Before hunting for fleas, think about why you think your cat has a flea infestation. If you've seen fleas on your cat or in your home, then you're definitely going to have to deal with the flea infestation and have to use a vet's veterinary flea remedy for cats. However, you may have a flea problem even if you've never seen fleas on your pet or in your home. The cat may have nipped the adult fleas off their fur. Flea eggs can fall on the cat's body and can hatch a few weeks later. However, it is very important to know for sure whether your cat has a flea infestation or not.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Assessing Cat Symptoms
Step 1. Watch as the cat treats itself
If your cat is sensitive to fleas, he may have an allergic reaction. In fact, cats who are not allergic to flea saliva experience irritation and feel itchy when bitten. This triggers excessive self-deprecating behavior. Your cat will likely need to clean itself frequently to get rid of the fleas. Fleas are quite difficult to detect because they can jump into the cat's body just to eat and will immediately leave, so the fleas only appear briefly. This is why cats can get fleas even if you can't find them.
Signs of a flea infestation can vary depending on the cat's health, the number of fleas on the cat's body, and other individual factors
Step 2. Look for signs of a flea infestation
Flea bites are very annoying. Watch your cat for some of the following symptoms:
- small bumps or layers of peeling skin, usually on the neck and back
- skin irritation, especially on the back of the neck and at the base of the tail
- cats scratch more and more, especially around the face
- the cat is getting more and more self-obsessed
- Vomiting fur balls because the cat is overly self-treating
- hair loss
- presence of tapeworms in cat feces (fleas can carry tapeworm eggs that are eaten by cats and then removed with their feces)
Step 3. Watch the cat's behavior
Cats may suddenly avoid rooms they normally like, especially if they are carpeted and infested with fleas. Cats can also appear restless. He even started to growl or shake his head frequently. The cat may be trying to get rid of fleas.
Some cats may be more sensitive to flea bites and will be more bothered by it. The cats will show strange behavior because they feel uncomfortable
Step 4. Watch for signs of anemia
If a flea infestation is really bad for the cat, not only will he get lots of fleas, but the cat can also suffer from a lack of blood which causes anemia. If so, watch out if your cat is feeling extremely weak or tired, has pale gums, and lacks muscle mass. You can also look for flea droppings by rubbing a wet towel over the cat to check for fleas. Even if your cat doesn't have fleas, you should take her to the vet if your cat is anemic.
Older kittens and cats are more likely to develop anemia from flea infestations
Part 2 of 3: Looking for Fleas on Cats
Step 1. Keep the cat safe
Stand the cat on a white sheet or pillowcase. A white cloth will make it easier for you to see any fleas or flea droppings. If you want to cuddle your cat in your lap while brushing it, cover your lap with a cloth first.
Lice are wingless insects that are dark brown in color with a length of about 3 to 4 millimeters. You can see it jumping when you're brushing the cat
Step 2. Comb the cat's fur
Comb the cat's hair from head to tail with a flea comb, examine the fur, and expose the skin as you brush the cat. Pay attention to the back of the neck, the base of the tail, and the inside of the legs. These body parts are the flea's favorite hiding place.
Lice combs are made to trap lice in the crevices of the comb. The comb is made as tight as possible so that the lice cannot escape and will be carried to the surface
Step 3. Check the flea comb
Even if you don't find any jumping lice, you can find dirt or nits that look like salt and pepper. If you find anything suspicious, place it on wet paper. Because it contains blood, flea droppings will turn dark red when wet.
If you see flea droppings, it means there are fleas on the cat's body
Step 4. Look for flea droppings
Wiggle the dirt from the comb and feathers onto the white sheets so you can see the black dots. To distinguish regular droppings from flea droppings, drip a small amount of water over the black dots. The black dots will turn red-brown or orange in color with a circle around them if it's fleas.
It will be easier if your cat is on a white towel or sheet while you are combing it
Step 5. Look for bands for hair loss
There are several reasons why fleas are associated with cat hair loss. Cat skin can be irritated because the cat is constantly scratching his fur, so he will experience hair loss to baldness. Or, your cat could be allergic to flea saliva, which irritates the cat's skin and makes it scratch more often.
Your cat may be allergic to something other than fleas. If you don't find any fleas, but your cat is still scratching him, take him to the vet
Part 3 of 3: Giving Anti-flea Drugs
Step 1. Find a flea remedy
Even if you don't find any fleas, you should consider using a product that protects your cat from fleas and gets rid of the fleas that now attack the cat. Modern anti-lice medications are safer and highly effective. Some of these flea medications can be purchased at pharmacies and some can only be obtained from a veterinarian.
Choose products made specifically for cats because some products for dogs contain ingredients that can harm cats. Consult your veterinarian to choose a product that meets your cat's needs
Step 2. Treat your cat with a flea medication every month
Follow the instructions on the medicine package or the vet's instructions when administering the medicine. Treatment will protect your cat from future flea problems and will tell you if your cat's symptoms are actually caused by fleas. If the problem goes away after treatment, fleas may indeed be the main cause of your cat's health problems, even if you've never seen one.
Monthly treatment as a preventive measure can be in the form of oral medications, injections, and topical medications
Step 3. Choose a flea collar that is approved by your veterinarian
There are various types of lice repellent necklaces sold in the market. Some do work well, others don't, and some types of collars can be toxic to cats. Therefore, it would be better if you discuss it with your vet before putting a flea collar on your cat.
Consider attaching a flea collar to vacuum cleaner bags or tins to kill any fleas you vacuum up
Step 4. Avoid flea infestations in your home
Clean all carpets, rugs and upholstery daily. Be sure to throw the vacuum cleaner bag in the trash can outside your home so that fleas can't invade your home again. You should also wash the bedding your pet uses in hot water to kill any remaining fleas.
If you have a flea infestation that cannot be eradicated, you may need a household “fogger (a device for spraying pesticides with a mixture of diesel oil in the form of smoke/mist). “Foggers release toxins that can kill fleas and their eggs, but they can be dangerous to pets and children. Learn about this tool first before using it
Tips
- Be sure to check all pets in your home if you suspect they have fleas.
- Fleas are a major cause of skin disease in cats and are usually the easiest to diagnose and treat.
- If you live in a flea-prone area, make sure you use preventative medication on your cat to avoid flea infestations.
- Consider asking your vet about getting tapeworms off your cat if she has fleas.
- In addition to flea droppings, you can look for flea eggs (white spots) in your cat's fur.
- If the attack is severe enough, consider contacting an exterminator.
Warning
- If your pet cat has fleas, you are at risk of getting a flea bite.
- Fleas can cause blood loss or anemia, especially in kittens, and spread diseases, including typhoid-like diseases “Rickettsia and Bartonella. Lice also spread tapeworms and cause skin irritation.
- Flea pupae can remain dormant for several months. So, it's very important to apply flea medication on your cat and clean the house thoroughly when you notice a flea problem. You should also treat potential problem areas with products that are safe to use indoors to prevent fleas from coming back.
