Deal with Fall flea season

#Middlebury #Cat #Fleas

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My cat Isaiah often gets fleas in the late spring through summer, but by September the fleas are usually gone. This year, he still has fleas, even as we get into the chillier October month. What can I do to drive the fleas out? – Maddy in Biddeford, Maine

DEAR MADDY: While flea activity tends to drop during the colder months, chillier weather isn’t a guarantee that they’ll go away. A number of factors could keep them around, conceivably, all year. Things like a constantly warm environment in which to live (your house) or a higher than usual flea population (this can vary from year to year).

To really get rid of Isaiah’s fleas, you’ll need to treat him and tackle possible flea problems inside the house.

• Treat Isaiah with a flea treatment, available at the pet store or from the vet. Perfumed soaps aren’t good alternatives; they can dry and irritate his skin.
• Wash or replace Isaiah’s bedding, and wash any furniture upholstery, blankets or other items where he likes to lounge for long periods.
• Treat the carpet with a flea preventative, available at the pet store or online. Put Isaiah into a safe room and sprinkle the treatment into the carpet as directed, then vacuum it up. The treatment will take care of any live fleas or eggs hiding in the carpet.

If your cat spends time outdoors, consider making him an indoor cat. This will reduce the chance of him contracting fleas outside and bringing them into the house.

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