How to remove fleas from a cat at home

A cute, purring animal that cuddles and eagerly awaits your arrival home can also be sick and suffer from various ailments.

The symptoms of a four-legged animal having unwanted inhabitants in its fur are quite easy to recognize:

The animal constantly itches and struggles in attempts to clean its fur;
The cat becomes weak and has a tired, unhealthy appearance;
With prolonged infection with parasites, the cat's gums and oral mucosa become pale;
If pests are not detected on your four-legged friend in time, then brownish-red marks will appear on the skin from nit bites and excrement;
If there are fleas, the skin is scratched and may have wounds.

At the first suspicion that fleas have settled in your furry friend, it is important to understand whether this is so. It's quite easy to determine:

Carefully examine the skin near the ears ; as a rule, the favorite place for fleas is there;
Rub a cotton towel over the skin and fur ; if there are pests, then there will be traces of a brownish color on it;
Examine your pet as a whole; if there are a lot of fleas , then you will be able to notice fleas and laid eggs with the naked eye;
Monitor your pet's behavior : when there are fleas in his fur, he behaves restlessly and excitedly, constantly itching and cleaning himself.

If, after checking, you realize that your pet has fleas, you need to make a decision as quickly as possible on the way to remove them, so that complications and unpredictable consequences do not arise.

Flea removal products

Modern owners of domestic cats are lucky, because they will be able to choose the product that is best suited for their pet or pet. Fortunately, today there are quite a lot of products in the range of products that treat furry pets from unexpected residents in wool.

Collars

As a rule, such a device for getting rid of fleas is worn on cats and kittens that go for walks outside. But, if an animal that is constantly at home has enemies, then you can use the collar for them too.

Advantages of the collar:

It is impregnated with special oils that have a detrimental effect on parasites;
Fleas that visit the device directly die;
Those who did not manage to get to the collar run away from their temporary “home”;
The substance with which the collar is impregnated is protection not only from fleas, but also from ticks and other insects that can harm the health and peace of mind of your beloved pet.
In addition to helping to rid the cat of nits, the collar also helps eliminate unpleasant fur odor.

Among the collars you can choose from:

The Beaphar collar costs approximately 200 rubles. Helps get rid of fleas for 5 months.
The SOS anti-parasite collar costs about 300 rubles and will help remove harmful inhabitants of cat fur as quickly and effectively as possible.
The Multix collar will rid your pet of biting pests for 2 months in advance, the cost is about 350 rubles.

Flea drops

Another fairly popular means for removing fleas from furry pets are drops. This product is filled with special substances and components that poison unwanted guests in the fur of your cat.

You can choose from the following:

Celandine. These drops will help remove unwanted residents from your pet’s fur as quickly as possible and protect them from visiting them again for 2 months. The cost of the drug is approximately 200 rubles.
Inspector drops will help quickly relieve your furry pet from suffering. The cost is 300 rubles.
BlokhNet max cost only about 60 rubles. The effect from them is as high as from expensive drugs.

Sprays

Flea spray is very effective and often used. Its effect on parasites has been appreciated by many owners of furry cats and seals whose fur has harmful fleas.

Spray benefits:

Its impact is almost immediate;
One use is enough to completely get rid of parasites;
This product can be used to treat not only the animal, but also the room in which it resides;
The spray is easily washed off from the animal's fur, which makes the fate of the owners easier;
The cost of the spray is as affordable as other products.

Pay attention to the following tools:

This spray will help get rid of parasites in a short period of time. The cost of the drug is affordable and is no more than 180 rubles.
Delix spray will save the animal from problems associated with nits. The cost is approximately 140 rubles.
Celandine spray will effectively and quickly rid your animal of fleas in its fur. The cost is 180 rubles.

Shampoos

This product is quite effective in fighting fleas. It has special substances that repel and neutralize parasites in the animal’s fur and skin. The cat easily tolerates such flea removal, as it is immediately washed off from her.

The only thing that can be noted as disadvantages of flea shampoos is:

Not an immediate effect, requires repeated use;
Not all cats will agree to this method of getting rid of fleas, since many members of the feline family do not really like to bathe;
Some shampoos do not have a very pleasant smell, so you should definitely smell the product before purchasing.

You can give preference to the following drugs:

Phytoelite is an affordable, about 60 rubles, and highly effective product.
BIO-GROOM shampoo costs approximately 1000 rubles. Helps get rid of parasites in an animal’s fur as quickly and easily as possible.
A badger costs about 30 rubles. It will help you quickly and easily save your animal from flea bites.

Injections and pills

In the case of neglected fleas, the animal can damage its skin so much by scratching that surface treatments can cause discomfort and cause discomfort to the cat. In such cases, drug treatments such as injections or tablets are used.

Situations in which it is better to give preference to this particular remedy:

The cat has wounds on the skin;
Tried external remedies did not give the expected result;
Parasites have settled in the pet’s fur and skin for a long time and caused bodily harm;
As recommended by a veterinarian.

You can choose the following drugs:

Comfortis tablets cost approximately 4,000 rubles. The product will help not only save the cat from fleas that have already settled, but also protect against their reappearance.
Bravekta tablets that will help treat and prevent fleas in cats. They cost approximately 1000 rubles.
NexGard tablets will effectively help protect the animal from the effects of parasites in the fur. Costs approximately 100 rubles.

Preparations based on insecticides

If arthropod insects spoil a pet’s life, this is a serious problem for the owner and you need to choose a way to solve it. Modern exterminators to kill ectoparasites will help you remove fleas from your cat at home . They are noticeably different from each other:

chemical composition;
method of application;
validity period.

The products available for self-use are divided into four main types:

Folk remedies

Of course, as in treating people, among the owners of beautiful purring creatures there are connoisseurs of traditional medicine. This may not always benefit the cat, but it is worth trying this option to get rid of nits.

There are quite a lot of means and substances for the folk method of removing unexpected guests from wool; it is important to correctly combine the components:

Lavender with eucalyptus has a good effect on the cat and helps to expel unwanted insects from the fur of your beloved pet;
Wormwood is an excellent remedy for treating a cat against fleas;
Rosemary tincture helps perfectly in the process of removing parasites from wool;
Garlic can be an effective remedy for pests in the fur and skin of animals, but it is important to prepare it correctly, a small amount of garlic is diluted with a liter of water and infused, then a little applied to the pet’s withers.

It is possible to treat an animal with folk remedies only under special circumstances when other options are contraindicated. Also, such methods are best used by those people who understand this type of treatment, so as not to harm their pet.

Fleas in a domestic cat: treatment

The market for parasite control products for pets is growing at a rapid pace. The choice is overwhelming. You should always take into account the age, weight and degree of infection of the animal.

Anti-flea shampoos. Quite popular among breeders, easy to apply, but not always safe. Study the composition carefully. They also have a rather short-term effect - some parasites die and others immediately jump in.

Mousse (foam) against fleas. It is quite well tolerated by animals. Economical in consumption. Usually a very small amount of this product is enough to treat the entire cat.

Flea sprays. Effective, but not very convenient to use. Animals often lick them off immediately after application. This is harmful to their health. Sprays must be applied in stages, and the cat will become stressed each time. Apply the product first to your hand and only then to the animal’s fur. There is no need to spray the cat like a plant from a spray bottle to prevent the drug from getting on the mucous membranes. The direction of processing is from head to tail, and not vice versa. Do not buy products containing organophosphates.

Attention! Kittens should not be sprayed until they are three months old!

Powders. Extremely inconvenient. They dry out the animal's skin and can cause allergies. Insecticidal agents in ampoules, which are a concentrated solution. May be unsafe for both humans and pets. Plus - low cost.

Anti-flea collars. Should be worn after the main treatment and as a preventive measure. Some collars contain a substance that is harmful to the cat. Advice: The choice of insecticide should be approached with great responsibility, carefully read the instructions, and study contraindications. If even the slightest doubt arises, you should seek advice from a veterinarian who will tell you what to do.

Various insect control products are suitable for treating your home; they can be found at any hardware store. Sprays are very popular. They are practically safe for people and animals.

Getting rid of fleas in pregnant, lactating cats and kittens

Naturally, a pregnant four-legged pet should be treated as carefully as a pregnant woman. Gestating cats are sensitive to various components and should not be treated with toxic or harmful substances against pests. It is best to consult a veterinarian before treatment.

Products for a pregnant, lactating cat, or kitten may include:

Special shampoos, they are as harmless and effective as possible;
Non-toxic and gentle sprays;
Special oils that are suitable for pregnant cats or kittens;
For pregnant cats or their children, you can try traditional methods of treating parasites.

In any case, you need to consult a veterinarian; he will select the most harmless and suitable remedy for your pet and her babies:

Advantage drops. This product will help rid a pregnant cat or kitten of parasites in its fur without harm to its health. The cost ranges from 150 to 200 rubles.
Fiprist spot-on, costing 150 rubles and more, will help to harmlessly rid a pregnant cat of pests.
Frontline will help your cat get rid of harmful insects in her fur. They cost approximately 200 rubles.

Ways to control fleas in cats (video)

Other collars are impregnated with essential oils of repellent plants - Persian chamomile, wormwood and other herbs. The smell of these plants repels fleas. The collar heats up from the cat’s skin and essential oils evaporate more actively, which determines the effectiveness of the protective product.

The collars work for several months, reliably protecting the cat from insects. Their convenience is that they do not need to be removed.

Prevention does not take as much time and money as treating an animal. But it protects cats from many problems and prevents them from becoming acquainted with fleas, saving the animal owner from unnecessary hassle and visits to the veterinarian.

Why are fleas dangerous?

Fleas are not just pests crawling on the skin and fur, they can be dangerous and even lead to the death of the animal if not treated in time.

What is the danger:

These parasites eat the skin and drink the cat's blood.
Their saliva is toxic and causes irritation on damaged parts of the skin.
Pests can cause anemia, especially in cats;
If treatment is delayed for a long time, the pet’s fur will deteriorate and bald patches may appear;
Various infections can penetrate through damaged areas of a cat's skin, including murine typhus;
When parasites remain in a pet's fur for a long time, they cause itching and pain.

If the disease is detected in a timely manner and measures are taken immediately, then the risk of serious consequences is reduced significantly.

Are parasites dangerous for humans?

You can often hear that fleas are transmitted from a sick pet to humans. However, in general, these cat pests do not pose a significant threat to humans, since bites are rare. They love environments where there is wool because... they feel comfortable there and can hide.

These harmful insects do not live on the smooth bodies of people, which do not have such a strong odor as animals. If the bloodsucker switches to a person, it immediately returns to a more comfortable existence in the animal’s fur.

However, there is information about isolated cases of bites. Fleas, like other blood-sucking insects, are carriers of infectious diseases: encephalitis, hepatitis, brucellosis and other dangerous infections. In addition, they can cause allergic reactions in people.

Therefore, if parasites are detected, it is better not to sleep next to an infected animal and immediately begin to treat it.

Eliminating the consequences of infection

If, after treatment with the chosen methods, your four-legged friend still has consequences in the form of wounds, abrasions, baldness, or infections, you need to provide the necessary medical care to the pet.

Depending on the severity of the consequences, you need to choose means and ways to rid the animal of the disease:

If these are scratches and abrasions , then it is necessary to treat the wounds with antiseptic agents that are gentle and effective on the cat’s skin;
In case of baldness due to fleas , you need to use special shampoos and ointments that will help restore lost hair and accelerate its growth;
The infection must be treated with medications , which should be prescribed by a veterinarian after examining the cat.

In any case, you should not make decisions on your own; it is better to seek advice from a specialist who will help make the treatment of your furry pet targeted and effective.

Prevention

Of course, preventing parasites from getting on the skin and fur of your pet is the most important thing. Prevention methods to choose for cat owners:

You can regularly put a flea collar on your cat , especially if she walks outside and often encounters possible sources of infection;
Bathing the cat once a week with a special shampoo or regular cat shampoo;
Cleaning the room where the pet lives , washing floors, wiping down furniture and cleaning the cat’s house;
Sterilization of the premises from parasites using special means (during exit from the premises);
Checking a cat's fur for the presence of parasites , timely detection is the highest probability of quick and painless treatment.

To ensure your kitty never suffers from biting fleas, take preventive measures to prevent parasites from getting on your kitty's fluffy fur. Let your pet delight you with its enthusiasm, new discoveries and health.