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 Fleas can find their way into your home even
if your cat n ever goes outside. If you keep
windows open on the ground level, fleas can
still jump onto your cat. Many cats enjoy
sitting at the window to catch the gentle
breeze and watch the birds, unaware that
those determined little fleas are planning
an attack. For indoor cats, fleas can also
be a problem if another family pet is
allowed outdoors. It’s very common for the
family dog to carry the fleas into the
house, where the little parasites discover
the added bonus of another four-footed meal
– the indoor cat.
If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, he is
truly at risk for flea and tick infestation.
Ask your veterinarian about the most
appropriate flea prevention product for your
cat and start using it early in the season.
Just because you don’t see fleas doesn’t
mean they aren’t there. Cats are such
fastidious groomers and they often ingest
the fleas. Part your cat’s hair and you may
see only the flea debris – the excrement and
eggs. One way to see if your cat has fleas
is to place him on a sheet of white paper or
a white towel and brush his fur. You can
also use a fine-tooth flea comb, which will
trap the flea debris.
Do routine physical checks on your cat.
Brush your cat on a regular basis, part the
hair and check for parasites. Gently run
your fingers over your cat’s body to check
for lumps, bumps, sores, or sensitive areas.
If you come across a little bump, it may be
a tick, which is another pesky parasite that
appears along with the lovely blooms in
spring.
Many cats are allergic to fleas and end up
with flea bite dermatitis. It only takes one
flea to create an allergic reaction. If you
notice that your cat is scratching a lot,
has evidence of hair loss, and/or has some
irritated patches of skin, take him to your
veterinarian for treatment.
Another unpleasant side effect of flea
infestation is tapeworm infestation. Fleas
are hosts to tapeworms so if your cat
ingests a flea he could also be ingesting
tapeworm larvae. These long, segmented worms
mature in the cat’s intestines. Sometimes
small segments break off and travel out
through the colon. You may see segments on
the cat’s anus. They will look like moving
pieces of rice on the fur of the cat’s
backside. Look where your cat likes to sleep
and you may find dried segments on the
bedding. Your veterinarian can prescribe a
dewormer. If tapeworm infestation is left
untreated, your cat will lose weight,
because the worms will take all of the
nutrients from what your cat eats.
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