Can Fleas Make a Cat Skinny?

When fleas infest your cat, it is important to recognize the symptoms. One of the most common is extreme weight loss. In more severe cases, your cat may develop anemia due to the parasite’s sucking of blood. Other symptoms to look for include a poor coat and body condition. Regular vet checkups are important to spot flea infestations.

One of the easiest ways to tell if your cat is overweight or skinny is to use your hand to feel its ribs. The ribs are located behind your cat’s front legs. If the ribs feel like the back of your hand, it means that your cat is underweight. If the ribs feel like the knuckles of your hand, it means that your cat has trouble absorbing nutrients.

Keeping your cat indoors also helps you keep fleas at bay. Fleas will continue to feed and live on your cat even if you do not keep them outdoors. Once you remove the fleas, your cat will be less likely to get skinny. Your cat will need special food and water to survive.

In severe cases, fleas can lead to anemia. They carry tapeworm eggs, which cats can swallow during grooming. If your cat becomes anemic, it may require a blood transfusion.