How to Find Fleas on a Cat

According to researchers at Texas A&M University, Americans typically spend $9 million a year attempting to control fleas. Fleas are wingless, external parasites that feed off the blood of both humans and animals. Fleas can consume up to 15 times their own body weight in blood. Fleas thrive in warm, damp environments common during the summer months. Adverse effects from flea infestations range from dermatitis, anemia and tapeworm infection to death. Finding and identifying fleas is an important step in exterminating them.

Things You'll Need

  • Flea comb
  • White paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place white paper on top of your work surface. The white paper will provide a stark contrast against the fleas, making them easily identifiable.

    • 2

      Use your fingers to part the cat's fur. Look for small brownish insects. Areas such as the neck, ears and legs are common hiding places for fleas.

    • 3

      Comb through the cat's fur with the flea comb using a gentle pressure. Use caution; if your cat is not used to this procedure, it may put up a fight. Gently reassure the cat using a soft tone of voice.

    • 4

      Look for signs of fleas such as small white larvae, dark-colored excrement or skin irritation. The presence of any of these signs indicates there are fleas on the cat.

    • 5

      Transfer any black specks onto a damp piece of paper, and allow them to sit on the paper for a minute. Specks that appear to have a reddish tint are flea excrement, more commonly known as flea dirt. The reddish tint appears as a result of the blood that is extracted from the cat and passed through the digestive system of the flea. Specks that do not turn red are likely just dirt.