Fretting about fleas in both dogs and cats

I just scheduled the annual exams for my three dogs and two cats. I have always used preventive products for fleas and ticks on my dogs, but since my cats have always been strictly indoors, I never gave them anything. Crazily enough, one of my cats started scratching a few months ago, and I found a flea on her. I had her shaved down, used a topical flea prevention product, and she developed a skin rash. I’ve been using skin products for her, but she is still a bit irritated. What should I do? If my dogs were protected, how did she get a flea to start with? This is the first time that I have experienced fleas on my pets in years so I wonder if this year was worse than others. I am not aware of this year being more problematic for fleas. Then again, given the area of the country in which we are located, fleas are much less of a problem than they are in warmer climates down South. Ticks are more of an issue around the Northeast, along with the illnesses they transmit. If you are seeing your veterinarian soon, the skin problem, if it is still an issue, can be addressed. As we enter the colder months, you may be able to discontinue the preventative products, but not until you are sure that the fleas have been completely eradicated from your pets and your home. Fleas spend most of their time in the environment and not on the pets, so it is imperative that you also treat your home. Fleas can transmit tapeworm, so be sure to have the fecals tested when the pets go in for their exams. I cannot explain how your cat got a flea, but you responded appropriately. There is the possibility that the product you used caused the skin irritation, so share this information with your veterinarian and ask about appropriate preventatives. For now, I would keep treating all the pets in the home, and be sure to use the right products in the future.