Flea Removal & Treatment in Cats

Cat owners are often concerned about fleas: tiny blood-sucking insects that prey upon warm-blooded animals. Fleas are a nuisance and should be controlled because they can be detrimental to cat health and can even bite people.

  1. Why Fleas Should Be Removed

    • Many cats show no symptoms despite having fleas. However, fleas pose a variety of risks to cats. Fleas can carry tapeworm larvae, spreading this parasite to the cat. Constant itching and scratching can cause skin problems for cats, including skin disease. Fleas drink blood, and small cats and kittens may become anemic as a result. Lastly, fleas can bite humans, causing uncomfortable itching.

    Flea Test

    • Place the cat on white paper and run a comb through its fur. Look at the paper for the presence of both fleas and flea feces (known as "flea dirt"). Flea feces is generally black and shaped like a comma. It will leave a reddish-brown stain if moistened and rubbed.

    Removing Fleas from the Environment

    • Commercially available flea-control products should be used to treat all soft household furnishings, such as beds, couches, cushions, etc. Use flea products to treat hard-to-reach places such as spaces between floorboards. Regular vacuuming is important, but is not sufficient by itself. Throw away vacuum bags after use to prevent a recurrence of flea infestation.

    Treatment

    • Topical flea treatments for cats are available from a variety of manufacturers. These come in a variety of forms, including shampoos, foams and liquids. Using these products will help get rid of fleas and keep them from getting onto the cat in the future.

    Prevention

    • Besides chemical treatments, the best prevention is to keep the cat indoors and away from other animals. Fleas spread easily from animal to animal and can be picked up almost anywhere, so diligence is the best defense against flea infestation.