Search about cats

Help, My Cats Got Fleas

Every cat owner at one point or another will get a flea infestation. Getting fleas is not only unpleasant for the cat, but can often cause many problems in the home for the owners.

Cat fleas can live happily for months, dormant in larvae form until a suitable animal comes along. This means that they live in carpet and around the home, unseen by the normal inhabitants.

There are a few things the house owner can do to prevent their cat from getting fleas. Cats can have a monthly flea treatment, which is normally in the form of drops that are applied to the back of the neck; the mixture in the drops deters the fleas from jumping on the cat. There is also a choice of powders and sprays that can be used in the same manner. Often the cats do not like the spray due to its noise, but powder is acceptable. If the cat wears a collar, the owner can purchase a flea collar to provide constant treatment, although this will need to be replaced regularly.

Once the cat has been treated for fleas, attention should be turned to the house. If the owner has only recently moved in, it could be that the previous occupants had cats (or even dogs), and the fleas have remained. There are plenty of ways to treat fleas that are living in the house. The owner can buy a carpet powder, which is designed it be sprinkled on the carpet and left for a few hours, killing all fleas and larvae which can then be vacuumed up. There is also the option of getting a professional in to do the work as well. Often professionals will fumigate the house, but there are some specialist carpet cleaners who will just do the carpets and upholstery if fumigating is not an option.

There are many more pet and family friendly methods of flea killing available on the market. One is designed using a heat lamp and sticky paper, the idea is that the heat is associated with a passing animal and the fleas jump and land on the sticky paper and get stuck. Although this may not be the solution for a severe infestation.

Fleas are normally a problem for cats during the summer months when it is warmer, as fleas don't like cold weather. The owner should not let their guard down when it comes to winter months, as there may still be some fleas around and stopping them when there is only a few can be much easier than trying to control an infestation.

Written by Laura Marsh. Did you find the information on cat fleas useful? You can find out more great cat information at http://www.caringforyourcat.info

No comments:

Post a Comment