How To Get Rid of Fleas On Cats, The Correct Ways

Unlike ticks, fleas pose a higher risk of causing anemia in cats. Cat fleas themselves can host the larvae of an intestinal parasite. If your cat ingests infected fleas while biting and swallowing, they could end up with a tapeworm—a situation best avoided.

Prevention is key when it comes to fleas, but if you find yourself dealing with an infestation, taking prompt action to clean your cat and your home is crucial. Let's delve into the signs of fleas, effective removal methods, and preventive measures.

To combat and treat a flea infestation on your cat and in your home, here's what you need to know.

How Do Cats Get Fleas?

Cats can pick up fleas from various sources such as kennels, groomers, or the outdoors. Indoor cats are less likely to get fleas compared to those that roam in and out of the house.

The most common culprits are cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). These fleas can jump up to about 12 inches high onto a host, feed, and lay eggs in the fur. The eggs then fall off the cat onto surfaces like carpets and furniture, where they transform into larvae, pupae, and eventually adults, restarting the cycle.

It's worth noting that cat fleas aren't exclusive to felines—they'll bite humans too. Fleas are parasites—they're looking for blood to suck. If they don't find enough cat hosts, they'll suck on the owner's ankles and feet.

While effective flea and tick preventatives have reduced the frequency of infestations, it's essential to stay vigilant. If you're using preventive products and suspect your cat may have fleas, consult your vet regarding the application and potential solutions.

How To Tell If Your Cat Has Fleas: What Are the Symptoms of Fleas on Cats

Identifying signs of a flea infestation in your cat is crucial. Veterinarians highlight three key indicators to watch for:

1. Increased itching: Regular scratching or grooming is normal, but excessive scratching in a specific area is cause for concern. Flea bites are sharp and painful, and their saliva can be irritating or even allergic to cats.
2. Fleas on hair follicles: Adult fleas are reddish-brown and smaller than a grain of rice. While spotting a flea itself during a severe infestation is possible, it's often easier to identify "flea dirt," a term for flea feces. This is brownish-black and can be found in the cat's fur.
3. Presence of "flea dirt": Flea dirt, or flea feces, appears as brownish-black dirt. If you take one of those droppings and you get it wet with a drop of water, it’ll turn red. That's because it’s dried blood.

Common signs of a flea infestation include:

• Scratching at the head and ears
• Licking at the underside, especially between the hind legs
• Chewing or biting at themselves
• Fur loss, especially on the top-back, due to scratching
• Redness
• Black particulate matter on the skin

Using a flea comb to brush your cat and checking for fleas jumping out or blowing on the fur to identify fleas or droppings are additional methods. However, since various skin parasites can cause itching, it's crucial to consult a veterinarian to confirm a flea infestation and rule out other potential causes.

What is the Best Flea Treatment for Cats

To effectively address fleas on your cat, it's essential to consult your vet, who can not only rule out other diseases but also administer products that kill fleas within a day.

Following the immediate treatment, your vet will likely suggest a reliable tick and flea preventative to maintain protection. These preventative options include spot-on treatments or medicines like Advocate or Revolution Plus.

These products work not only to eliminate existing fleas on your cat but also act as a deterrent for new infestations. When other fleas in your home come into contact with the treated cat, the product will cause them to die, contributing to a reduction in the overall infestation.

How To Get Rid of Cat Fleas in the House: Home Remedies for Fleas on Cats

Dealing with a flea infestation at home can be challenging, but there are effective steps you can take.

Keep in mind that consulting your veterinarian is highly recommended before starting any treatment, as they can recommend the most suitable products for your cat's specific needs.

1. Give Your Cat a Flea Bath

When giving your cat a flea bath, use a reputable flea shampoo if you're not using a flea preventative.

The effectiveness of flea shampoos depends on the active ingredients. Some may be plant-based with ingredients like rosemary oil, thyme oil, and peppermint oil. Others, suitable for more severe cases, contain type 1 pyrethroid insecticides (such as permethrin or bifenthrin) to eliminate fleas.

Important Recommendations:

1. Before using any over-the-counter shampoo, especially for very young, very old, pregnant, nursing, or medicated cats, consult your veterinarian.
2. Ensure that the product, especially those containing pesticides, is EPA-approved.
3. Read the entire label before using and strictly follow the provided directions, avoiding excess dosage.
4. Never interchange dog and cat shampoos, and confirm that the weight range listed on the label is appropriate for your cat.

Flea shampoos can have a drying effect and offer short-term effectiveness. As a result, they are not recommended for long-term parasite prevention.

Remember, seeking advice from your veterinarian ensures the safety and efficacy of the flea bath process for your cat.

2. Use a Flea Comb to Remove Fleas and Flea Eggs

To effectively remove fleas and flea eggs, follow these steps with a flea comb:

1. Comb in the direction of hair growth for best results.
2. Most brands suggest dipping the comb into hot, soapy water after each pass to trap and remove the parasites.
3. Repeat the combing process several times daily.

Fleas are small, agile, and challenging to catch. Utilizing a flea comb is a practical method to extract them from your cat's fur. By dipping the comb in a mixture of water and dish soap, you can capture and prevent fleas from escaping.

It's important not to attempt crushing fleas by hand, as they are agile and can jump quickly, making them challenging to kill manually.

The comb's teeth are designed to trap fleas while allowing your cat's fur to pass through. Additionally, flea combs are effective in removing flea feces, also known as "flea dirt," which appears as dark brown or black specks resembling pepper flakes.

Ensure special care is taken when combing around your cat's neck and tail areas, as these are common feeding spots for fleas.

Experts recommend starting with a flea comb to eliminate fleas, especially around the neck and base of the tail. This method not only helps in removing existing fleas but is also useful in detecting them during the early stages of infestation.

3. Spray an Apple Cider Vinegar Solution on Your Cat

While apple cider vinegar itself may not kill fleas, it acts as a deterrent. Fleas dislike the smell and taste of it, making them more likely to avoid your cat if their fur is treated with it.

To use apple cider vinegar:

1. Dilute it in water and add the mixture to a spray bottle.
2. If your cat is averse to being sprayed, dip a brush into the solution and apply it to their fur during a grooming session.

These steps contribute to both eliminating existing fleas and preventing their return, offering a comprehensive approach to managing the infestation on your cat.

3. Treat Your Home, Disinfect The House.

While addressing fleas on your cat is crucial, it's equally important to eliminate the infestation in your home, as fleas spend about 20% of their time on the animal and the rest in the environment. The goal is to break the entire flea cycle.

After attending to your cat, focus on eliminating fleas in your home. Be aware that it generally takes three to four months to completely eliminate a flea infestation due to the various life stages fleas go through.

It is important to combat fleas that aren't on your cat. For every flea you find on a cat, 99 others are likely hiding in your home, car, or yard. You may use a flea control spray to disinfect your house.

Vacuuming plays a crucial role during flea infestations. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately if your vacuum has one. If it's bagless, empty it and sanitize the internal portion with a cleanser. Launder cat and family bedding in hot, soapy water every two weeks.

If you have no time to vacuum, robot vacuum cleaner is a good alternative.

Follow these EPA-recommended tips to eliminate fleas in your environment:

• Vacuum floors, furniture, and areas your cat frequents daily.
• Seal and dispose of the vacuum bag afterward.
• Steam clean carpets to kill lingering fleas.
• Wash all cat and family bedding every two weeks.

You can also use insecticides following the manufacturer's instructions or seek professional extermination services.

Effective insecticides contain ingredients like permethrin, imidacloprid, or dinotefuran to eliminate adult fleas and an "insect growth regulator" such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen to halt egg and larva development.

Always adhere to the directions and safety precautions on the label. It's common to observe new adult fleas after treatment, but consistent vacuuming may stop the infestation without the need for a second application.

Persistence is key in addressing fleas. By taking these essential steps, you can halt an infestation and safeguard your cat from these troublesome bloodsuckers.

4. Use Salt To Kill Fleas

Salt can effectively kill fleas due to sodium's moisture-absorbing properties, acting as an abrasive that can penetrate and damage the fleas' exoskeleton. When salt is sprinkled onto a flea, it absorbs moisture, drying out the flea's body and leading to its demise.

You can use finely ground refined household salt or sea salt to eliminate fleas in your home. Here's how to use salt for flea control:

1. Sprinkle Evenly: Spread the salt evenly over carpeted areas or furniture where fleas are present.
2. Leave for 12-48 Hours: Allow the salt to sit for about 12-48 hours. Flea eggs can fall between carpet fibers, so brushing the salt into the carpet may enhance results.
3. Avoid Touching Treated Areas: Refrain from touching the salted areas to prevent tracking them throughout the home. Ensure your pet does not have access to these areas, as ingesting salt can be harmful to pets.
4. Thorough Vacuuming: After the designated time, thoroughly vacuum the treated areas to remove the salt along with dead fleas and eggs.

Using salt as a natural remedy for flea control can be an effective and pet-friendly option when applied with care and attention to safety measures.

Prevent Future Infestations

Flea infestations can be daunting, but a proactive approach can effectively prevent outbreaks. By adhering to a multistep treatment plan and heeding your veterinarian's guidance, you can keep fleas at bay.

There are three primary methods for preventing fleas on your cat: collars, topical applications, and oral medications. The best choice for your cat depends on their lifestyle and your vet's recommendation.

Preventive care is far more preferable to treatment. While over-the-counter options exist, prescription programs are the superior choice.

Additionally, regular baths, along with frequent washing of your cat's bedding, are recommended practices. Hot water and soap effectively kill fleas, making regular washing one of the simplest ways to prevent fleas from spreading throughout the house.

Consistent preventive measures and vigilant care contribute to keeping your cat and home free from future flea infestations.