Fleas what do you think?

[Rosie]

I have never treated Rosie for fleas in the 10 years she has been with me until I got Alfie as a kitten last July when I gave her a shot as I knew Alfie had them. I have not treated either one of them since and have never been bitten or seen fleas in the house. My question is this:

Do you think cats can build up their own immunity? I hate them having chemicals unless it is absolutely necessary and as I say I have never had a problem with Rosie but that isn't to say she may not have been harbouring the little ******!

Incidentally this goes for my dog too who I have never treated in 11 years.

Anyone else here not treat?

[Fran]

I cannot imagine not treating my cats and dogs for fleas Everything here is treated religiously. I cannot see how you have manged to get away with not fleaing your pets especially with having a dog in the house

[dinahsmum]

I'd be really suprised if you haven't had/got fleas with pets in the house. They kinda go together (Trouble is, when talking about them it always sounds a little 'dirty-house' doesn't it? But we all know it doesn't mean that - just a fact of life)
So, I'd tend to agree with your premise that neither your animals nor yourself/ves are sensitive to flea bites. That being the case you may think it's not necessary to take any action. I don't know if flea bites are a risk in transmitting disease between dogs or cats (I do know they can carry both myxymatosis and plague - eek!)

Incidentally, talking to my vet yesterday (and he was in chat mode - I was in the consulting room over 20 minutes!) he tells me that there is a vet study in Colorado showing that fleas are starting to develop a resistance to Frontline Oh good Maybe it was first used earlier in the US and we have a little more time before the resistance builds up here but it seems inevitable.

[Rosie]

I should have said that Holly goes to the vet every year to have her booster as does Rosie and they have never mentioned either of them having fleas. My other dogs have always had them - maybe because Holly is a lurcher and has a very fine coat?

[John]

Try combing them with a, human nit combe, if they have fleas you should see something

john

[Donna]

I treat miy cats for fleas all the time as having rabbits it can be lethal for them regarding myxi.

[Kim]

I don't treat my cats monthly as I don't like giving them chemicals uneccessarily. I check them regularly and if they have fleas then they are treated. I de-flea the house every 6 months, we must have been lucky as we rarely have a problem with fleas. I don't vaccinate my cats once they get to 10 either!

I don't de-flea the dogs either, they actually get treated less than the cats! Sighthounds don't seem to attract fleas in my experience.

I did have a cat who was allergic to flea bites, so I treated her every month, for obvious reasons.

[charliebubs]

My cats are all treated monthly for fleas and I can't imagine not treating.

Abi has FAD (flea allergic dermatitis) too - so I have to keep on top of that.

I'm not sure how you can not have had fleas at all in 11 years - but perhaps you have just built up an immunity to them?!?

[charliebubs]

Originally Posted by Kim

I don't vaccinate my cats once they get to 10 either!

Why?? ...............

[Rosie]

I got rid of all my carpets a few years ago and also have a leather soffa but having said that they all sleep on my bed! I have also been told that it is not necessary to vacinate after 10 although I can't remember why. Someone on another forum was told by a vet that unless they have fleas it is pointless treating them.

Wouldn't they build up a resistance if you kept doing it?