Where Does My Cat Get Fleas From?
WouterThere are several ways for indoor cats to get fleas. Fleas can be carried inside the home on clothes, shoes, and your cat’s fur. They also jump onto humans and can cause an infestation. A cat that has fleas will scratch, bite, and shed fur more frequently than a cat without fleas.
Fleas feed on the blood of the host animal to complete their life cycle. Once they have enough blood, they lay their eggs. The eggs will grow into larvae, pupae, and adult fleas within a week. Once they have completed their life cycle, they will breed and infest a cat.
Fleas are small parasites that live on cats and feed on their blood. You may notice flea dirt around your home that looks like ground black pepper. Flea dirt is the faecal matter that fleas excrete. Fleas are fast, but they don’t like light.
Fleas can live anywhere and are carried by people, other animals, and pets. Flea eggs can be carried by people who come into your home. These people could include pet sitters, house cleaners, and delivery drivers. If you have an outdoor cat, it’s important to keep it indoors.
A veterinarian can recommend a topical flea treatment for your cat. Some vets recommend Frontline or Advantage. These treatments are applied on the back of your cat’s neck and kill fleas for up to a month. Repeat applications are necessary if fleas come back. Various products contain harmful chemicals that can harm your cat’s health.
