Fleas are a type of parasite that causes irritation in cats and dogs. The irritation is caused by the saliva in their bite. They can also be spread through contact with another infected animal or by a person picking up an infected animal. They live on the blood of animals (especially cats and dogs), which they get from biting them. They lay eggs called “flea dirt” which look like tiny black specs that look like dirt. These eggs hatch into larvae that feed off the host’s blood before becoming pupae (which look like a cocoon). The pupae then turn into an adult flea after about 10 days.
There are many different types of fleas but only four species are known to attack pets: Ctenocephalides felis felis, Ctenocephalides felis canis, Ctenocephalides canisuga (dog flea), and Pulex irritans (human flea).
Although fleas can live in any environment, they prefer to be around warm-blooded animals. Fleas prefer to lay eggs in areas where there is a lot of hair, such as on the back and tail of cats. The egg will hatch into a larva within 24 hours, which then develops into an adult flea within several weeks after hatching. Flea bites cause irritation and itching in both humans and cats; however, cats are particularly sensitive to flea bites because they have thin skin and fur that makes it easier for the flea’s mouthparts to penetrate deeper into their skin than it would be on humans.
How To Tell If Your Cat Has Fleas
Behavioral Signs
In severe infestations, it’s easy to spot fleas jumping and moving on and off your cat’s body. In less obvious situations, you may notice that your cat is restless and doing more scratching or chewing on certain areas of his body. Shaking the head often and scratching at the ears is another indication of a possible flea infestation in your cat.
Excessive and constant licking at the haircoat is another sign of potential fleas, especially in cats. Many cats will even groom the fleas out of the haircoat before you get a chance to see the evidence.
Check the Skin and Haircoat
In order to see actual fleas on your pet, you may have to look fast. Fleas can jump very fast and very high. Fleas are very small (1/16-1/8 in.), flat-bodied insects that are a dark brown, almost black, color. The more blood they ingest the lighter in color they may appear.
Turn your cat on his back and check areas that allow fleas to hide. The armpits and groin are two areas that are warm and protected; favored spots for fleas to hide out. Check your cat’s ears carefully for signs of scratching, redness, blood, or dirt. These can all be signs of fleas. The skin on the belly, groin, or base of the tail may appear red and bumpy, especially if your cat is doing a lot of scratching. Hair loss may occur in certain areas that are being scratched excessively, and there may be black spots on the skin along with scabbing.
Get a flea comb (a specially made comb with closely set teeth) and run it through the hair on your cat’s back and legs. The comb’s teeth are designed to catch and pull fleas out from under the haircoat where they are hiding. Make sure you get close to the skin when running the comb through the hair so you have a greater chance of getting to where the fleas are hiding out. Have a bowl of soapy water on hand to douse any live fleas into as you find them while combing.
One trick that may help you if the fleas are hard to see is to place a white piece of paper or paper towel on the floor next to your pet while coming through his hair. Flea dirt (i.e., flea feces) will fall off of the cat’s skin and land on the paper. One way to differentiate between regular dirt and flea “dirt” is to wet any black specks that fall off the cat onto the white paper towel (using regular water sprinkled on the specks). If they turn a dark reddish-brown color, you are seeing the digested blood that the flea has passed through its body and excreted.
Can Humans Get Fleas From Cats?
Humans can get fleas from cats, and it’s actually pretty common.
It’s not a question of if you’ll get fleas from your cat, but when. Fleas are nasty little bloodsuckers that live on warm-blooded animals like humans and cats, and they typically lay their eggs in the fur of their host animal. When those eggs hatch, it’s just a matter of time before you start to notice tiny black dots all over your pet.
Humans may be exposed to fleas through direct contact with a cat or by inhaling flea droppings that land on household surfaces. Flea bites can cause itching and scratching which can lead to infection if not treated.
The problem is that when you’re petting your cat or scratching them behind the ears, those fleas can hop onto your skin and start biting away. If you have pets at home, it’s important to remember this fact: even if you don’t have problems with fleas right now, they could be coming soon.
How Do You Get Rid of Fleas on a Cat Fast?
Fleas are a serious problem for cats. They can cause bacterial infections, anemia, and other serious health problems in your cat. If you see fleas on your cat, the best thing you can do is treat them immediately.
If you don’t want to use chemicals to get rid of the fleas on your cat, there are natural remedies that will help rid your cat of fleas. The first thing you should do is make sure that your cat does not have any other parasites like ticks or mites. You can do this by combing through its fur with a fine-toothed comb and looking for any signs of these other parasites.
Once you’ve made sure that your cat doesn’t have any other parasites, it’s time to start treating them for fleas. The first thing that you should do is vacuum up any areas where there may be eggs or larvae hiding out so that they don’t get into your home again once they hatch out. Next, take a damp washcloth and rub it over the area where the fleas were found on your cat’s body; this will kill off any eggs or larvae still left behind after vacuuming up the pupae from earlier in the day.
How Long Do Fleas Last on Cats?
Flea eggs take a long time to hatch, and it can take months for fleas to fully develop. In other words, it can be a while before you see any evidence that your cat has fleas.
If you notice your cat scratching itself more than usual, there’s a good chance they’ve been bitten by fleas in the past few days or weeks—but it’s also possible that it picked up the critters during a previous infestation and are now reacting to them after having been treated.
List Of Products To Get Rid of Cat Fleas
Fleas are a common problem for cats and their owners. When fleas attack, they can cause itching and inflammation in your furry friend. In addition, they can spread disease to humans and other animals. If you’re looking for a product that will help you get rid of cat fleas once and for all, here are some products that may be able to help.
Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Home Spray | Flea Treatment for Dogs and Home | Plant-Based Formula | 32 Ounces
Price : $9.97
Features :
- GENTLE PROTECTION: Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Home Spray uses certified natural ingredients to kill fleas, flea eggs, and ticks on contact.
- PROVEN EFFECTIVE: Whether facing an active infestation or are applying for routine prevention, our spray is scientifically proven effective against pests but gentle enough to use around the whole family.
- CERTIFIED NATURAL OILS: Each steam-distilled essential oil is selected for its potent pest-fighting properties and is 100% Certified Natural.
- TOTAL HOME DEFENSE: Applies easily on surfaces, indoors and out, including dog bedding, crates, furniture, blankets, upholstery, carpets, outdoor surfaces, and more. Also gentle enough to be applied directly on dogs and puppies 12 weeks or older.
- MADE IN THE USA: Our products are proudly manufactured in the USA with quality domestic and internationally sourced ingredients.
Additional Info :
| Color | Green |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 0.81 Inches |
| Width | 3.38 Inches |
| Length | 3.38 Inches |
| Weight | 2 Pounds |
FRONTLINE Plus for Cats and Kittens (1.5 pounds and over) Flea and Tick Treatment, 3 Doses
Price : $38.99
Features :
- Waterproof flea and tick treatment for cats and kittens: Frontline Plus for Cats provides waterproof, fast-acting, long-lasting flea and tick treatment and control for your cat. This product is approved for use on cats and kittens 1.5 lbs and over.
- Break the flea life cycle with frontline: Frontline flea and tick treatment for cats kills adult fleas plus flea eggs and larvae to stop existing infestations and prevent establishment of new infestations.
- Kills fleas and ticks: Frontline flea and tick treatment for cats kills fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks. This flea and tick treatment kills ticks, including those that may transmit Lyme disease.
- Trusted flea and tick protection for cats: Frontline Plus for Cats has been trusted by veterinarians for nearly 20 years. Made with 2 tough killing ingredients, fipronil and (S)-methoprene – one to kill adult fleas and ticks and the second to kill flea eggs and larvae – this fast-acting, long-lasting protection provides flea and tick control for cats and kittens 8 weeks and older.
- Lasting flea and tick protection: Frontline’s long-lasting formula is stored in the oil glands of the cat’s skin to give non-stop flea and tick protection for a full 30 days. Frontline flea and tick treatment for cats works non-stop for a full 30 days. A 3-dose supply lasts for 3 months.
Additional Info :
| Color | Green |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 0.5 Inches |
| Width | 4.5 Inches |
| Length | 6 Inches |
| Weight | 0.07054792384 Pounds |
Nutramax Cosequin Joint Health Supplement for Cats – With Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Omega-3, 60 Soft Chews
Price : $11.99
Features :
- #1 Veterinarian Recommended
- Joint health support plus omega 3’s
- May also support bladder health
- Tasty alternative to sprinkle capsules
Additional Info :
| Color | Brown |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 7.5 Inches |
| Width | 4.38 Inches |
| Length | 2 Inches |
Advantage II 6-Dose Large Cat Flea Prevention, Flea Prevention for Cats, Over 9 Pounds
Price :
Features :
- 6-month supply of advantage II topical large cat flea prevention
- Easy-to-apply and pre-measured flea treatment application tubes, fragrance-free and waterproof after 24 hours
- Advantage II large cat flea prevention kills fleas through contact, meaning fleas don’t have to bite your cat in order to die.Avoid contact with eyes or clothing
- Starts working within 12 hours and protects your cat for up to 30 days. Kills fleas in multiple life stages; Eggs, larvae and adults to break the flea life cycle
- Vet recommended, fragrance free and designed specifically to treat and prevent fleas on cats
Additional Info :
| Color | Blacks & Grays |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 4.25 Inches |
| Width | 1 Inches |
| Length | 6.5 Inches |
| Weight | 0.05 Pounds |
In Conclusion,
If you suspect that your cat has fleas, it is important to address the problem quickly and thoroughly. It is not uncommon for a cat to have fleas and not show any symptoms of an infestation. However, over time, the fleas can cause serious health problems for your pet, which can lead to an expensive trip to the veterinarian.
To help prevent a flea infestation in your home, it is best to use natural products that will not harm your pets or children. These products include diatomaceous earth, borax, and garlic powder. When using these products on your cat’s coat make sure that they are completely dry before going outside as they may attract rain or snow which could cause them to clump up on their fur causing discomfort for your pet.