Definition of a Flea Infestation
A flea infestation refers to an excessive amount of fleas living and breeding on a cat. While it’s normal for cats to have some fleas, especially if they go outdoors, an infestation is characterized by significant numbers of fleas on the cat’s body and in the home environment.
Veterinarians generally consider more than 5-10 fleas visible during a physical exam to be indicative of an infestation. However, just 1-3 fleas can still cause problems for cats sensitive or allergic to flea bites. So the definition of an infestation depends somewhat on the individual cat.
With a severe infestation, fleas and flea dirt (feces) will be readily visible in the cat’s fur. The cat may be extremely itchy, leading to frequent scratching, skin wounds, and hair loss. Anemia and flea allergy dermatitis are also common. In the home, you’ll find fleas on furniture and floors, especially where the cat sleeps or rests.
While an occasional flea is expected, large numbers of fleas indicate an infestation requiring prompt treatment. If fleas and related problems persist despite your efforts, it’s time to seek veterinary assistance.
Dangers and Health Risks
Flea infestations can pose serious health risks to cats, especially kittens. One of the most dangerous consequences is flea bite anemia. This occurs when a cat is bitten repeatedly by fleas, resulting in substantial blood loss over time. Kittens and small cats are especially vulnerable since they have less blood to begin with.
According to PetMD, flea bite anemia happens when “fleas suck so much blood from a host that it triggers anemia, or iron deficiency, due to blood loss.”1 Even a small amount of blood loss from each flea bite can add up quickly with a large infestation. Anemia leaves cats weak, lethargic and pale.
Without treatment, flea bite anemia can be fatal. PetMD explains that “death can occur, usually with kittens, if the anemia is severe enough.” Therefore, it’s critical to address heavy flea infestations in cats before they lead to this dangerous health complication.
How Fleas Reproduce
Fleas go through four distinct life cycle stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Understanding this life cycle is key to controlling flea populations.
Adult fleas live on the animal host and feed on blood. After feeding, female fleas lay eggs, which fall off the animal into the environment. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day and over 2,000 eggs in her lifetime.
Eggs hatch into larvae within 2-14 days. The larvae feed on organic matter, such as the feces of adult fleas. After 5-11 days, larvae spin a protective cocoon and enter the pupal stage. The pupal stage can last 1-2 weeks.
When ready, adult fleas emerge from their cocoons fully developed and ready to find a host and feed. Under ideal conditions (room temperature and humidity), fleas can complete their entire lifecycle in 2-3 weeks. With a constant animal host, flea populations can grow exponentially in just a few weeks. (CDC)
Fleas thrive indoors. Female fleas prefer laying eggs on an animal host, but eggs can also fall off into carpets, bedding, furniture and pet resting areas. Vacuuming thoroughly and washing bedding can help remove eggs and developing fleas before they reach maturity.
Signs of Flea Infestation
There are several signs that indicate your cat may have a flea infestation. Some of the most common signs include:
Scratching and Biting
Persistent scratching or biting at their skin is one of the most obvious signs your cat has fleas. They are trying to relieve the itchiness caused by flea bites. Your cat may scratch so much they cause bald patches or skin wounds from overgrooming (Bondvet, 2023).
Flea Dirt
Flea dirt refers to the black specks of dried blood fleas leave behind on your cat’s fur after feeding. You may see small black dots near your cat’s skin that resemble dirt. Running a flea comb across your cat’s coat can help reveal flea dirt (Chewy, 2023).
Tape Test
Wet a piece of white paper towel or tissue and press it on areas your cat is scratching. Flea dirt will turn the tissue reddish brown, confirming the presence of fleas and flea dirt (Purina, 2023).
How Many Fleas is Too Many?
Experts generally recommend treating cats when there are 5-15 fleas present on their fur. Though seeing just one or two fleas may seem harmless, this likely indicates a much larger infestation in your home. According to Catster (https://www.catster.com/guides/how-many-fleas-is-considered-an-infestation-on-a-cat/), for every flea you find on your cat, there are likely 100 more eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults elsewhere in your home.
FleaScience explains that infested cats typically have less than 20 fleas living on them at a time, though pets can support up to 200-300 fleas before their health is impacted (https://fleascience.com/flea-encyclopedia/life-cycle-of-fleas/adult-fleas/how-many-fleas-can-live-on-a-cat-or-dog/). Still, just 5-15 fleas can allow a full-blown infestation to take hold.
Therefore, experts recommend treating your cat at the first signs of fleas before the infestation grows out of control. Finding 5 or more fleas on your pet likely means there are already hundreds more developing in your home.
Treating a Flea Infestation
There are several methods for treating a flea infestation on cats:
Topical treatments like Frontline, Advantage, Cheristin are very effective. They are applied to the skin on the back of the neck and spread over the body. These treatments kill adult fleas and prevent eggs from hatching.
Oral treatments like Capstar can kill fleas within 30 minutes, but only last for 24 hours. These are good for quick knockdown of fleas in emergencies.
Flea combs can help remove fleas and eggs. Comb your cat daily and dip the comb in hot soapy water to kill any fleas caught in it. Vacuuming carpets, furniture, and cat beds every 2-3 days for a few weeks will help remove eggs and larva from the environment.
Wash all bedding in hot water weekly. Clean any areas your cat frequents with pet-safe cleaners. Treating the environment is key to preventing re-infestation.
Natural Flea Treatments
There are several natural options for treating flea infestations on cats that don’t involve harsh chemicals. Two of the most popular natural flea killers are essential oils and diatomaceous earth.
Certain essential oils like lavender, peppermint, citrus, and tea tree have been found to be effective at repelling and killing fleas due to their strong scents. Essential oils should always be diluted before applying to cats. A common recipe is to mix 5-10 drops of essential oil into 1 ounce of carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Apply a small amount to the cat’s neck or other flea-prone areas, being careful to avoid their face and eyes. Essential oils can also be added to cat shampoo or used in homemade sprays and powders.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural mineral dust that can kill fleas by absorbing the oils in their exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate. DE is non-toxic when used properly. To treat flea infestations, rub a light dusting of food-grade DE into the cat’s fur, focusing on the base of the tail, legs, and around the neck. DE can also be sprinkled on carpets, pet bedding, and other areas fleas congregate. It’s important to avoid breathing in DE dust when applying.
Some other natural treatments include using flea combs, bathing with dish soap or flea shampoo, and vacuuming thoroughly to remove flea eggs and larvae. While natural remedies may take longer to work than chemical flea medications, they can be effective alternatives for pet owners looking to avoid toxic pesticides.
Preventing Flea Infestations
The best way to prevent flea infestations on cats is through monthly preventative treatments, keeping your home clean, and treating your yard. According to the CDC, there are several steps you can take to prevent fleas on pets: https://www.cdc.gov/fleas/avoid/on_pets.html
Monthly flea preventatives like Frontline Plus, Advantage II, or Cheristin make it impossible for fleas to live on your cat. These products kill fleas and also stop their eggs from hatching. By using these treatments year-round, you can break the flea life cycle and keep infestations from taking hold.
It’s also important to keep your home clean to prevent flea infestations. Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture regularly to pick up eggs and larva. Wash your cat’s bedding frequently in hot water. Any flea eggs that get dislodged will die in the laundry.
If your cat goes outdoors, treating your yard can also help. Outdoor spraying containing insect growth regulators or nematodes will kill flea larvae outside. This stops the flea life cycle before they can get on your cat. Keeping grass mowed short makes the yard less hospitable to fleas as well.
When to See a Vet
If your cat has a severe flea infestation, it’s a good idea to take them to see a veterinarian. According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, fleas can make kittens and elderly cats very sick. Very young kittens or old cats may need hospitalization for flea control.
Signs that your cat has a severe flea infestation that requires veterinary attention include hair loss, open sores on the skin from biting and scratching, pale gums, and lethargy. Kittens with heavy flea burdens are at risk for anemia from blood loss. Cats that are very itchy from fleas may bite or scratch themselves raw, leading to infected wounds.
Your vet can provide prescription strength flea prevention and treatment to quickly kill the fleas and stop the itching. They may also treat any secondary problems caused by the fleas, like skin infections. Getting severe flea infestations under control requires veterinary intervention to keep your cat comfortable and healthy.
As PetHelpful notes, “Cats with a flea infestation are really miserable, so it is in their best interest to find a solution as soon as possible.” https://pethelpful.com/ask-a-vet/Do-I-Take-My-Cat-to-the-Vet-for-Fleas
Flea Infestation Facts
Here are some interesting facts about fleas and flea infestations:
- Fleas can jump up to 7 inches high, which is equal to 150 times their own body length (Source: https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/evr_multi_fleas_myths_and_facts).
- Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day and over 2,000 eggs in their lifetime (Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/fascinating-facts-about-fleas-4105867).
- Fleas can survive without food for weeks or even months (Source: https://www.suburbanexterminating.com/blog/post/10-fun-flea-facts/).
- Adult fleas live for 2-3 months on average (Source: https://www.petmd.com/10-facts-about-fleas).
- Fleas thrive in temperatures of 65-80°F and in areas with 70-85% humidity (Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/fascinating-facts-about-fleas-4105867).
Having more than 15-20 fleas on a cat at one time is generally considered an infestation that requires treatment (Source: https://www.petmd.com/10-facts-about-fleas). Even just 5 fleas found on a pet warrants preventative action.
