Fleas on cats aren’t necessarily visible. Cats are infamous for ‘hiding’ their flea infestations. What’s more, guess what? They can be acquired by even indoor-only cats!
Fleas are small, fast insects that scurry around your cat’s hair, feasting on its blood and causing scratching. If you see fleas on your cat, they always take you off guard.
It’s even just a little scratch. It may also result in extreme hair loss and scratching. If you see fleas on your cat, don’t panic: flea treatment for cats is not only possible but also relatively easy.
Fleas may be detected by a cat scratching, chewing on its skin, or acting restless. Knowing how to find and kill fleas on your pet and in your home will alleviate their scratching (and protect you).
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What Are the Symptoms That My Cat Has Fleas?
Ctenocephalides felis is the most common flea that feeds on cats, dogs, and humans.
If you catch your cat itching and aren’t sure if fleas are to blame, you should definitely use a flea comb on him to see if there are any tiny black dots.
These black specks are widely referred to as “flea powder,” but they are really the excrement of fleas.
Fleas may be found in small numbers where the flea or flea dirt is clearly not visible because just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.
Fleas are excellent at concealing themselves on cats.
In other instances, a veterinarian’s trained eye may be used to locate these tiny black dots that appear on the comb.
If you smash any of the black specks with a wet paper towel, the flea soil can turn a rusty red hue. The red color is a product of your cat’s blood and acts as a reminder that flea protection is needed.
Common Diseases Caused By Fleas in Cats
Fleas Bear a Wide Variety of Feline Diseases.
As if the scratching and stinging weren’t bad enough, fleas will also spread diseases that can be harmful to your cat’s health.
Anemia: Flea infestations that go unchecked can result in anemia due to blood loss, which can be fatal, particularly in kittens.
Pale gums in kittens are a symptom of anemia and should be treated immediately by a veterinarian.
Tapeworms are a parasite carried by fleas that is usually present in cats that have been exposed to fleas.
Haemobartonellosis (Mycoplasma Haemofelis): In cats, fleas may be vectors for Mycoplasma Haemofelis, a blood-borne parasite. Anaemia, fever, and serious sickness may all be caused by this bacterium.
Laboratory procedures are used to detect haemobartonellosis, which is treated with antibiotics and, in some cases, blood transfusions.
The Flea’s Life Cycle
Fleas go through several stages before becoming adults.
Fleas lay their eggs on the host animal, which is when the whole cycle will occur. Some eggs crash to the ground, landing on your carpet, your pet’s bedding, or even your own bed.
Larvae: The larvae, also known as “hatchlings,” feed on the adult’s feces and develop for anything from a week or six to seven months. They are commonly present in the field.
Pupae: The larvae, like the butterfly, will spin a cocoon around themselves, where they will begin to develop into adult fleas. It may take up to a year to recover from this state.
Adult: After feeding on its host, the developing adult mates and completes the life cycle. Is it any surprise that flea management for cats is so crucial?
Care for Your Cat Against Flea
Your first task will be to comb and bathe your cat and remove as many fleas as possible.
If the majority of the fleas have been removed, utilizing a vet-recommended topical flea treatment device to avoid further infestations will be effective.
It is important to note that a dog flea product can never be used on a cat since this can cause significant illness in animals.
Baths are not for everyone’s pet, so don’t push it; it’s not the most critical move.
The live fleas on your cat may be killed by bathing it with a mild shampoo or dawn soap.
This does not necessitate the use of a “flea” shampoo or a “flea dip.” Simply use a soft cat or baby shampoo to get the job done.
Remember that flea baths and shampoos are insufficient to eliminate a flea infestation.
Interesting Read: Can Cats Get Fleas In The Winter?
How To Assure That The Cats In The House Are Flea-free
If you have several dogs or cats in your household, make sure they’re all on preventative medicine. If one cat or dog in your household has fleas, it’s possible that all of the pets in your home have fleas as well.
To truly get rid of fleas, each cat and dog must use a safe vet-recommended flea prevention product on a regular basis and for many months.
Assuming that one of the pets has it and the other doesn’t when you don’t see them can result in the non-treated cats and dogs being attacked by fleas on a daily basis.
If you leave one of your cats or dogs untreated or just handle them for one or two months, you will never be able to get rid of your flea problem in your home due to the lifecycle and survival of fleas.
Interesting Read: Pregnant Cat Flea Treatment: Is It Safe?
Fleas and Their Eggs: How to Get Rid of Them
After that, you’ll have to get rid of fleas and their eggs from your house. Although the adult flea cure is killing the live fleas, there should be a continuing program.
Both beddings should be properly cleaned. Vacuum the mattress when the bedding is free of covers, particularly in crevices where eggs can hide.
Vacuum the carpeting on a regular basis and discard the discarded vacuum bags.
Flea collars should not be placed in the vacuum bag because the heat produced by the machine can create noxious fumes.
The eggs that the vacuum missed will be destroyed by steam washing the carpet.
Much of the time, you won’t need to treat your house for fleas or insects. If you should decide to do so, we suggest recruiting a specialist and requesting that they use cat-friendly materials.
Flea remedies for the house are truly secondary to thorough maintenance and regular flea protection for the pets during the year.
1. Flea Bath
A flea bath is useful in eliminating fleas, but you can apply it to your cat gradually because most cats hate baths.
During your cat’s playtime or mealtime, cover her ears with cotton balls and sometimes give her treats.
Flea shampoo can be used to help get rid of fleas. Check out our previous post about how to give a cat a flea bath for more details.
2. Flea Comb
Use a flea comb to clear any lingering fleas after giving your cat a flea wash.
This works better when the hair is dry, and if your cat has long fur, you can clear the tangles first with a standard pet brush with closely spaced teeth.
To kill fleas left on the comb, soak it in a solution of dish soap and water.
3. Flea Preventives
Flea collars, topical treatments, flea sprays, and oral drugs are among them. It’s best to speak with your veterinarian about the best flea prevention for your pet.
These preventatives would also perform better if they are used on a daily basis during the year. Whether you have other cats or dogs, you can treat them for fleas as well.
4. Treat And De-flea House.
To avoid more infestations, you must de-flea your house in addition to treating your cat with flea preventives and other methods.
Vacuum the carpets, as well as the chairs, upholstery, and holes and crevices in the floor.
Whether the fabrics can withstand it, wash beddings, fabrics, couch covers, curtains, and other potential hiding areas in hot water. Flea spray can be used on carpets and other surfaces.
Must Read: What Flea Treatment Is Safe For Pregnant Cats?
Should I Shave My Cat To Get Rid Of Fleas?
You can shave your cat to get rid of fleas, but most veterinarians advise against it.
This is because, without further steps, it does not promise that the flea problem can be solved.
Flea remedies, flea baths for your pet, and flea-proofing your house by sweeping and vacuuming are all recommended for the best performance.
Fleas can be painful for your cat, and an infestation can quickly spread around the home, as fleas live in carpets, upholstery, and bedding.
Flea medicine, flea treatments, and brushing the cat’s hair are the most effective ways to get rid of fleas.
Shaving is helpful or appropriate in certain circumstances, such as when adding a topical cream to your cat or as part of post-operative treatment, but it should not be done lightly.
Shaving your cat can cause your cat to become fearful and traumatized, as well as expose and harm its skin.
Pros:
It makes it easy to treat your pet as she sheds her fur; it aids in the removal of matted fur; it aids in the removal of fleas; it eliminates shedding; it keeps your cat clean, and it removes hairball outbreaks.
It’s a big relief for older cats who can’t brush themselves because of their reduced mobility.
Drawbacks:
It does not keep cats cool; it reveals wounds and injuries; it extracts natural oils from your cat’s skin; it may induce anxiety and trauma in your cat, and some fur can never grow back after being shaved.
Check out more details about can i shave my cat to get rid of fleas
Frequently Asked Questions
Will shaving your cat get rid of fleas?
You can shave your cat to get rid of fleas, but most veterinarians advise against it. Flea remedies, flea baths for your pet, and flea-proofing your house by sweeping and vacuuming are all recommended for the best performance.
How do you get fleas off a cat’s face?
Several times a day, comb the cat from head to tail with a fine-toothed metal flea comb. Adult fleas and their larvae will be skimmed out, and their scratching will be eased. Then, to eliminate the fleas, dip the comb in a combination of warm to hot water and liquid dish detergent.
Does shaving help with fleas?
Fleas and ticks are more noticeable and treatable. If he’s a water baby and his coat gets wet all the time, a haircut will help him dry faster. Many people who shave their dogs say that their dogs are healthier as a result, and they repeat the procedure every year.
Can you get rid of fleas by bathing your cat?
Your first task will be to comb and bathe your cat and remove as many fleas as possible. The live fleas on your cat may be killed by bathing it with a mild shampoo or dawn soap. This does not necessitate the use of a “flea” shampoo or a “flea dip.” Simply use a soft cat or baby shampoo to get the job done.
Where do fleas like to hide on cats?
Check places where fleas can live by flipping your cat on his back. Fleas like to hide in the armpits and groin where they are both warm and covered. Scratching, redness, blood, or debris between the cat’s ears can all be checked for. Fleas can turn up in all of these forms.
Final Thoughts
Fleas are a pain in the neck that can lead to anemia and other illnesses. Although grooming your cat is an alternative, most veterinarians do not recommend it.
Treating your cat with flea treatments and giving her a flea bath are both good ways to get rid of fleas.
Fleas will soon be a distant memory in your home if you adhere to this cat flea prevention program faithfully, and your kitties will be eternally thankful to you for liberating them from unwelcome fleas and the troubles they cause.
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