How can you tell if your cat has fleas?

Question

I've never owned a cat before, and my new cat is allergic to fleas. How can I tell if he has fleas?

Answer 1

Unless there is a heavy infestation, you most likely will not be able to find adult fleas on your cat simply by parting the hair and looking for them.

Purchase an inexpensive "flea comb", which is basically a comb with tines spaced closely together so that fleas cannot pass through the spaces between tines. Use the comb on your kitty, making sure the comb reaches down all the way to the skin. Comb the entire body.

Even if the comb does not pick up adult fleas, if you find "flea dirt", that is enough evidence that fleas are present. Flea dirt is basically flea feces, which is digested blood. This is why flea dirt turns red if smeared on a wet paper towel. Flea dirt is small and black and frequently resembles little commas.

If there is evidence of fleas, you will need to visit your veterinarian to get a flea prevention prescription. Do not use over-the-counter flea medication (including topicals, sprays, baths, dips and collars) as they are frequently harmful to pets and are not very effective at killing fleas.

Answer 2

http://www.armitages.co.uk/vet3.htm
Fleas are small, flat, red-brown insects about the size of a pin-head. They are usually found around the neck or at the base of the tail.

Gently part the coat and you may see the insects scuttling through the fur. You may also see specks of dust like black pepper on the skin. If these specks turn red when dampened with a moist tissue this is flea dirt and is another sign your pet has a flea infestation.

Flea Life Cycle
Adult fleas generally spend most of their life on your pet feeding on blood and laying up to 30 eggs per day. Up to 500 eggs can be laid during an adult flea's lifetime. Flea eggs are white and very smooth so they immediately fall from your pet onto your pet's bedding or your carpets and soft furnishings.


The eggs develop into larvae which feed on organic debris, including tapeworm eggs. The larvae then pupate and can lie dormant for up to 200 days waiting for the right host to come along. These pupae can sense heat and vibrations and can hatch in literally a matter of seconds to jump straight onto your pet and start the whole cycle once again.

Before the days of central heating and fitted carpets the summer months used to be the time when fleas were most active. However fleas can now cause problems all year

Answer 3

All fleas aren't the same. The human flea is Pulex irritans, the cat flea is Ctenocephalides felis and the dog flea is Ctenocephalides canis. All different species. Human fleas are much bigger than cat fleas...although both will suck blood from the other mammal just as dog fleas bite cats etc.. Human fleas were the ones that were generally used in flea circuses when such things existed because of their bigger size.

Answer 4

You may not be able to see them, but they are most likely there. Use a very, very fine comb and comb the kitty while he is on something white. The flea eggs will drop off the comb. They look like v.v. tiny black dots.

You will need to get some form of flea treatment.

There is a lot of stuff available, but I suggest you discuss the options with a vet.

Some mousses and powders are toxic.

I use a monthly treatment that works pretty well. It is a liquid contained in a capsule that we rub on his back between the shoulders

Fleas can transmit tape worm and fleas are not fussy about their food source, so you could end up with some as well if the cat is heavily infested.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Well, if your cat goes out doors, or you have other animals in the house, I would put advantage on him. That stuff works great, and you can get great deals with free shipping on ebay.

But if you just simply want to check for fleas, they usually hang out around the neck or belly..just separate the fur and look at their skin to see if you can see any fleas. Also, check where the cat lays, if he has fleas, you should be able to see little brown/black specs, which is feal doo. You probably won't be able to see any fleas easily if he doesn't go out side, just watch for scratching. If you put advantage on him, it will get rid of any fleas in your house also.

Answer 6

Step 1) Look at cat.
Step 2) See if there are fleas.
Step 3) Remove fleas if you see them.
Step 4) Take preventative care.

Answer 7

Flea combs are good. You comb them with it, then pull the hair out of the comb and onto a paper towel. Sometimes there will be a flea in the comb. Other times, if there are specks, you rub them into the paper towel. If the spots left are red or orange-y then it is probably fleas. A lot of times, with lighter fur, you can see them walking around, especially around the face.

Answer 8

Have you used advantage for fleas? go to the vet and just buy one pack at a time so it's not so expensive. but don't use the over the counter stuff it is toxic and doesn't get rid of fleas. It could kill your cat.

Answer 9

Rack the hair against the grain and check the skin for any crawling bugs or little black flecks, those are most like flea droppings. The main parts where fleas reside are on the stomach, the base of the tail, and the neck.

Answer 10

it will itch. of course. and u may see fleas on his back area. how did u figure out ur cat is allergic to fleas? that is the most absurd thing ive ever heard of!