How to Get Rid of Fleas on Cats That Won't Take a Flea Bath

Fleas, parasites that feed on a cat's blood, can cause many health problems for your cat once it becomes infested with them. The diseases they cause include flea allergy dermatitis, anemia and skin infections. Fleas can also lead to a tapeworm infestation, if your cat ingests them. You can give your cat a flea bath to eradicate the fleas on its coat, but some cats will not tolerate being bathed. If this is the case, you can use other methods to quickly get rid of the fleas on your cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Flea comb
  • Bowl
  • Ammonia
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Washcloth
  • Topical flea drop medication
  • Oral flea medication
  • Vacuum
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Instructions

    • 1

      Comb your cat with a flea comb to remove the fleas on its coat. Between brushings, dip the comb in a bowl filled with hot water mixed with 1 to 2 drops of ammonia. This will kill the fleas, who drown in the water and ammonia mixture. Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly into the comb to help the fleas stick to it when brushing your cat.

    • 2

      Wipe your cat's coat with a damp washcloth to clean any debris, flea dirt and dust from it. Rinse the cloth between wipes. For cats that have an extreme aversion to water, wring out the cloth well to remove as much moisture from it as you can.

    • 3

      Give your cat an oral medication such as Capstar, which you have to obtain from a veterinarian. This medication comes as a tablet that you give to your cat by mouth. It kills adult fleas in as little as 30 minutes. Use one finger to open your cat's mouth, and place the tablet on its tongue. Close your cat's mouth to make your cat swallow the medication. You can also hide the tablet in your cat's wet food.

    • 4

      Apply a topical flea medication to your cat such as Frontline, Advantage or Revolution, as recommended by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Place the solution between your cat's shoulder blades. Wear rubber gloves and rub the small vial of solution into your cat's skin. These medications are absorbed into your cat's bloodstream and work to repel both adult fleas and flea eggs, as well as other parasites. Obtain these medications from a veterinarian.

    • 5

      Vacuum all of the carpeting in your home and discard the vacuum bag to remove fleas and prevent them from reinfecting your cat. Wash all of your bedding, drapes and your cat's bedding in hot water to kill any fleas and flea eggs.