Help! My Kitty Has Fleas
Having a Feline with Fleas is Challenging but Doable
If you love your cat, it can of course be very distressing to discover that your cat has fleas, or even worse the common side affect of a flea infestation, worms. However, with diligence and perserverance you can get past the flea problem, and your cat will thank you.
To understand how to handle a flea outbreak in your home, you need to understand a little about biology. First of all, fleas don't magically appear in your household - they had to come from somewhere. Perhaps your cat encountered another animal with fleas, or was in a place where fleas were present and they hopped on to him or her. In any case, the fleas were most likely brought into your home by one of your pets. So, the first step is to close off that 'vector.' You need to ensure that fleas are not continually coming into your home the same way, to avoid recontamination.
Whether or not you have figured out where the fleas came from, you now have to deal with the infestation at hand. Fleas like to lay eggs in places like your furniture or your carpet, so make sure you vacuum religously until the outbreak is over. Fleas and their eggs don't do well in water, so shampooing your carpet with a carpet cleaner is a great idea. While the eggs will last for awhile in the carpet, until they hatch, the fleas themselves actually need a host - like your cat - in order to survive. So the important part of cleaning the carpet is, again, to prevent the cycle from repeating itself.
The next part of the chain is the cat - which is where the fleas like to live. Your cat may or may not be aware of all the fleas, particularly if he or she has a very thick undercoat. They will, however, notice the bites, as you will as well if the infestation is significant enough that you are getting bit as well. The cats will find this irriating (no kidding!) and will groom and groom until they find the fleas. Unfortunately, this is the next step in the cycle. The cat will find the flea and attempt to dispatch it by eating it!
Down in the digestive system of your cat, the remains of the flea can result in your cat getting worms. This is again part of the flea lifecycle. Most often you will realize this when you see a segment of the worm near your cat's bum or on the floor. Some cats will feel listless as a result of the presence of worms, and other will behave quite normally. Although there are many cures suggested, on the internet and other places, to help cure worms, a trip to the vet to get a perscription for medication to treat them is a great idea.
Even if you don't get to the point where your cat has worms, however, you still need to get the fleas off the cat. Flea collars are one way to approach the problem, but some owners have complained that this only seems to address fleas that hole up in the fur around your cat's neck. Since that is a prime location for fleas, this can help of course. Another approach is to comb your cat with a fine toothed comb designed to help remove fleas. You will need to do this once a day until your cat is free and clear. The upside - many cats enjoy being groomed in this way, and it can be a time of bonding between you and your pet.
The only sure fire method to get rid of all the fleas however, is to consult your vet and get some medication to treat the fleas, which you might choose to do when you get the worm medication. Meds supplied by vets are typically more costly than the over the counter options at pet stores, but testimonials seem to suggest they are much more effective.
It is also a good idea to wash your cat during this time. Cats hate water, by and large, and really dislike baths, but this is one way to make sure any eggs that the flea might have left behind are dispatched. You really don't want to do all this work just to have in happen again a few weeks later.
Finally, make sure you empty your kitty's litter box once or twice a day. In the case of worms, you can risk recontamination if this isn't taken care of, and of course for multiple cat houses, cross contamination.
The suggestions here are not to be taken as medical advise, but as suggestions for cat owners. You should of course consult with your vet in the case of any illness or problem with your cat. Keep in mind, fleas are the most common reason that people call their vet, so you won't be telling them anything they've not heard before!
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles