How to Tell If Your Cat Has Fleas & How to Get Rid of Them

Fleas are one of the most common pests plaguing domestic pets such as cats and dogs. Fleas are very small, wingless parasites that feed on blood, laying hundreds of eggs at a time and infesting areas where their hosts live. A large infestation can cause serious health problems, including anemia and even death, so treating your cat as soon as possible is necessary.

Things You'll Need

  • Flea shampoo
  • Towel
  • Flea comb
  • Topical flea treatment
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Washer and dryer
  • Bleach
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine your cat for signs of fleas. Hold the cat gently and separate the fur with your fingers, looking at the skin along the neck and back. A cat infested with fleas will scratch itself frequently and rub up against things in an attempt to remove the pests. You will also notice small black spots on the skin,, which are adult fleas, and red or brown debris, which is flea excrement.

    • 2

      Bathe your cat with flea shampoo. Place the cat in the sink and wet the fur with warm water. Apply a small amount of flea shampoo to the cat, working it into the coat with your hands. Allow the shampoo to sit on the skin for a few minutes to kill as many fleas as possible before rinsing with plenty of water. Dry the fur with a clean towel to remove as much water as possible to prevent the cat from becoming chilled.

    • 3

      Brush the cat gently with a flea comb. Flea combs have teeth that are placed very close together to remove fleas and eggs from the coat. Rinse the comb under running water after each pass to remove any fleas stuck to the teeth.

    • 4

      Apply a topical flea treatment to your cat. The flea treatment is placed along the neck and back of your cat and spreads throughout the hair to kill existing pests and repel new fleas. You vet can prescribe an appropriate treatment for your cat.

    • 5

      Wash your pet's bedding in hot water and bleach. The combination of hot water and bleach will kill any fleas and eggs that may be hiding there. Dry it on the hottest setting possible in your dryer. Use a color-safe bleach if the bedding has colors.

    • 6

      Vacuum your home thoroughly to remove as many fleas as possible. It can take a few days for all the fleas and eggs in the environment to die off and daily vacuuming will remove any remaining fleas. Make sure you dispose of the bags or dump the vacuum canister in an outside trash can to eliminate the chance of a re-infestation.