Re-carpeting a cat tree project. Should I treat for fleas while the timber is bare?

[barrysumpter]

Hi all,

I'm re-carpeting a cat tree project.

Should I treat the cat tree for fleas while the timber is bare?

If so, how?

[BobL]

I would be treating any pet dog or cat with a monthly, all in one, "spot on" application to guard against fleas, heartworm and most gastrointestinal worms etc.
It's not cheap but I guess it depends on how much you value your pets.
Cat treatments cost ~$8/month if you buy a 6 pack on line
We use Advocate for our two Border Collies and they cost us ~$15 a month each! but they (and other dogs we have had on the product) have never had any fleas and we have no fear of taking them to places where there might have fleas.

[barrysumpter]

Both cats are medium sized and sensitive.
It only takes a single bite to last for weeks.
Both get sick with topical applications.
And after a while the topical flea preventative has no effect once their body starts to resist it.
We've learned to change from one to the other during flea season.
One has skin allergies like eczema and needs 6 week injections two to three times a season.

Im wondering if I should treat the bare timber on the cat castle before laying carpet over it.

[BobL]

One of our border Collies (the one with the pedigree) was skin sensitive and used to break out in red skin rashes and crusty eyebrow infections from time time.
The other dog is from farm working stock and is tough as old boots
We spent nearly $3k on the pedigree pup trying to sort the skin thing out and in end we gave up and just gave her soothing baths once a week for a while and fortunately now she seems to have gotten over it. Unless they find a rotting carcass, putrid puddle, or poo pile to roll in we only bath them about once every six months. I'm getting better at spotting and avoiding these smell traps.

If you cats are sensitive then I wouldn't wash with any sot of fleacide - just put the bare tree outside for a couple of weeks - and the fleas will run their life cycle.

[barrysumpter]

Asked the vet.
They are super gorgeous and super nice.

They didn't really understand the woodworking aspect of treating timber for fleas.

Got the sensitive/alergic cat a shot while I was there.

[barrysumpter]

Best I could do with my limited skills.

The cats don't seem to mind.

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