Channel Button

There are 4 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #3 by Helium's members.

Pets & Animals   >

Cat Care & Health

Get a Widget for this title

How to treat fleas in cats

Fleas or Ctenocephalides felis are nasty, disgusting bloodsucking insects that are the bane of any cat and their owners. They will not only feast on your dog and your cat, but are not opposed to feeding off people and children seem to be a favorite target.

Fleas are not only irritating but are also dangerous and can kill a cat or kitten by their sheer numbers. Also, cats can also be allergic to the flea's saliva and the cat will bite and lick the area until the fur is gone and you can see the red inflamed skin.

They feed off the blood of the cat and can cause anemia if the infestation is sever enough. If you think the cat has anemia, check the gums and if they are pale, get the cat to a vet. Sometimes the anemia is severe enough your cat will need to be treated with antibiotics even a blood transfusion.

Fleas can also be a carrier for tape worms. If your cat or kitten has had fleas, you should also have him de-wormed.

One sign of your cat having fleas is if he is scratching and biting his fur a lot. Check for "flea dirt" on his skin. This isn't really dirt but flea excrement. You might also see a tiny black insect jumping around. This is much easier to see on a lighter colored cat than a dark colored one. If you see fleas or flea dirt, it's time to take action.

There are three popular and fairly safe products that kill adult fleas and are applied behind the neck of the cat once a month. These are: Advantage, Frontline Plus (which also kills ticks) and Revolution. Revolution treats not only fleas and ticks but is also used for ear mite, scabies mites and heart worm disease. You can get these from your veterinarian, from the internet or even from a pet shop at the checkout. Before purchasing any of these you should talk to your vet first to find out which flea treatment is best for your cat.

Also popular are the cheaper dips, washes, shampoos and flea collars that you can buy in just about any shop. Beware of them as some of the chemicals used are worse than the fleas and have been known to cause severe allergic reactions and even death.

There is a natural pesticide that is specific for insects and reportedly completely safe. It's called Diatomaceous earth, which is a type of fossilized algae that looks like chalk dust. It has fine sharp edged particles that attach to and penetrate the coating on the flea's exoskeleton (outside shell) which causes the flea to become dehydrated and then die.

Unfortunately, some cats will also be allergic to the prescription drugs. These


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

How to treat fleas in cats

  • 1 of 4

    by Vickie Britton

    Treating Fleas-Tips to get Rid of these Pesky Parasites




    Fleas and Climate:




    The area where you live makes a big difference in

    read more

  • 2 of 4

    by Dan Scott

    Why are fleas a problem? Aren't they just a harmless little insect, best known for camping on a DOGS skin in cartoons and

    read more

  • 3 of 4

    by Kate McGee

    Fleas or Ctenocephalides felis are nasty, disgusting bloodsucking insects that are the bane of any cat and their owners.

    read more

  • 4 of 4

    by Beverly Johnson

    How to get rid of fleas.

    For years, we suffered with a heavy flea infestation in
    our home. Every year, the fleas got worse

    read more

Add your voice

Know something about How to treat fleas in cats?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA