How Do Cats Get Fleas?

If your cat frequently scratches or bites at his fur, he likely has fleas. Fleas are typically visible on cats, and flea droppings may be found on your cat's bedding. In some cases, however, the only evidence of fleas is the appearance of small brown specs that may drop out of the cat's fur when he is being groomed. Severe flea infestations may result in anemia, tapeworms, dermatitis or even death.

Significance

Although more than 2,000 species of fleas exist, only Ctenocephalides felis is a significant threat to cats. However, female fleas lay between 30 and 50 eggs each day, putting your cat at risk nearly everywhere.

Geography

Fleas can be found all over the world, but they thrive in warm, humid climates. Flea infestations are most common during the summer months, when temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees F.

Infected Through Contact

Cats become infected with fleas through contact with another infected animal or via the environment, and eliminating all potential sources of fleas is the only reliable way to prevent an infestation from occurring.

Flea Products

Using flea products that kill adult fleas will not clear up an infestation, as fleas spend most of their lives off animals and in the egg and larvae stages.

Flea Eggs

Flea eggs are everywhere, both indoors and outside, but are concentrated primarily in areas frequented by cats, such as bedding or carpets.

Resources

• ASPCA
• CatHealth.com

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