How do I know if my cat has fleas? 5 Warnings

When the weather is nice, it is extremely common to see your cat contaminated by fleas, a very common and active external parasite. If it is useful to act beforehand by using antiparasitic products based on natural active ingredients to act as prevention, it is not always enough. How do I know if my cat has fleas? This is a question that is asked every season and it is not always easy to answer. While you suspect your sweet feline of being contaminated, our experts inform you of certain signs of infestation that do not deceive!

1 He grooms himself more often

If your feline doesn’t scratch frantically like a dog, you can easily notice compulsive licking behavior. It often happens that certain localized areas show lesions or a lack of hair.

2 He seems to be in a bad mood

Fleas crawling through your cat’s coat are a real source of discomfort, which can then be reflected in his level of irritability.

3 He has an allergic reaction

It’s not uncommon for the most sensitive cats to suffer from DAPP or flea bite allergy dermatitis. This is characterized by redness and even lesions in response to severe itching, most often on the base of the tail.

4 He has black debris in his coat

Brush your cat with a fine-tooth comb, focusing on the back and base of the tail. If the hair left in the tool contains small black commas, you may suspect flea droppings. To be sure, wipe the hair with a damp cotton ball. If the cotton turns a little red, it is blood in the feces.

5 He’s not the only one who gets bitten!

Fleas also bite humans to ensure their meal! So, if you see small pimples, especially on your ankles and calves, you may suspect a flea infestation in your home!

My cat has fleas: what should I do?

Once the infestation has been confirmed, you must act by treating your cat with an antiparasitic product in the form of a collar, pipette or spray. The most common brands are Seresto, Frontline and Duoflect.

Decontaminate the places where your pet sleeps: basket, blanket, cat tree… When possible, it is ideal to wash them. If you have other dogs or female dogs, it is very important to treat all your animals at the same time to avoid contamination from one animal to another.

In reaction to the strong itching caused by fleas, your cat may injure itself to a greater or lesser extent by scratching. He may also be allergic to their bites. If your cat has lesions that are spreading and/or look suspicious, don’t hesitate to take him to the vet. Localized care coupled with an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory treatment may be necessary.

Finally, do a thorough cleaning of your home, paying special attention to carpets, sofas, blankets, baseboards… 90% of fleas are in your home at different stages of development, not on your cat! For maximum effectiveness in case of heavy infestation, there are anti-flea fumigants or sprays specially reserved for the treatment of the cat’s habitat.

In short! How do I know if my cat has fleas? You have the answers to your problem after this careful and instructive reading. Your feline is less likely to be infested by fleas or ticks thanks to your careful intervention. Don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian for advice or to consult the anti-parasite solutions on our online pet store. Happy flea hunting!

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