Cat Fleas are the most common cause of itching and skin irritation in cats.
Over 90 percent of all feline skin allergies are due to cat fleas. The allergy is actually a reaction to a protein component of the fleas’ saliva. “Allergic cats” bitten by a flea routinely itch themselves until their skin is raw. Most cats allergic to fleas also end up with areas of hair loss and secondary bacterial skin infections. In addition to itching and hair loss cat fleas suck blood, cause anemia, and transmit tapeworms.
FACT: Fleas can jump 3-feet high
SIGNS of CAT FLEAS
Itching on your cat’s head, neck and ears
Flea dirt which is actually dried blood and look like pepper
Hair loss on your cat’s head and neck area
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Signs of cat fleas include itching, especially on the head and neck. If you see tiny black specks that look like dirt, try to confirm that this “dirt” is flea dirt. Simply place it on a cotton ball moistened with water and if it is flea “dirt” it will turn red because of the blood it contains.
Once your feline has been diagnosed with a cat flea problem, you need to treat all of the pets in your home and the home itself. In your house, vacuum the carpets and throw away used vacuum bags so that flea eggs do not hatch in the bag.
TIP: Do NOT put old flea collars in your vacuum as the fumes emitted are toxic.
For your carpeting, try an insect-growth regulator like Pyriproxifen or Methoprine. These are hormone analogies that prevent the flea larvae from developing into adult fleas. These last up to 18 months.
As a natural flea alternative, you can sprinkle sodium polyborate powder, which is “BORAX”, onto your carpet, pound it into the carpet well, and then vacuum. This will protect your home against fleas for up to one year. Be sure to wash your cat’s bedding with hot soapy water.
Finally, bathe all the animals living in your home. Use a cat flea shampoo with pyrethrins or d-limolene as the active ingredient.
In your yard, natural products that contain nematodes like Diatomaceous Earth provide the best protection. Nematodes are live microscopic worms that eat the larval and pupal forms of fleas as well as 250 other outdoor pests. Methoprene (used in Acclaim 2000) and Pyriproxifen (used in Indorex) are also available as yard sprays. One application can last from six to twelve months.
CAT FACT: Constant feline itching may be a sign that your cat is allergic to fleas.
CAT FLEA WARNING
Fleas can live up to one year in your home and yard. If your cat is allergic to fleas, one flea bite sets up a reaction that can cause itching for up to 14 days. Fleas also bite people, primarily their ankles and other pets in your home. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is often the primary problem for cats, dogs and people.
Cats are very susceptible to toxic reactions from flea control products containing traditional insecticides such as Organophosphates and Carbamates. Be sure to read labels and only use flea products specifically approved for your cat.
WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO
Today, prevention is the key to cat flea control. Many new cat flea products are available that last up to 30 days or more and are safe enough for kitten. Most must be prescribed by your vet. Program is a tablet given monthly that contains Lufenuron which causes fleas to lay sterile eggs which do not hatch therefore, environmental contamination is also prevented.
Advantage, Frontline, and Revolution are also cat flea preventative products available in a liquid form, which are applied to the skin on the top of the head or between the shoulder blades at 30-day intervals. Advantage kills fleas. Frontline kills adult fleas on contact and prevents ticks on cats and dogs. It has an alcohol base, which has occasionally caused problems in cats. Revolution is used to prevent fleas, heartworm disease and ear mites. Revolution is also used to treat mange quite effectively. Regardless of the product used, cat flea prevention should start in the spring, when the outdoor temperature reaches 65-70 F on a regular basis.
Cat fleas live primarily in the environment specifically in your home and yard but not on your pet. Cat fleas only stay on your pets long enough to get a blood meal, and then jump back down to the ground and lay more eggs. The presence of just one visible flea on your cat means that thousands more are nearby, that’s why prevention is so important.
FACT: In cats, fleas prefer the head and neck. Fleas bite the ankles and lower legs in people.
TIP: Natural cat flea preventatives are now readily available and most consist of a variety of essential oils and herbs. Beware that many essential oils may be effective to help eliminate fleas but toxicity is a true risk in cats.
About Dr. Carol
Dr. Carol is a pet health researcher, a Board Certified Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat, a published author and a practicing, holistic veterinarian in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
She welcomes new canine and feline patients.
Dr. Carol also offers pet health consultations and answers pet health questions and makes homemade pet diets by phone and e-mail for her online pet loving community.
Pet owners may contact Dr. Carol directly at her veterinary office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for their dog(s) and/or cat(s) today.
Bookmark www.drcarol.com/blog for the latest pet health news, anti-aging tips and updates for your dogs and cats.
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