Hello, my name is Julie Matthes and I own Feline Fancy Spa & Hotel here in Braintree.  It is a Cat specific grooming and boarding shop on Pearl Street.  No doggies allowed here!!  I have been open for a little over a year, and truly love the fact that I have some really amazing clients and look forward to many more to come!    The objective of this blog is to tell all our feline loving readers of great information or answer questions u may have about CATS!!  Anything in these blogs is my personal opinion/experience and does not make it FACT.  I have worked in the animal world for almost 10 years including being a vet tech, and I am just very passionate about my field.  I also spent 2 years volunteering in Oklahoma with Big Cats and exotics. 

You can find us on: facebook…www.facebook.com/felinefancysh

                             twitter...@felinefancysh

Our website is: www.felinefancysh.com

Since this is my first blog I will start with every ones favorite bugs!!  FLEAS & TICKS!!

The following info was given to me by a representative of Merial, the makers of Frontline. 

• Only 5-8% of fleas are adults, the remaining numbers are eggs, larva, and pupa.
• Larva feeds on flea dirt until fully developed to stay alive.
• Only 20% of larva makes it to "adulthood".
• Opossums, skunk, raccoons, stray cats, mice, rats are the main outside carriers for fleas. 
  • Opossums groom themselves for ticks but not fleas.
• Flea eggs don't hatch all at once, some can take up to 6 months to hatch, depending on the time of year with the heat and humidity.
• The yard is the most common area to get fleas.
• Pupa, (cocoon stage) will not die until it has hatched.
• Frontline topical can be used along with the frontline spray when going hiking, wooded area's or common flea/tick infested areas.
• Frontline will start to kill a tick in 8-10 hours but can take up to 36 hours. This also may depend on the amount of time the tick travels around the animals body.
• Lyme disease can be passed to an animal in 24-48 hours.
• Possible ways to get fleas.
• The yard
• Another animal
• A person carrying fleas from house or yard.(rare)

INDOOR cats are not immune to getting fleas.  If your cat sits on an open window sill or by an open patio door, they can get fleas.  The best way to check for fleas is:

1. Get a flea comb from any store, approximate cost $1, run the comb down the back from the middle of the back to 1/3 down on the tail.  3 separate times. 

• If u see nothing, then that means your cat/dog shouldn’t have fleas.
•  If you see black specks like dirt…put it on a paper towel and spray it with water, if it turns red your cat/dog has the start of a flea infestation.  GET preventative.  It will take at least 3 months to kill the cycle of the fleas so use the preventative for at least that amount of time. But it will not guarantee they will not return. 
• If you see actual fleas then you have a bigger problem and just preventative may not work.  You should call your vet for help and advice on animal safe bombs and ways to rid them from your home.  You will need to vacuum all your carpets and upholstery and remove the vacuum bag/cup after u take it outside.  Do not do it indoors.  Wash all bedding, where your pet sleeps or lays down, in hot water.

1. Fleas love to roam on your pet’s belly.  Flip your pet over and look around the belly area and around tail.  If you see actual fleas you need to TREAT your house as well as your pet.  Call your vet for advice. 

ALL animals should be on MONTHLY topical Flea & Tick preventative from April 1st thru the 2^nd frost.

There are many brands of Flea & tick preventative.  I have seen for many years which ones work, don’t work, cause reactions, and are a waste of money.  FLEA collars are a waste of money!  They smell terrible, have pesticides and only repel the fleas to the farthest away point on the pet.  Fleas will hide in your pets eyes, ears and anus.  I know that’s grouse but it is reality!  Over the counter preventative, such as the ones found in supermarkets, Walmart etc., are not completely safe.  There have been many animals, especially cats that have had bad/fatal reactions to them.  The preventatives found at your veterinarian’s office are best.  Yes they cost more but they work and are safe.  Ordering these same products thru websites and online are ok, but I have heard the product u are getting are from other countries and are not guaranteed to have the same US standards.  ASK questions! 

Feel free to call me if you have any further questions!!

Julie Matthes

Feline Fancy Spa & Hotel

89 Pearl Street

Braintree, MA  02184

781-817-5171

Thank you for reading and my next blog will be about the benefits of grooming your cat!