Signs That a Cat Has Fleas
Cats are smart, loyal and usually low-maintenance companions. However, a very small and common insect, the flea, can wreak havoc on your cat's comfort and health. While exposure to fleas in your yard or home starts out as an itchy annoyance to the cat, an infestation can turn dangerous if left unattended. Fleas carry bacteria and diseases such as tapeworm. Cats will likely respond to the bites and try to cope with excessive scratching, licking, nibbling and biting of their fur and infected hot spots. Fleas leave detritus that is a good clue to their presence, in the form of flea dirt and eggs. In addition to your cat's behavior, these are the most common signs of a flea population. Vigilant treatment of both the cat and the surroundings in which fleas thrive can beat back an infestation and spare you and your cat more suffering.
Other People Are Reading
-
Itching and Scratching
-
Fleas are attracted to warm-blooded, hairy animals. Blood is fleas' food source, and fur provides the optimal protected environment. The first behavioral changes you are likely to see in your cat will be an increase in scratching, nibbling and even biting themselves. The cat will squirm on its back and side against the carpet or walls in an effort to alleviate the itchiness caused by flea bites. Over time, thinning of the fur in areas, or bald spots, may develop from the gnawing and scratching. There will be hot spots where the skin has become inflamed or infected from the flea bacteria and from the cat's subsequent nibbling at the irritation. Cats with fleas will sometimes begin new and different vocalization patterns that sound like a crying meow.
Flea Dirt
-
Flea dirt is dark, fine, sand-like waste excreted from the fleas. Its dark color derives from the fact that fleas subsist on a blood diet, so their waste is mostly dried blood. In addition to the damage done by the biting and blood-sucking, the flea dirt itself stays in the fur and continuously irritates the cat's skin. Part the cat's fur gently with your hands so that you can see down to the skin. If you see what looks like very fine dirt grains, it is likely flea dirt. If you cat has favorite napping areas, check these as well, because flea dirt or carcasses may be visible. Buy a metal-toothed flea comb, which is a fine-tooth comb sold at many stores. Gently run the flea comb through the fur; if the cat has fleas you should see flea dirt and possibly fleas themselves caught in the teeth.
-
Home Remedies and Maintenance
-
The most effective home remedies are physically grooming the cat and cleaning its surroundings. To mix an effective and safe solution for flea removal, combine one part isopropyl alcohol and five parts tepid water in a clean jar. Dip your flea comb into the jar of solution and begin combing small sections of fur at the roots, in one direction, lifting up as the comb exits the fur. Fleas and flea dirt will accumulate on the teeth. Quickly crush the fleas, or drop the flea comb in the solution to kill the fleas and remove any hair and flea dirt from the comb. Repeat all over the cat, including the head, avoiding the eye area. This can be repeated daily to get control of an infestation, and weekly or as necessary for maintenance during flea season. Another option is bathing. Cats and water don't usually mix, but neither do fleas and water -- which makes this such an effective tactic. Dip the cat in a sink or tub of water that doesn't pass its neck, and fleas will float off of the coat. A good tip to prevent the fleas from running to the cat's face is wetting the neck and applying a bit of shampoo there first. Drain away dirty water and fleas, and rinse the cat very well with fresh water several times. Gently towel dry, and comb out the cat's fur with the flea comb over a light-colored towel to catch any remaining fleas. If a cat-specific moisturizing shampoo is used, this process can be repeated every week until the infestation loses its grip.
Store-Bought and Prescription Remedies
-
Recently, modern veterinary medicine has developed simple and safe methods to control fleas by halting the growth and breeding cycle of existing fleas and preventing the hatching of flea eggs that have already been deposited. These products are not harmful to the cat or humans, and are very effective without introducing insecticides. Some require a prescription from a veterinarian, such as Advantage or Frontline. These anti-flea medications are applied once a month to the cat's back between the shoulder blades, where it can't be licked off. There are also a few flea remedies that do not require a prescription and can be found at pet stores and other retailers. Flea collars and flea powder are additional options, though they are less effective in controlling flea populations. Chemical treatments should be used carefully and according to instructions. Never use anti-flea products that are not approved for cats, as they can be deadly.
Rigorous Cleaning
-
These treatments combined with a consistent cleaning regimen around the house in areas where fleas congregate can dispatch an infestation. Cat beds, dog beds, old blankets, pillows and the like that cannot be washed in hot water and detergent should be tossed and new ones purchased. For homes with carpeting, daily vacuuming is helpful. A useful trick is to place a flea collar inside your vacuum cleaner bag to kill or poison any fleas you suck up.
-
