No Fleas, Please!

I’ve had indoor cats almost my entire life, and for most of that time I thought indoor cats didn’t need help managing fleas. But living indoors doesn’t fully protect them, because we can easily bring fleas in from the outdoors, or from other animals, no matter how vigilant we think we’re being. What are these annoying critters, and how do we keep them from latching onto our cats?

What are fleas?
Ctenocephalides felis, better known as cat fleas, are tiny insects that can become you and your cat's worst nightmare if they’re not handled immediately. There are several types of these fleas, and they choose many animals to attach to because blood is how they sustain themselves. These parasites not only cause itching, but they also carry diseases like tapeworms, allergic reactions, cat scratch fever, and even plague. They can flatten down to hide, and move within the fur; they remain almost undetectable in darker fur. If the diseases and skin issues aren’t concerning enough, they also multiply at an alarming rate: within one hour, up to 50 eggs can be laid by a single flea. 

Signs of Fleas
By the time you see them, your cat has likely already been struggling with scratching or biting itself, or bathing itself excessively. If the fleas are severe enough, your cat may have sores or scabs. Allergic reactions are common for cats with fleas, so along with excessive itching and grooming, your feline friend may also start to lose patches of fur, and have swelling and redness on their skin.

How to Get Rid of Fleas
If you find your cat has fleas, you have a few different options to get rid of them. Some dated methods for flea treatments are powders, sprays, or flea dips, but using harsh chemicals these ways aren’t the safest option for kitty. Veterinarian-approved flea collars, pills, or topical treatments are recommended for successful flea treatment. 

To kill live fleas instantly you may purchase an over-the-counter pill. We have seen results in as little as 30 minutes with this method. Follow the instructions on the box, then talk to your veterinarian for a long-term treatment. Remember: You cannot kill the flea eggs, and it takes them about a week to hatch. You have to wait for the fleas to hatch before they are able to be killed, which is why flea treatment can be such a lengthy, frustrating process. 

Ask your veterinarian for the best topical flea medication or collar for your cat’s ongoing treatment, since some topicals and collars are not created equal. Some topical options are also required monthly, while others work up to three months per dose. The most effective collars that are available work by slowly releasing medication into the skin around the cat’s neck, and only need to be replaced every 6-9 months. Natural flea remedies are available, but these have not been tested by veterinarians, and are less effective than using medication. 

Continuing Prevention
Keeping your cat on flea prevention year-round is the only way to fully prevent fleas from jumping onto your cat. Even though the freezing temperatures in NY might kill them outside, once they are in your house they will stay alive, and drive you and your cat nuts! We are also seeing more infestations popping up with our unseasonably warm weather these past couple of years. So grab whatever medication works best for your cat, and sleep soundly knowing kitty is flea-free.