Learning More About Cat Fleas and Ticks
What are the signs that my cat has fleas or ticks?
I'll be honest, some cats are really good groomers and just in normal grooming, they are able to groom those fleas off themselves. Don't rely on seeing fleas on your cat to suspect that they might be there. Itching in a cat, especially around the base of the tail, can often be signs that they have fleas. Ticks, unfortunately, you're not going to see any signs of until you find a tick. I always recommend that we be proactive and not even get to that point.
How can I prevent my cat from getting fleas and ticks?
We have a couple of different products that we recommend. The ones that we sell here at Haywood Road Animal Hospital are topical, applied between their shoulder blades, so no need to give a cat a pill or a chewable tablet. You simply have to squeeze these little drops on the back of their shoulder blades.
What are the best flea and tick treatments for cats?
Prescription flea and tick prevention is the way to go. It is safer. Some of the over-the-counter medications, especially those meant for dogs, can be toxic to cats, so you need to be really careful when using anything that you do not get from us.
How do I check my cat for fleas and ticks?
I like to use a flea comb for cats to look for fleas. These are little combs with tiny metal spokes, and you can just comb them. Sometimes you'll get lucky and catch a flea. Sometimes you'll see little plaque specks that come off of their skin, which is flea dirt or flea poop, essentially. If you see that but no live fleas, it likely means your cat has had fleas and has just groomed them off. For ticks, frequent brushing and grooming is the best way to detect them on your cat.
Can indoor cats get fleas and ticks?
Absolutely. Cats that never leave your house can get them. If you have a dog, the dog can bring them in. We can bring them in; they can come in on our pants, shoes, and socks. The same goes for intestinal parasites. These things are really important. We may think our four walls protect our little guys if they don't go outside, but the truth is they aren't, and they're still at risk.
What should I do if I find a tick on my cat?
First off, don't panic; it's going to be fine. Second, I recommend having someone help you—maybe have someone hold your cat or distract your cat with a treat to take its mind off what you're doing. You want to make sure you get right at the surface of their skin to pull that tick off. There are tools that help you get under the head to remove the whole tick, so it might be helpful to have one in your drawer in case this happens.
How do I safely remove a tick from my cat?
We just talked about that. Look for those little tools. I think they have them on Amazon or at the pet store, and they're inexpensive. It might be worthwhile to have one just in case.
What are the symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis in cats?
Flea allergy dermatitis can really wreak havoc. It is an allergy to the saliva of the flea, so one tiny flea bite on your cat can set them off, starting a cascade of events where they're super itchy. They can lose a lot of hair, get scabs, and develop secondary infections. It can make them uncomfortable and miserable. Often it's on the back area, right at the base of their tail, but not always. It can be anywhere on your cat, so just keep an eye out for that. Other things can cause allergies in cats; it's not always flea allergy, but when a cat presents with itching, that's one of the first things we ask about—any flea prevention.
How often should I treat my cat for fleas and ticks?
It depends on the product. We will always instruct you on the longevity of our products. Usually, it's either monthly or every three months if you get it from us. There is a product that's also every two months for cats, so make sure you're aware of what your individual product recommends.
Are natural flea and tick treatments effective for cats?
They really aren't. Many people want to believe they are, but we see so many cats that come in covered in fleas, despite using coconut oil or other natural products. They're just not effective. Likewise, most over-the-counter products can be dangerous for your cat and aren't effective anymore. They're older products that have been on the market for a long time and just don't do the job.
What are the dangers of untreated flea and tick infestations in cats?
There's a lot. Flea-borne and tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Hemobartonella, which is a flea anemia that we see in cats, can make them very sick. Remember that there are consequences, not only to your household but also to your cat, if we don't prevent these parasites.
Can fleas and ticks transmit diseases to my cat?
Yes, they can. The beauty of the products we sell is they prevent that. They prevent the flea or tick from being able to transmit those diseases, and then they kill the flea or tick, stopping the life cycle and preventing the disease transmission itself.
How can I treat my home for fleas and ticks?
Sometimes it is enough to get flea and tick products from us. Every animal in your household needs to be on prevention to make it work. If you have a severe enough flea infestation, you need to call pest control. There are things they can do to spray your house or yard. A severe infestation can be challenging to control, and once you get it under control, you want to keep it under control by keeping your pets on flea and tick prevention.
Are flea collars safe and effective for cats?
It depends. There is one, the Seresto collar, that tends to work well. It doesn't work quite as well as some of our other products, but if there's a reason to use a collar, that's the only one I recommend. Any other over-the-counter ones could be dangerous and won't work.
What should I do if my cat has a severe flea infestation?
Bring them in. Fleas can cause anemia and tapeworms when a cat eats a flea. They can then produce tapeworms in their intestines, so that's always something we want to check a cat for if it has a severe infestation.
How can I tell if the flea treatment is working on my cat?
Are you still seeing fleas? Unfortunately, cats with flea allergies, once bitten, may not improve even after getting rid of the fleas. Sometimes we have to treat your cat's skin and secondary infections. You can't always rely on the fact that your cat is no longer itching.
Can kittens be treated for fleas and ticks, and if so, how?
Yes, they can. The monthly product we carry works great for kittens, and we can send very tiny kittens home with it and get them started right away.
What are the side effects of flea and tick medications in cats?
One of the most common side effects, especially if a cat can get around and lick that area, is hypersalivation and drooling. They don't like the taste of it; sometimes even the smell will make them drool. Any other side effects are very rare, and we almost never see them.
How do I choose the right flea and tick prevention for my cat?
Come in and talk to us. We want you to get the most effective and safest product. It's never a good day when an owner calls trying to do the right thing and got an over-the-counter product, and now is bringing a cat who may die because of this product. Please come talk to us, call us, and we can direct you to the right product for your cat.
What should I do if my cat has a reaction to a flea or tick treatment?
If it's a product we sold you, reactions are very rare, but call us and let us know. We want to report it to the company and do whatever needs to be done for your pet. If your cat is having any trouble with any product, please call us and let us direct what you need to do. If it's overnight, especially with an over-the-counter product, take your cat to the ER, as those can be fatal and happen quickly. Many things need to be done to mitigate the risk to your cat when that occurs.
Do I only have to worry about fleas and ticks during flea and tick season?
You have to worry about fleas and ticks 365 days a year. In Greenville, we don't get cold enough. It has to be really cold for a long period for ticks to completely die off. If we get a couple of cold days, ticks hibernate, and then if we get a 70-degree day, they come back out. There's no off-season for fleas and ticks in the Greenville area. Very few places in the country can get away with only doing prevention during certain months. Here at Haywood Road Hospital, we definitely recommend 12 months out of the year, even for indoor-only cats, to keep them safe.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (864) 288-7472, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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