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Re: flea spray advice

Craig 1965

Warren Veteran
Re: flea spray advice

Could I please have some advice. I have a friend at work who has 2 bunnies. They also, due to circumstances, have a cat stay with them a few days a week and the cat may have fleas.
What is, if any, the best flea spray for protecting or dealing with the fleas that is bunny safe or a flea spray safe to use on bunnies.
Thank you for your help as always
Craig x
 
VetUK also does spot-on cat treatments and house sprays. I would initially treat the cat with a monthly spot-on treatment on the back of its neck, and regularly vacuum. Also get a nit comb (standard - or a battery one to zap the adult fleas) to groom the cat if you can - it will remove the adult fleas and you can see by the speck of black flea dirt if there is still a problem. Flea dirt is digested blood. It feels gritty and will dissolve on damp tissue to show blood.

If there is a bigger infestation, they may need a house spray - a single can once a year used when there are no animals in the room for a few hours & concentrate on all the nooks and crannies where the flea eggs & larvae hide out. Use 'proper' brands rather than the ones you can get in pet shops (eg VetUk own brand, Staykil, Indorex for the sprays. VetUK, Frontline, Advantage for spot-on).

I've had fleas in the house before (fairly inevitable if you have cats / dogs) but the rabbits have never been affected. Don't underestimate the power of daily vacuuming - eggs hatch out in carpets and soft furnishings and numbers can be drastically reduced just by regular vacuuming.
 
VetUK also does spot-on cat treatments and house sprays. I would initially treat the cat with a monthly spot-on treatment on the back of its neck, and regularly vacuum. Also get a nit comb (standard - or a battery one to zap the adult fleas) to groom the cat if you can - it will remove the adult fleas and you can see by the speck of black flea dirt if there is still a problem. Flea dirt is digested blood. It feels gritty and will dissolve on damp tissue to show blood.

If there is a bigger infestation, they may need a house spray - a single can once a year used when there are no animals in the room for a few hours & concentrate on all the nooks and crannies where the flea eggs & larvae hide out. Use 'proper' brands rather than the ones you can get in pet shops (eg VetUk own brand, Staykil, Indorex for the sprays. VetUK, Frontline, Advantage for spot-on).

I've had fleas in the house before (fairly inevitable if you have cats / dogs) but the rabbits have never been affected. Don't underestimate the power of daily vacuuming - eggs hatch out in carpets and soft furnishings and numbers can be drastically reduced just by regular vacuuming.

Note that Frontline is TOXIC TO RABBITS

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102924&id=7163827
 
Fipronil and imidacloprid are the two alternatives for regular (non-vet prescribed) spot-on flea treatment. Different brands could use either - so it's always worth checking before you buy. Even the household sprays are not that safe - permethrin and pyrethrin are toxic to cats, so should be used with care and according to the instructions. Some people also apply dog spot-on treatments to cats and they often contain ingredients which are highly toxic to cats.

They do work well in controlling fleas, though - so you need to weigh up the risks and benefits. I only use them when I have to - if there's a flea outbreak that isn't caught early with a comb and is causing probems with more than one pet, or there is a flea allergy when even 1 flea bite can cause havoc. Household sprays can be used where it's difficult to access by vacuum cleaner, eg under furniture and around skirting boards, where pets are also less likely to have prolonged contact but fleas hide out. I would suggest that you always read the label / instructions and follow them properly, because it does matter.
 
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