How to Kill Fleas Safely on Cats

Fleas are small pests that can be very troubling to a household, affecting pets and humans. If your cat picks up fleas, the infestation can quickly become out of control and difficult to eradicate. You will need to treat your entire home, all of your pets and the hair and clothing of all family members to ensure that the fleas are completely killed off.

Things You'll Need

  • Flea shampoo
  • Flea comb
  • Home flea treatment
  • Topical flea gel
  • Flea collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a flea and tick shampoo designed for cats from a pet store or veterinarian. Avoid using shampoos created for other animals or humans, which may contain ingredients harmful to cats. Your vet can help you choose a high-quality cat shampoo that will get rid of fleas quickly.

    • 2

      Bathe your cat in the sink or bathtub using the flea shampoo and warm water. Wear gloves and layers of clothing to protect your skin from your cat's claws, but prepare to get wet during the bath. To bathe your cat, fill the tub with a small amount of warm water so that the cat only gets its legs wet when standing. Use a small plastic cup to pour water over the cat's body before and after shampooing to ensure that your pet is clean and rinsed.

    • 3

      Use a flea comb to pick all of the dead bugs and eggs from your cat's fur after the bath. All of the bugs are removed when the comb comes out of the cat's fur without evidence of fleas or eggs attached. Follow up by applying a topical flea gel to the back of the cat's neck. This will kill off any remaining bugs and help prevent the fleas from returning.

    • 4

      Place your cat in its cage while you clean the house. Use a flea treatment on all carpets and wash all loose bedding in hot water. Vacuum after treating the carpets to remove any dead bugs and eggs.

    • 5

      Repeat the flea-shampoo bath on your cat daily until no eggs or bugs are found while combing.

    • 6

      Place a flea collar on your cat's neck as a preventative measure to keep the bugs from returning. A flea collar can be purchased from a vet or pet store.