Flea And Tick Prevention In Feral Cat Colonies
While TNR programs do their best to care for community catsincluding minimizing the risk of infestation and occasionally applying a treatmentthey rely on feral cat caretakers to help make sure these felines are in good shape. So how can you minimize the risk of fleas and ticks in your local colony? The first thing to do, says Richmond, is simple: if youre not already doing so, start putting some food and water out for the cats. Good nutrition can go a long way to keeping cats strong and immune systems robust, she says. It is a good idea to purchase the highest-quality cat food they can afford, to avoid the fillers and artificial ingredients added to lesser-quality brands. But try not to leave food lying around, Burton warns. We suggest not overfeeding your cats and limiting the feeding to 30 minutes at a time, she says. This will prevent leftover food from attracting wildlife, who are notorious flea carriers.
Additionally, if caretakers want to go the extra mile, it is possible to treat feral cats with the same types of flea medicine as a house catjust bear in mind that feral cats cannot usually be handled. Burton recommends oral flea medications that can be mixed into the cats food and dont require a prescription. For a more natural option, she suggests supplementing the cats food with about a teaspoon of unprocessed brewer’s yeast daily to help repel fleas.
Help us make PetMD better
Was this article helpful?
What did you find helpful?
What was not helpful?
Tackling Fleas In The Home An Overview
Frequent vacuum cleaning will help to reduce, but not eliminate, fleas in a house. Vacuum bags should be immediately and carefully disposed of. Anything heavily infested, such as bedding, should be disposed of. Treatments can then be used to prevent re-infestation in a number of ways:
- Treat all the household pets with an insecticide to kill the adult fleas on them. Only ever use products specifically licensed for the treatment of cats, as some of the dog products can be highly toxic to cats .
- Treat the house to eradicate fleas at all other stages of their development. Treatment of the whole house is essential, including soft furnishings, carpet pile, gaps between floorboards and other difficult to reach areas. Vacuum clean first and then use an appropriate flea insecticide to kill the immature stages.
- Cocoons are very resistant to treatment, and therefore repeated treatments of both animals and the household may be needed to completely eliminate all fleas from a home.
- Products with insect development inhibitors may be used on pets to help prevent immature fleas from maturing or reproducing. For these to be effective all animals in the household must be treated. Some environmental products also target developing fleas in this way.
Tips For Getting Rid Of Fleas On Kittens
Making sure all pets in the house are treated for fleas, trying to manage fleas in the home and the environment, and washing bedding in hot water can all help reduce the transmission of fleas to kittens.
But when it comes to getting rid of fleas on kittens, here are some additional things to take into consideration.
Read Also: Savannah Cat Scientific Name
Prepare Your Home For Cleaning
Before you begin, remove any pets from the home so you can give the whole place a thorough clean without your pet walking around picking up or dropping fleas and eggs from their fur. Then, pick up all loose items such as toys off the floor ready to wash them. If possible, move the furniture around so that you can access as much of the floor as possible while you are cleaning. If you are unable to move the furniture, be prepared to vacuum as underneath the furniture and in corners and hard to reach places.
How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Cats
Imagine that you are an indoor/outdoor cat. Your life is pretty simple and fun. Except for a few chase from the neighborhood dogs, you have got it made. However, there are a few minor annoyances that may come your way. One of these is getting flea-infested. So you always ask if how to get rid of fleas on cats?
The most fun that you can have is when you are stalking critters in the bushes. The problem is that that’s where you are most apt to pick up the unwanted guests.
As the owner of an indoor/outdoor cat, you want to make sure that your pet doesn’t suffer from parasites.
This is important for both you and her. The only problem is that many of the flea remedies on the market are toxic or noxious.
You want a natural remedy that will keep both you and your cat protected. The following list mentions some natural treatments for how to get rid of fleas on cats. We hope that this is helpful to you.
Recommended Reading: Blue Fit And Healthy Cat Food
Ensure Your Pet Has Been Treated
When you have worked so hard to treat your home, the last thing you want to do is bring your pet back in when they still potentially have fleas and eggs on them. Your untreated pet will start the flea infestation all over again by dropping eggs in all of the areas you just cleaned and in a couple of weeks, you will see fleas throughout your home again. The full development cycle of a flea can take between 14 and 140 days. There are many ways you can treat fleas on your pet including flea shampoo, sprays, spot on treatment, collars and more.
Once your pet has been treated and your home has been thoroughly cleaned you should have the problem well and truly under control.
How To Tell If Cat Has Fleas
Watching a cat itching and licking herself, you may rush to a vet or some online pet store to get some flea medicine for cats. But before you do that, you should confirm if there are fleas on cats as cat itching and licking does not always mean that she has fleas. Cats are fastidious creatures, and she might just be doing the routine self-grooming.
Signs That There are Fleas on Kittens
Cats are stoic creatures. They dont let others get a hint about their sickness. So you will have to be vigilant about the signs of sickness in cats. As far as the fleas are concerned, you need to look for the following signs:
- Cat itching and scratching excessively
- Cat shaking her head
- Cat licking her hair coat constantly
- Hair loss in certain areas due to excessive scratching
- Cats skin getting red and bumpy is also a sign that there are fleas on kittens.
Spotting Fleas on Kitten
- In severe cases, you would be able to spot fleas moving on your cats body
- In less severe cases, you may have to look for fleas in their favorite spotsarmpits and groin
- Use a fine-toothed metal flea comb and comb your cat. The comb will remove adult fleas and their eggs from your kittens coat.
Read Also: Can You Bathe A Cat In Dawn Dish Soap
Kitten Flea & Worm Prevention
Cats of any age can be affected by worms, but kittens are more vulnerable and its especially important to keep them protected. Prevention is better than cure where fleas are concerned too, so we recommend regular preventative treatment. They should be treated for roundworms and tapeworms every two to six months thereafter, depending on how much they hunt and whether they have fleas. Use a proprietary wormer available from your vet and follow the dosing instructions carefully.
Not only can pets have allergic reactions to flea bites, but fleas can also spread infectious diseases and it can be difficult to get rid of them once an infestation has taken hold.
Our vets and nurses will be happy to advise you on the most appropriate treatments for your kitten based on their environment and lifestyle risks.
Common Feline Diseases Carried By Fleas
As if the itching and stinging weren’t enough, fleas also transmit other conditions which can have a more deleterious effect on your cat’s health.
- Anemia: Unchecked infestations of fleas can actually cause anemia from blood loss this can sometimes be fatal, particularly in kittens. Pale gums are a red flag for anemia in kittens, and a sign that immediate veterinarian attention is needed.
- Tapeworms: Fleas also carry a parasite called tapeworm which are commonly found in cats that have been exposed to fleas.
- Haemobartonellosis : Fleas can also be vectors for a blood born parasite called Mycoplasma Haemofelis in cats. This bacterium can cause anemia, fever and severe illness. Haemobartonellosis is diagnosed by laboratory tests and treated with antibiotics, and in some severe cases, blood transfusions.
Read Also: Cat Scratches Under Door
Fleas On Kittens: How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Kittens 3 Home Remedies
Veterinarian
The information contained in this article is for educational purpose and should not be taken as a substitute for your vets opinion, as much depends on circumstances and history peculiar to each pet.
The information contained in this article is for educational purpose and should not be taken as a substitute for your vets opinion, as much depends on circumstances and history peculiar to each pet.
Has your cat been scratching and itching like crazy? Has she been chewing her skin? Does she see seem restless all the time? Probably, pesky little crittersfleas and tickshave been annoying your feline friend. Fleas on kittens is the worst nightmare of every cat owner.
Fleas suck the blood out of our cute little friends and make them itch and scratch. On top of that, the threat of fleas on cats jumping on humans in the house and spreading diseases like typhus and plague is pretty scary. Therefore, cat owners tryand must tryto get rid of fleas on kittens as early as they discover them.
How Can You Tell If Your Kitten Has Fleas
If your kitten has fleas, it may not be immediately apparent, but there will be signs. Your kitten could have a constant urge to scratch, bite or chew their fur or begin to groom themselves excessively, which should lead you to investigate the cause. To begin checking your cat for fleas, take a closer look at the skin beneath their fur to see if you can spot these tiny black parasites.
You may not be able to visibly see the fleas in some instances but instead find little black spots or specks on your kittens skin, which is flea dirt.
Tiny little black spots over and under the coat is a subtle indication that your kitten has fleas, so regular brushing and checks for fleas is the key to identification. Once you see moving fleas on their skin, this is a definite indication your kitten has fleas. More indirect clinical signs can be constant itching and hair loss too, says PETstock VET, Dr Natalia Li.
To make sure you accurately identify any fleas on your kitten, consider using a fine-tooth comb or flea comb to separate fur methodically, and you may be able to brush some out. Once you have identified these nasty parasites, youll need to get working to remove them from not only your kitten but also the environment.
Recommended Reading: Cat Licks Himself When I Scratch His Back
How To Shampoo A Kitten For Fleas
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 235,860 times.
An essential part of owning a cat is to regularly de-flea it. If your kittens have come into contact with fleas, you can remove some fleas with a bath. You can use regular cat shampoo and then remove the fleas manually. You should follow up with your vet about other types of treatment. You’re unlikely to get rid of every flea with a bath. Never shampoo newborn kittens for fleas. You can remove any fleas you see on them manually.
Why Are There Fleas In My House
You may be dealing with fleas within your home even if you dont have a pet. This often occurs when people move into a house where cats or dogs have previously lived. A flea infestation can occur many months after the initial exposure, as flea eggs can lay dormant for several months before hatching. This could be why your pet-free home is suddenly overrun with fleas. If you do have a pet, use this guide by Tuxedo Cat to ensure you treat the problem as a whole.
It is very important to treat your pet as well as your home to handle the problem in its entirety. Treating your pet but not your home, or vice versa, may temporarily reduce the number of fleas seen but wont fully deal with the issue which is why re-infestation occurs.
You May Like: Why Do Cats Knead Before Laying Down
Treat Your Cat For Fleas
First, treat your cat with a product designed to kill fleas. Bathe your cat or kitten with a specially formulated flea shampoo to kill fleas on contact. Flea sprays can be a good option for water-averse cats. Repeat treatment as needed and recommended on the label.
Kitten flea treatment tip: Check the flea treatment label to ensure the product is safe for the age of your kitten. If your kitten is too young, contact your vet to discuss other kitten flea treatment options.
After treatment, remove fleas from your cat or kittens coat with a flea comb then, dip the comb in a mixture of dish soap and water to kill any fleas left on the comb. Inspect and comb weekly to monitor the flea infestation on your cat.
Fact Check: Essential Oils for Fleas on Cats
Some online pet blogs may recommend using essential oils such as tea tree oil as a natural treatment for fleas. However, natural doesnt necessarily mean harmless. Cats are more sensitive to essential oils than humans and undiluted oils can be harmful or even toxic. Essential oils and extracts are not regulated and do not require testing for safety, and it can be difficult to dilute properly.
How Can I Tell If My Cat Has Fleas
The most common flea that feeds off cats, dogs, and humans is the Ctenocephalides felis. If you observe your cat scratching and aren’t sure if fleas are the cause, you can certainly try to use a flea comb on your cat and observe if tiny black dots are present. These black specks are commonly called “flea dirt,” but in reality, it is the excrement the flea leaves.
If you do not see them, it does not mean that they are not there as fleas can be present in small numbers where the flea or flea dirt are simply not visualized. Fleas are very good at hiding on cats. In other cases, the trained eye of a veterinarian may be needed to find these tiny black dots that emerge on the comb. If you find the black specks, smash some with a damp paper towel, and the flea dirt will turn a rust color or red. The red color is residue from your cat’s blood and a warning that cat flea control is necessary.
Read Also: Cat Whisker Fell Out
Flea Bath For Kittens
The easiest and safest way to rid young cats of fleas is to give them a flea bath using dish soap. Dish soap breaks down grease, and because of this, it can break down the waxy exoskeleton of any adult fleas on your kitten’s coat, causing the pests to suffocate in the water.
To create a flea bath for your little kitten of any age, simply fill your kitchen sink with an inch or two of warm water and place the kitten inside the sink. Once you’ve wet the kitten’s fur, use a dime-size amount of dish soap to lather up the entire coat. Rub the soap into the legs, feet, tummy, tail, and back of your cat, avoiding his face. Allow the soap to sit for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing the kitten with warm water.
Use A Flea Preventive For Cats
Flea preventives help discourage fleas from coming back. Effective flea prevention options include collars, topicals and oral products that can last anywhere from 30 days to eight months. Choose the prevention method that works best for you and your cat.
Keep in mind that preventives work best when used regularly and year-round applying for only one or two months per year could leave your pet unprotected.
Recommended Reading: Cat Swollen Leg And Paw
The Worst Thing You Can Do: Nothing
A flea infestation can cause anemia in kittens.
A flea doesnt actually bite, explains Dr. William Miller Jr., VMD. It sticks its proboscis into the skin and sucks blood. It doesnt take too much of this sucking to cause anemia in a kitten that is carrying innumerable fleas. You dont see this problem very often in adult cats, but its frequently seen in kittens.
- Make sure your kittens gums are pink since this condition can be deadly, and bring your kitten to the veterinarian if you notice a discoloration.
- Fleas on kittens can also cause excessive scratching and skin irritation.
Kittens are especially delicate, and some flea treatments are not safe. Follow the advice of your vet. Also, never use medication designed for dogs or adult cats these could be deadly to a kitten.
If you are removing fleas from a newborn kitten: Treat the mother. Then remove the fleas from the kitten. A kittens body is small so there isnt a large area to cover, and you should be able to remove the fleas with your fingers or tweezers easily. Because of newborn kittens young age and fragility, do not apply any type of detergent or medication on them.
What Wormer Precisely Is Best For My Kitten Or Cat
The vet will suggest you the most effective treatment, based on the types of worms common in your area.
It is always better to seek the advice of your vet during a routine wellness visit. They will know what types of worms are common in your area. They will also be able to suggest the most effective, easiest and safest wormers for your cat.
Don’t Miss: Teaching Kitten Not To Bite