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For pet owners, there is nothing more frustrating than fleas! These pesky little insects live rent-free on our cats and even in our homes, causing rashes, irritation and even worse in some instances. So, of course, it is essential that you take the proper care and precautions when it comes to keeping your furry animals in a flea-free zone, and we are here to help.
We have put together a comprehensive guide to fleas on cats, including all the most important information on what to look out for, how to prevent and how to remove these little creepy crawlies. But if you’re looking for an answer fast, don’t hesitate to shop our extensive range of cat flea treatments available online now with free UK delivery.
If you’re concerned that your cat may have fleas, there are some signs that you should look out for. However, there could be several reasons for a change in your cat’s health or behaviour, so if you’re unsure, we recommend contacting your cat’s veterinarian.
Your cat may have fleas if they exhibit any of the following six signs and symptoms:
Of course, in addition to the symptoms, you may spot a flea on your cat or in your home. You should be looking out for what looks like a dark brown spec. Cat fleas are reddish-brown in colour and are usually 2mm long. This makes them hard to spot, especially on your cat, as they can easily camouflage within their fur.
Another sign you might spot when searching for fleas on cats is flea dirt, which is dried flea faeces left behind.
Unfortunately, there is no one activity your cat should avoid to prevent them from getting fleas. These fiercely independent creatures love their space and explore and roam. This means they could bring home little hitchhikers in a wide variety of ways. At some point in your life as a cat parent, you will likely ask yourself where on earth they picked up fleas from. So to answer your question, here are a few ways your cat might be collecting a family of fleas on their back.
Of course, a flea can catch a ride back home any time your cats leave the house. Whether it’s an outdoor cat roaming the streets or an indoor cat on a trip to the vet, they are open to catching fleas. This is most likely happening in any place where other cats are roaming, as fleas quickly and easily jump from one cat’s fur to another.
Just like cats can catch fleas from other cats they meet outside your home, it could also be another pet in the family that passes on these creepy bugs. Or even yourself! Fleas are constantly looking for their next target, and your cat’s coat is the perfect home for them to lay eggs. Plus, they can jump very high and far.
Even if your cat’s outdoor time is limited to the back garden, a game of cat and mouse can lead to a flea infestation. It’s just like Jerry passing fleas on to Tom. Your cat can easily become infested when prowling your land.
Unfortunately, your brand-new home may not have evicted all of its previous tenants. The majority of fleas can live in carpets and soft furnishings, so we recommend investing in a deep cleaning of your new property before moving any pets or furniture inside.
All cats require flea treatment as they risk catching fleas equally. This means that even outdoor cats that never leave the safety bubble of your home should receive regular flea treatments. As we have outlined, there are many ways a flea can make its way into your home and take up residency on your cat. So, it is always better to be safe than sorry and protect your cat from a painful, sore, irritating infestation.
If your cat has fleas, there is only one way to remove these little beasts, and that is with an appropriate flea treatment. Typically, your vet will advise you to regularly apply a flea spot treatment which can effectively kill all adult fleas and, in some cases, even stop the development of eggs too.
Flea spot treatments for cats are the fastest and most efficient way to prevent fleas on your cat at home. Start by ensuring they are calm and comfortable before applying the spot treatment. Then choose an area, typically on the neck or between the shoulder blades and apply the treatment. It must be in an area where they can not lick it off.
Next, separate the fur to the best of your ability and press the nozzle as close to the skin as possible. Speeze the treatment applicator until the full dose has been given, and wash your hands immediately afterwards. You should also avoid stroking your cat in this area for up to 24 hours after treatment.
One piece of good news you should take away from this guide is that once fleas on your cat have been identified, getting rid of them does not take too long. In fact, typical cat spot treatments only take a maximum of 24 hours to rid your cat of fleas completely.
However, you should also take measures to clean and flea-proof your home to ensure no stowaways are hiding in the carpet, waiting to latch back on.
Whether you have an outdoor or an indoor cat, you should be regularly de-fleeing your four-legged friends. This means using an effective spot flea treatment on your cat on a monthly basis.
If your cat has fleas, the treatment will exterminate them within 24 hours. However, the treatment will also continue to work for a number of days after treatment. As we have mentioned, your cat can become infested with fleas within moments if not treated properly, leading to several painful side effects that no cat parent wants to watch their fur baby go through.
You should also rid your home of fleas as regularly as you treat your cat. You can do this in 3 simple steps.
If you’re concerned about fleas in your home or on your cat, invest in quality flea treatments today. It is best to preemptively stock up on these supplies rather than waiting until your cat starts scratching so that you can deal with the problem as soon as possible.
At Home Health UK, we are an online pharmacy with a dedicated animal health collection. So, you can find the cat flea treatment you need with free UK delivery. Shop cat flea collars, spot treatments and even grooming essentials online now and choose a combination of products to eliminate fleas from your and your cat’s lives.
