How to Treat and Get Rid of Fleas on Your Pet Cat Detecting and Treating Flea Infestation is a Must to Avoid Serious Complications

BY | August 10 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY
How to Treat and Get Rid of Fleas on Your Pet Cat

A flea infestation is natural and cannot be avoided at times. However, if not treated, it may lead to more serious diseases in your pet. Hence you must stay on top of the flea preventive routine for your pet.

Fleas are a common problem in the world of cats. These tiny pests can cause your cat to itch and scratch, leading them to lose their fur and even develop skin infections. But you don't have to spend hours combing through your cat's fur or putting up with fleas on your furniture. 

There are many products on the market designed specifically to eliminate these pesky little pests from your home, protecting your pet from future infestations. These include pet medications, flea collars, flea comb, and a lot more. If you suspect that fleas might invade you or your pet, read on for advice about getting rid of them once and for all!

Learn the Signs of Flea Infestation

First, you should learn the signs of a flea infestation. You may think your cat has fleas if they suddenly start scratching more than usual, but in reality, there could be other explanations for this behavior. For example, some cats are more sensitive to certain types of petting than others. If it's not unusual for your cat to scratch after being petted (or if their scratching doesn't seem to be related to any one activity), then it's probably safe to rule out fleas as the cause of their constant itching.

However, if other people have seen tiny brownish insects crawling on or around your pet recently—or if you've found them yourself—then your suspicions should be well-founded. Your furry friend probably has a case of rustic roaming rodents. While these creatures can cause discomfort and leave scars on their hosts' skin over time (especially when they bite), they're also relatively easy to eliminate using common methods.

Take Your Cat to Vet if You Suspect an Infestation

If you notice that your cat has fleas, take him to the vet. If a vet finds no signs of infestation, talk to them about the symptoms and what they look like. It is essential if you don't want to use chemicals on your pet but still want to protect it from fleas. Cats are known to be prone to flea medicine poisoning.

Fleas can cause anemia in cats as well as skin infections and tapeworms. Fleas can also cause allergies in cats. The symptoms of these issues are generally easy for humans and vets alike to spot, scratching or biting at the fur, anemia (feeling tired all of the time), scabs on their backs where they scratched themselves raw trying to get rid of the pests, etcetera.

Treat Your Cat With Topical Flea Medication

The most effective way to treat your cat for fleas is by applying topical flea medication directly to their skin. Flea medications can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by your veterinarian, and some are safe for use on both cats and dogs.

Topical flea medication is available in liquid form, spray form (which you apply with a spray bottle), or as a powder that can be sprinkled onto the animal's fur. Most topical medications are applied once every month. They are not harmful if licked or swallowed by your pet, though it's always best to keep them away from children under six years old because these medications have been known to cause severe allergic reactions in young children.

Choose The Best Flea Medications Based on Your Cat’s Age and Weight

It's important to understand that flea medication is not always safe for cats under 12 weeks of age. Medications can harm their developing systems, so cats younger than 12 weeks old should be treated with caution when using flea medicine for cats.

If you want to know how to treat and get rid of fleas on your pet cat, choose the best product based on your pet's age and weight. Cats over 12 weeks old can be treated with flea medications, but kittens must be monitored closely while they receive treatment and after they stop receiving it because some products are unsafe for this age group.

Consider Oral Flea Medication as Long Term Solution for Fleas

Oral medication is an excellent option for long-term flea control. It's safe, easy to administer, and can be given to cats of all ages. Oral medications are often not as expensive as topical medications—though they can be rather costly if you have multiple cats in your household.

Oral medications work slower than topical treatments, but they're typically more effective at eliminating fleas in all life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae). Depending on the product used, they can last up to 30 days or longer.

Best Flea Medications for Cats

Fleas are a common problem for cats, and you will want to know how to treat them. Fleas can be hard to eliminate because they infest the cat's environment and the cat itself. Many products can help control flea infestation in your home and pet.

Some of the best medications for treating fleas include Frontline Plus for Cats, Advantage for cats, Cat Revolution, and Comfortis for cats. You can also try Simparica, Vectra 3D, or Capstar for cats if you have an allergic reaction to other medications or need immediate relief from severe itching caused by fleas (Capstar only lasts one day). If a monthly treatment is required, use Comfortis with Selamectin or Bravecto for cats, which lasts up to three months each but may need more than one application, depending on your infestation.

Read the Lable to Ensure that the Flea Medication is Safe for the Cat

The first thing you should do before using any flea treatment on your cat is read the label to ensure the product is safe for cats. Cats are more sensitive to chemicals than dogs, so if in doubt, consult your vet.

One of the most important things to look out for when choosing a flea medicine is whether or not it will kill ticks and mites simultaneously as fleas. If you have a cat who goes outside regularly, then this could be something you need to consider before buying a specific product.

Look at Other Options in Addition to Flea Treatment

In addition to treating your cat and the house, there are several other options that you can try. A flea collar for cats is a good option because they are easy to use and doesn't require any maintenance on behalf of the pet owner. The collar releases a chemical that prevents fleas from breeding for up to eight weeks. Collars come in many different sizes, so getting one that fits your cat correctly is essential.

Flea bombs are another option as they kill fleas by releasing chemicals into the air where they will drift around the room, killing any fleas present in it at the time of release. These products work well for areas with high humidity levels because they contain chemicals that dissolve more easily in water than in dry conditions (e.g., in carpeted rooms). However, if you use these products, ensure that your cat does not go near them until 24 hours when all traces have evaporated.

Another type of treatment is using a flea comb which helps remove dead and living fleas from your pet's fur during regular brushing sessions each day (every other day). This method may be tedious, but some owners find it helpful as a part of an overall plan to prevent future infestations from occurring again soon down the road.

Also, consider using powders or flea spray containing pyrethrins and natural pesticides derived from chrysanthemums. These substances act quickly against adult insects but aren't as effective against eggs laid by pregnant females just before death occurs, so timing matters here too.

Keep Your Cat Indoors After Medicating

After applying the treatment, keep your cat indoors for 24 hours. It will help prevent the fleas from jumping back onto your pet and infesting other animals in your household. If you have children who play with pets, keeping them away from the treated cat would be a good idea. 

The fleas are sensitive to sunlight and don't like cold temperatures; therefore, they may try to escape indoors during this period if they have no other option. If, for some reason, you need to take your cat outdoors (such as going on vacation), be sure that they are washed thoroughly with soap before they come back into your home or apartment building.

Repeat the Treatment Monthly

Repeating the treatment monthly until you no longer see fleas in the environment or on your pet is imperative. Flea eggs can lay dormant for up to eight weeks, so even if you don't know any adult fleas, there may be a small population of larvae that can hatch out into adults within hours of your last treatment. Make sure to treat all cats and dogs in your home, especially if they go outside frequently or have access to outdoor areas where other animals live (such as barns).

In addition to treating all pets and outdoor areas at least once per month with an effective topical repellent like Advantage II, vacuum regularly and wash bedding at least once per week with high-heat dryer settings (high heat will kill both living adult fleas as well as their eggs). Regular vacuuming also helps keep indoor humidity levels down, preventing them from hatching in larger numbers later on.

Conclusion

It's important to remember that you need to treat both your cat and her environment if you want to get rid of fleas. Even if you do everything right and use the most effective flea medication, they'll just come back if they're still around in your home. So once again, make sure you treat both your cat's skin and her surroundings.

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