How to Check Cats for Fleas
Fleas are the most commonly found parasites on cats, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council. If your feline is scratching, licking, nibbling or gnawing at its coat, it may be infested with fleas. A flea infestation can result in irritated skin, hair loss or even an intestinal tapeworm infection. While it may prove difficult, if not impossible, to actually see the fleas, you can inspect your cat for "flea dirt," otherwise known as flea feces, to determine whether or not these unwelcome visitors are present.
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Instructions
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1
Place your cat on a large piece of white paper. Pet it and coax it to lie down if you can.
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2
Comb a section of your cat's back hair in a brisk motion. Note whether or not black flecks fall onto the paper.
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3
Comb your cat's hair briskly in different areas on its back if the black flecks did not appear in Step 2.
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4
Remove your cat from the paper and place the paper in a safe area where the flecks will not be disturbed. Dampen another piece of paper with water from a spray bottle.
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5
Shake the black flecks onto the damp paper. Wait 10 to 15 minutes and then observe the flecks. If they have turned a red or rusty color, they are flea feces. If not, then your cat's coat is full of dirt.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have a pet comb, you can use your fingers instead.
The specks turn red due to the blood content in the flea's feces.
Ask your vet or a pet parasite product specialist for recommendations regarding a product to get rid of the fleas and their eggs and control further flea infestations. Some products that are sold on the market may be harmful to your feline.
If you can't determine that your cat has fleas, and it still nibbles and gnaws on its coat, take it to a vet for an examination. A vet can pinpoint the problem for you.
References
- Photo Credit scratching cat image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
