05/24/2026
The truth is, I can’t help everyone’s cat, and sometimes the most ethical answer isn’t the most profitable one.
Yesterday morning, I received a call from someone looking for a “flea treatment” for her cat. For the service she was asking about, my pricing would have been around $150 for my standard deshed and comb-out, that includes a bath- not a “flea” bath. Because I don’t offer that. But here’s the reality: there is no flea bath that solves a flea infestation long term.
A few things many people don’t realize:
• Fleas don’t just live on your pet, they live in the environment and feed on your pet.
• A bath only removes what’s currently on the cat, not the source of the infestation.
• Many cats don’t tolerate bathing safely long enough for it to even be an effective option.
• Products like Capstar work temporarily, but they are not long-term prevention.
Instead of booking the appointment immediately, I spent several minutes going over realistic solutions, DE treatment, prevention options, products to discuss with a veterinarian, and expectations for how flea infestations actually work.
Was it the “best” business decision? Probably not. I could have taken the appointment that same day because of a reschedule. But I would rather be honest and educate someone than knowingly take money for something I don’t believe will truly solve the problem they are asking me to help solve.
I care about my clients, their cats, and I also care about transparency in my business and realistic expectations. Sometimes the best service I can provide is guidance, even if it means turning down the appointment.