Signs of Fleas on Cats
Since cats are such good groomers, they will often groom off some of the fleas before you see them. It’s not uncommon to notice other signs of fleas, even before seeing them on your cat.
These signs include:
- Scratching
- Hair loss
- Skin irritation
- Small crusty bumps on the skin
- Excessive grooming
- Flea dirt (flea feces) in your cat’s fur
How to Check Your Cat for Fleas
Run your fingers through your cat’s fur, looking for fleas or other signs of a flea infestation. Examine your cat’s coat closely. In addition to seeing fleas, there are several other signs (such as hair loss or small crusty bumps on your cat’s skin) that can be caused by a flea infestation. While fleas can be found anywhere, be sure to check your cat’s belly and base of their tail.
Use a flea comb, which will catch fleas, flea eggs, and flea dirt that are in the coat. To know if what you’re seeing is flea dirt and not just actual dirt, you can perform a flea dirt test. Pick up some of the black flecks with a flea comb. When smeared on a damp paper towel, flea dirt will turn red.
Watch your cat’s behavior. Fleas can cause significant irritation, which can cause a change in your cat’s mood or behavior. Your cat may appear more restless or show other signs related to the discomfort from the flea infestation.
How Do Cats Get Fleas?
All cats are susceptible to flea infestations, even indoor cats. Fleas can easily enter your home from you or another pet in the house. They can also jump from pet to pet, no matter the species.
As flea-infested animals move through the environment (outside or inside), flea eggs drop from their coats into their surroundings. In fact, flea eggs and larvae can be present in carpets, bedding, and furniture, allowing the infestation to persist and affect your cat. This is why regular flea control is so important.
Are Fleas Harmful to Cats?
If you notice fleas on your cat, you should take action to eliminate them immediately. Flea bites aren’t just painful, they can negatively impact your cat’s health, too. Excessive scratching can lead to skin problems and may cause your cat a lot of stress and discomfort. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms. In extreme cases, heavy flea infestations can cause anemia in cats.1 A monthly parasiticide such as NexGard COMBO topical solution will protect your cat from fleas.
How Do You Treat Cats for Fleas?
In addition to regularly scheduled vet visits, you can treat fleas on cats by giving them year-round, monthly protection with a product like NexGard COMBO topical solution that kills fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.
NexGard COMBO topical solution is safe for kittens 8 weeks of age or older, weighing 1.8 pounds or more.
How Do I Get Rid of an Infestation?
Before starting your cat on a flea control product, such as NexGard COMBO topical solution, it’s important to take steps to remove developing flea stages from your home:2
- • To reduce the number of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae in your cat’s environment, you can vacuum the areas where your cat spends most of its time and dispose of the contents outside in a sealed bag.
- • You should also wash your cat’s bedding using hot water, and dry on the highest dryer setting.
- • As it may take months to clear up an existing infestation, it may be helpful to consult with a professional pest control specialist.
- • Even after the infestation has been eliminated, it’s recommended to provide monthly medication such as NexGard COMBO topical solution for cats as part of their monthly care.