A gift from Chiggy, October fleas, and Charlie's meal prep


Hi Reader,

⛈️ Storms, Chills, and "Flea Month" in KC

It is storming in Kansas City right now, and the rain is sticking around through tomorrow. After that, our temperatures are dropping sharply from the 90s (32°C) straight into the 70s (21°C).

Here in the Midwest, October is notorious for fleas. As the weather cools, they frantically seek warmer hosts before winter hits—and those crisp mornings make them much more likely to hop onto you, your cat, or your dog. Frustratingly, for the second time this year, I found flea dirt on Charlie. I had hoped we were one-and-done, but no such luck!

🌿 The Struggle of Natural Flea Control

I cannot tell you how hard I work to keep things naturally flea-free. It is incredibly challenging. After a scary experience where Charlie developed a head tremor from topical flea medications, I completely stopped using them. I have absolutely no interest in risking a grand mal seizure, so both he and the yard are treated 100% naturally.

Earlier this year, I gave him a bath when he got a few fleas. Charlie hates baths. While he’s a good boy in the tub, he pants and meows the entire time. It is very hard to put an old guy through that level of stress, and I constantly worry about the toll it takes on his heart.

So this time, I resorted to a method I used with Charlie and Trigg several years ago: I "bathed" him in diatomaceous earth (DE). Vacuuming him afterward isn't an option either, as he hates the vacuum and I certainly don't want to give him a heart attack!

If this DE bath doesn't work, I’m seriously considering shaving him. I have always wanted to shave him because I think he would actually love it. I just have no other options right now, so I'm hoping the DE does the trick.

⚠️ A Quick Note on the DE Video Below

In the video, you’ll notice I put a plastic bag over Trigg's head while applying the DE. This alarms some people, but DE is highly aggravating to the lungs. The bag is strictly there to protect his respiratory system. Many people cannot separate that image from suffocation, so if that imagery upsets you, please do not watch. I have done this twice with Charlie this week, and he is not in the slightest bit suffocated and is also just meowing - he is overall pretty calm and far calmer than he is with a bath or a vacuum. And the best part - he doesn't associate plastic bags with something bad - it's the human mind that does.

For those looking for holistic options, I have gathered all my resources here: natural flea control.

🎥 Shorts for Your Entertainment

  • ​Dear ‪@TaylorSwift‬: Floppycats Has a Question For You! (With Charlie!) 💌🎶 Can I ask you a huge favor? If you have an Instagram account, please head over, leave a comment on this video, and tag Taylor and Taylor Nation! I really want to see if the power of social media can make this happen. Tag @taylorswift and @taylornation
  • 🐟 Ragdoll Kittens Taste Test RAWZ Sardines & Pumpkin My cousin was out of town recently, so I got a lot more footage of her cute kittens... plus, another BIG surprise is coming soon! I have been dying to tell you guys about it since May.
  • ❤️ Much needed love from Ragdoll Fred I had a very vivid dream about Trigg the night before filming this, and I woke up with the heavy realization that he was gone. Serendipitously, I went to my cousin’s house later that day to get footage, and her cat, Fred, treated me to all things Chiggy. Fred usually doesn't approach me, but his mannerisms and behaviors were just like Chiggy's. It felt like a gift today from Chiggy and Fred. Chiggy must have told him I needed the love. I say things in this video that I used to say to Chiggy, and that only Chiggy brought out in me. Thank you to Fred for helping me remember, and thank you to Chiggy for all the joy he brought to my life.
  • 🥩 17-Year-Old Ragdoll Meal Prep ASMR | RAWZ Venison & MYOS Charlie LOVES his MYOS. I cannot yet tell if he is gaining muscle, but I absolutely love how eager he is to eat in the morning. 👉 Grab Charlie’s favorite meal prep essentials here: MYOS and RAWZ

📱 Let's Connect!

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Have a great week ahead!

Peace, love, and purrs,

Jenny


1. Watch

video preview​

​How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth on Cats for Fleas: The Best Way!​

✨ Fleas Bugging You? Download Our Free Guide to Flea Prevention & Treatment

In this video, I show you how to apply Diatomaceous Earth on cats for fleas. Diatomaceous Earth is a great way to get rid of fleas on cats quickly, naturally, and easily! Food-grade diatomaceous earth helps to get rid of the fleas and flea eggs in their coats.

​How to Kill Fleas in Carpet: THE BEST WAY to GET RID of THEM FAST!

2. Understand

​Why Does My Cat Scratch Around Its Food Bowl?​

Have you ever watched your cat scratch the floor around their food bowl, almost as if they are treating their dinner like poop in the litter box? While many people assume this is a dramatic way of showing they hate the food, this behavior is actually driven by a deep-rooted wild instinct to cover their leftovers and hide their scent from predators. Read the full article to uncover the fascinating evolutionary reasons behind this post-meal digging and find out exactly what your cat is trying to communicate.

3. Win

​October 2026 Giveaway: BROOK Glass Cat Fountain​

The BROOK All-Glass Cat Fountain offers a safer, more sanitary hydration solution for your cats. Made from non-porous, lead-free glass, it prevents bacterial biofilm and eliminates the risk of plastic chemicals leaching into the water. The fountain features a 90-ounce capacity, dual-stage filtration, and a quiet, adjustable pump to attract picky drinkers while keeping your maintenance low. Visit the website for full details and use promo code FLOPPY10 for 10% off your order.

Giveaway Details:

This giveaway ends on October 31, 2026, at 11:59 CT. A random winner* will be chosen in a drawing on November 1, 2026.

​Enter to win here​

4. Stimulate

​Nina Ottosson Challenge Slider Dog Toy Treat Puzzle​

The Nina Ottosson Challenge Slider is an advanced, Level 3 interactive puzzle designed to provide healthy mental stimulation for curious pets, making it a fantastic enrichment tool for clever indoor cats just as much as dogs. It features 24 treat compartments hidden beneath smoothly sliding tiles, encouraging your furry companion to use their natural foraging instincts and problem-solving skills to hunt for their favorite snacks. Made from durable, BPA-free materials, this versatile puzzle can hold up to a full cup of dry food, allowing it to double as an effective slow feeder that promotes a healthier eating pace. Whether you are trying to entertain an active puppy or give your feline friend an engaging daily activity, this toy helps safely redirect their energy to reduce boredom and stress.

5. Meet

​Teddy – Ragdoll of the Week​

"You may have read about my Ragdoll, Bagheera, in a previous Ragdoll of the Week story. This story is about Teddy, Bagheera’s littermate. His full name is Teddy Bear. He was named by my youngest son who simply liked the name. Teddy is a seal mink point Ragdoll. He was born on June 29, 2015. We had decided to get a pair of littermates because we wanted the joy of seeing them play together, groom each other and cuddle together… and they do… and we enjoy!"

Want to submit your kitty to be featured? See our simple submission guidelines here.

Meow! We're Floppycats™!

Floppycats™ has been uniting cat lovers worldwide since 2008. Founder Jenny Dean's no bull-crap and honest approach to cat care helps cat owners live more harmoniously with their kitties. Enjoy our weekly newsletter that includes product reviews, unboxings, giveaways, cat care tips, cat health awareness and more.

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