So you think your cute and adorable little cat has fleas? Before you get rid of your cat, there are some things you should know. Simply checking a cat for fleas is not easy, even if you know what to look for. You may check the cat’s fur and conclude that they do not have fleas, but this may be a false sense of security. Fleas can also be found outside of the house on: outdoor furniture, grass, dirt, etc. When a Cat has Fleas or Lice it can be difficult to tell. If a Cat has fleas or ticks, then it is important to treat him as soon as possible because if left untreated, this will lead to many complications later on. In most cases a cat with parasites would show symptoms like scratching frequently, hair loss and irritation due to biting of the skin. I just had a friend ask me what to do if it turns out that her cat has fleas. I know this can be a pretty stressful time if you have never had to deal with feline pests. So when she asked, I gave her my step by step instructions. Then I thought, why don’t I share this advice with everyone? So I am… Here’s how to tell if your cat has fleas:

How To Know If A Cat Has Fleas

Introduction

Your cat has fleas. Unfortunately, you might not know until your cat is itching so much that he’s making himself bald in spots or even scratching himself raw. Many cats are allergic to flea saliva. The flea bites, the cat itches, and the cycle begins again. A cat who has a severe enough reaction may need veterinary care for secondary infections from scratching or chewing at the skin too much. If you see one flea on your pet, there are probably hundreds more in his environment waiting to jump back on him (or into your bed).

You See Fleas On or Around Your Cat

If you see a flea on or around your cat, this is a clear indication that she has fleas. Fleas are small, fast-moving insects. You may not be able to see them with the naked eye as they jump from host to host (meaning: one animal to another), but if you look closely, it shouldn’t be hard for you to spot them. They leave a bite mark on your pet when they bite into its skin and ingest blood from it.

If your cat is more prone to having fleas than others, then seeing these little critters around him may not necessarily mean that he has them—but if they’re jumping on and off him at all hours of the day? Then yes! Your cat has fleas!

You See Flea Dirt

If you find flea dirt on your cat, it will look like small black specks. These are actually flea feces and not the fleas themselves. The cat picks up the fecal matter when grooming itself, so if you see this in your home, then it’s likely that there are some on the cat too. You can use a white paper towel or a flea comb to check for these specks.

Your Cat Has Scratching, Licking or Hair-Loss

As cats are very clean animals, they spend a lot of time grooming themselves. If they have fleas, they will be irritated and scratch more than usual. This can lead to excessive licking and hair loss. You might also see “hot spots” which are patches of irritated skin caused by scratching.

If any of these are true, your cat might have fleas.

If you notice any of these things, it’s time to head to the vet.

• If your cat is scratching excessively or rubbing against objects, such as furniture or the floor.
• If your cat has small red bumps on their skin (flea bites).
• If black specks are visible in the fur around your cat’s neck and back. These could be flea dirt—the excrement of adult fleas. They’re made up of digested blood that dried on a pet’s hair while they were feeding on them.

Conclusion

And that’s all there is to it! By following our advice, you’ll be a pro at spotting fleas. If you do find out your cat has fleas, don’t stress about it—unless the infestation is really severe, this can be dealt with easily with the right treatment. Since flea infestations usually happen because of contact with other animals rather than a sign of poor hygiene or something wrong with your pet, it isn’t anything to feel bad about.