Fleas are widespread parasites in cats, both outdoors and indoors. Outdoor cats usually get it from contact with other cats. However, indoor cats are exposed to this parasite if a human, a guest pet, or a rodent carries it to their home.
If your cat is itching unstoppably, there is a higher chance that your cat has gotten this tiny creature.
It is misunderstood that fleas are associated with warmer environmental conditions. But these can affect your feline friend all year round. There are almost 2500 species of fleas worldwide. Of these diverse types, 300 species are found in America. Many of these species can survive in cold weather.
How Do Cats Get Fleas?
If you want to get rid of fleas on your cat permanently, you have to figure out the way from where your cat is getting it and how to do flea care for cats.
Below, we have enlisted some common ways from usually pet cats to get this itchy thing:
- If your cat gets close to wild or street animals like other outdoor cats or dogs.
- Your cat can get it from other pets in the home, such as rabbits and dogs, who live in open places, such as the lawn.
- They might get it from the furniture or the carpet.
- Sometimes, humans take larvae with their shoes and clothes and transfer them to their cats.
- If your kitten visits some outdoor cats, this can also be a significant source of fleas.
Popular Signs and Symptoms If Your Cat Has Fleas
Fleas reside deep down in the fur and are not easy to find. Therefore, pet owners know how to check if the cat has parasites. Here are some signs to alarm you that your cat has little parasites.
- Flea dirt is the most common sign. It appears in the form of black dust on your cat’s fur.
- Fleas bite cats and feed on their blood. So cats start doing unstoppable itching.
- Cats start licking some parts of their skin.
- It makes your cats uncomfortable, and they cannot stay calm and still.
- When cats are uncomfortable, they continuously shake their head to show irritation.
How to Get Rid of Fleas on Cats?
After clarifying the methods of getting fleas and their symptoms, the good news is that there are very simple and effective methods of getting rid of them. Let’s have a look at some home remedies and treatments for having a flea-free pet.
Natural Flea Treatment for Cats
Multiple natural remedies help in flea removal for kittens. Two of them are mentioned here.
Combing its Fur
Flea combs are available in the market and contain narrow teeth to pull fleas from the fur. Gently use this comb, but the edges of its teeth must touch the cat's skin. After each round in the fur, put the comb in the water as it kills them. Otherwise, it again spreads in your home and will make its way to your cat’s hair again.
Give Your Cat a Bath
Bathing cats regularly can keep them clean and flea-free. Shampoos used during baths are also helpful in removing fleas, their larvae, and eggs.
Products for Cats’ Flea Treatments
You can use multiple other treatments and products if your cat does not benefit from natural remedies. These products are very fruitful against flea control and help with long-term benefits.
Spot on Products
Spot-on products are very effective in flea control but need careful use. You just have to put a drop on the neck’s skin and then spread it on the whole body. The best thing about this product is that it kills it by getting in touch and does not resemble those products that need fleas to bite the cat's skin to get killed.
This is the best method for cats with flea-allergic dermatitis (FAD). Furthermore, this product is valuable for killing other pesticides and works as a solution.
But you must be careful while using this product. Do not use it without asking your vet. Also, avoid dog products on cats because they have different skin types.
Flea Collars
Cat owners love to use different colored collars with tags for cats. In particular, flea collars are also available as “Seresto.” This is the best and most prolonged flea protection method. This collar releases pesticides that kill fleas, tapeworm larvae, and ticks. It can be effective for eight months and prevents your cat from getting any tiny creature. However, some cats are allergic to the pesticide of this collar and get skin reactions or rashes.
Flea Sprays
Flea sprays are also very effective because they are used not only on a cat’s skin but also in places where your cat loves to stay. This spray helps to kill the adults, their larvae, and eggs. However, this must be used after the doctor’s recommendation and guidelines, as some cats can be allergic to such products.
Oral Tablets
You can treat your cat with oral medications. This medication is given in the form of tablets. Once your cat ingests the pills, they enter its bloodstream, killing fleas that bite and feed on cat blood. This way, your cat will get complete relief from the adult parasites.
However, in this method, fleas bite on cats during treatment, and your cat only gets rid of adults. Eggs and larvae are still there to irritate your feline friend in the future.
How to Prevent Fleas on Your Cat Permanently?
Just keeping your cat free of fleas is not enough. To prevent cat fleas in the long term, you must eliminate their larvae and eggs from your house. To this end,
- Monitor the places where your cat loves to hang out and spray those points with flea-removing products.
- Spray at regular intervals for future prevention.
- Bath your cat bed and all things correctly with flea-eliminating products.
- Keep your cat indoors and avoid contact with outdoor cats.
- Vacuum clean your furniture and carpets to remove hidden eggs that can affect your cats.
Recap
In conclusion, getting rid of fleas on your cat is essential for its health and comfort. Multiple methods, including natural remedies and other products, prove very effective in making your cat flea-free. You can adopt the most suitable method by understanding the severity of the problem and identifying the right method for your kitten.
But removing fleas once is not enough. For long-term prevention, you must keep your home clean using different products. All these ways give the best outcomes; however, if you do not get the desired results, it's time to consult your vet.