How to Spot Fleas on Cats
To give your cat its best life, you have to ensure that they’re free from things that not just irritate them but could cause them harm as well. So make it a part of your pet owner’s responsibilities to ensure that your feline friend is free of fleas (pardon the alliteration!).
That’s why today’s post is all about how to spot fleas on cats and how to treat them.
Look for flea eggs
You may vacuum every day to help get rid of fur and dander, but you’ll need to be extra observant to see if your cat’s fur has flea eggs in it. They’re quite tiny (almost speck-like) and are white, so it might be harder to see them on lighter-coloured cats.
Of course, if you see fleas jumping around on your cat’s hair, chances are there are eggs somewhere in there, too. They stick to individual strands of hair but might be challenging to spot since cats lick themselves a lot.
The good news is that your favourite cat grooming centre can help identify and treat flea eggs right away. They can give your cat a medicated bath and other treatments to kill both fleas and eggs.
Spot flea poop on your cat’s fur
An important part of basic cat care is observing even slight changes in every part of your pet. So if you’re petting or grooming your cat and spot some dark brown specks on its fur, chances are you’ve just discovered some flea poop.
Your cat could have picked up fleas anywhere. If they’re allowed outdoors or have recently been in a cat boarding place, they might have been infected by others that have them.
Fleas aren’t just unsightly to look at because they can also cause serious diseases. It’s vital that you bring your cat to the veterinarian before it becomes lethargic and anaemic from blood loss.
Observe if your cat is extra itchy
Cats like scratching and grooming themselves regularly. And if your cat’s routine health care involves scheduled baths, grooming, and deworming, then you won’t really have to worry about a flea infestation.
However, the best vet clinics in Singapore will advise you to be extra vigilant when your cat starts scratching like crazy. It can also start growling while biting at its skin or shaking its head and other parts of its body like it’s trying to get rid of something.
Some cats are extra sensitive to flea bites and could act skittish once they have them. Observe, look for fleas, and bring your cat to the vet ASAP.
Look out for fur shedding and irritated skin
It’s not enough to deal with the usual allergens at home like dust and pollen. Having fleas in the mix can result in nasty bites not just on your cat but on your own skin as well.
Apart from excessive itching and scratching, see if your cat has been shedding fur more than usual. This is a good indication of fleas, and it’s probably very uncomfortable for your cat.
After getting your cat treated (and yourself, if you have bites) for fleas, make sure to disinfect everything where fleas potentially are. You can call professional pest control companies to inquire about the safest way to get rid of them in your home.