas are hard to get rid of and tea tree won't do it. I appreciate the stuff from the vet is expensive but its part of being a pet owner and cheap but safe and effective alternatives are available

Don't go and tell her why.

Do I be honest and straight with her and say that we don’t want to come because of the fleas?

Yes :)

Don't go! I've had them before from someone bringing a dog into work and they infested my house it was a nightmare. She's also sounds quite neglectful to her animals 🤨

Don't go. Tree tea oil is not the miracle to cure this. I think she's disgusting to treat her pets this way. This is more about animal hoarding then being a pet owner. Don't risk your pets and you and your family by going.

Don't go.

Fleas have been really bad this summer.

The stuff I usually use to treat my cats hasn't worked and I've had to get stronger stuff from the vets.

One of mine is also allergic to the bites and has lost a lot of fur. I've been grooming him every day and trying to get cat shampoo and wash on him to ease the itching.

I've also been spraying each room and washing bedding etc incesssntly.

I've been warning my visitors that I have a flea problem so they can make up their own mind.

What did you do in the end @Theantisleepfairy?

It sounds as though she's got 12 more pets than she can manage.

This.

I wouldn't be friends with someone who treats defenseless animals this way. Depressing to read.

I think she has a problem with pet hoarding and to the extent she cant afford to look after them properly. Tea tree does not treat fleas effectively as is shown. I would try and tell her as such in a diplomatic way. I have no doubt she loves her animals, but she is blind to their actual needs. This is neglect.