That afternoon, I ordered something called Repellix — an environmental flea repeller designed specifically for households with multiple pets and chemical sensitivities.

It arrived five days later. A small, unassuming device that plugged into any wall outlet.

I set it up in my living room where all five cats spent most of their time.

Oliver barely lifted his head when I plugged it in. No reaction at all — which was exactly what I'd hoped for.

The first week, I didn't notice much change. The fleas were still there, Oliver was still weak, and I was still panicking every time he seemed a little more tired than usual.

But by day ten, something shifted.

I was combing Oliver's fur during our morning routine when I realized I hadn't caught a single flea.

At first, I thought I was imagining it. Maybe they were just hiding better.

But over the next few days, it became undeniable.

The black specks in Oliver's fur were disappearing. His breathing was getting easier. He started eating again.

By week three, Oliver was jumping onto the bed by himself for the first time in months.

All five cats stopped scratching. The house stopped feeling like a war zone.

And Oliver — fragile, elderly Oliver who couldn't handle any chemical treatment — was finally comfortable in his own skin.