How to get rid of fleas on cats and prevent flea bites

Disclaimer: This article and its content and related references does not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care.

Fleas are the most common external parasite in cats. They can be irritating to both cats and cat owners. Unfortunately, once there is an infestation of fleas, they can be difficult to remove, and complete extermination takes at least three months in most cases. The easiest solution is to use vet-recommended flea preventative measures so you can avoid having a problem in the first place. Read on if you have ever wondered:

• What species of fleas affect cats?
• How are flea infestations treated in cats?
• How are symptoms of flea bites treated in cats?
• What should I do if my cat has fleas?

Flea bites can trigger allergies and skin symptoms including hair loss, red skin, scabs, and open sores.  Kittens with severe flea infestations can become deathly anemic. Flea prevention is an important part of cat ownership.

Fleas are parasitic insects that ingest blood and rapidly breed on their hosts, infesting the environment with eggs, larvae, pupae, and newly hatched adults. The cat flea, or Ctenocephalides felis, is the primary flea that affects cats and dogs in North America. Cats come into contact with fleas outdoors, through screened-in windows or porches, on infested carpeting or furniture, and any other time they share space where other animals infested with fleas have been.

What are the signs of fleas on cats?

Signs of flea infestations in cats can range from asymptomatic to severe with deadly side effects. If a cat is healthy and not allergic to flea saliva, they often display few to no symptoms. Cats that have flea allergies can exhibit clinical signs such as:

• Excessive scratching
• Hair loss
• Skin irritation
• Wounds on the skin from scratching

Cats can also be infected with tapeworms when they ingest fleas while grooming. Flea-borne illnesses, such as plague and bartonellosis (cat-scratch disease), spread to animals and humans through flea bites. Fleas can be particularly dangerous for young kittens since large flea populations can consume enough blood to cause life-threatening anemia.

Fleas are typically diagnosed when adult fleas or flea dirt are found on a cat. Flea dirt, or flea excrement, appears as black specks on a cat’s skin that turn reddish brown when smeared on a damp paper towel. Fleas can be difficult for even your veterinarian to find due to the famously pristine grooming habits of cats. Other symptoms, such as evidence of tapeworms in stool or severe itch from flea allergy dermatitis may also help point to a diagnosis of flea infestation.

To treat fleas, use a veterinarian-recommended, fast-acting treatment with long residual action for a minimum of three months to eradicate the flea infestation. All other susceptible animals in the home need to be treated as well. Fully clearing a home of fleas can be a long and difficult process. While many of the most effective flea control products used on pets also provide some degree of environmental treatment, targeted treatment of the bedding, carpet, and furniture create the best conditions for completely exterminating the infestation. Talk to your vet to learn about options for environmental treatment that are safe for all pets in your household.

Do natural flea treatments work?

There are no natural or homeopathic flea treatments that are proven to work. In fact, some of these products are toxic to cats. To ensure you are getting a product that is safe and effective, talk to a veterinarian. A vet-approved flea product is the only way to safely and effectively treat and protect a cat from fleas. You can talk to an online vet if you have any questions or concerns about prescription flea prevention.

Often, a cat shows few to no symptoms of fleas unless they have flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). If a cat does develop itchy, red, inflamed, or crusty skin, it is treated alongside the standard treatment for flea infestation. Treating FAD involves antibiotics and itch relief based on the symptoms the cat is experiencing. Flea preventative, when used year-round, will help prevent future outbreaks of FAD and its related symptoms.

Multiple safe and effective flea-preventative products are available for cats based on their tolerance and the cat owner’s preferences. Topical treatments, oral medications, and flea collars are available to protect cats from fleas. However, not all flea-preventative treatments are created the same. “There are many products sold over the counter that contain potentially toxic ingredients, even though they’re labeled for use in cats,” warns Dr. Jo Myers, a Vetster veterinarian. “Never use a product meant for dogs or split a large dose between two cats, and always use a vet-recommended flea product to ensure its safety and effectiveness for your cat.”

Finding evidence of fleas or flea dirt on an adult cat is not an emergency, but there is a guarantee there are more lurking in your cat's home. Adult fleas living in a cat’s fur only make up 5% of the flea population, with the remaining 95% existing as eggs, larvae, and pupa in the cat’s environment. This is known as the flea pyramid. Combing out adult fleas with a flea comb or killing a few of them with a medicated shampoo does not solve the problem. Eggs will continue to hatch and mature, resulting in more adults who will lay even more eggs.

If you find a flea on your feline friend and they are not on prevention, consult a veterinarian for an effective and safe flea control product based on their tolerance and lifestyle. If they are already on prevention, check with a vet to ensure you are using the products properly. Administer flea prevention on time and year-round for the best protection from fleas.

Keep in mind that it takes a minimum of three months to eradicate fleas from pets and the home, so fleas can return to a pet after initial treatment if prevention is not being used properly and consistently. Ensure all other pets in the household are also on prevention and consider treating the carpet, bedding, and furniture. A virtual vet appointment is a great way to discuss flea prevention and treatment.

What is the most effective flea treatment for cats?

It takes at least three months of continuous flea product use on every pet in the household to effectively eradicate a flea infestation. The type of product is up to the pet owner as well as the cat’s tolerance as long as it is vet-recommended. Many products on the market contain toxic ingredients to cats, even though they’re labeled for use on cats, so always check with your vet before administering any type of flea product.

How do I permanently get rid of fleas on my cat?

The only way to keep fleas at bay is year-round flea prevention that is given on time and in the right dosage. Always use a veterinary-approved flea product to avoid toxicity and ensure effectiveness.

How can I quickly get rid of fleas on my cat?

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix. It takes at least three months of continuous flea prevention in a cat and in the home to fully eradicate a flea infestation. Rapid-knockdown products that begin killing adult fleas within 30 minutes are available, but you’ll be right back where you started as soon as your cat returns to its infested environment if you don't continue with ongoing prevention and decontamination activities.

Can I catch fleas from my cat?

Cat fleas can, and do, bite people. These bites can become itchy and inflamed, but the primary concern is that fleas can also carry diseases, such as plague and cat-scratch disease, that can be spread to people.