You might have the cleanest home on the planet but it is still possible for your beloved cat to pick up fleas. There are many different types of these external parasites with species including dog fleas, rabbit fleas and even human fleas!
We spoke to the experts at Pets4Homes, the UK’s largest pet rehoming website, for their top tips on how to get rid of fleas on cats.
What is the cause of fleas?
Fleas are usually passed from one infested animal to another. This means that outdoor cats are more likely to get fleas than indoor cats, but it is important to remember that no cat is immune, even if they’re isolated. Once fleas are in the home, they can live in carpets or soft furnishings, so they can return if you don’t get rid of them all.
How do I know my cat has fleas?
Keeping an eye out for signs of fleas is key to catching them early and preventing them from becoming a recurring issue in your home. Most of a flea’s life cycle takes place off the animal, meaning that they can be hard to spot. However, fleas will hop on to animals to feed, which is when you can spot them amongst your cat’s fur.
One of the most obvious signs will be your cat is scratching more than usual or that they have areas of hair loss or sore patches.
If you see black spots (‘flea dirt’) on your cat, you may have spotted some flea faeces, a tell-tale sign of the presence of a flea. You can double-check whether this is a sign of fleas by removing these specks and rubbing them with a wet tissue. If the specks turn red (caused by the blood contained within them) it is likely your cat has fleas.
How to check for fleas
Fleas themselves may be visible in more severe cases, although more often you will be able to see signs of irritation due to flea bites, rather than the flea itself. If you use a flea comb on your cat’s fur, you should be able to spot some fleas if they are present. Fleas can also bite humans, so insect bites around your own ankles may be a sign that your cat has fleas.
How to get rid of fleas on cats
When getting rid of fleas, it is important to focus on clearing out all the fleas in the cat's environment, not just the ones on their fur. Using a spray to kill fleas on furnishings is key, and remember that these sprays cannot also be used on your pet. After spraying a room, it is important to leave it for at least an hour afterwards and ensure it is well-ventilated during this time. You should also wash all of your cat’s bedding at a high temperature, around 60°C, to ensure there are no fleas left in areas where they may be able to jump back onto your cat.
After using a flea treatment, it is important to make sure that you vacuum your home every day for the next 14 days. This helps to ensure that any remaining fleas do not return, as the vibrations of the vacuum help to bring any flea larvae nestled in the carpet to the surface. If the floor is not hoovered regularly, these flea larvae can hatch and cause another infestation
How to prevent fleas
There are a number of different preventative treatments available for both dogs and cats, including spot-on treatments, flea collars and sprays. These should be made specifically for cats, as the treatments designed for larger pets may be too strong for cats, as some contain chemicals which can be toxic in large quantities. Avoid using collars specific to dogs for this reason, as well.
These treatments will need to be reapplied in accordance with the three-week life cycle of a flea. Make sure to read the instructions carefully to ensure you are using a flea treatment properly and apply it often enough.
Flea treatments usually contain a chemical which repels fleas or attacks their nervous system, preventing them from biting your cats, however these methods do not mean that it is impossible for cats to get fleas, so it is important to keep checking them regularly and pay attention to their behaviour, in case they show signs of itching or discomfort.