Fleas & worming

[OttoRose]

Dumb question - do cats who never go outside need to be treated for fleas and worms? Mine are strictly house-cats, but they're up to date with their jabs in case we need to kennel them.

Should I be flea-ing and worming them too? TIA

depends if there have ever been fleas in your property, or if someone who has been in contact with fleas visits your property, the eggs can live for years in carpets/furniture......
it won't do them any harm to have a frontline every now and then, prob better than dealing with it if they do get fleas, it's hell!

Thanks for replying MissFoodie - seems sensible to take a belt 'n' braces approach. I just feel a bit mean subjecting them to yet more 'medicine'. Will sort them out this weekend.

well, the worming tab is only once a quarter, the frontline is every month, but if yours don't go out, you can probably just do it once, then maybe in 6 months unless you see signs of fleas?
do they catch mice?

No, no mice here thank goodness, but our landlord did allude darkly to a previous infestation of fleas some years ago All the carpets are new and I know our furniture has never been exposed to fleas [grimace] but you're right, I should "do" them just to be on the safe side.

I asked my vet the same question recently, as I have two indoor only kittens. Once every six months for both worming and defleaing is fine, as visitors who have been in contact with other cats can bring in fleas so it should still be done.

If there are young children in the house the worming should still be done frequently though :)

Although we always had cats when I was growing up and my mum didn't bother with either

Every six months sounds good to me OFTRT but please allow me an additional [grimace] at visitors bringing fleas in

My Ma never bothered either

If any of you are like me and don't like subjecting your cat to lots of chemicals then cider vinegar is a good natural defence against flea's. I found out about it while researching for natural remedies in 2010 after my kitty had flea's even though I was using chemical protection. I apply it on the back of his neck, about the same amount as what is in a frontline tube, I do it every month but you can do it more often if you wanted. You can also add a few drops to your cat's water, if they will drink it (my cat won't) It's not toxic if your cat manages to lick it, a little bit stinky, yes :) but once it's dry there's no smell.
Mine is a outside cat and since I started to use the cider vinegar I haven't so much as seen 1 flea. Friends that I told have also had success with it too.