Pregnant cat and fleas - help

[kulaexchange]

We've had fleas all summer despite trying everything to get rid of them. My cat is now pregnant and I'm after advice as to how to get rid of them before the kittens arrive.

We live in a big house and it's all wooden floors. I did upwards of 40 flea bombs in the first few weeks after first spotting the fleas. I've removed all rugs, vacuumed all furniture and washed bedding/blankets/cushions etc.

I now vacuum once a day and spray fly spray (which seems to get rid of them in the short term). I also de-flea the cats a couple of times a day with a flea comb.

I find between 20-30 fleas on the cats every day when I comb them. The house isn't jumping with fleas - at the moment it's about once every few days that we'll see one (not including the ones I find on the cats).

It may also be relevant that the fleas keep appearing in the same four rooms despite the cats having the run of the house.

Hopefully I've included all relevant information. Any advice? I reckon they're under the floorboards and wonder if it's time to get a fumigator in ...

Also - house is normal level of cleanliness and tidy etc

Are you using vet strength flea treatments? Frontline not supposed to be any good. Indorex is supposed to be good for the house

We had fleas at the start of the year. Struggled for months with them. I used indorex in every room, stripped beds, couches, moved furniture it was a nightmare. Hoovered every day including under beds, units , couch, I have mostly carpet and tiles in bathroom and kitchen and after months of repeating the treatment we are flea free. It took such a lot of effort but I couldn’t stand them. I used it 3 separate times but if it hadn’t worked the 3 rd time I was really for a fumigator.
I would try the indorex and see how you go with that.

Also remember to empty hoover bag after every hoover because they can jump outer lay their eggs in there 🤮 I also sprayed the inside of the hoover too.

Thanks so much for replies. Indorex it is ... fleas are an expensive business!!!

How quick were the results once you used indorex?

kizzyinatizzy - I was hoping that the fleas would at least die off once the cold weather came but you had them in winter time?!

What are you using on the cats?

You need to treat the cats. What are you using on them?

We use the stuff that you put on the back of their necks (vet prescription) but not sure which brand. The vet has also injected them (again I don't know what they used). She did she can't do anything else for them now ...

Please don't use any spot on flea treatment on your pregnant cat. You need to wash all beds / bedding at 60°C. This kills the eggs.
If using indorex, keep the pregnant cat away from the treated area for 12-24 hours, air well.
If your cats tolerate it, give them a bath using cat shampoo and conditioner. & keep using the flea comb.

Why isn’t your cat neutered?

Dont bath the cat now that they have been flea treated. The treated cat will help kill the fleas

My cats are treated with stronghold plus from the vets & we've still had fleas around.

Got on top of them & then had a major change around in the house, some furniture moving upstairs, some downstairs etc & it seemed to start it all off again!

Can't treat the animals again yet so I've got flea traps around the house. They look horrible with the fleas stuck to the pads but I think they're helping

When I spoke to the vet recently he said fleas are awful this year but there's another treatment that lasts 3 months so will try that next!

I'm glad it's not just us phantomerik. I think it's bad in our town - every time I'm buying I'm in the pet isle there seems to be a cluster of us buying up treatments.

Ok no more spot on with a pregnant cat. I thought as much but good to see it confirmed.

I don't want to risk distressing her with a bath at this stage.

We're back at the vets tomorrow. I'm not expecting they can do much more hence posting here!!

Bedding etc has been washed and washed and washed. It looks like the spray recommended up thread is the way forward (thank you to the poster saying to keep cats away. I'm being really cautious about these things with her being pregnant).

Why is she pregnant?

Use some teatree oil on the flea comb. I used to mix teatree soap in warm water and dip the comb in then comb again when mine was pregnant it works wonders

stillawakeat4amagain thank you!! I will definitely give that a go!!! Like the name too - I can relate!

I noticed straight away (no more bites on ankles) but you need to hoover everyday especially round skirting boards or any gaps (That’s where the larvae hide)
I did have to retreat a few times, it was sole destroying but got there in the end. They can come in winter too. I do t think they are fussy lol xx

Are you a breeder? If not, why aren't your cats neutered?

A lot of flea treatments are not safe for pregnant and nursing cats and kittens, so you'll have to get vet advice on what to do next.

Please don't let your cat get pregnant again

Why isn’t your cat neutered?
Now your options to treat the fleas are limited but you really must get on to it,fleas are very dangerous to kittens.

I hope you can find a safe way to get rid of the fleas.
However, you seem to be avoiding the question around why your cat isn't neutered?