New pet owner here - ? About fleas and some other things

We have a cat someone found and we took in. She is a 6 months old cat when we took her to the vet they said she had fleas and ear mites. They gave me medicine to put on her but I am grossed out now. I was surprised because she doesn't even scratch herself too often, but I knew it was possible considering she was a stray cat. Do I have to decontaminate my house or something? I don't even see any bugs.

Also. I bought a pet bed but she won't sleep in it. Is there a way to train her to sleep in it?

Also is there a way to train cats to stay off the kitchen counters and table? The vet said aluminum foil but that didn't seem to work.

Do you let your cats outside? I like to let her out but DH does not

This is my first pet so sorry for all the ?'s any advice is appreciated

Re: New pet owner here - ? About fleas and some other things

What did they give you for fleas? If you religiously use the flea medication as directed, you may not get infested. You don't necessarily have to do anything to your house, depends on what product your cat was put on. I don't think you can train a cat to sleep somewhere specific. It's difficult to keep a cat off counters. Maybe a squirt of water? And cats that go out can keep getting fleas and ticks…do you want to take that risk, as well as the cat get into a fight, hit by a car, etc? Lots of risks with cats that go out.

Any stray cat WILL likely have fleas. Don't let it get you too grossed out…just use the medicine you were given and if you get the fleas under control, then don't let the cat back out to prevent getting them again.

Message edited 10/23/2015 10:07:50 PM.

Re: New pet owner here - ? About fleas and some other things

Re: New pet owner here - ? About fleas and some other things

Love cats. Give her the medication, she will be fine. You may want to look up an exterminator or flea tips just in case they are in the house. Cats are the boss, she may not want her pet bed. You can put some cat nip in there and a small fuzzy blanket to convince her. I never ever let the cats outside. Too dangerous and I don't want fleas, ticks , and whatever else.

Countertops you can try double sided tape, foil, or just shooing her off whe you see her. That is the hard part, they like to be up high.

Is the flea med frontline? It's very popular

Message edited 10/23/2015 10:15:20 PM.

New pet owner here - ? About fleas and some other things

The flea medications are generally supposed to be applied in one application and it lasts for a month before it needs to be reapplied. The tube should have instructions. I used to use a similar top spot type of medication for my dog and it worked very well.

Re: New pet owner here - ? About fleas and some other things

Indoor cats live an average of 66% longer than outdoor cats so please keep her inside! Just saw a poor dead kitty on the road tonight.

Good luck training a cat. Basically they do what they want, when the want.

Message edited 10/23/2015 10:49:06 PM.

Re: New pet owner here - ? About fleas and some other things

The flea medicine will be fine. If you notice them around the house, then you get an exterminator. I have not had a flea problem with my cats, but growing up we had cats. We had a flea problem once and an exterminator came, or we bombed the house. I can't remember I was 5 . It takes A LOT for fleas to get out of hand.

Cats won't sleep in a cat bed. They sleep where they want. They own you; you don't own them .

I do have to say that I was able to train my cat on certain things. She does not jump on the counters or tables. When she would try to do this, I firmly told her no. She eventually got it. This also works for my male, but he doesn't really attempt things like this. He's really good, but was a terror as a kitten. Occasionally she jumps on the table, but when I start to get up to tell her no, she runs.

I do not let my cats out. One goes on the balcony, but she just sits in the sun and only is someone is out there.

Growing up, I had one outdoor cat. She lived until 18. However, she didn't roam too much. She did get chased by huskies once and she damaged her leg muscles permanently. After that she would just sit on the porch. As she got older, the birds would attack her, so she stopped going out. We only let her outside because she just kind of showed up at our house and never left. We got her fixed and she wasn't keen on becoming a full indoor cat. So she was half and half.

One thing I want to mention is to not play with the cat with your hands. No wrestling or anything. It's important that they learn this. If the cat starts playing with your hands, immediately stop or replace it with a toy.