Fleas in cats
Cat fleas are small parasites residing on a cat’s body and cause severe itching. If your cat scratches restlessly, it indicates flea infestation on its body. Cat fleas should not be taken lightly as they do not only cause itching but also conditions like flea allergic dermatitis which leads to sores and lesions formation on your cat. Learn more about cat fleas in this article on fleas in cats.
Fleas in Cats
Cat fleas live on their host and multiply by laying eggs. Female cat fleas lays eggs on the skin of the cat and these eggs develop into larvae. Cat fleas feed on the blood of the host and larvae feed on the dried fecal materials of adult fleas. This is how they live and survive.
Cat Fleas Symptoms
Fleas in cats symptoms may appear not very serious but they not only transmit other parasites Murine typhus and tapeworms but also cause allergic dermatitis and Lyme disease. To identify cats’ fleas you have to search the flea prone areas like back areas near the tail and ears. Combing these areas is the most effective way to know cat fleas infestation, if on combing excessive dirt gathers in the comb it may be fecal material left by the fleas in cats. A vet should be consulted before starting medication for confirmatory diagnosis. Proper diagnosis and medications are required for the treatment of fleas otherwise they will keep on multiplying and aggravating the situation.
Treatment for cat fleas
Treatment for cat fleas is primarily maintaining hygienic conditions and keeping the cat clean. Removing cat fleas is difficult as cats neither like combing nor bathing like dogs. Cat fleas can easily transmit from one cat to another and hence early treatment of cat fleas is necessary. The treatment options include bathing the cat with anti flea shampoos, medicated cat flea collars, powders, and cleaning the surroundings.
Remedies for cat fleas include using medicated Shampoos and soaps, which are the most important part in treating cat fleas but there are few things to be kept in mind before using them. A shampoo sometime contains ingredients which are harmful even to cat. Before using a shampoo or soap instructions and warnings have to be read carefully. Bathing the cat with shampoo should be done carefully and precautions that it may not enter into sensitive parts like eyes, etc should be taken.
Cat flea collars impregnated with anti fleas medications are also common and effective options. Collars not only keep away the fleas but also other parasites from the cat. Collars are available easily at any pet shop and a large variety is available. Collars not only act as treatment but also as preventive measure. Powders are another option available in the market for treatment of cat fleas. Like shampoos and collars powders are also easily available at pet shops. But before using all these treatments a proper consultation should be taken from a vet.
All the options for treating cat fleas contain ingredients which may be harmful to the cats as well and should be used under proper guidance. Prevention is most important and regular grooming of cat is required. Keeping the surroundings clean is very important and disinfectants should be used to kill the germs from the surroundings. Grooming instruments like combs, etc and beddings used by the cats should be regularly disinfected.
