Fleas are a big problem, and when it comes to your kitty, the situation is made even more difficult by the irritation these pesky parasites cause. The problem is that your cat scratches and bites, which results in skin irritation due to the presence of fleas. The most important thing as a cat owner is to recognize that your tabby cat is actually suffering from fleas. This article will give you enough ideas on that along with the serious effects that fleas can have on her.
Before we get down to the core topic, it’s very important to understand what exactly fleas are and how they affect your furry friend. Fleas are blood-sucking parasites that are visible when you part your kitty’s fur and examine the skin with close scrutiny. These pests have powerful hind legs that allow them to easily jump and move through the cat’s fur. To confirm the presence of fleas on your cat, hold the pet upright. Keep a piece of white paper under his paws. Try to rough up the fur. If you see dark things falling smoothly on the paper, spray them with a defroster bottle filled with water.
In case the dark stuff is bleeding on the paper with a reddish stain, it means it’s flea dirt, the fecal matter of adult fleas, which is mostly made up of your cat’s dried blood. If there is sand-and-pepper colored residue on the kitty’s skin, it means there are fleas on her body. The white things you see are nothing more than flea eggs. While the dark ones are earth fleas, which the newly hatched larvae will soon feed on.
Three serious effects of fleas on cats
- These pesky parasites can have adverse effects on your feline and other pets residing in the home. It also harms the humans who share the environment. A flea bite can cause irritation and itchiness in cats. Certain cats are allergic to flea saliva which can result in great distress and discomfort for them. If your kitty is allergic to flea bites, she will bite the affected area until her hair grows and the area turns red and raw. It can even lead to dermatitis, which can get even worse, if the itching doesn’t go away.
- Even the dog’s tapeworm can cause a flea infestation, as the fleas become hosts for these worms which are ingested by the feline while grooming. There are certain fleas that carry tapeworm cysts. What is peculiar about these tapeworms is that they grow in the kitten’s intestine, which can be seen as small worm segments near the anus. This is the most common form of tapeworm seen in cats. It is mainly caused due to fleas.
- Human beings are not spared from fleas either. Young kittens have a painful, allergic reaction to a flea bite. The problem is since these pesky parasites have the ability to fly more than 12 inches. They can invade your feet, lower legs, and ankles, all the while attacking and sucking your blood.
Since flea bites are extremely lethal to your kitty’s health, it’s important to get a good flea preventative on the market; to get rid of these irritating pests.
