cats and dogs and fleas-the novel...lol?

Question

My roommate has a little dog who goes out twice a day into the yard to relieve herself and sunbathe a bit. She does shuffle about in her own mess occasionally and comes in stinky and needs a bath. Which she may not get for hours...I clean her with wipes. Mom bathes her when she has time.

My DSH cat freely roams the perimeter of the house and backyard, including the roof. He doesn't stray from our yard. His choice...he's in at sunset and sleeps with me thru the night until after sunrise.

Both get flea meds regularly.

I comb my cat every other day for 1/2 hour because he loves it. I might see 1 flea a month which I dispose of then do a full body check.  Have never had a flea problem with the cat. No flea dirt. Nothing.

I did with previous cats. I know the difference.

She doesn't brush her curly dog, just gets the knots shaved when it becomes too painful for the dog.

Every 3-4 months, her dog starts running with fleas. I have to start combing and cleaning fleas, flea dirt, etc. From the dog. They cluster on her head and hind end.

Here's the problem:

She INSISTS that her dog can only be getting fleas from my cat and wants me to pay for extra flea medicine.

I think she's wrong but can't convince her.

Where are these fleas coming from?

There are none in my bed. There are in hers where her dog sleeps.

Malissa! :D · Accepted Answer

HAHAHA. That is so dumb. If you cat is clean, you get the cat flea medication and groom her regurely...it is OBVIOUSLY not your cat giving her dog the fleas. Her dog is ungroomed mostly and getting dirty. Plus, the dog has a lot of fur. Flea's come from outside, and from the grass. That dog must be groomed and shaved reguraly if you want to avoid fleas. She needs to get some flea medication, since it is her dog. She is being a jerk.

CessnaKitty · Answer

It is just SO much easier for dogs to get them than cats. Cats are cleaner. While I like dogs, it's pretty easy to admit how gross they are. It sounds like it was the dog tracking in fleas! I'm sure it got it from doing what dogs do outside.

kristendw78 · Answer

I agree with you, doubtful the dog is getting them from the cat. Sounds like you have the opposite that I had last summer. Raccoons in my yard brought fleas which came in on my dogs, then infested the cats. They seemed to love the cats blood over the dogs. Literally only one or two on each dog, but I was combing out dozens daily on the cats till I finally treated everybody.

I would try treating the yard. Keep the grass cut low, get rid of the weeds/any plants providing dark moist areas. You can try buying a treatment at the pet store, or get some food grade diatomaceous earth and sprinkle around the yard. Try to do it on a dry day, as once it gets wet it doesn't work. Otherwise it is a great all natural bug killer that is totally safe for people and pets. Your roommate should wash her bedding in hot water, and I recommend you all vacuum 2 to 3 times a week..be sure to dump the contents outside immediately. You can also sprinkle the diatomaceous earth inside and let side for a few hours, then vacuum up.

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cats and dogs and fleas-the novel...lol?

3 Answers