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Why does my cat still have fleas and wet fur after flea shampoo?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My cats have/had fleas pretty severely. The males hair on his underside became discolored and appeared wet. Not necessarily greasy but not dry. I bathed him with a d-Limonene flea and tick shampoo and within a few days the hair issue returned. He is meowing in a unusual manner. He is eating, drinking and relieving himself normally.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 12th, 2017

In order to get rid of fleas, you will need a strong treatment program. Flea shampoos do not provide lasting protecting, nor are they very good. I will give you the flea treatment program I always recommend. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 21st, 2017

    Great job giving Teddy a flea bath! Unfortunately, the flea bath won't give last protection from fleas, so I will give you a flea treatment program for him. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Make sure your dog is up to date on his flea treatment program as well. You can also give him Capstar and Advantage or Revolution if he's not. Make sure to give Teddy the spot on treatment for cats that contains his weight in the range on the box. Cats are exquisitely sensitive to flea medications, and can suffer from toxicity if overdosed. Your dog should get the spot on flea treatment for dogs that contains his weight in the range on the box. As for the Dermasol, I wouldn't put anymore on his skin. Cats groom and ingest most of the topical ointment you apply and therefore should be used only under direct veterinary supervision and if there are no other appropriate options. Many human ointments contain multiple other ingredients which are not necessarily safe to be swallowed.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 19th, 2017

    Unfortunately flea collars are not effective at getting rid of fleas, and I never recommend using them. I can give you a flea treatment program to use on George. First, I would give him Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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