Introduction to cat fleas
The most common type of flea in cats is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), but rabbit and hedgehog fleas can also be of interest to your cat! Flea bites are itchy in all cats and can cause certain allergies (flea allergy dermatitis). As if it weren’t enough for them to be annoying, fleas can also provide a thriving environment for certain types of tapeworms, and heavy infestations can cause anemia in kittens.
However, there is no need to worry, as there are various cat flea prevention options available to you.
What is a cat flea?
Cats excel in the art of grooming themselves. It is therefore difficult to imagine that your kitty who spends a lot of time primping has parasites! The most obvious signs of the presence of fleas in a cat are constant itching or sometimes excessive grooming, which can result in the appearance of bald patches on its coat. If your cat develops a flea allergy, it may also have scabs and red, sore patches on its skin. Regularly brushing your cat does not necessarily prevent parasites from taking up residence in its coat, but it does at least allow you to look for signs of the presence of unwanted visitors and, if necessary, to seek treatment quickly.
What do cat fleas look like?
Cat fleas are dark brown and 1-2mm long. It is possible to spot them on your carpet or to detect their droppings when brushing, which form tiny black pinheads in your cat’s fur. A good way to check if your cat has fleas is to drop these tiny black specks onto a moistened sheet of paper – if they are flea droppings, they turn red in color due to the digested blood they contain.
Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments; late summer is therefore the most propitious season for fleas but central heating in winter provides good living conditions for them, which means that flea prevention is a must all year round
Also read about:The most common diseases in cats
Does your cat have fleas?
Are you having trouble determining whether or not your cat is infested with this little parasite? Here are the most common signs to look out for to detect the presence of fleas in a cat:
- Presence of tiny black specks in the cat’s fur or bedding
- Permanent itching
- Presence of hairless patches
- Skin irritation
- Excessive grooming
- Lethargy and pale gums due to flea-related anemia
How do cats get fleas?
Running around in the wild all day seems like a guaranteed recipe for bringing home a family of fleas. But even if your feline is a homebody, pests such as fleas have plenty of opportunity to land in your indoor cat’s thick fur. Here’s how cats can get fleas.
