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us","\u002Fuk\u002Fsupport",{"entityId":199},[],[199],[],{"entityId":223,"level":8,"name":224,"path":10,"newWindow":11,"typeLabel":12,"classes":10,"parent":10,"children":225,"parentIds":254},"522385","Legal",[226,233,240,247],{"entityId":227,"level":17,"name":228,"path":229,"newWindow":11,"typeLabel":26,"classes":10,"parent":230,"children":231,"parentIds":232},"522386","Privacy Policy","\u002Fuk\u002Fprivacy-policy",{"entityId":223},[],[223],{"entityId":234,"level":17,"name":235,"path":236,"newWindow":11,"typeLabel":26,"classes":10,"parent":237,"children":238,"parentIds":239},"522387","Terms and Conditions","\u002Fuk\u002Fterms-of-service",{"entityId":223},[],[223],{"entityId":241,"level":17,"name":242,"path":243,"newWindow":11,"typeLabel":26,"classes":10,"parent":244,"children":245,"parentIds":246},"522389","Cookies","\u002Fuk\u002Fcookies",{"entityId":223},[],[223],{"entityId":248,"level":17,"name":249,"path":250,"newWindow":11,"typeLabel":26,"classes":10,"parent":251,"children":252,"parentIds":253},"522390","Accessibility statement","\u002Fuk\u002Faccessibility",{"entityId":223},[],[223],[],{"success":4,"article":256,"globals":371},{"id":257,"title":258,"slug":259,"language":260,"url":261,"postDate":262,"dateCreated":263,"dateUpdated":264,"videoId":10,"videoProvider":4,"articleFeaturedImage":265,"articleBody":273,"articleIntro":274,"articleCategory":275,"articleReviewers":278,"articleAuthors":295,"articleMenu":305,"seoTitle":312,"seoMeta":313,"jsonLd":369,"readingTime":370},"12756","What to do if your cat has fleas","cat-fleas-and-bites-prevention-and-treatment","en-GB","\u002Fuk\u002Farticles\u002Fcat-fleas-and-bites-prevention-and-treatment","09\u002F10\u002F2019","2019-10-09T16:19:17+02:00","30\u002F03\u002F2022",[266],{"desktop":267,"desktopLegacy":268,"mobile":269,"alt":270,"width":271,"height":272},"https:\u002F\u002Fcms.firstvet.com\u002Fuploaded\u002Fimages\u002Farticles\u002F_1000x320_crop_center_80_none\u002F453308\u002Fandriyko-podilnyk-RCfi7vgJjUY-unsplash.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.firstvet.com\u002Fuploaded\u002Fimages\u002Farticles\u002F_1000x320_crop_center_80_none\u002Fandriyko-podilnyk-RCfi7vgJjUY-unsplash.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcms.firstvet.com\u002Fuploaded\u002Fimages\u002Farticles\u002F_800x400_crop_center_60_none\u002F453308\u002Fandriyko-podilnyk-RCfi7vgJjUY-unsplash.webp","kitten-in-grass-fleas",2048,1366,"\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Fleas are dark brown insects, at 2-4 mm in length, they are visible to the naked eye. They can’t fly but can jump a long way and this is the way they move about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Like many insects, fleas have a multi-stage life cycle. \u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">An \u003Cstrong>adult flea\u003C\u002Fstrong> lives for 1.5-2 months and during that time lays many eggs. These are laid on the animal host, but most fall in the environment (approximately 95% of them are NOT on the cat).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">The \u003Cstrong>eggs\u003C\u002Fstrong> take 1-10 days to hatch and for the flea larvae to emerge from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">The \u003Cstrong>flea larvae\u003C\u002Fstrong> are tiny worm-like things that don’t feed directly on blood, they lack the mouth parts to bite though the skin, so they feed on ‘flea dirt’, the partially digested blood excreted by adult fleas. They can live both on the cat or in the environment, if there’s sufficient food for them. The larval stage has 3 distinct phases that last 5-11 days and, after the third, the larva turns into a pupa to finish its transformation into an adult flea.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">The \u003Cstrong>flea pupae\u003C\u002Fstrong> are egg-like structures with a hard shell that protects the insect while it is transforming into an adult. This stage takes somewhere between 5-150 days, but can take longer if the conditions are not favourable. Being so hardy and not needing any food, pupae can last up to 2 years in the environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">After the pupa opens, a \u003Cstrong>new adult flea\u003C\u002Fstrong> emerges to repeat the same cycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Adult fleas do not live exclusively on a host, hopping on and off. Therefore, they can be found outside, in fields and gardens, or in our homes, sheds etc. However, because they need to feed on blood, they stay close to animals like cats, cats, rabbits, etc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Because of this, cats with outdoor access can easily pick them up whilst out. For indoor cats the risk of getting fleas is smaller but not zero. Other animals, like dogs, can bring them home after they have been out on walks. Fleas can also hitch a ride with us; they can travel on our clothing, in our vehicles, etc. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" id=\"what-are-the-symptoms-of-fleas-in-cats\">What are the symptoms of fleas in cats?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">The obvious sign of a flea infestation is the presence of fleas. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Sometimes though, if there are not too many of them or your cat is very good at removing them, or when it’s warm enough in the environment, you might not see fleas on the cat. What you will always find is flea faeces, aka ‘flea dirt’, dark grits in the cat’s coat and on their skin. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Brush your cat’s coat onto a white sheet of paper and wipe the dark grits with a bit of wet cotton wool or add a drop of water on them. Other dirt, like soil, will stay the same while flea dirt (which is partially digested blood) will create a brown-red smear or ring around it. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Other signs you may see in a cat with fleas are:\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">itchy skin,\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">red and irritated skin,\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">bald patches,\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">thickened or crusty skin,\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">lip sores,\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">darkened spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">In animals that are not allergic to fleas though, these symptoms can be very mild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">To help them feed undetected, fleas use their saliva to numb the skin and prevent the blood at the bite site from clotting. But their saliva contains a lot of proteins and they can cause allergic reactions in some cats, which is known as Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD). In such cases the symptoms are similar, but much-much more pronounced and the fleas even harder to detect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Sometimes fleas will also bite the people in the affected household, especially around the ankles. So if you or anyone in your family starts getting red itchy spots or bumps on their legs, that’s an additional reason to check your cat for fleas or flea dirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 dir=\"ltr\" id=\"how-to-get-rid-of-fleas\">How to get rid of fleas?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Getting rid of fleas is not that complicated, but it requires time and patience as you must regularly treat your cat, all the other pets and the house itself at the same time for several consecutive weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 dir=\"ltr\">The fleas on the cat\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">There are a lot of flea-killing products available in UK, all with different characteristics:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">some of them kill fleas through contact with the chemical on the cat’s coat, others do this when the flea ingests the chemical with the cat’s blood;\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">some are freely sold over-the-counter and others only prescribed by vets (the former are often ineffective, so we advise the latter);\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">some products kill both adult fleas and larvae, while others work only on adult fleas (eggs and pupae are too impenetrable for anti-flea products).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Speak with your vet who will be able to help you choose the right product for your situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">It is important to deworm your cat at the same time as the cat flea can carry the larvae of the tapeworm \u003Cem>Dipylidium caninum\u003C\u002Fem>. Cats become infected by ingesting fleas during grooming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 dir=\"ltr\">The fleas on other animals\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">To get rid of the fleas successfully, you must treat all other furry pets that live in your house (or your garden if your cat has contact with them or their bedding) - dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Only use treatments developed specifically for that species. For example, you must never use a dog product on a cat or rabbit, as this causes severe, sometimes even fatal, toxicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 dir=\"ltr\">The fleas in the house\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Only 5% of the total flea number is made up of adult fleas on your pets, the other 95% are in the home environment as eggs, larvae and pupae. This means that to clear the flea infestation, you need to treat the house too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Wash at 60°C everything that your cat uses (bedding, blankets, fluffy toys, etc) and can withstand this temperature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Flea eggs and pupae are often found in cracks, crevices, and soft furnishings. As mentioned before, anti-flea products don’t affect these life stages that easily. They are the ones that make getting rid of fleas a lengthier process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">To bypass this resistance, start your ‘house treatment’ with vacuuming thoroughly. This has two advantages:\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">it physically removes the eggs and pupae from the environment (dispose of the vacuum bag or its content immediately after),\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">the vibrations from the vacuum attract the larvae from within their hiding places, but also stimulate the eggs and the pupae to hatch, making them vulnerable to an anti-flea product.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Only after a good vacuuming, use an anti-flea product for the house to kill the larvae and adult fleas hiding in the carpets, floors, furniture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">There are several options available on the market, for example:\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fshop.firstvet.com\u002Fuk\u002Fproduct\u002Fr-i-p-flea-extra-spray-for-dogs-cats\">RIP Fleas Extra\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fshop.firstvet.com\u002Fuk\u002Fproduct\u002Ffleatec-household-flea-spray\">FLEAtec Household Flea Spray\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fshop.firstvet.com\u002Fuk\u002Fproduct\u002Fhousehold-flea-powder\">Household Flea Powder\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Indorex Defence Household Flea Spray\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Frontline Homegard\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Carefully read and follow the instructions for use on their package. Keep in mind a few general precautions when using these products:\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Clear the area you are planning to treat of people and pets. Where possible, remove (or at least cover tightly) aquariums, vivariums and water storage tanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Once you have applied the spray or powder, leave the room and allow the product to work for the recommended time (often at least 30 min).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp>Ventilate the room thoroughly by opening windows and doors for at least 1 hour before allowing pets or children back into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch3>Additional advice\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Don’t panic if, despite your efforts, you still see the occasional flea. If you use a good quality product on your pets, these random fleas come from the pool of eggs and pupae left in the environment. They hatch out in waves, so you need to consistently repeat the treatments of the pets and the house until you don’t see any at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">If you keep seeing large numbers of fleas despite your efforts, there could be several reasons for that:\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">not using the correct treatment on your cat or in your house,\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">not treating all the animals in the household,\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli dir=\"ltr\">\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">not treating other areas that your cat spends time in\u002Fon, for example, a scratching post.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\">Speak either to your registered vet about it or use the button on this page to book a call with FirstVet and one of our experienced vets will analyse the situation with you and recommend the best solutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>","Every cat could potentially have fleas at some point in their life. They can be a nuisance or a real problem. 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