Fleas on Cats – Problems

Cat flea problems come in many forms and can be a real nuisance. But whatever the problem is, there are ways to resolve them.

Diseases Caused by Fleas

Some fleas carry the bacteria Yersinia pesti. This bacteria was the cause of the Black Death in Europe. However, this plague is infrequent in the US. Flea-borne typhus is another concern; symptoms include fever, muscle aches and skin rashes.

A far more common problem is tapeworm. Tape eggs can hatch inside the cat because some larval fleas eat feces with tapeworm eggs. When the larva gets inside the cat, it will grow inside the animal.

FAD (flea allergy dermatitis) is another cat flea problem. Signs include reddish and itchy skin. Red bumps will also appear on the skin. If the cats keep scratching, the reddish spots will start to bleed.

A potentially serious problem is anemia. This occurs when fleas guzzle a lot of the host’s blood. The most vulnerable are elderly cats and young kittens.

Flea Infestation

If fleas are not contained, they will spread all over your house. They will get on carpets, rugs, tables, upholstery and pet bedding. If the fleas spread, you might get bitten.

Where Cats Get Fleas

Cats can acquire fleas from a number of sources. Fleas may appear anytime but are most common during the summer and fall. Fleas can be found in all shrubs, grass and dark areas in the yard. Cats can also get them from stray animals they come into contact with. Some secondhand furniture may also come with fleas.

Symptoms and Treatment

The most common symptoms are restlessness on the part of the cat. They may suddenly to and fro. This is because they are being bitten by the fleas. If the fleas are not removed, the bite marks and red spots will begin to appear.

The best forms of treatment are spot-on flea killers. These are liquid medicines applied to the back of its neck. After the hair is parted, the liquid is applied.

The treatment will take effect in a matter of hours. Other forms of treatment are collars, powders and pills. To remove fleas from the house, you can use flea foggers.

Before you use any flea killer products, make certain that it is made for the animal. Some flea control products are made for specific cat ages and weight. Pay attention to this so the cat flea problems will be stamped out.

Fleas in House