If you live with a cat, you know that they are wonderful and cuddly creatures. Unfortunately, they also have the tendency to attract fleas and other insects.
Fleas are probably one of the most dreaded pests because of their ability to spread diseases and cause skin irritation on your pet.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Fleas can be a nuisance for cats and their owners, but there are effective ways to eliminate and prevent infestations. |
| Regular grooming and cleaning can help prevent flea infestations from occurring. |
| Flea prevention products made specifically for cats should be used, and natural remedies should be used with caution. |
| It’s important to consult with a veterinarian for guidance on flea treatment and prevention for cats. |
| By taking proactive measures, cat owners can keep their furry friends healthy and happy by avoiding flea infestations. |
Luckily, there are many ways to prevent these little critters from taking up residence in your home or on your cat’s body. Here is how you can get rid of fleas on cats:
Flea Collar
A cat flea collar can be an effective way to protect your pet from fleas, but it’s important to use a product that is safe for cats.
Be sure that the collar is the right size for your cat, and make sure it fits snugly around his neck. If you have a kitten, consult with your vet about what age he or she should wear a flea collar (or consider other methods of protection).
You’ll also want to keep the collar on for at least one month after you see no fleas on your cat.
Fleas in the house can be a nightmare to deal with, but with a few easy tips, you can keep them at bay. Our guide on how to get rid of fleas in the house provides simple steps that you can follow to ensure your home is flea-free.
Flea Comb
A flea comb is a great way to remove fleas from your cat’s fur. To use it, simply comb your cat’s fur while they sit in front of you.
Gently pull the comb through their coat in an upward direction, starting at their tail and working up toward their head. Be patient—it may take some time to remove all of the fleas!
If you have any questions about how or when to use a flea comb, ask us in the comments below!
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Flea Comb |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Size | 2.5 x 7 inches |
| Color | Silver |
| Suitable for | Cats and Kittens |
| Benefits | Helps remove fleas, flea eggs, and dirt from cat’s coat |
| Can help identify flea infestations | |
| Promotes a healthy, shiny coat | |
| Reduces the need for chemical flea treatments | |
| Bonding experience between cat and owner | |
| Price | $8.99 |
Natural Flea Collars For Cats
Natural flea collars are the safest, least toxic way to prevent your cat from getting pesky fleas. They’re also more expensive, but they last longer and are made of better materials.
To use a natural flea collar for cats, you put it around the neck of your pet and then check on it every few hours or so to make sure that it is staying in place properly.
If the collar does not stay firmly on your cat’s neck, then you should remove it immediately for safety reasons because if your feline friend were to get stuck in anything while wearing such a collar then injury could result!
If your furry friend has been infested with fleas, it’s important to act fast. Our guide on how to get rid of fleas on a dog offers expert advice on how to eliminate fleas from your dog and prevent them from coming back.”
Frontline Flea Spray For Cats
Frontline is a prescription medication that you can get from your veterinarian. It’s used to help kill fleas on cats and works for up to one month.
Frontline comes in a liquid form, which you apply directly to the back of your cat’s neck once per month (or every other month if you’re using Frontline Plus).
The dose is different depending on whether your cat has short fur or long fur, so make sure you read the package carefully before applying it—you don’t want to accidentally use too much!
Hire A Pest Control Company
If you’re not interested in spending hours of your time washing, vacuuming and cleaning fleas out of your home, you can hire a professional pest control company to take care of it for you.
Pros: They will come to your house and treat your pet with a special gel that kills fleas on contact.
The gel will also kill any eggs or larvae on the cats’ body within 24 hours of application. Additionally, they’ll give you an extra bottle at no cost so that if any more parasites pop up later on, all the owner needs to do is rub some more gel onto their skin and they won’t be able to survive long enough to cause any problems!
Cons: It may take several weeks before all the fleas are gone from inside your home (or outside). Also keep in mind that if there’s one cat infested with fleas inside then chances are good there will be others as well!
That means unless you want them too treated too then make sure they stay away while treatment takes place!
Bathe Your Cat Regularly To Get Rid Of Fleas
The most effective way to get rid of fleas on your cat is to bathe him or her regularly. Bathing removes the adult fleas from your pet’s fur and also helps break down the eggs and larvae that are left behind.
To do this, you’ll need a shampoo designed specifically for getting rid of fleas (if you’re looking for one, we recommend Advantage II Flea Treatment Shampoo).
Make sure that when you bathe your pet, you don’t use human shampoo—it could irritate his or her skin. Also avoid using bar soaps, which may leave residue on your cat’s coat that can attract more fleas later.
If possible, choose a mild formula containing oatmeal since this will soothe irritated skin while removing dirt and oil build-up that attracts insects like ticks and mosquitoes as well as microscopic pests like lice or scabies mites.
Dealing with fleas can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Our simple guide on how to get rid of fleas breaks down everything you need to know about identifying, treating, and preventing flea infestations.
Spray Your House With A Professional Insecticide
You can purchase a professional insecticide or use one that you already have in your home. Spray the house regularly and at night, when fleas are less active.
Be sure to spray under furniture and in corners. Also, spray the outside of your house so that if any fleas or ticks hitchhike on you from outdoors, they won’t find a place to hang out on the inside of your house either!
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Insecticide Spray |
| Target Pests | Fleas, ticks, bed bugs, and other insects |
| Coverage | Up to 2,100 square feet |
| Active Ingredients | Pyrethroids |
| Benefits | Kills adult fleas and other pests on contact |
| Prevents flea eggs from hatching | |
| Offers residual protection for up to 7 months | |
| Non-staining and odorless formula | |
| Safety Precautions | Keep out of reach of children and pets |
| Use in well-ventilated areas | |
| Price | $19.99 |
Reduce The Number Of Treats You Feed Your Cat
You may be thinking that treats are an excellent way to reward your cat. After all, they love them and they make him or her happy. But there is a downside to giving treats too often:
They can be a source of fleas and ticks. The more food your cat eats, the more likely he or she will attract fleas and ticks from the grass. Fleas need blood to eat, so if you’re providing a lot of treats for your cat (especially on top of his regular meals), then there’s more blood for them to drink from!
They can cause obesity. Treats are high in calories compared with other foods like dry kibble, so when given too often or in large quantities by humans who don’t understand feline nutrition, cats can become overweight very easily—a serious problem for felines since it puts them at risk for arthritis, diabetes and heart disease just like us humans!
Be Careful Where You Take Your Cat (Outside.)
If you’re scratching your head wondering where your cat might have picked up fleas, think back to the places he or she may have been hanging out recently.
If you’ve taken them anywhere near an area where other animals are allowed to roam free, like a park or petting zoo, they could have caught some fleas from another animal there.
If this is the case, keep your cat indoors as much as possible so they don’t run into any new friends who might pass along some unwanted passengers.
Also be aware of weather conditions when taking him outside: if it’s rainy out and there are puddles on the ground (or even just damp grass), make sure that once he comes back in from his walk you thoroughly towel-dry him off before letting him inside again.
Fleas don’t like wetness of any kind and will not hang around too long when their environment suddenly becomes very humid!
If you’re looking for a natural way to get rid of fleas on your cat, look no further. Our guide on how to get rid of fleas on cats naturally offers effective and safe remedies to rid your cat of fleas without the use of harsh chemicals.
Clean Your House Regularly To Get Rid Of Fleas
In order to get rid of fleas, you must first clean your home. Vacuum carpets and rugs frequently. Wash upholstered furniture with soap and water or a vacuum cleaner whose bag can be removed without difficulty.
Wash bedding in hot water regularly. Wash blankets in a washing machine set on the highest temperature setting with detergent, then launder them again just as you would clothes.
These steps will kill any fleas that may have been hiding in these areas of your house and prevent new ones from hatching there later on.
When it comes to your cat’s bedding, only wash it every few months if it still looks clean after brushing through it carefully with a fine-toothed comb (or even better yet: use one made especially for grooming cats).
When cleaning the litter box, make sure that you keep all waste products away from other areas inside your home; fecal matter can contain some eggs that are ready for hatching!
Use Herbal Shampoo On Your Cat
If you’re interested in trying an all-natural approach, there is a variety of fragrant oils that will help your cat repel fleas. Essential oils like tea tree oil and peppermint oil can be mixed into shampoos or applied directly to your cat’s coat.
Eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, cedar and thyme are also good choices for natural flea repellents.
Are you looking for a natural solution to flea infestations? Our guide on how to get rid of fleas naturally offers a comprehensive overview of natural flea remedies that can help you take back control of your home
Place Cedar Chips In Areas That Your Cat Frequently Visits To Keep Fleas Away
Cedar chips are one of the most popular home remedies for repelling fleas. You can pick up cedar chips at most pet stores, or even some garden centers.
They’re inexpensive and quite effective in keeping cats from being bitten by fleas as well as repel existing flea infestations.
After you place your cat’s bedding in the dryer, sprinkle cedar shavings over it to make sure that all areas are covered with them. Then spread out a fresh layer of bedding on top before letting your cat take a nap there!
Conclusion
After you have done all the steps, you should notice that your cat’s flea problem has been resolved.
If not, your cat may have an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed by a veterinarian.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to learn more about how to get rid of fleas on cats:
Good Housekeeping’s guide offers tips and tricks for flea elimination, as well as information about how to prevent future infestations.
WebMD’s cat flea prevention guide provides an overview of flea prevention methods and how to keep your cat flea-free.
My Pet & I’s six best ways to get rid of fleas on your cat article offers six effective ways to get rid of fleas on your cat.
FAQs
How do I know if my cat has fleas?
Look for signs such as excessive scratching or grooming, red or irritated skin, and small, black specks on your cat’s fur, which may be flea dirt.
Can fleas on cats affect humans?
Yes, fleas can bite humans and cause itchy, red bumps. Additionally, fleas can carry diseases, such as typhus and plague, which can be transmitted to humans.
Can I use flea prevention products made for dogs on my cat?
No, you should never use a flea prevention product made for dogs on your cat, as they can be toxic to felines.
How often should I treat my cat for fleas?
It depends on the product you are using, but typically flea prevention treatments should be applied monthly.
Can I get rid of fleas on my cat without using chemicals?
Yes, there are natural remedies such as flea combs, apple cider vinegar, and essential oils that can help eliminate fleas on your cat. However, it’s important to consult with your vet before using any natural remedies.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
