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Discovering that your kitty has fleas can be very shocking. However, there are there are steps you can take to address this problem. This article explains how to get rid of fleas on cats.

Cats are very amazing pets for any household. They are not only friendly to humans but also a perfect companion at home. Cats usually stay close to people they are familiar with and it is not strange to find your cat laying on your thighs or sleeping with you in bed.

When I first got a cat for a pet, I never thought that her constant behavior of scratching the back of her ears was something to worry about. This went on for some time until parts of my skin started to itch every time I sat on the chair or while sleeping. It did not take me long to reckon that the itches were the result of bites from fleas on my cat. I looked for a way to eliminate the fleas and after some research, I was able to use a spot-on treatment, and it worked perfectly. However, this is not the only method available to get rid of fleas on your cat.

Fleas are common pests that attack cats. Even cats that spend their time indoors can get fleas. Luckily enough, there are several ways in which to can get rid of these fleas from your pet. Below these methods are described.

Spot-On Treatments

Spot-on treatment of fleas is one of the most effective ways of controlling them. Such treatments are done by placing a drop of the treatment between the shoulders, slightly back from head. With time, the flea treatment permeates over most parts of the body. The oils on the cat’s skin and active grooming of the cat help spread the treatment.

Usually, you are prescribed to apply spot-on treatments once every month. These treatments come in various brands. In some cases, your cat may be sensitive and allergic to a certain brand. In case you notice that the brand you are using is irritating your cat, substitute it with a different brand which works comfortably on her.

Although good spot-on treatments are quite costly, they work perfectly which makes them worth your money. Although most cats appear to tolerate these treatments, some may suffer side effects like twitching, drooling or other erratic behaviors. This mostly happens to kittens, sick and older cats.

Oral Medications

This type of flea control entails oral pills that you are required to give your cat. The medication is offered by mixing the pill with cat food or any drink you intend to give to the cat. These pills, however, do not kill the fleas. Instead, they tamper with the life cycle of the flea, preventing it from undergoing a proper and complete life cycle and consequently, the flea eventually dies.

These pills are usually flavored hence many cats comfortably take them without much fuss. Some cats show some resistance by refusing food mixed with the medication, hence you have to use another trick to get her to take her medicine.

These regulators have been found to be very effective. Although they have not been in the market long enough, there are no serious effects that have been proven to be caused by such medications. Because they work by interrupting specific process that fleas undergo, by inhibiting the production of a certain enzyme or protein, they are very specific to fleas.

Note that this flea control method does not kill adult fleas, but it cuts off the next generation hence gradually eliminating them.

Using A Flea Shampoo

There are various types of medicated shampoos that kill fleas upon coming into contact. This is one of the fastest methods of flea control as it kills any adult fleas on the cat instantly. When you apply the shampoo, fleas tend to run from the shampoo-covered parts of the cat to the dry head. Here, it is easy to pick them up one by one since they are clearly visible.

To avoid the struggle of manual picking, you can make a ring of wet shampoo around the neck before immersing the cat in water. This creates a barrier, preventing the fleas from fleeing to the head as they die upon reaching the ring.

When performing this type of treatment, remember to put your gloves on. Apply the shampoo and let the fleas die for some time. Afterwards, rinse the shampoo using water to ensure that most of the insecticide component is washed away. Shampoo your cat on a regular basis to kill any emerging fleas. As much as shampooing is effective, you should back it up with other methods such as spot treatment or systemic pills.

The downside of this option is that you must give your cat a bath. If you have never given your cat a bath before, you may want to go with a different option.

Flea Collars

These collars are usually impregnated with some insecticide which kills fleas. Although this method works effectively, you ought to take great care when using it since these insecticides are harmful. Ensure that the cat does not swallow or chew it and most importantly, keep it away from bare skin.

Flea collars also cause irritation to some allergic cats. Some of these allergic reactions include hair loss in areas where the collar comes into direct contact with the cat. If you are planning to use a collar, do not do it for more than a week. Give your cat a three-week break before replacing the collar for another week.

General Cleaning (Vacuuming)

Using a vacuum is one of the eco-friendly methods of flea control. It removes many larvae, pupae, and eggs. The vacuuming process stimulates new fleas to emerge quickly. Wash the bedding of your cat with hot water and possibly dry it using a hot dryer. When you vacuum pupa, it hatches in the vacuum bag. Close and remove the bag or empty your vacuum each time you vacuum your pet habitats to prevent further hatching of the fleas.

Although cats tend to disapprove of vacuuming, it is highly effective and harmless to you, the cat and the environment.

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Cats Summary

Generally, flea control on cats depends greatly on how you do it. Keep your cat away from dirty and probably infested areas. Eggs that fall off the cat can stay alive for a number of months before hatching hence keep your cat away from such places to avoid re-infestation. Remember that you are responsible for your cat’s health so do not overlook any possible flea infestation.

When controlling the fleas, be cautious not to use products meant for other animals such as dogs. Some dog flea treatment products contain permethrin which is fatal when applied to cats. Before going for a certain method of medication, consult your vet who will recommend the best method depending on your cat’s physical and health condition. Give your cat a chance to enjoy a flea-free world!

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Cats Infographic