When Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet For Fleas?
WouterIf your cat is suffering from fleas, the best course of action is to take it to the vet for treatment. Using over-the-counter flea products won’t do much. Your veterinarian can also recommend a specific flea treatment for your cat. Ideally, you should also get all your household pets treated for fleas.
Fleas can cause allergic reactions in some cats. This is called flea allergy dermatitis. In severe cases, the itching can lead to wounds, scabs, and infections on the skin. Even indoor cats are susceptible to fleas, because other pets can bring them in. Fleas can also transmit parasites to humans.
Non-prescription flea treatments can be purchased at a pet shop or online. The best way to demonstrate the presence of fleas is to use a flea comb over a white surface. You should notice red-brown blood marks. These marks are the fleas’ fecal matter, and are indicative of flea infestation.
Fleas are usually brown or reddish in color. Fleas are tiny, about the size of a grain of rice. They live in your pet’s hair and move quickly. Flea dirt (feces) is a brownish-black color that turns red under water.
If you suspect your cat has fleas, you can take him to the vet for a checkup. Your vet will be able to diagnose the infestation and recommend treatment.
