How can I see if my cat has fleas?

Question

My cat is about 1-1 1/2 years old. he looks something like this:

http://www.catsaid.org/Found%20Black&White%20cat%20jun07%20lost.jpg

so, I can't really see the ticks except on his white parts (tummy, paws,neck. Is there any shampoos or somehting just incase he has fleas. And if dark-coated-cat owners have atrick to actually see or examine cats for fleas, please do share.

Answer 1

It's easy. I've done it on many black cats. Just comb the cat with a flea comb and have a look at the hair on the comb - if the cat has fleas, you will see black specks on the fur, these are flea dirts (poos). If you wet these dirts, they will turn red, as they are digested blood. You can also comb over wet white paper and watch the dirts fall on to the paper and turn red.

You ought to treat your cat regularly really. Don't use a shampoo - these are SUCH a hassle, and you will find they do not work! Please don't use anything from a store, because they aren't allowed to sell the stuff that actually works, so you'd be wasting your money. Get some Frontline, Advantage or Revolution from your vet.

Chalice

Answer 2

usually they will have a bunch of brown crusty specks throughout his fur. For dark cats try separating his/her fur either on the belly or around the neck (where most fleas like to hang out) so you can see the skin, if they have the brown crusties (flea poop...) it means they have fleas. I was never fond of the shampoos since they could never kill all the fleas, plus my cats never like baths. What worked best for my cats were the drops that you put down their back. Or the flea collar. Or, if it's a bad case, a combination of both.

Answer 3

It's hard to see them on a dark coated animal. Check the white areas for fleas or flea dirt - little dark specks - basically flea poop. The best thing to do is use Advantage or Frontline Plus for cats monthly then you don't have to worry.

Answer 4

take a lice comb and run it through his fur and tap the comb on a white tissue and see if any flea dust comes off. Flea dust looks like black dirt. If so take it to the vet and they can tell you what flea medicine is right for your cat.

Answer 5

Just take him to the vet

Answer 6

get a flee comb they get stuck in there