Cat Flea Problems And Treatment

The Cat Flea is one of the most Widespread Types of Fleas

The cat flea’s prime host is cats and kittens, but this is also the major flea infesting dogs and puppys in the world. The cat flea can also maintain its life cycle on other animals like the opossum. Rabbits, rodents, and humans can be infested, but the inhabitants of cat fleas cannot be sustained by these strange hosts. Cat fleas can pass on other parasites and infections to dogs and cats and also to people. The most prominent of these are murine typhus, the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum, and Bartonella.

Flea Symptoms

Fleas are one of the most common external parasites in cats. Adult fleas are red-brown in color and flea droppings are tiny black specs; either may be seen on an infested cat. However, both fleas and flea droppings are often hard to find, and some of the first signs of a flea infestation is skin irritation, persistent scratching or hair loss.

Flea life cycle

The flea life cycle is pretty simple. Eggs are laid in the host animal’s bedding or hair. Eggs hatch in about 1 week. Flea larvae feed on natural rubbish and feces from adult fleas and after 2 to 3 weeks fully grown larvae pupate in a silken cocoon. After 1 or 2 weeks as pupae adult fleas are ready to emerge.

Treating for fleas in cats

In order to treat for fleas, both adult and immature fleas must be considered. If your cat has an infestation, treatment options include topical or oral medications, spot-ons, sprays, powders and collars. Remember to treat other cats and dogs in the home as well. Do your research before using over the counter flea killers on your pets they are very dangerous. I would only recommend frontline. See my story about flea killer symptoms by clicking here. Flea Treatment Poisoning