What are fleas and why are they a problem for cats?
Fleas are tiny, jumping insects that feed on blood from cats, dogs, and other animals. They can transmit diseases and cause significant irritation. Fleas are wingless, flattened insects that use powerful hind legs to jump long distances and latch onto animal fur. According to research, the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis is the most common flea species found on domestic cats and dogs worldwide (Azrizal-Wahid et al. 2019).
Fleas pose a significant health risk and nuisance for household pets like cats. Their bites can cause inflammation, irritation, and discomfort. Prolonged flea infestation can also lead to flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms, anemia, and potentially fatal infections in kittens (Abdullah et al. 2019). Cats spend much of their time grooming to rid themselves of fleas, which takes away from other healthy behaviors. Fleas in the home can also spread to human inhabitants and are difficult to fully eradicate.
How do I know if my cat has fleas?
There are several telltale signs that indicate your cat may have fleas:
Excessive scratching – One of the most common signs of a flea infestation is constant scratching and irritation. Cats may scratch around their head, neck, base of the tail, and belly.
“Flea dirt” on the fur – Flea feces left on your cat’s coat can appear as small black specks, similar to dirt. You can check for flea dirt by combing your cat’s fur over a white surface and looking for black debris.
Loss of hair/bald spots – Persistent scratching and biting at the skin due to flea irritation can cause hair loss and bald patches, especially around the lower back/base of the tail.
Irritated skin – Red, inflamed skin and scabs may appear on areas your cat scratches frequently due to flea bites.(1)
Excessive grooming – Your cat may lick, chew and overgroom themselves in an effort to remove fleas.
Restlessness – Flea infested cats may seem more restless, darting around or shaking their head.(2)
Dangers and health risks of fleas for cats
Fleas can cause a number of health issues for cats. Some of the most common dangers and risks include:
Flea allergy dermatitis
Flea bites can cause severe itching, irritation, and inflammation in cats that are allergic. This condition is known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) and can lead to hair loss, wounds, infections and thickening of the skin if untreated (Source).
Anemia
If a large number of fleas feed on a cat’s blood over time, it can cause anemia or a dangerous decrease in red blood cells. Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, rapid breathing and pale gums (Source).
Tapeworms
Fleas can transmit tapeworm eggs and larvae to cats when grooming. Tapeworms live in the digestive tract and rob nutrients (Source).
Other diseases
Fleas can also potentially spread diseases like cat scratch fever to humans. Prevention and flea control is important for reducing disease risks.
When should I take my cat to the vet for fleas?
If you notice fleas on your cat or signs of flea infestation like excessive scratching, redness, and hair loss, you may first try treating with over-the-counter topical flea prevention medication. However, there are certain situations when it’s best to take your cat to the vet for professional flea treatment:
If home treatments like medicated collars, spot-ons, shampoos, powders, or sprays aren’t working and the fleas persist, it’s time to seek veterinary care. The vet can provide prescription-strength flea medication that may be more effective.
If your cat is very uncomfortable, constantly scratching, biting, licking, or seems irritated by the fleas, a vet visit can provide relief. The vet can administer medication to kill fleas and recommend ways to soothe irritated skin.
If the flea infestation is severe with hundreds of fleas visible, you should take your cat to the vet immediately. Severe infestations can lead to anemia from blood loss. The vet can provide fast-acting treatment to kill the fleas and recommend next steps for getting the infestation under control
(Source).
It’s important to get professional help managing severe flea infestations since over-the-counter products likely won’t be enough. Don’t delay – see the vet right away if home flea treatment isn’t working or your cat has a major flea problem.
What flea treatments will the vet provide?
Veterinarians have several options for treating flea infestations in cats. Some of the most common prescription flea treatments provided by vets include:
Oral medications: Oral flea prevention medications like Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard, and Simparica contain chemicals that spread through the cat’s bloodstream to kill fleas and prevent reinfestation. These medications are given as flavored chewable tablets once every 1-3 months depending on the specific medication.
Topical solutions: Spot-on topical flea treatments like Revolution and Advantage II are applied to a cat’s skin on the back of the neck and spread through the coat to kill fleas and prevent eggs from hatching. They provide month-long protection with a single monthly application.
Flea baths and dips: Veterinarians can provide medicated baths or dips that kill adult fleas on contact and provide short-term residual protection. However, bathing alone does not treat the environment or prevent reinfestation.
In addition to treatments, vets can recommend ongoing prescription flea prevention medications like Credelio, Revolution, or Bravecto to keep fleas from returning after initial treatment.
What happens during a flea bath at the vet?
When you bring your cat into the vet for a flea bath, the vet staff will take your cat to the grooming area and carefully bathe them to eliminate fleas, eggs, and debris. They use specialized flea shampoos and soaps that are safe for cats and kill fleas on contact. The shampooing process is very thorough – the groomer will lather up all areas of the cat’s fur and skin and let the shampoo sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. This allows the active ingredients time to work effectively.
The groomer will massage the shampoo deep into the fur to penetrate down to the skin and remove any fleas, eggs or dirt. They will use their fingers to scrub the fur and use flea combs to dislodge fleas and eggs adhered to the hair shafts. The shampoos help loosen all this debris to make it easier to wash away. Once the shampooing is complete, the groomer will rinse extremely thoroughly, using lukewarm water, to remove all traces of shampoo and ensure no fleas, eggs or dirt are left behind. This rinsing process is very important.
Throughout the bath, the groomer will be vigilant about monitoring for any live fleas and removing them promptly. Some vets may also use flea removal sprays or dips after shampooing as an extra precaution. Your vet wants to ensure your cat leaves the appointment completely free of fleas.
Source: https://www.hartz.com/how-to-give-your-cat-a-flea-bath
Aftercare following a flea bath
It’s important to monitor your cat for any adverse reactions after their flea bath. Some cats may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions to the shampoo or simply from the stress of bathing. Look for signs of excessive scratching, licking, or redness on the skin and contact your vet if these persist more than a couple hours after the bath. You may apply a hydrocortisone cream to irritated areas if approved by your vet.
You’ll also want to keep your cat indoors for at least a few days after their flea bath until all signs of fleas are gone. This prevents them from picking up new fleas from outside and reinfecting your home. Be sure to thoroughly vacuum and wash all of your cat’s bedding, blankets, and fabric items to get rid of any remaining flea eggs or larvae.
It’s recommended to dispose of any old bedding and fabric toys that can’t be thoroughly washed, as they may harbor flea eggs even after cleaning. Replace these items with new bedding and toys to prevent reinfestation.
Monitor your cat closely over the next couple weeks and give additional flea baths if you spot any residual fleas. Use a flea comb daily to manually remove any remaining fleas. But avoid over-bathing, as this can dry out your cat’s skin. Work closely with your vet to determine if any follow-up treatments are needed after the initial flea bath.
At-home flea prevention and treatment
There are several steps pet owners can take at home to help prevent and treat flea infestations in cats:
Vacuuming
Vacuuming carpets, furniture, and other fabric surfaces regularly can help remove flea eggs and larvae. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or canister afterwards so any fleas don’t escape back into the home. Vacuuming also stimulates pre-emerged fleas to hatch, which are then killed by insect growth regulators in some preventatives.
Flea combs
Flea combs can be used to physically remove adult fleas and eggs. Comb slowly and carefully over your cat’s coat, especially around the head, neck, and base of the tail. Dip the comb in hot soapy water regularly to kill any fleas removed.
Sprays
Sprays containing insecticides or natural ingredients like essential oils can be applied to carpets and furniture to kill flea eggs and larvae. Before using any spray on your cat directly, consult your veterinarian, as some ingredients may be toxic to cats.
Collars
Some flea collars release insecticides onto your cat’s skin and coat to repel and kill fleas. Look for collars with regulated, low-dose ingredients. Make sure your cat does not have any skin reactions before using long-term.
Oral/topical prevention
Veterinarian-prescribed oral and topical medications like flea pills or monthly spot treatments provide effective flea control by killing fleas rapidly and/or interrupting their life cycle. These are very effective when used properly year-round on all household pets.
When to seek professional flea treatment
If you’ve noticed signs of a flea infestation and have tried thorough at-home flea treatment methods but your cat is still infested, it may be time to seek professional help from your veterinarian. According to the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals, you should contact your vet if your cat has fleas that persist after trying over-the-counter treatments or home remedies for two weeks (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/flea-control-in-cats).
Some signs that your at-home flea treatment efforts aren’t working and you need professional help include:
- You are still seeing live fleas on your cat
- Your cat is excessively scratching, biting, or licking themselves
- You see flea dirt or flea eggs on your cat or in your home
- Flea bites and skin irritation persist on your cat
If you’ve thoroughly treated your home and cat with flea medication, vacuumed regularly, and washed bedding but fleas still persist, a stronger prescription medication or treatment plan from your vet may be required. Don’t prolong your cat’s discomfort – contact your vet right away if at-home flea treatment isn’t working.
Keeping your home flea-free
To prevent fleas from infesting your home and re-infesting your cat after treatment, you’ll need to take some proactive steps to keep your house flea-free. Here are some tips:
Hot wash all of your cat’s bedding, blankets, pillows, etc. regularly to kill any flea eggs or larvae that may be present. Use hot water and soap and dry on a high heat setting. https://www.terminix.com/blog/diy/7-steps-to-keep-your-animals-flea-free/
Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture frequently to remove flea eggs and larvae. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or canister outside immediately after. Flea eggs can survive and hatch inside the vacuum.
Use flea traps around your home to capture and kill adult fleas. Traps use light and warmth to attract fleas and contain poisons or adhesive to kill them.
Treat all other pets in the household with flea prevention as well. Fleas can easily spread between pets living closely together.
Have your yard professionally sprayed to kill fleas outdoors and prevent re-infestation. Sprays contain insecticides that kill flea eggs and larvae in your grass.
With diligence about home cleaning and pet treatment, you can help keep your house flea-free and avoid recurrent infestations.
