Fleas on Cat: What You Need To Know
Your cat's warm, lovely coat and bloodstream is what every flea dreams about. They are one of the most unpleasant insects for most cat lovers. Even cats who do not go outside can get them and make the owner think - how did my indoor cat get them, and how to get rid of fleas on your cats?
Even one insect growth that has settled in the pet's fur causes itching, provokes constant scratching, which, in turn, entails the appearance of wounds, scratching, and related troubles. Besides, common flea bites can cause various diseases of the animal and dogs. The treatment of which will be long and expensive.
Can A Cat Flea Live On a Human Body?
It would be best for you not to panic as soon as you see your kitten or cat rubbing and scratching itself. The most common mistake is to be afraid of fleas.
Some cases were when unaware owners tried to isolate their cats in another room, only supplying them with food and water regularly.
It turns out that cat flea Ctenocephalides Felis will do everything to outlive even the toughest conditions. Thus, a flea cannot live like this for a long time and multiply on humans, felines, and dogs. It will only bring a lot of unpleasant feelings. To sum up, we must admit that fleas can live on a human body for a short period.
Where Did My Cat Get fleas?
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3 Ways Cats Get Fleas
- It can be infected by associating another cat or dog with fleas on its skin.
- One of the main sources of cat fleas is emerging of grownup fleas in your garden or house.
- Houses with carpets, fur spreading, cushions, and central heating systems provide the perfect environment for fleas.
So when the cat lays on these surfaces with fleas, they will automatically be infected. Keeping your cat in cat care centers, too, can get fleas on them.
How To Spot Fleas On My Cat?
It is challenging knowing whether your cat has fleas. An itchy cat or else insect bites and marks on the owners’ are the simplest and the only signal that warns about ticks and insects. Still, you can detect them on the body of your cute pet in some basic ways. You can use a ‘flea comb’ with a fine-tooth to comb the fur of your pet very thoroughly.
Use a light color surface or paper so that you can see the falling bugs or flea dirt on that surface clearly. This method is a supportive way to protect pets from the harmful effects of flea infestation. It is vital to remember to soak the comb you use to brush your pet in a mix of water with soap to kill adult fleas.
You can also observe movements in the fur. But this will take time and more attention than the previous. So, if you are a cat owner afraid of these tiny vampires, take note of the above before trying flea treatments.
How Can Fleas Affect My Cat?
Cat fleas are indeed small. But their effects on pets are numerous. It can make your pet sick as a result of flea infestation. These pests may carry some harmful elements to your feline friend. Thus, making them sick and uncomfortable. Here are some common types of illnesses due to a flea infestation:
Skin and Coat problems
Kittens with fleas on their bodies can have this problem in their skin. It will make them scratch at the back of the neck, making the cat’s skin red. Therefore, causing wounds. It can be critical if any germ enters the body through these wounds.
Tapeworm
This is an intestinal parasite due to flea infestation. The adult fleas feeding on tapeworm eggs may transmit it, causing blood loss. This illness will make the cats sick. Thus, causing weight loss, appetite problems, and sometimes diarrhea.
Flea Allergies
This illness could be due to flea’s saliva, flea larvae, and flea eggs. You may observe skin lesions, itching, and fur loss as a result of this disease.
Itching
This is one of the most common and viral illnesses in pets with fleas. This is generally the first sign of flea infection. The cats will start to scratch and lick their fur most of the time because of the itching.
Fleas on Cats
Kittens are more vulnerable to bug infections because they are small and weak at that age. As adult fleas suck blood from these tiny kittens, they will become ill because of blood loss. You need to know that this can kill them, too, if you do not treat the infection with the right flea control.
Anemia
This is one of the serious conditions that harm cats. This can occur because of a huge number of fleas biting. This is more critical when it comes to the kittens. This will make the cats weak. Thus, causing rapid breathing and high fever. Finally, the death of the cats if treatments at home do not destroy the fleas.
Bartonella for Fleas on Cats
Fleas on cats can pass bacterial infections such as Bartonella, also called Bartonellosis. Felines may get this infection due to contact with the feces or flea dirt. Fleas shed these bacteria with waste materials on the body. The risky fact is that cats can carry these bacteria even a year in their body without any signs. And the latter can cause mouth and gum disease, eye inflammation, and heart disease.
Is Cat Flea Medicine Really Safe?
Flea control products are among the best sellers in most pet stores. These products can be collars, spray products, or topical solutions that you apply to the cat's neck.
Whatever their form, the main question most cat lovers would ask is whether such cat flea medicine is safe or it does more harm than good.
There's no right answer when it comes to feline medicine. Like humans, they react differently to various chemicals. Some may have no problems with anti-flea collars or a topical product. But others may show symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis to such products.
You may poison your furry friend with flea medicine, so you should be careful and observe your cat closely for a while if you decide to use these products on him.
Additionally, you need to be careful when handling such products because they can be toxic to humans. If you have known allergies to certain chemicals, you should always check the labels.
Can Cat Flea Drops Cure Flea Infestations?
Some people know that they can get good results through the use of cat flea drops. This medication is available today and effective in controlling the effects of infestation by dealing with the source of the problem – the cat itself.
Cat's flea drops are safe to use. When you apply the drops to your pet, it prevents them from licking or ingesting the product. This can be hazardous. Many cat flea drops are available, including popular brands, such as Frontline Plus, Advantage, and Stronghold.
For people who do not feel comfortable applying what many believe to be toxic chemicals to the family pet, you can always try our 100% organic flea collars.
How Do You Get Rid Of Fleas On Your Cat Instantly?
There are certain ways for flea control and removing fleas from your cats. This includes treatment from a vet or natural remedies, which are as effective. Still, many people prefer natural remedies to avoid side effects and over medication. Here is the list of natural remedies to remove, control, and treat your feline friend's flea problems.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has many uses, including weight loss. It is also effective for removing yeast that can cause itching. As far as the flea treatment is concerned, it won't kill them but will surely make them jump off your pet. Be careful not to apply it on an open wound.
You can dip a comb in it and brush your cat, or you can put it in a spray bottle and apply it.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a plant that you can grow in your garden. It is a natural predator of the flea. It is an organic product. You can grind it and sprinkle it in your cat's bed to eliminate the threat.
You can also apply rosemary oil to your pet's skin. Another method for removing a flea includes boiling rosemary in warm water and bathing your pet.
It will certainly soothe your pet's itching because of its anti-inflammatory properties and will also remove the flea. Make sure to give this treatment a try to help your pet win his fight against flea.
Grooming
Grooming is a simple and good method to kill those annoying harmful adult pests. Giving your cat a nice bath with dish soap has proven effective against ticks and bugs at home.
The soap water is very harmful to the adult fleas and eliminates them in a few seconds. Comb your feline friend regularly to thrice a week to decrease their number significantly.
While you comb your cat, make sure to use a comb with large space teeth for long and thick hair. Use a narrowly spaced comb if your cat has short hairs.
There is a special fine-toothed comb that is very effective in removing them. Giving your pet a proper haircut is also effective in fighting against tiny insects that suck blood. Be careful not to use any human soap or shampoo because it can cause dryness on your pet's skin.
Cedar Chips
When it comes to eliminating fleas from your cat, there is no better option than cedar chips. They have a powerful scent, which the fleas hate. Your pet might hate it as well.
To keep the fleas away, sprinkle the cedar chips around your cat's bed. You can also try to massage your kitty with cedar oil in those areas where the fleas are in abundance.
Cedar oil repels and kills fleas. Moreover, cedar chips also act as a natural repellent to mice, rats, moths, cockroaches, and venomous snakes.
Aloe Vera and Cayenne
The juice obtained from the aloe vera plant is used as a natural flea repellent, which is very effective. It can alleviate the itching and gives a soothing
It is a very effective and natural flea repellant. You can mix it with cayenne and spray it on your cat. Ensure that your eyes are protected, as it can be very irritating and painful for your cat.
However, certain parts of the aloe vera plant harm your pet. Make sure not to allow your kitty to eat aloe vera because it can be harmful to your cat.
Lemon Spray
When it comes to treating flea bites, you cannot find anything better than lemon. Lemon contains citric acid, which is very effective as a treatment. To create a lemon spray, cut a lemon in half and put it in water overnight. You can spray it over your cat's skin.
If your feline has scratches or open wounds, do not use it. It can irritate the wound. Be careful not to spray in your cat's eye because lemon can irritate the eye, and your little friend might not like it. You can also wash the bed by adding some lemon to the laundry machine. This will eliminate any flea that is present on your pet's bed.
Lavender
Lavender is a type of herb. Its flower and oil are used in making medicines. It is believed to act as an anti-depressant. It's bud, stem, and leaf can be used in cooking. It has a delicious smell. Lavender is an excellent flea repellant because it smells terrible to fleas. It can be grown in your back garden and is easily available everywhere.
It orders to treat flea problem, soak lavender in water and leave it for a few hours. After that, spray it on your cat's fur or dip a comb and remove the fleas. It would help if you were careful not to use lavender oil as it is harmful to cats because it is very concentrated.
Use of Herbal Flea Powder
The easiest method to remove flea from your feline friend is to purchase a herbal flea powder from your nearest pet store. Apply them on your cat as they are very effective and are also cheap.
Salt
Salt is very helpful in getting rid of fleas. It can dehydrate fleas and eventually kills them. You can sprinkle salt in your cat's bed to eliminate the fleas and their larvae from that place. It is advisable not to sprinkle salt on your cat as it can cause moisture in your cat's fur. You can have a mixture of baking soda and salt to make a powerful dehydrating agent, which is very harmful to these pesky parasites.
Chamomile
When it comes to treating flea, chamomile tea is really effective, and it is one of the best home-made remedies. You can also make a chamomile spray. Soak a few chamomile leaves in water for a few hours, spray it on your feline friend or dip a comb and comb out the fleas.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a kind of plant. It is high in antioxidants, and it is also said to eliminate fleas from cats. However, it can also harm your feline friend. It can be allergic as well as toxic for cats. Your feline friend may not like its smell at all. Using eucalyptus to treat fleas in your feline friend is not advisable.
Diatomaceous Earth
It is a naturally occurring soft rock that has many health benefits for human beings. It can also be good for your feline friend as it can eliminate fleas from their bodies. It is a natural predator of fleas, and they cannot tolerate it. It has the ability to break a flea's exoskeleton and thus results in killing it.
Sprinkle it in your pets' bed to reduce the fleas. It would be best if you didn’t use it directly on your cat as it can cause skin dryness, leading to further problems for your feline friend.
4 Tips on Home Remedies for Flea Control
- Always use one remedy at a time. Do not use multiple remedies.
- Always consult a veterinarian.
- Do not use these remedies if there are open wounds on your feline friend. It is better to take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
- If your pet shows any sign of discomfort or its situation worsens, please contact a veterinarian.
How To Protect Your Cat From Fleas?
It is not a normal task to get rid of these tiny vampires. You cannot simply clean only your pet to get rid of fleas and larvae. It is better to remove these fleas from the whole environment where your Cat lives.
From your Cat, from any other pets at your home, and your house and yard. This will make you satisfied with a sound and safe environment for your kitten.
There is a huge variety of flea treatments in modern society. They are available in any pet shop, from vets, and even from supermarkets. These treatments are available in forms such as tablets, flea collars, etc.
However, for a good owner who loves the Cat, it is always better to talk and consult the vet before treating your Cat with these types of flea treatments because it is important to check the product's effect, especially on newborn kittens and pregnant cats.
Treatment Options to Getting Rid of Cat Flea Ctenocephalides Felis
- Powders
- Natural Anti Flea & Tick Collars (https://dewelpro.com)
- Aerosol sprays
-
‘spot-on’ products
Things You Can Do To Remove Fleas on Cats
- Vacuum daily and remove the bag away and wash the canister with soap and water.
- Washing pet beds, cushions, carpets, and fabrics with hot water and soap.
- Treat all the pets in the house with suitable insecticides to kill fleas.
- Keep walls and floors without cracks and holes.
- Treating the house with insecticides is good to remove all the fleas on cats at all stages of their life cycle.
Vital Things to Know About Fleas on Cats
Before attempting to get rid of fleas on cats by yourself, it could be better to ask a vet for advice. Take your cat to the vet and ask about alternative solutions. Perhaps there are better methods of getting rid of those pesky insects as they lay eggs. An expert veterinarian can see your cat's overall health and give you proper advice on the best cat flea medicine to keep the bugs away without harming your beloved little one.
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