|
Overview:
Cat fleas are the cause of many a headache for pet owners. Once you have them in your environment, they can prove rather difficult to eradicate. So, this article looks at ways to prevent cat fleas in the first place.
It is important to bear in mind that cat fleas are more than just a nuisance to you & your cat. They can also cause anemia & tapeworm in cats & some poor felines also suffer allergies as a result of flea bites (see flea allergy dermatitis). They are a source of discomfort & just not pleasant to have.
The problem is that only a small percentage of fleas actually live on your cat. Here is a breakup of the flea population;
5% of adult fleas live on your cat.
10% are pupae
35% are larvae
50% are eggs
Preventing fleas on your cat:
Good flea control is your first defence.
There are several methods of flea control for cats: These products vary in price & effectiveness.
Flea collar, shampoo, flea combs, spray, tablets, powders, insect growth regulators & topical treatments.
Flea collars: There are many different types of flea collar on the market. Some are insecticide only & work by killing adult fleas on the cat. Other flea collars contain IGR's to kill the eggs & larvae.
Flea collars often only kill fleas on the cat's head & neck, but fleas further down the body survive.
Shampoo/Dips: Flea shampoos contain insecticides which kill adult fleas.
Flea Combs: Flea combs aren't overly effective, only removing 10 - 50% of fleas on your cat. If you wish to use this method place a small bowl of water with some detergent in it close by & drop the fleas into the bowl. This will drown the fleas. Placing a small amount of petroleum jelly onto the teeth of the comb will help the fleas stick to it.
Flea Powders: Flea powders will kill adult fleas on the cat. Powders may cause the cat's coat to dry out & also may be irritating to the cat's oral & respiratory mucosa.
Oral suspensions: Program® is given to cats via an oral suspension once a month. The product is added to the cat's food & is absorbed into the bloodstream. When a flea bites a cat treated with Program it ingests the active ingredient (lufenuron), which is passed to her eggs & prevents them from hatching. As this product only prevents eggs from hatching, an appropriate adulticide will also be needed to kill adult fleas. Seek advice from your veterinarian before using more than one product on your cat. It is also extremely important to speak to your veterinarian if you are considering treating a pregnant or nursing cat. They will be able to recommend the safest treatment for your cat.
Spot on treatments: Topical adulticide. There are several effective products on the market which are administered via liquid form to the cat's shoulders. These are available through your veterinarian or online pet product store. These products are very effective for killing adult fleas on your cat. The active ingredient varies from product to product. Application is generally once a month.
When applying a flea product to a cat it is important to follow the instructions on the packet to the letter. Cats are extremely sensitive to chemicals & if you are using one than one product your cat may be exposed to too many toxins, resulting in sickness or death.
Some of the most effective & popular topical flea control products used on cats (and dogs) include Advantage, Revolution & Frontline.
Revolution also kills worms (except tapeworm), so makes life a bit easier for pet owners, according to the Bayer site, Advantage also kills flea larvae in the pet's environment too.
Cat Flea Sprays: There are some effective cat flea sprays on the market. Frontline make such a spray. Wear rubber gloves while applying the spray to your cat while ruffling the coat. Avoid contact with the eyes & mouth.
Warning: Don't ever use flea products designed for other pets on your cat & ALWAYS follow the dosage chart on the back of the packet.
Preventing fleas in your home & garden:
Regular vacuuming is also important. Flea larvae live on dirt & debris, therefore it is wise to keep floors as clean as possible. Don't forget to pay attention to under & behind furniture & in nooks & crannies. It is also a good idea to put a flea collar in your vacuum cleaner bag, just incase you do pick up any fleas. When vacuuming pay close attention to areas your cat sleeps & eats & regularly wash their bedding.
If you are moving into a new house, have it sprayed by a commercial pest control company before moving in. Always advise them that you have cats so they can use a pet friendly product.
There are many insecticides available to treat & prevent fleas in the home. These include aerosols, foggers (also known as bombs) & powders. When using such a product, ensure your floor is free of toys & clothes. Store food in the fridge, remove pet food & water bowls & cover fish tanks. Pay attention to hard to reach areas where fleas like to hang out, such as under sofas, beds, favourite spots your pet sleeps etc.
You must pay attention to outdoor areas too. This includes keeping your garden neat, tidy & free of debris.
Even if you don't own pets yourself, your home can still become infested via stray & neighbourhood animals. Preventing these animals entering your garden or home can also assist in keeping fleas at bay.
Speak to your local pest control about pesticides you can use around the garden to keep fleas at bay. Remember, if you have fleas outside, they can be transferred indoors via humans & household pets. |
Flea combs aren't overly effective, only removing 10 - 50% of fleas on your cat. If you wish to use this method place a small bowl of water with some detergent in it close by & drop the fleas into the bowl. This will drown the fleas. Placing a small amount of petroleum jelly onto the teeth of the comb will help the fleas stick to it. 
Topical adulticide. There are several effective products on the market which are administered via liquid form to the cat's shoulders. These are available through your veterinarian or online pet product store. These products are very effective for killing adult fleas on your cat. The active ingredient varies from product to product. Application is generally once a month. 