Cat Behavior Site: How to Rid Your Cat of Fleas

It’s very bothersome for people when they have an itch and can’t reach to give a scratch. When your cat has fleas think of it in the same way but multiplied a hundred times. over

Quick action needs to be taken when your cat has fleas. When you see them scratching or notice irritated skin, the problem needs to be taken care of immediately before it becomes a much bigger issue. If not taken care of promptly it certainly can become a serious issue.

The cleanest cat can get fleas. All it would take is a stray animal coming into close enough contact with your cat or your cat can pick up fleas outdoors too. Just one flea can leave multiple eggs in your cat’s fur and cause a full blown attack on your cat.

For preventative measures to stop fleas before they attack your cat you can use a product such as Advantix or Frontline. These flea medications are pre-measured liquid treatments that get applied directly to the cat’s skin and fur. If fleas do get on your cat these flea medications will kill them before they can lay their eggs. For cat owners who want preventative measures in place, these types of products should be used.

Unfortunately many cat owners will wait until they see the fleas before they take action. If you spot tiny black or brown insects on your cat, then most likely your cat has been infested. And when you do see the fleas on your cat then also realize that there is already a big problem.

Using a Flea Comb:

To ensure that your cat is safe from fleas you need to check him/her all the time. This can be done by using a flea comb. By carefully combing through the cat‘s fur and paying attention to the fur around the cat‘s stomach and head you‘ll be able to see if your pet is infested. The fur in these areas are ideal places for fleas to hide and include the eyes, nose and ears. Fleas also like to burrow into the folds where the cat‘s legs meet their bodies.

As you comb your pet with the flea comb if you find a flea then you’ll know they are throughout your pet’s body. Yet if you only end up with a few brown or black specks this is also a sign that the fleas are hiding somewhere on your cat’s body.

To find where they are just run your hands over the cat’s body and look for raised spots on him. If you find one or more, look closely to see if it has little legs. If so then your cat has ticks and you’ll need to seek out a vet as removing it isn’t something you can do yourself as you risk the head of the tick staying behind in your pet’s skin.

To get control of this situation you’ll need to use a liquid flea and tick treatment. You can also use flea or tick collars and baths. If the flea problem has spread into your home, as it no doubt has, they you also need to use a powder or spray for the bedding and upholstered furnishings. As a last resort if all else fails, you can set off a flea and tick bomb in your house. If this has to be done then your animals need to stay out of the home for at least 24 hours.

Fleas are a serious matter as they also carry a number of diseases and you need to stop them from affecting your pet. If your pet catches fleas also speak with your vet about treatments that can be provided as prescribed professional strengths will help. So take measures at the first sign of troubles before fleas make your pet sick. All measure need to be taken to rid your cat of fleas.

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Posted in Cat Health | Tags: Advantix, cat fleas, flea comb, flea medication, rid cat of fleas, tick medication