Fleas can readily skitter out of sight into cats’ thick fur, so their presence on them is not always noticeable. To obtain blood, they bite cats’ skin, which results in severe itching and large lumps. Hair loss and open wounds can result from severe flea infestations or serious allergic reactions in some cats; at worst, cat fleas can spread harmful diseases to cats and people. Ctenocephalides felis, the common cat flea, doesn’t need much of life. It only desires the necessities:
- A cozy place to call home.
- Wholesome food.
- The ability to start a family.
- The company of friends who share its values.
Your cat’s warm, moist fur may offer all of these comforts, which is why fleas will readily jump on the animal’s back and establish a home if given a chance.
Although the guest may enjoy living in such comfortable circumstances, the host may experience great difficulty. As one of the most prevalent parasites that cats encounter, fleas are likely to come into touch with outdoor cats frequently. However, indoor cats are susceptible to contracting fleas if the parasites enter your home on you, another pet, or an unexpected visitor like a rat. Although you won’t likely ever have to deal with an infestation if you keep up a regular treatment regimen for your pet, it’s still crucial to understand what you’re up against.
Symptoms
Aside from the mere presence of fleas, cats can also experience blood loss-related anemia or catch one of the more dangerous diseases spread by fleas, such as hemotrophic mycoplasmosis (haemobartonellosis), toxoplasmosis, or murine typhus.
Use a flea comb or your fingertips to search the cat’s fur for tiny black spots or scurrying fleas if you notice your cat scratching but are unsure if fleas are the culprit. Flea excrement is called “flea dirt,” or the black specks. It does not necessarily mean your cat is flea-free if you do not notice these excrements. Fleas can be present in such small numbers as challenging to find, yet they can still hurt your cat. A cat may remove skin and hair areas if it scratches itself nonstop. Fleas are simple to identify at a glance. Even if a cat has very few fleas, a diligent owner or veterinarian can still find evidence of their presence (such as flea “dirt”) anywhere on the cat. Keep a constant eye on the base of the tail, where fleas frequently leave waste because cats find it difficult to access with their teeth or claws.
How to remove
To start, use a flea-killing product on your cat. Use a flea shampoo developed to bathe your cat or kitten and kill fleas instantly. For cats afraid of water, flea spray can be a helpful solution. As needed and as advised on the label, repeat the therapy.
After treatment, use a flea comb to remove fleas from your cat or kitten’s coat. To kill any fleas that remain on the comb, wash it in a solution of dish soap and water. To keep track of the flea infestation on your cat, inspect and comb monthly.
Flea repellents prevent fleas from infesting your cat again; efficient flea prevention options include collars, topicals, and oral medications for up to eight months. Pick the preventive measure that benefits both you and your cat the most.
If you have a dog or other cats, they can also be susceptible to fleas. To prevent an infestation from spreading and lower the possibility of subsequent flea infestations, be sure to administer preventives to every home creature, including indoor and outdoor pets.
How to Prevent
Most flea remedies call for use once per month on the label. You must treat your cat with flea prevention for at least three to four months to completely eradicate a flea infestation. Spot-on treatments outperform conventional shampoos and sprays in terms of safety, convenience, and efficacy. They’re available online or from your veterinarian. Consult your veterinarian for advice on where to apply the medication, how much to use, and how frequently. Read the product label to ensure the treatment is safe for cats if you’re not getting it from your veterinarian. Most veterinarians advise year-round protection if your cat has previously had fleas. The risk of illnesses may also call for year-round prevention. It would also be highly recommended if you also kept their surroundings clean.
