Does your cat have fleas? If you have detected the presence of these small insects on your cat's body, it is important that you begin, as soon as possible, with the deworming process to ensure that the infestation does not go further and also spreads throughout your house. There are some products that you can get at the vet that will help you get rid of fleas on cats, but there are also some home remedies that you can apply. In this article on our site we explain how to get rid of fleas on cats and prevent re-infestation.
Flea infection in cats
Fleas are part of the list of most common external parasites in cats and dogs due to their ease of contagion. They are transmitted through contact with other infested animals or with the environments in which they live, since they have the ability to resist several months without a host. But to understand how cats get fleas, it is necessary to talk about the life cycle of these parasites.
The ideal conditions of temperature and humidity for the reproduction and development of fleas occur during the spring and summer monthsBut in our homes they find these conditions almost all year round due to the use of heating in winter. In this way, the eggs develop on the ground, especially in those more humid areas, such as carpets or cracks. Once they hatch, the larvae continue to live in the environment, feeding on remains of organic matter. They molt twice until they become pupae, from which adult fleas hatch after ten days, although they have the capacity to endure up to six months in this stage. For this reason it is so important to keep the home clean and disinfected. Once out of the pupa, the adult fleas search for a host and jump on it.
Flea symptoms in cats
How do you know if your cat has fleas? What exactly are fleas like? In order to identify fleas on cats, it is necessary to know their appearance. Thus, fleas are ectoparasites, flattened and wingless insects that, in their adult stage, need to live on the body of other animals to feed on them. There are different types of fleas, however, the most common flea on cats is Ctenocephalides felis, although they can also be infested by other species of fleas that parasitize dogs or other animals.
In addition to the direct view, there are some symptoms that can help you detect if your cat has fleas. The most obvious sign is the scratching, especially in areas such as the base of the tail or the head, which is where these parasites most often settle. However, it is possible that the plague has spread and the animal has fleas all over its body. We can also see that the cat has less desire to play, spends more time lying down and looks lacking in energy
If you suspect fleas, the best way to check is by running a flea brush over the cat's body. Any thin, close-set tines will do. Observe carefully if the comb picks up any. You can also choose to search directly through the cat's fur. In addition to fleas, it is possible to find their droppings, which look like small black dots. So, if you've noticed that your cat has black dandruff, it could be flea feces Remember that if there is one about the cat, there will be many more at home.
On the other hand, when a cat has flea bite allergy, it develops a type of dermatitis that manifests as redness of the skin, intense itching, hair loss and wounds. In these cases, veterinary attention becomes even more important. In addition, it is necessary to know that fleas can act as vectors of different diseases and other parasites, with which the cat could manifest the symptoms derived from each one. An example is the bartonella.
In this article we give you 10 steps to take care of a cat.
My cat has fleas and doesn't leave the house, how is that possible?
Even if your cat does not leave the house, if he lives with another animal, such as a dog, it can introduce a flea into the home, where it can complete its biological cycle as we have explained. It is even possible that you are the one who has brought these undesirable insects to your home, favoring their development and subsequent infestation. For this reason, fleas in house cats are also a problem and, therefore, they also have to receive adequate deworming on a regular basis.
How to get rid of fleas in cats?
If you have done the pertinent checks and you have noticed that your cat has fleas, the next step is to go to the vet so that they can give you one of the anti-flea methods that exist. The products for fleas in cats most used are the following:
- Pipettes: they are one of the most widely used antiparasitic today, as they are very easy to apply and very effective. It is a product that is placed on the animal's dorsal line (area that it will not be able to access during its daily washes) and can keep it protected for several weeks. Some pipettes are also capable of inactivating flea eggs, helping to control environmental infestation.
- Sprays: like pipettes, they eliminate fleas and keep the cat protected for several weeks. The drawback is that some cats are frightened by noise and you have to spray the whole body well.
- Anti-flea collars: they are made of plastic and contain different active ingredients with an anti-flea effect. Its effectiveness can last up to several months.
- Pills: they can act against external parasites or, at the same time, also against internal parasites. In this way, with a single tablet it is possible to protect the cat against a wide spectrum of parasites for several weeks or months.
- Flea shampoos: These soaps essentially help to eliminate the fleas that are currently on the cat. Therefore, they are not a preventive method like the previous ones, which do maintain their effect for weeks or months. Remember that if there is a flea on the cat, there will be many more developing in the environment. Without protection, they will bite the cat again as soon as they grow and the infestation will continue.
In any case, once you have dewormed your cat you will have to clean the house thoroughly Keep in mind that these insects nest in any space and they may have laid eggs on the couch, on the rug, or anywhere else your cat has been. So it is best to disinfect your home to prevent your cat from being bitten again.
Fleas on cats: home remedies
In addition to these medical treatments that we have just listed, you should know that there are also some natural remedies that can serve as repellents against fleas. This means that they manage to keep them away from the cat for some time, usually much less than that achieved by the deworming products that we mentioned in the previous section. Nor will they act on the immature stages of the parasite found in the environment. That is why the recommendation is to opt for veterinary prescription antiparasitics. In any case, if for an emergency or for any other reason you are looking for a home remedy, you will find it in the article Home remedies for fleas in cats.
Fleas on small cats, babies or newborns
Kittens are much more susceptible than adult cats, which is why much more care must be taken when handling them and treating any he alth problems they may have. In this way, if you have a baby cat or a newborn cat with fleas, it is best to visit the vet so that they can tell you the best treatment for fleas in such small cats. Not all the deworming products that we have mentioned are suitable for them and many require a certain weight or several months of life to be used. Yes, we can find sprays suitable from two days of life In any case, before applying them, it is advisable to consult the veterinarian to avoid poisoning the feline baby. On the other hand, if you are interested in learning about natural remedies, do not miss the following article: Home remedies for fleas in baby cats.
Do fleas on cats affect humans?
The truth is that yes. Fleas on cats can bite humans and produce virtually the same skin reaction as on cats. In this way, we will notice intense itching and redness. Therefore, if you ask yourself: "if my cat has fleas and sleeps with me, can it infect me?", you should know that it is most likely that you will also become the ideal host for these parasites. In fact, they can bite you even if you don't sleep together, since fleas in the environment will look for any warm-blooded animal to feed on, including people. Hence the importance of deworming all the animals that live in the home and disinfecting the home, including beds, if you have detected any.
How to prevent fleas in cats?
To protect your cat from fleas it is important that you follow these tips:
- Regularly administer a deworming product with a preventive effect, such as a pipette or a pill, always following the veterinarian's recommendations.
- Brush your cat regularly to detect the presence of any parasite early.
- Keep the home hygienic, which includes regular cleaning of all your cat's utensils to control these parasites in the environment.
- If you find a flea, act immediately. Don't wait for the infestation to get out of control.
