Can Fleas Live in Cat Litter?

As you̵7;re reading the morning paper, you look over and see Cleo scratching like crazy. A quick peek verifies it's true: Cleo has fleas. You̵7;ll need to get your itchy pal to the veterinarian right away for a flea bath and quickly clean everything in your home while she's there. Because fleas can live in virtually anything, you̵7;ll need to scrub all surfaces, including the litter box.

  1. Flea Life Stages

    • The entire flea life cycle lasts for six weeks on average, and most of the pest's life cycle is not on the host. Flea eggs can survive on surfaces or on your cat for roughly 10 days. Remaining eggs transform into larvae and remain in that state for three to five days. From there, larvae transition into pupae, which stick to drapes, furniture, grass and even the litter box. The pupae stage lasts for three to six weeks until they turn into full-blown adult fleas. Grownup fleas can survive on Cleo, or in your home, for as long as two months. For the most part, you'll see fleas and eggs concentrated around Cleo's neck and the base of her tail, although they can reside anywhere on her body.

    Initial Cleaning

    • Cleo̵7;s litter box is one of the first things you̵7;ll want to clear out. After all, she visits her potty several times throughout the day, and fleas -- and their eggs -- can drop off right into the litter. Dump the dirty litter into a garbage bag and take it to the outside trash barrel. Rinse and scrub the pan under hot running water with a mild dish detergent solution. After scrubbing out the box, spritz it with a flea spray designed for surfaces, and allow it to dry thoroughly. You may want to consider using a plastic liner in the pan until your next cleaning, just as a precautionary measure in case any fleas or pupae stuck around after the scrub. Eggs can be hardy and wait to hatch when the weather is suitable, which can be from two to three weeks to half a year later.

    Re-Treating

    • Although you have thoroughly detailed Cleo̵7;s litter box and the rest of your home, that doesn̵7;t mean either of you are free of the problem. It's important to re-treat the litter box and the rest of the house 10 to 14 days after the initial cleaning. Some of the flea pupae may continue to stick to surfaces and can̵7;t be killed by flea products. By re-cleaning, going over the litter pan surface again with flea spray and adding brand-new litter, you̵7;ll prevent the young fleas from causing a whole new infestation.

    Dangers

    • Proper cleaning of Cleo̵7;s litter pan after an infestation is important to keep her healthy. Fleas thrive by feasting on your furry friend̵7;s blood. If she has a lot of fleas, she could develop anemia, resulting in extreme fatigue because her body isn̵7;t getting enough oxygen. Fleas can pass along tapeworms, causing your beloved kitty to have intestinal and nutrient absorption problems if tapeworms are present in large numbers. Some felines are even allergic to fleas, making your cuddly chum pull out her fur and have severely irritated skin.

    Prevention

    • Making Cleo an indoor-only feline is the first step toward preventing flea outbreaks, but it isn̵7;t foolproof. You and other household pets can still accidentally carry fleas to your cat from outdoors. Your veterinarian might suggest treating Cleo with a flea-prevention medication that you have to apply to her skin regularly. This way, you're less likely to go through the headache of eliminating fleas ever again. Consult your vet before purchasing over-the-counter flea products, such as collars.