If your cat has been scratching nonstop or suddenly seems restless and uncomfortable, then there’s a good chance that fleas are involved. Cat fleas are troublesome. Once these parasites are in your home, they can be challenging to get rid of.
However, the good news is that a flea infestation in cats can be treated and managed. With that, we’ll discuss all about cat fleas, from the causes to how they’re prevented.
Key Points
All cats are vulnerable to fleas.
Fleas can cause itching, irritation, hair loss, and discomfort.
Fleas can be treated with medications, regular grooming, and consistent home care.
What Are Fleas in Cats?
Fleas are tiny, wingless parasites that love jumping onto pets and getting their blood. They affect animals of all kinds, especially household pets such as cats. While they may seem too small to cause serious damage, they can carry diseases and cause discomfort in cats.
The most common species found in cats is Ctenocephalides felis.
These parasites are a common problem for cats, especially because their bites can cause additional health issues. These include:
Tapeworm infections
Anemia
How Long Do Fleas Live on a Cat?
Adult fleas generally live on a cat for around 2 to 3 months. A flea's life cycle can range from 2 weeks to an entire year, depending on temperature conditions. The biggest problem is that while a female flea is alive, it can lay several more eggs each day.
How Do Cats Get Fleas?
Cats can easily get fleas from their surroundings. Here are some of the ways:
Other Animals. Animals coming from outside your home can easily bring fleas with them. These can then easily jump to your cat and cause problems.
Humans. Humans can also become unsuspecting carriers of cat fleas. The parasites can easily attach to human clothes, shoes, and other items that are brought into the house from outside.
Doors and Windows. The area you’re living in could also increase the chance of your cat getting fleas. This means that they can easily enter your homes through the windows, doors, and even the tiniest of openings.
Used Furniture. Used furniture, especially sofas, rugs, and carpets, can have cat fleas and their eggs. This is especially common in furniture that hasn’t been properly cleaned and maintained.
Can Indoor Cats Get Fleas?
Yes, indoor cats can also get fleas. While they stay inside the house, humans can unknowingly bring fleas when these parasites attach themselves to their belongings. Plus, quick visits to unhygienic grooming salons and boarding facilities can be the cause of fleas in indoor cats.
How Do I Know if My Cat Has Fleas?
While they are small, fleas bring a great deal of concern to your cat’s health. Here are some of the signs of cat fleas you’ll see:
Excessive Scratching. One of the most obvious signs of fleas in your cats is scratching or biting. Cat flea bites can lead to irritation. They can also cause infections from the bacteria they carry, which can lead to more itchy areas.
Red and Irritated Skin. Fleas can cause cats to scratch, bite, or lick the areas affected because of skin irritation. In severe cases, some cats can also become allergic to the flea's saliva, causing more pain and discomfort. This is common in the belly and base of the tail.
Visible Fleas. While they are small, fleas can be visible if you take a closer look at your cat’s fur. They appear brown or darkish brown and can be found on the neck, belly, and the base of your cat’s tail.
Flea Dirt. Flea dirt is actually the feces of the fleas. These can look like tiny, black specks on the fur, common around the neck and belly.
Hair Loss. When cats scratch themselves too much, they can cause bald spots around the affected areas.
Behavioral Changes. A flea infestation may also be irritating for cats, causing them to appear stressed or exhibit changes in behavior. Others can be aggressive or restless.
Can Cats Die From a Flea Infestation?
Yes, cats can die from a severe flea infestation. The chances are high when it's left untreated. This is because untreated flea infestations can result in too much blood loss, leading to anemia. Other ones can also involve bacteria and tapeworms, which fleas can transmit to cats.
That’s why timely treatment and prevention are important factors to consider when discussing fleas. Even mild infestations can spiral into more severe infestations quickly.
How Do Vets Diagnose Fleas in Cats?
We'll take a look at your cat's skin and coat, checking the areas where fleas commonly reside. This includes the tail, belly, and hind legs. We'll look at common symptoms as well.
Using a fine-toothed flea comb, we’ll brush through your cat’s coat to catch any fleas or flea dirt. This is a natural way to get rid of fleas on cats. The debris will be placed on a damp paper towel. If it turns reddish-brown, then it’s digested blood. This will mostly confirm the presence of fleas in cats.
Afterward, we may proceed with laboratory testing. This may include tests such as skin scraping, cytology, or flea allergy testing. We may also test for other conditions that are associated with cat fleas, including tapeworms, anemia, and skin infections.
During the entire diagnostic process, we’ll check on your cat’s overall health.
What Is the Flea Treatment for Cats?
Removing fleas is straightforward. We will recommend the appropriate medications and the most effective products your cat needs.
Anti-Flea Medications
Anti-flea medications for cats are available in both topical and oral forms.
Topical or spot-on treatments are medications applied directly to cats' bodies, usually on the back of the neck, to prevent licking. These work by using the skin’s natural oils to deliver active ingredients, eliminating fleas on contact by disrupting their nervous system.
Popular choices include Bravecto, Revolution Plus, and Advantage II.
Generally, oral medications are more effective and faster-acting for cat fleas. Once ingested, they are spread through the bloodstream. When fleas come and feed on the cat’s blood, they are then killed or paralyzed.
A prescription is often required for oral cat flea bite treatments. Once we’ve finished your cat’s checkup, we can easily give you a quick prescription and the medicine right at our vet pharmacy.
Along with these anti-flea medications, we can also prescribe anti-itch medications, antibiotics, and steroid treatments to alleviate pain, treat secondary infections, and deal with FAD.
Flea Collars
Additionally, we can also recommend flea collars. Flea collars work by slowly releasing chemicals, spreading over your cat’s skin and fur. This will prevent and repel fleas for several months.
These offer long-term protection for cats, and one of the most popular options currently available is the Seresto collar. It’s an effective flea and tick repellent for cats.
Home Improvement
The next step is to treat your home. Your cat’s recovery will greatly improve if its home is clean and free from fleas. Make sure to vacuum carpets and wash bedding, blankets, and your cat’s toys in hot water regularly.
Always have a good schedule when doing this, as fleas are hard to detect. Once your home is free from the cat fleas and their eggs, recovery will go on smoothly.
Home Remedies for Cat Fleas
Along with some veterinary care, there are natural ways to get rid of fleas on cats. These include:
Flea Comb. Using a fine-tooth flea comb daily is one of the safest and most effective natural methods for getting rid of fleas on cats. Doing so will remove the fleas, the eggs, and their dirt from your cat’s coat.
Apple Cider Vinegar. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, and place the solution in a spray bottle. Lightly mist your cat’s coat, but avoid the eyes, ears, and nose. This doesn’t kill cat fleas, but it does help repel them.
Dish Soap. Dish soap seems to be an unusual natural option, but it’s relatively effective at removing cat fleas. Simply bathe your cat with water and a few drops of dish soap.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Fleas on a Cat?
Completely eliminating a flea infestation on your cat will take at least 3 months. This must include consistent treatment for your cat and its home. This is because more than 90% of the flea population resides in carpets, bedding, and other places your cat rests.
Essentially, this means that even after treating your cat, the risk of recurrence remains high. You might see new fleas 2 to 3 months after, as the pupae hatch. Because of this, we always recommend regular flea preventives.
Vet Tips: How to Prevent Cat Fleas?
Once you’ve treated your cat’s flea problem, we recommend taking steps to prevent it from happening again. It only takes a few simple steps to protect your cat from fleas.
Routine Flea Treatments
Treating your cat for fleas is the best way to protect them. Preventive medications can eliminate cat fleas when they come into contact with the skin or bite. These should be given regularly to ensure full protection year-round.
Home Maintenance
The next step to ensure complete protection against cat fleas is to clean the home. Cat fleas and their eggs can reside within furniture, carpets, and bedding. This makes steam cleaning and vacuuming essential routines.
Regular Vet Visits
Another helpful preventive method is visiting the clinic. Our wellness exams allow us to assess your cat’s health and identify potential conditions before they worsen. Plus, we can also recommend the best products for flea prevention.
Regular Grooming
Grooming your cats is an excellent way to make sure their bodies are free not only from fleas but also from other causes of skin problems. Use gentle shampoos that work best on your cat’s skin.
“Protecting your cat from fleas is about safeguarding its health and happiness.”
- Dr. Mafalda Sardinha
Final Thoughts
Cats can get fleas, and it’s our responsibility to help them get rid of these parasites. With a good understanding of what fleas are and how cats get them, we can take the steps needed to protect our pets from these parasites.
Frequently Asked Questions
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