Feeding neighbour's cat and she's got fleas!

Emma79

A desperate hello!
I've looked after my elderly neighbour's cat in the past and had an issue with her having fleas. Now the neighbour has gone into hospital and I've been asked to keep an eye on the cat for the next week or two until she gets out of hospital.

The difference is that now I've a kitten of my own (flea treated) and I'm worried about the fleas jumping on me when I go into feed and then moving to my house/kitten.

Any advice? I know the cat has not been flea treated (ever).

Thank you!

McKneff

Could you buy some flea tablets from Pound stretcher or some cheapo shop.


Other than that, feed her from a distance.


Poor cat, they will be biting her so she wont be comfortable....

Emma79

Yes good idea. Was even worried that going in the house might cause problems! I'll make a quick dash in and out with my wellies on!

McKneff

If she is elderly and cant cope well, I think I would keep on buying the flea tablets evenwhen she's home, for the cats sake if nothing else. I don't think they are very expensive.

lstar337

I'm not sure I would advise giving medication to somebody else's pet.

You don't know how the cat will react for a start. My dad has a cat who goes absolutely loopy when given flea tablets, and would be quickly run-over if allowed out after.

I rarely hear of the tablets working either.

adandem

Whatever you treat the cat with won't be effective if the house isn't treated.

oystercatcher

Why not speak to the neighbour when you have a chance and mention you 'have just noticed fleas' and ask if you can treat, hopefully they might even offer to pay for decent treatment.

Meanwhile wellies and rubber gloves seem a good option.

The cheap options for treating fleas aren't very effective and I would imagine would be a drop in the ocean with a well established invasion. Not good to treat someone's pet without permission, sod's law that they will react badly

Nile

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

I’ve moved your thread from the ‘In my home’ board to the ‘Pets & Pet Care’ board, where it is better suited.

Regards

Nile

rinabean

Don't get cheap stuff from shops, it isn't good. Use a very safe one like Capstar tablets (if you could get a tablet down it) or treat it with whatever you (will) use on your kitten. You cannot leave it to suffer, that is animal cruelty. You are in charge of this animal, it is your responsibility for the time being

You can buy good spot-ons online and they are cheap. You can buy single doses. I like Flevox and that is cheap and in single doses on many sites (also in bigger packs if you want them).

gettingready

Do NOT get any cheap poundstretcher flea stuff for the cat - definitely do not put any Bob Martin stuff on the cat

You may poison the cat, lots of cats died from people putting cheap chemicals (flea treatment is chemicals) on cats and you do not want to do that.

Do you know why neighbour never treated the cat for fleas? Is the cat perhaps allergic to some?

Please ask the neighbour before putting anything on their pet and if you do - get from a reputable place and not from a pounshop.