When Do Cats Get Fleas?
WouterYour cat may scratch a lot, which may be a sign of fleas. But you should be cautious, because fleas can cause more serious health problems than scratching. Flea bites cause itching, soreness, and inflammation of the skin. They can also spread to humans and other household pets. Fleas can also cause hair loss. Some cats are allergic to flea saliva. To spot a flea infestation, look for full-grown fleas. These are small, flat, and dark brown.
Fleas live on your cat’s body and feed on its blood. You may also notice flea dirt, which looks like dark soil and is actually cat’s digested blood. This dirt can be a sign of flea infestations, but you may not notice it at first. Fleas prefer dark environments.
If your cat scratches a lot, it is possible that it has fleas. Fleas are usually reddish brown or black. You can often see them with the naked eye, but you can also spot them with a fine-toothed comb. They will appear in the teeth of the comb, and they will also deposit red-brown fecal matter.
Fleas can live for up to two years, feeding on their host. After finding a host, female fleas will begin to lay eggs. Eggs fall off of the host animal into the environment. Flea dirt provides a good source of food for their larvae, which may hatch within two days. Flea eggs are carried into the home on clothes, shoes, or cat fur. The adult fleas hatch and bite humans.
