Fleas are small annoying insects that can turn your life and the life of your beloved outdoor cat into a nightmare. If they infect your dog or cat, you have to be patient, as getting rid of them can be tricky. That is why it is better to take proactive measures to stop them from appearing in your home. Why are fleas dangerous? Which flea and tick prevention products are there? And what if the pests won’t leave your cat? Read the article to get answers to all these questions.
Why Are Fleas Dangerous to Your Cat?
Fleas are creatures that can be active throughout the year, regardless of the season. The bites from these parasites damage the skin and cause itching. When there are too many of them, the cat scratches the bite site so hard that it can provoke the appearance of ulcers and skin irritation. Moreover, through such scratches, an infection can enter the cat’s body since pests carry many dangerous pathogens.
Fleas often cause allergies, infectious diseases (hepatitis, plague bacillus, typhoid, etc.), and even anemia in kittens and puppies. Fleas can cause a cat to stop eating normally, which is why it can even cause your cat to lose weight.
Besides, these parasites are unpretentious in choosing victims and, under some circumstances, can bite people. It can cause allergy dermatitis (saliva allergy), Dipylidium (tapeworm infection), and Carrion’s disease (fever combined with skin rashes) in humans.
How to protect your cat from fleas?
To protect your cat from the dangerous consequences of flea bites, you should take preventive measures. The modern market offers a wide range of proactive remedies. You can choose the perfect product depending on the health and behavior of your dog or cat.
The most common way to prevent fleas in an outdoor cat is with sprays, drops, collars, shampoos, and pills.
Sprays
Cat flea sprays that contain insecticides are applied to the skin against the direction of the hair growth. They quickly spread over the entire surface of the body, preventing pests from appearing on the body of your furry friends. Some of these sprays can also be applied to the bed in which a cat or dog sleeps. This method remains effective for a week; then, the product has to be reapplied.
Drops
Flea drops are usually applied to the withers or along the cat’s spine so that it cannot lick off the drug. Remember to drip it onto the skin, not the fur; otherwise, the effect will be minimal. Their duration without reapplication is usually longer than that of sprays. Some of them can protect cats for up to three months.
You can also use coconut oil to prevent fleas on your cat.
Collars
Special collars containing active ingredients can provide long-term protection against fleas, sometimes up to months. Unlike previous methods, they do not require repeated or additional processing. Try to put it so that it does not contact the main cat collar or harness; otherwise, they might absorb the protective substance.
Shampoos
Typically, most shampoos are used to kill fleas that have already entered the cat’s fur or skin. However, some products also have repellent properties. The main thing is to rub them thoroughly into the hair and skin of a cat or puppy and do not rinse it off immediately but leave it for a while (5-10 mins). Then they will be effective in repelling pests. It is desirable to use them in combination with other methods.
If you have a kitten, you should check out my article on how often to give a kitten a flea bath. It is also important that you always make sure to completely dry off your cat after you five them a bath.
Pills
Typically, the tablets have a cat-friendly flavor and taste. It is advisable to feed them as a treat, from your hand, to make sure that the cat swallows the pill for sure. It remains effective for 1-3 months. Before use, carefully read the instructions and correctly calculate the dose depending on the age and size of your cat or dog.
How to Identify Infestation
Remember that protective tools significantly reduce the risk of disease but do not guarantee 100% results. You should not bathe your cat three days before and three days after treatment for the best effect.
An attentive owner will surely notice that the behavior of their beloved dog or cat has changed. Due to the constant bites and irritation on the skin, cats become more nervous and bad-tempered. They abruptly begin to itch, bite themselves, sleep poorly, and can even whine. With severe infestation, hair loss, worms, and gum whitening due to anemia might occur.
If you suspect that your cat has fleas, carefully examine it, pushing the fur in the neck, groin, and armpits area. For security, place a sheet of paper or white cloth underneath and comb the hair thoroughly. You might see flea eggs, parasite feces, and even adult fleas on it.
Getting rid of fleas in a cat
If you find that pests are already on your cat, you should take comprehensive measures. First of all, it is recommended to contact a vet to assess the degree of infestation and get advice on a drug depending on the cat’s health.
As a rule, remedies are designed to kill fleas on contact. It means that it will remain safe as long as the insect is at the egg or pupal stages. That is why it is crucial to choose a long-lasting product or treat cats regularly to destroy absolutely all pests.
You also need to clean furniture, carpets, and all rooms since your cat can scatter fleas all over the place while itching. Bed linen, covers, bedspreads, and curtains should be removed and washed at high temperatures. The main enemies of parasites are heat and soap. It is ideal if you have the opportunity to steam upholstered furniture, baseboards, and floors. Pay special attention to your cat’s bedding and its stuffed toys (if any).
Applying flea treatment to your cat
To make the chosen method (or several of them) as effective as possible, follow the simple guidelines for its application. Read the instructions provided, calculate the dosage correctly, and take precautions. Make sure that your cat does not lick the applied medication, as it can be toxic if it gets directly into the stomach.
Do not wash your cat for a couple of days before and three days after applying the product. Be sure to mark the treatment date on your calendar so that you don’t miss the day when the application needs to be repeated. Make sure your vet is aware of any allergies your cat might have before they prescribe a medicine.
