Cat flea are dark brown and are 1-2mm long. Flea thrive in warm humid environment, which means late summer is the peak season for fleas on cats. A good way to test for fleas is to put these black specks on damp tissue paper-if it is form red, the speck will turn red indicating digestion of blood have taken place.
This fleas can be spotted under your carpet or you will notice tiny black specks of flea waste in your cat’s fur during combing. Finding it hard to tell whether or not your cat has caught this ting pesky parasite? Here are the most common signs of cat’s fleas:
• Spots showing loss of hairs.
• Skin irritation.
• Black speck in the cats fur or bedding
• Lethargy and pale gums caused by flea-related anaemia
• Non- stop scratching of the body
• Excessive grooming
The Danger of Flea Bites on Cat
Flea bites are painful and itchy for your cat, and they can cause a range of additional problems which are listed below:
• Tapeworm: If your cat swallows flea infested tapeworm eggs while grooming, your cat can end up with a tapeworm infection.
• Spreading diseases: Cats fleas can also spread disease, such as: Bartonella (which can cause a potential debilitating disease called ‘bartonellosis’ or cat scratch disease in people) and Rickettsia ( which can cause a disease called rickettsiosis in people), and a very serious human disease called Typhus.
• Anaemia: kitten and elderly cats can become anaemic from blood loss if bitten too many times.
• Flea allergic dermatitis: Is an allergy from flea saliva that can set off a severe reaction and intense itching from few bites. If your cat has FAD, their skin will look sore and crusty.
How to Free Your Cat of Flea
Never use dog flea product on your cat as the active ingredient (permethrin), can be extremely toxic to your cat. When you are deciding on how to get rid of fleas on your cats, note you’ll have to treat your house so as to eradicate this pesky parasites and prevent eggs developing into adult in your surroundings.
It is very important to thoroughly wash the bedding and fabrics your cat comes in contact with, use hot water and a detergent as the heat will help eliminate their eggs. Controlling the flea population outdoor is more challenging, when they make physical contact with other cats leading to high level of flea transmission.
It is very important for those who own gardens and lovers of nature to use flea control products specifically designed for outdoor use, focusing on those areas where your cat spend time.
Speak to your vet before treating your cat, especially if they are pregnant or feeding their little ones (kitten). Your vet will advise you on the best flea treatment for your cat.