8 Simple Ways Indoor Cats Get Fleas & Tips
This post will be explaining some common ways Indoor cats get fleas and some common ways to prevent fleas.
As the weather gets warmer, many of us are spending more time outside with our pets.
Unfortunately, this also means that our furry friends are more likely to come into contact with fleas.
Fleas are not only a nuisance, but they can also transmit diseases to both pets and humans.
There are a few different ways that cats can get fleas, and it’s important to be aware of them so that you can take steps to prevent your cat from becoming infested.
Signs your cat has fleas
Here are some common signs your cat has fleas:
- Your cat has areas of thick, yellow fur where fleas are most likely to be.
- Your cat has persistent scratching or biting behavior that is not normal for them.
- You find fleas on your cat when you try to vacuum them up.
- You see fleas on your pet’s bedding, furniture, and other areas around the home.
- You have seen an increase in the number of fleas in your area.
- You have seen your cat jump on the furniture or other surfaces more than usual in an attempt to get rid of the fleas.
- You have treated your cat for fleas and they are still getting fleas.
- Your cat starts to develop unnecessary bald patches on its coat.
- Unnecessary shedding
Ways Indoor Cats Get Fleas
Here are some common ways indoor cats get fleas.
Contact with other infested animals
If your cat comes into contact with other animals that have fleas, there’s a good chance they’ll pick up fleas as well.
This is why it’s important to keep your cat up to date on flea prevention and to avoid letting them socialize with other animals that may have fleas.
Going outside
Even if your cat doesn’t socialize with other animals, it can still come into contact with fleas if they go outside.
Fleas are often found in tall grass or in other outdoor areas where animals congregate.
If your cat goes outside, be sure to check them for fleas when they come back inside.
Contact with flea-infested house items
Another way that cats can pick up fleas is by coming into contact with flea-infested items.
This could be anything from another pet’s bedding to a piece of furniture that an infested animal has been sitting on.
If you think your cat may have come into contact with a flea-infested item, be sure to check them for fleas.
Bringing fleas inside
Unfortunately, even the cleanest of homes can’t completely prevent fleas from coming inside.
If your cat goes outside and comes into contact with fleas, they can easily bring them inside on their fur.
Once inside, the fleas can quickly spread to other areas of your home.
Staying in a flea-infested area
If you live in an area that’s infested with fleas, there’s a good chance your cat will pick them up even if they don’t go outside.
Fleas can easily hitch a ride into your home on your clothes or shoes, and once they’re inside they can quickly spread to your cat.
Contact with flea-infested humans
Just as cats can pick up fleas from other animals, they can also pick them up from humans.
If you’ve been in contact with an animal that has fleas, be sure to wash your hands and clothes thoroughly before coming into contact with your cat.
Coming into contact with flea-infested debris
Another common way we see indoor cats get fleas is by coming into contact with flea-infested debris, like dirt, sand, or even leaves that have been infested with fleas.
If your cat goes outside, be sure to check them for fleas when they come back inside.
A quick comb-through with a flea comb can help remove any fleas that may be clinging to their fur.
And, as always, be sure to use a preventative treatment like Frontline Plus for Cats to help keep fleas from taking up residence on your cat in the first place.
Bringing fleas inside on your clothes or shoes
If you’ve been in an area where there are fleas, it’s possible to bring them inside on your clothes or shoes without realizing it.
Once inside, fleas can quickly jump onto your cat and start infesting them.
To help prevent this, be sure to check your clothes and shoes for fleas before coming inside, and consider showering before coming into contact with your cat if you’ve been in an area where there are known to be fleas.
How to prevent cats from getting fleas
Here are some common ways to help prevent your cat from getting fleas:
Keep your cat’s environment clean
One of the best ways to prevent fleas from taking up residence in your home is to keep your cat’s environment clean.
This means regularly vacuuming and washing bedding, as well as any other areas where your cat spends a lot of time.
Avoiding areas where fleas are common
If you live in an area where fleas are common, it’s best to avoid letting your cat outside in those areas.
This includes areas where other animals congregate, like parks or forests.
If you must take your cat into an area where fleas are common, be sure to do a thorough check for fleas when you get home, and treat your cat with a preventative treatment.
Keeping your cat well-groomed
One of the best ways to prevent fleas from taking up residence on your cat is to keep them well-groomed.
This means regular brushing to remove any loose hair and dirt, as well as trimming their nails to prevent them from being able to scratch themselves and make themselves more vulnerable to fleas.
Avoiding contact with other infested animals
If you have other pets in the home, it’s important to avoid letting them come into contact with your cat if they have fleas.
This includes keeping them separated in different rooms or areas of the house, and not letting them share bedding or toys.
If you do suspect that your other pet has fleas, be sure to take them to the vet for treatment right away.
Getting your cat treated for fleas
If your cat does end up with fleas, it’s important to get them treated right away.
There are a number of products on the market that can help, including spot-on treatments like Frontline Plus for Cats, as well as oral medications and shampoos.
Your vet can help you choose the best treatment for your cat based on its individual needs.
Preventing fleas in the first place
The best way to deal with fleas is to prevent them from taking up residence on your cat in the first place.
This can be done by using a preventative treatment like Frontline Plus for Cats, as well as keeping your cat’s environment clean and avoiding areas where fleas are common.
Ways fleas affect cats
Here are some common ways fleas affect cats:
- Fleas can cause skin irritation and allergies in cats.
- Fleas can transmit diseases to cats, including tapeworms, plague, and cat scratch disease.
- By laying eggs in the cat’s fur, fleas can cause a skin rash.
- Fleas can cause a cat to lose weight and become anemic.
- Fleas can cause a cat to develop flea-borne diseases.
- Fleas can lay eggs in a cat’s fur, which can lead to flea larva infestations and flea-borne skin diseases.
- Fleas can cause a cat to scratch excessively and become infected with parasites.
How to treat fleas if your cat does become infected
If you think your cat has fleas, there are a few things you can do to help get rid of them.
First, you’ll want to give your cat a bath. Be sure to use a flea shampoo and follow the directions on the bottle.
You may also want to use a flea comb to help remove any fleas or flea eggs from your cat’s fur.
After the bath, you’ll want to treat your cat with a flea preventative.
There are many different products available, so be sure to talk to your veterinarian to find the best one for your cat.
Some products need to be applied monthly, while others may only need to be applied every few months.
You’ll also want to make sure to vacuum your house regularly and wash your cat’s bedding frequently.
Conclusion
Since there are many ways indoor cats get fleas, there are also different ways to treat and prevent indoor cats from getting fleas.
- Use a flea and tick prevention shampoo.
- Use a flea and tick prevention soap.
- Use a flea and tick prevention cream.
- Use a flea and tick-prevention vacuum cleaner.
- Use a flea and tick prevention fumigator.
- Use a flea and tick prevention insecticide.
