Can indoor cats get fleas, and can they disappear by themselves?

Question

My ex-landlady says my indoor cat caused a flea infestation and has charged me £340 to clean all carpets and upholstery. I moved out three months ago but I have never noticed my cat having fleas and never treated her for it. She doesn't seem to have it now either as I have tried the paper-test when you use wet tissue and see if little black specks turn red. But there are no little black specks. I don't understand ho the cat could have caused a flea infestation when she doesn't seem to have fleas anymore and I have never treated her. Plus she's an indoor only in an urban area. She did venture into the cortyard on a few occasions so I guess it might have happened then.

Answer 1

Your cat "gets" fleas by fleas jumping on him/her and breeding on the animal (laying eggs that hatch into more fleas).

You can get rid of fleas quite easily on the pet...  a mild dish soap bath works.  You can also buy "flea baths" at the local grocery store in the pet isle.

Most likely your landlady is trying to scam you out of some cash.  When a house needs to be cleansed of fleas, people don't normally resort to shampoos, because at that point the area needs to be fumigated with chemicals.  If an infestation is that bad, shampoo won't do the trick.

Now, you may have signed some paperwork in the beginning that says they can charge you cleanin fees for the pet when you move out.  If you signed that, kiss your quid goodbye.

If not, I would dispute it.  If it ever goes to court, the burden of proof is on the landlady.  If your cat doesn't have or did have fleas, there is no reason why you should have to pay for this magical cleaning.

Answer 2

I expect your land-lady has already had your money, probably out of your deposit, so answers saying don't pay up are invalid, so I'm afraid you can kiss it good -bye.

As to the fleas, one visit to the outside world can do it, either from another cat or dog, or even visiting a place where a cat has been.

Fleas are extremely good at self preservation, their eggs can lay dormant in a carpet for years only to restart their life cycle on a new cat or dog, so they never disapppear by themselves I'm afraid,  they may even have been there when you moved in, and your landlady has used our money to give the place an extra 'spring clean', you can never prove it either way I'm afraid.

EDIT: Good idea Northman, but if they do produce a receipt, back to square one.

Answer 3

That's actually happened with my cat before.  He had fleas for a while one winter and I, being kind of careless, didn't try real hard to get rid of them.  Well, I was petting him one day and I just noticed that they were gone.  I did a thorough check through his fur, but nada.  So to answer  your question, yes, fleas can disappear on their own.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, cats can get fleas from the heat that is in your house.  But I think your Landlady is trying it on.  Human beings (especially women) can carry cat fleas around, she could have brought them into the house herself. Don't pay up.  

Answer 5

I think this lady is hard up and trying to get money easily. I would want written proof that there is a flea infestation and who has been  in your flat since you left.

Fleas do not just go away they have to be treated say you have had your cat tested she hasn't got fleas.

Do not pay up she is conning you.

  

Answer 6

Regarding your cat getting fleas, yes it's entirely possible. You only need walk through an area that an untreated cat has been in to pick some up on your clothes and bring them indoors - then they transfer happily to your cat.  Whether she has any now or not, you should always treat her with a spot-on treatment just in case.

As to whether your cat caused an infestation, that's another matter and frankly difficult to prove one way or the other.  You don't just clean carpets and upholstery to get rid of that, it would have required other treatment, perhaps fumigation by the sound of it.  I'd be interested to see the paperwork from the cleaning company and see whether is just says "cleaning carpets & upholstery" or whether it refers to dealing with a flea infestation.  Could be she's just trying to get her property cleaned for free . . .  

Answer 7

your landlady could just be after your money!!

i wouldnt pay up.

flea treatments really dont cost that much.

Answer 8

i would refuse to pay it. she should have included this in the bond you paid, as that is what it is usually there for in case of damage to the property. If i was you i would be asking for any proof she has, if she has any at all. You would know if your cat had fleas anyway, it would be obvious.

Answer 9

Ask her for a copy of the receipt of the company that treated your ex home .If she refuses are  cannot produce a receipt than  visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau they will advise you how to claim your money back.

Answer 10

Id say the same thing. your landlady is riping you off.

Ask her for reciepts and proof she had it done.and also tell her if she found fleas after 3mths then its nothing to do with your cat,as they would not of survived.

Answer 11

Ron is correct. As part and parcel of your responsibilities for keeping a cat, you should really aways treat for fleas, even if it's an indoor cat.

I moved into a rented house where the previous tenant had a cat. In the first week of being there, my boyfriend and I got over 100 flea bites between us. We spent over £50 on products to try to get rid of them. It was pretty awful, and in the end the whole house had to be professionally fumigated, albeit the costs had to be picked up by the landlady.      

Answer 12

In order to make a comparison of flea and tick medicines and to choose a suitable one among what’s available, it is important that pet owners have some basis knowledge about the active ingredients used in these products. Instead of simply grabbing a bottle of pet flea and tick medicine off the shelf in pet stores and supermarket or going for the “Cheapest flea and tick dog medicine” you could find, its pays to learn how to read labels on the bottle.

For example:

Do you know what are the common active ingredients in most flea and tick products?

Are they it natural or synthetic and how toxic or safe are they?

Can it be used on kittens or puppies?

Is it safe to use the product repeatedly?

How long will it stay active?

Is it active against just the adult or matured fleas or will it kill off other life stages of the fleas as well?

Is it safe to use on cats or dogs?

Certain ingredients may be too strong for use on cats or puppies while some may be effective against fleas but not ticks. Assuming all products to be the same and that it should be safe since they are put on the shelf for sale may end up causing the life of your beloved pets.