Since your pet is a valued and loved member of the family, it’s normal to be worried about their well-being and concerned about parasites. Parasites are problematic, but they’re easily controlled, and you needn’t be worried about your beloved pet with the right prevention plan in place.
There’s no doubt that a year-round, long-term control plan, which acts fast to combat parasites is the optimal choice for you and your cat. It is also important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a flea or tick infestation, allowing you to put a stop to the problem as swiftly as possible, and ensuring both your cat and your home are flea and tick free.
Fleas on cats
No type of flea has conquered the world of the cat and the dog quite so much as the cat flea – it is the most abundant of its kind, found across the globe. They can latch on to both animals and humans, hitching a ride and finding their way into your home, and potentially onto your cat. Even indoor cats can be affected, as the fact that fleas can travel into your home on other animals, you and your family, or visitors, means that no cat is completely risk-free.
Fleas are most active in their preferred warm, slightly humid weather, but modern homes and their central heating mean fleas are catered to year-round in most countries. Fleas like to burrow down into the warmth of your cat’s fur, especially in the groin and armpits, where they’re both warm and protected.
Even though fleas are small, usually measuring between 1.5-3 mm (0.06-0.11 inches) in size, they can be spotted by the naked eye, and you may spot them either on yourself or on your cat. Don’t wait until you spot a flea on your cat – take control with an effective, long-term plan.
Signs of fleas on cats
Aside from spotting fleas on your cat, the following behavior may indicate that fleas have become a problem.
- Intense scratching and fur biting
- More frequent cleaning
- Restlessness
- Small bumps or crusty areas of skin, particularly on the neck or along your
cat’s back - Frantic scratching around the face or head shaking
- Hair loss
- Tapeworms in your cat’s stool (fleas carry tapeworm eggs)
- Flea ‘dirt’, which appears as tiny black specks on your cat’s fur or in your
home