Fleas and Parasites
Fleas are the most common parasite in cats - and every cat is likely to be infected at some stage in its life. However, with the advent of modern products it is possible to prevent fleas from becoming a problem in your household.
Please ask us for help in choosing the correct treatment and prevention of external parasites for your young kitten.
For more detailed information about fleas and their lifecycle click here
Please ask us for help in choosing the correct treatment and prevention of external parasites for your young kitten.
For more detailed information about fleas and their lifecycle click here
Affect on Cat's Health
Fleas are the most common cause of skin disease in cats especially flea allergy dermatitis. (Flea spit contains chemicals which stop blood clotting until the flea has finished feeding and these chemicals may cause an allergic reaction in your cat)
If a cat cannot groom itself to remove fleas, large numbers may survive in its fur. The cat may lose so much blood that it becomes anaemic. Usually this only happens in kittens or cats which are already ill with another disease.
Fleas may also carry eggs of tapeworms which develop inside your cat's gut if they are swallowed.
If a cat cannot groom itself to remove fleas, large numbers may survive in its fur. The cat may lose so much blood that it becomes anaemic. Usually this only happens in kittens or cats which are already ill with another disease.
Fleas may also carry eggs of tapeworms which develop inside your cat's gut if they are swallowed.
How do I know if my cat has Fleas?
Take a sheet of good quality white paper and wet one side by running it under the tap. Place the sheet on a flat surface, e.g. worktop with the wet surface uppermost. Sit your cat against the edge of the paper. Rub or brush the small of your cat's back so that scurf and flea droppings falls onto the wet paper.
Look for 'coal dust' which, after 30-60 seconds, goes reddish brown (this is the dried blood in the flea droppings). Sometimes there are no obvious signs of fleas and your vet might suggest testing your cat's skin to see if it is allergic to flea spit.
Look for 'coal dust' which, after 30-60 seconds, goes reddish brown (this is the dried blood in the flea droppings). Sometimes there are no obvious signs of fleas and your vet might suggest testing your cat's skin to see if it is allergic to flea spit.
Treatment
Treat the cat: Not all products are equally effective and those you can get from your veterinary surgeon are usually much better than those sold in pet shops or supermarkets.
Treat the environment: Treating the areas where your cat spends most of its time (including outhouses and sheds) is also important - particularly the places it lies down to sleep. Washing your cat's bedding in hot water will destroy the young fleas (but not the eggs) and vacuuming your carpets also helps keep the numbers down.
Some products kill the flea itself and some prevent immature fleas from developing and re-infecting your cat in the future. Your vet can advise you on which product, or combination of products, to use. Treat your cat and your home all year round even if you do not see fleas.
Treat other pets: All the cats and dogs (because most fleas on dogs are cat fleas) in a household should be treated even if only one animal appears to be affected by flea bites. If you do not continue treatment the affected animal may be re-infected with fleas carried by other animals in your home or by fleas it picks up outside.
Treat the environment: Treating the areas where your cat spends most of its time (including outhouses and sheds) is also important - particularly the places it lies down to sleep. Washing your cat's bedding in hot water will destroy the young fleas (but not the eggs) and vacuuming your carpets also helps keep the numbers down.
Some products kill the flea itself and some prevent immature fleas from developing and re-infecting your cat in the future. Your vet can advise you on which product, or combination of products, to use. Treat your cat and your home all year round even if you do not see fleas.
Treat other pets: All the cats and dogs (because most fleas on dogs are cat fleas) in a household should be treated even if only one animal appears to be affected by flea bites. If you do not continue treatment the affected animal may be re-infected with fleas carried by other animals in your home or by fleas it picks up outside.