Fleas are a cat owner’s nightmare. Know the signs, treatments, and prevention tips here!
A cat with fleas is a horror story. One female flea is indomitable enough to produce 20,000 new fleas within two months, and the sanitization process for you, your cat, and your house is extensive. The danger of fleas is present year-round. Thankfully, there are several surefire ways you can know early if your cat has fleas, deal with the problem promptly, and prevent them from ever taking over.
Signs Your Cat Has Fleas
Your cat will likely begin to act differently, not quite like its usual self. Any change in behavior in your pet should always signal that something could be wrong with its health. Your cat might start scratching and grooming more than usual, to the extent that bald spots emerge or hairballs appear more frequently. If you inspect your cat’s fur, you might be alarmed to find one or more of the following:
- Scabs around the neck, back, and base of the tail
- Pale lips and gums
- Tiny white dots (flea eggs)
- Small dark specks (bugs)
- Small insects burrowing or leaping on your pet
- Tapeworms
Cleaning Your Cat
If you suspect your cat has fleas, it’s best to take it to the vet as soon as possible. Your vet can give your cat medical treatment. You might also be able to buy certain medications from your vet or recommended by your vet to aid in treatment and prevention.
For a quick, at-home method, groom your cat with a fine-toothed comb to help flick fleas in their various life stages off of your pet’s fur. One should do this either outside or in the bathtub. Comb your cat’s fur with the same comb dipped in a warm-to-hot water and liquid detergent mixture to help kill the fleas. Even with this method, though, it’s best to consult with the vet for a full-force de-fleaing.
Cleaning Your House
If you find one flea on your cat, the whole house and household need to be cleaned. Fleas can lay around 40-50 eggs a day, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Everyone in the house, pets included, needs a wash, along with all bedding, carpeting, and clothing. Wash everything in hot water to kill off all fleas. If you still notice fleas in your home, you might need to call an exterminator.
Flea Prevention
Flea and tick prevention measures have developed and become safer for cats over the years. Common options include topical treatments, shampoos, and medication. Everhart Veterinary Medicine would be happy to discuss what the best option might be for your cat.
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With two Maryland locations in both Baltimore and Pasadena, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131 or 410-793-7670! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!