Are fleas pestering your cat? Here’s how you can get rid of it

Having a furry pet is therapeutic, and you will never be short of stories to narrate to your friends and work buddies. There are dog persons, and then there are cat persons. The debate between which of these are the perfect companion has been going on for decades, and both the parties bring a strong argument to the table.

People usually prefer feline counterparts as they are known to be independent, and are perfectly at peace even when you go to work, and they have the house to themselves. However, like children, cats too are vulnerable to various disease. Also, their furry coat is mistaken for by fleas and ticks as their new abode, and they reside in them, causing great discomfort to the animal and the human as well.

If you are a proud new owner of a furry kitten, you need to keep yourself updated with the various diseases that affect cats, and why it is imperative to steer clear of fleas. So, keep reading.

What are the common diseases that affect cats?

Like humans, cats too are vulnerable to a variety of diseases, such as-

• Rabies
• Heartworm
• Vomiting
• Tick infestation
• Flea infestation
• Kidney failure
• Hookworm infection
• Gingivitis
• Ringworm
• Toxoplasmosis

Of these, a flea infestation is the most common problems that affect the cats and their owners as well. If left unattended for a long time, the fleas multiply at a faster rate, and the fleas will start harming the human as well.

What are the consequences of a flea infestation?

• Fleas are like every other parasite thrive in warm and moist places. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that your cat’s fur might become its home.
• Fleas cause great discomfort to cats, and they try to get rid of the fleas by scratching incessantly. When they keep scratching the affected area persistently, there are high chances that it might result in the opening of wounds on the skin.
• With wounds comes the maggot-problem, and if you have a furry cat, there are chances that you might be unable to sense the danger since it is camouflaged by the fur.
• Also, fleas stick to the cat’s body and suck blood. As the infestation increases, the number of fleas feeding off the cat increases and the cat might suffer from anemia if it persists.

Which are the effective cat flea treatment methods?

What one needs to understand is that the fleas that affect different animals and humans vary. The cat fleas are different from dog fleas, and the damage they inflict varies. However, there are various cat flea treatments which ensure that your cat is free of fleas. They are as follows-

• The flea comb is one of the easiest cat flea treatment method. The flea comb is specially designed to get rid of fleas that cling to the cat’s fur. Use the flea comb almost everyday if you spot your cat scratching more than usual.
• Apple cider vinegar is known to work wonders for humans, and it is safe to use it on your cat as well. Dilute the apple cider vinegar and spray it on your cat’s fur. The smell of this concoction is enough to drive the fleas away from your cat’s body, which makes this one of the most-effective cat flea treatment method.
• Fleas aren’t just present on your cat’s body; they can thrive anywhere in the surrounding- your carpet or even your curtains. So, vacuum the entire place religiously. It is one of the prevention methods since it kills the larvae laid by the fleas.
• Nothing beats a good shower. So, rinse that ball of fur with the best shampoo you can lay your hands on, and rinse and repeat till the fleas decide to flee.

So, the next time your cat starts scratching itself persistently, give your cat a nice warm bath.