If you notice your cat scratching more than normal, or small brown dots appearing on your cat's skin, chances are he have fleas. The cat flea--Ctenocephalides felis--is the most common type of flea. Such fleas multiply rapidly and feed on the blood of cats, other pets and humans. You can remedy the problem using a variety of products and methods.
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Grooming
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Keep your cat clean and inspect him regularly. Comb him with a flea comb designed to capture fleas, and flea eggs, from his fur. Clean the comb in a small dish of soapy water to kill the fleas.
Spray your cat with mixture of vinegar and water. Fleas dislike the acidity of the vinegar and will be killed by the water. You could also add vinegar to your cat's bathwater
Bathe your cat in warm water with a shampoo designed for cats. A special flea shampoo is not necessary. Form a ring of soap around his neck to prevent fleas from escaping to his head. Water will kill the fleas.
Treatments
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There are many chemical powders and spot-on topical products available to deter and kill cat fleas. Choose only products specifically designed for use on cats (i.e., not dog products). Read labels carefully and follow directions.
Your veterinarian may prescribe a flea deterrent in the form of a pill or injection.
Household
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Vacuum the house on a regular basis. During flea season you should vacuum at least two to three times per week. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which will capture fleas and not allow them to escape. Throw the vacuum cleaner bag or contents into the trash outside of the home immediately after vacuuming. Pay special attention to all the nooks and crannies; fleas can be everywhere.
Clean the upholstery and curtains with your vacuum as well.
Steam-clean rugs at least one a month. Use water, or water and vinegar; there is no need to add chemical solvents. Smaller throw rugs can be cleaned in the washing machine in hot water.
At least once a week, wash pet bedding and blankets in very hot water to kill the fleas. Dry the bedding on a high temperature.
Add vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Shake and spray on floors, carpeting, bedding and upholstery. Test this mixture on materials prior to overall use to assess potential damage.
Place cedar shaving inside the cat's bedding to deter fleas. You can also add the shavings to household plants or in the yard as a deterrent.
Sprinkle borax on the carpeting and floors. Use a broom to push the borax into the carpeting and any crevices in the floor. Leave overnight and then vacuum. Keep you cats out of the room while the borax is present.
Other
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Feed your cat a high-quality cat food and maintain regular veterinary appointments. A healthy cat is less likely to contract fleas.
Add a daily teaspoon of brewer's yeast to his food. Brewer's yeast is known to be a flea deterrent.
Keep your cat indoors. Outdoors cats are more likely to bring home fleas.
Do not use essential oils on your cat. Cats cannot appropriately metabolize the oils, which can lead to a toxic level of the oils in their systems.
Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into your cat's drinking water. Fleas do not like the acidity.
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