Fleas on Cats Symptoms
Signs of Flea Infestation on Cats
When your pet has a flea problem, it’s important to take swift action to stop its itching and irritation. Recognizing the early signs of flea infestation can help you protect your cat’s health – and yours too.
Scratching or Excessive Grooming
Fleas can cause itchy skin, so your cat may become excessively itchy and start scratching or licking the affected area. If your cat starts to scratch or lick excessively, check for fleas or flea dirt.
Hair Loss
Fleas can cause hair loss due to intense scratching and over-grooming, or they can cause allergic reactions that lead to patchy bald spots.
Redness, Swelling and Bleeding
If your cat has open wounds due to excessive scratching and biting, these can become red and swollen and may even begin to bleed.
Flea Dirt
This is flea excrement and looks like small, dark specks on the skin or fur of your cat. To test for flea dirt, comb your cat’s fur gentle using a flea comb and then place the material onto a moistened white cloth. If the dirt turns reddish-brown, then it’s likely to be flea dirt.
How to Prevent Fleas on Cats
- Clean your cat’s environment regularly and thoroughly. Vacuum carpets, furniture and floors and wash your pet’s bedding in hot water and detergent.
- Keep your cat indoors. Keeping your cat indoors prevents it from picking up fleas from other animals.
- Apply flea prevention medications. Speak to your vet about the best flea prevention approach for your cat, such as monthly spot-on treatments.
If you recognize signs of fleas on your pet, take swift action to halt the infestation and keep your cat happy and healthy.
Fleas are a common parasite that can infect cats. fleas can cause a range of irritating symptoms in cats, including intense itching, excessive grooming, hair loss, and ugly scabs on the skin. This article will discuss some of the common symptoms of fleas on cats.
One of the most common symptoms of fleas on cats is intense itching. When a cat is affected by fleas, they will often constantly scratch their skin and bite at their fur in an attempt to relieve the itching. In some cases, this behavior may cause lesions and scabs on the skin. If these symptoms are not nipped in the bud, flea bites can lead to severe skin irritation and infection.
Another common symptom of fleas on cats is excessive grooming. Cats will attempt to groom themselves in order to remove the fleas, but this behavior can do more harm than good. The constant licking can cause the cat’s fur to become matted, and it can also lead to hair loss. In some situations, excessive grooming can also increase the risk of infection.
For many cats, fleas can cause the skin to become inflamed and scabby. This is a result of the cat’s constant scratching and biting, which can cause disruption in the normal skin barrier. The resulting sores and scabs can become infected, leaving the cat in a state of discomfort.
Fleas on cats can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, including intense itching, excessive grooming, hair loss, and scabby skin. In order to prevent these symptoms, it is important to use an appropriate flea control product. Regularly cleaning and vacuuming the cat’s environment can also help to prevent infestations. If you suspect that your cat has fleas, it is important to contact your veterinarian for the right course of treatment.