Levels of Cat Flea Infestation

Cat fleas may be tiny, but they can cause big problems for felines and their owners. There is no such thing as a mild flea infestation because even a single female flea can lay thousands of eggs over the course of just a few weeks. By the time the pinhead-sized brown insects are noticed on a cat, infestation is usually full-blown. But infestations can range in severity depending on factors such as where the fleas are located, the health and condition of the cat and how soon treatment is administered.

  1. Outdoors

    • Though they are commonly called cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis also are carried by wild animals, such as raccoons, skunks and rats. When an outdoor area is frequented by these species of animal or by a population of feral cats, flea infestations are likely to occur. A typical outdoor infestation does not carry high risk of exposure for strictly indoor cats. But in extreme cases, fleas can ride indoors on shoes, socks or clothing and take up residence on pets kept exclusively in the house. Cat fleas tend to thrive in outdoor areas with shade, mild temperatures and a humid climate.

    Animal Host

    • Whether a cat picks up a flea from the yard, another animal or its owner's shoe doesn't matter. One egg-laying female can produce at least an egg every hour, with each flea living for a month. Adult fleas and newly-hatched larva suck blood from the host cat, focusing on areas the animal cannot scratch, such as the back of the neck and lower back above the tail. Each female flea can theoretically produce 20,000 new fleas every two months, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. In a healthy cat, a typical flea infestation causes wounds from scratching and the risk of infection with one of several diseases carried by the insects, including tapeworm and bacteria that can lead to cat-scratch disease in people. At this point, fleas must be treated by administering medicine to the cat.

    Host Complications

    • While all cats are susceptible to fleas, certain animals are at more risk of complications than others. Young kittens are much more likely than adult cats to develop anemia from blood loss caused by feeding fleas. Cats of all ages can develop infections in wounds caused by excessive scratching. Some animals have a flea allergy that causes their skin to scab over or form small, circular white lesions known as miliary dermatitis. Immediate action is especially important for cats suffering complications from a flea infestation. Prescription topical antiflea formulas can kill fleas within hours of being absorbed into a cat's skin and can prevent future attacks if used regularly. Allergic cats may need an anti-itching treatment in addition to flea medicine.

    Indoors

    • The most severe level of infestation occurs when fleas take up residence in your home. Fleas tend to burrow into dark crevices where they cannot be reached by a vacuum.Left untreated, they can continue to re-infest pets. Eliminating a serious indoor infestation requires treating fleas in the home, on your pet and possibly even outdoors. Along with treating your cat, make sure to regularly wash all pet bedding and use a spray containing methoprene or pyriproxyfen to treat areas your pet has come into contact. Also make sure to spray places fleas tend to hide, such as carpet, baseboards, floorboards and the area beneath furniture and window sills. If fleas are a significant problem outdoors, keep grass cut short around the house and consider spraying areas where your cat sleeps. Using a dehumidifier indoors to dry out the environment can also discourage fleas.