Fleas are small, wingless insects which can cause misery for pets and their owners. Using specialized mouth parts used for biting and siphoning blood, the flea injects a tiny bit of saliva into the skin to stop the blood from coagulating making it easier to suck. On many pets, the flea bite does not cause any irritation, however, in some more sensitive pets, the effects can be severe, such as itching and scratching.
Fleas can quickly invade your cat’s fur and in turn, your home, and can spread like wildfire. You may not notice until it is too late that your cat has brought fleas in. By watching for your cat scratching more than normal, or chewing or biting an area of skin until it is raw can be signs that fleas are present and he may have developed a skin disease known as flea allergy dermatitis.
To combat this, you need to get in the habit of checking your cat regularly for fleas and any sign of their excrement, which when dampened slightly, turns a reddish brown color as it contains blood. As well as regular checking, a topical insecticide spray, powder or dip should be used periodically to get rid of the fleas. However, if your home is infested or you have more than one cat or other pets, then a more concentrated product should be used on a regular basis. Your local veterinarian will be able to assist with recommending the best products to suit your pet and home.
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