Easy Cat Care Tips: How To Fight Fleas
A friend of mine who has a cat was recently complaining that her cat was suffering from fleas. Why do I mention this? Well, her cat is a real lap-cat, who loves staying indoors getting plenty of attention from her human owners and never spends time with other kitties. So how could she have got fleas?
This story just goes to show that good flea prevention tactics are important for all cat owners, no matter what habits your kitty has! Humans with cats rarely suffer from cat flea bits, which is due to the fact that cats’ bodies are hotter than humans’ and fleas will always go for the warmer body. But still, flea bites can leave your cats irritated, listless and in pain whilst severe cases can lead to weakness and the loss of fur. No-one wants that for their cat. So here are some easy cat care tips: flea treatment style.
Treat your cat regularly!
Three months is the minimum period between flea treatment doses. If you have many cats or if your cats go out socializing a lot, then you might want to give them top-up flea treatments every 5 weeks or so.
Make sure to only use flea powders and other flea prevention medicines that have been provided by a reputable pet supply store, or from your veterinarian. The last thing you want is a poor quality flea powder that leaves your kitty with a rash! Doing a spot-check (i.e. dabbing a little of the flea gel or powder on your cat’s fur to check it does not cause any side effects) is always a good idea when you are starting a new type of flea treatment!
Make the flea treatment fun!
Understandably, many cats can feel apprehensive around medicines or vet visits. So make sure to give them a lot of love and affection around flea treatment time so that they do not end up running away and wedging themselves under the couch whenever you open that package of flea-killing gel! Flea treatments are very easy to apply. As well as traditional powders, you can now get gels that you simply squeeze onto the back of your kitten’s neck and which then spread naturally throughout their coat.
Do not just treat your cat
Fleas and flea eggs can be brought in to the house on your shoes or your clothing: if you visit a friend who has cats and they weave around your legs, then they can transfer those pesky critters and their eggs to your pants. Flea eggs can lie in wait on your carpet and in your cat’s bedding too. The fleas themselves can survive for months without a host, so even if you have treated your cat, all your good work will be undone if your carpet has a family of fleas living in it.
Luckily, you can also get flea treatments for carpets and bedding too, so why not go the whole shebang? Treat your home as well as your pet with flea powder, and wash your cat’s bedding regularly in a nice hot wash as well.
