Is your cat constantly scratching herself? Are there specks of dirt on the brush or comb when you groom it? If your answer is "yes" to both of these questions, then it's safe to assume that your cat is suffering from flea infestation. Fleas suck the blood from your furry friend, making her anemic and unhealthy.
Cat Flea Facts
Like dogs and other mammals, cats are also prone to flea infestations. If you don't treat your cat, fleas could spread from one pet to another. Fleas could also spread to the carpets and furnishings of your home. The proliferation of fleas in your home can then cause allergies and other health risks. Fleas are parasites that compromise your pet's health. Female fleas can suck twelve to fifteen times their own body weight in blood. Severe cat infestations can result in anemia, especially in kittens who still don't have enough strength and immunity. They may die because their bodies can't handle the severe loss of blood. Female fleas typically measure 2 millimeters long. They can jump 15 centimeters up in the air, which is equal to 75 times their own length. That's like a human jumping one twelfth of a mile from a starting point. These attributes make fleas deadly against cats, because they can easily latch on to your pet's fur and start sucking her blood.
Getting Rid of Cat Fleas
It's very important to get rid of cat fleas immediately once your pet shows the first signs of infestation. Removing the fleas will improve your cat's health and eliminate a possible source of allergy. Your carpets will also be clean, as fleas have the capacity to survive in carpets. Here are some ways to get rid of fleas in your cat's fur and in your house.
•Give your cat a flea shampoo bath. Read the instructions on the label carefully to avoid harming your pet. Take note of how long the shampoo should stay on your cat's fur before you rinse it. Be careful though, when using essential oils on your cat because they may cause adverse reactions. Call the manufacturer if you're not sure about the product's safety.
•Wash your cat's bedding in hot, soapy water for about 15 minutes. Once it's thoroughly soaked, rinse it and dry using a towel. This should destroy the waxy coating of fleas, dehydrating and killing them.
•Search your house for clothing and bedding that are out in the open. Thoroughly wash clothes, carpets, and couch covers that are scattered around the house. These fabrics are all potential breeding places of fleas.
•Buy vermiculite from your local pet store or hardware store and sprinkle it on your carpets. Vacuum the carpets thoroughly, including areas underneath furniture and behind doors. These areas usually have fleas because these parasites live in dark, moist, warm places.
•Vacuum the entire house every other day. Use a vacuum cleaner with spinning bristles as they abrade the fleas' waxy coating, killing them.
•Regularly apply pesticides on your carpets and furniture. Do not use products that contain permethrin though, because it is poisonous to cats. Read the instructions on the label carefully to avoid harming yourself and your pets.
•Use powdered products with sodiumpolyborate to treat your carpets. These are more effective than other flea control products because they have a neutral ph balance, so larvae do not avoid them like pure products with boric acid. Apply the powder to carpets and rugs regularly to prevent infestation.
•Regularly wash all fabrics in your house. This prevents fleas from having enough time to breed and grow.
•Pay attention to areas outside your house, such as your lawn and garden. Regularly use pesticides on these areas to prevent fleas from breeding. You may use beneficial nematodes that are available in pet stores and online on the Internet.
•Purchase insect growth regulators to stop fleas from growing. Many insecticides only kill adult fleas, sparing younger fleas that will eventually grow into adults. Fleas on your cats spend about 15 percent of their lives in the adult stage. 85 percent of the fleas on your cats are just biding their time before they can also suck your pets' blood. You have to kill fleas in all stages of development to completely stop the infestation.
•Visit your cat's veterinarian regularly to check your pet's health. Some fleas can carry tapeworms, deadly parasites that grow inside the belly of their victim. Ask the veterinarian to check your cat for tapeworms and other parasites to avoid complications. If your cat has tapeworm, the veterinarian may prescribe over-the-counter tablets for tapeworm infestations that your pet must take.
•Some people claim that apple cider vinegar is effective against cat fleas. Try rubbing the vinegar on your cat's fur as this may relieve itch.
•Use a comb to groom your pet in both directions. Fleas hate this kind of thorough grooming and they'll start to jump up, making them easier to catch.
•Use tape to catch fleas falling from your cat's fur. Crush the fleas caught on the tape and throw the tape in a trash can.
Other Tips to Get Rid of Cat Fleas
Flea control products on the market today contain different ingredients. Some of these ingredients are suitable for specific kinds of pets. Read instructions on the label carefully before using the product. Here are other tips to get rid of cat fleas:
•Be careful when using all-natural products on your pet. Just because a product is all natural doesn't means that it is safe to use. Even nightshade and arsenic are called "natural," but these are dangerous to pets and humans.
•Some pest control products have age limits, including flea shampoos. Don't use a flea shampoo on your cat if your cat is under or over the suggested age limit.
•Rinse your cat thoroughly when giving it a bath because soap residue can be uncomfortable.
•Do not use pest control products that are made for dogs on your cats. Some dog products can cause seizures in cats.
•Flush fleas down the toilet or drown them in alcohol to get rid of them.
Act immediately if you notice the first signs of flea infestation in your cats. Your cats may die of anemia if you don't do anything to solve the problem. Don't let your pets suffer the pain of having a flea infestation if you love them.