Cat Flea Control - Are fleas bugging your cat?

If you have a cat, you worry about a lot of different things, from what to feed them to what veterinarian to see. High on every cat owners list of worries are fleas. Fleas cause issues that go well beyond your pets’ discomfort, they can literally effect their health and yours.

Flea control is a part of responsible cat ownership, plain and simple.Even if you cat doesn’t go outside, it can still contract fleas. Fleas cause an allergic reaction in some cats called "pruritus", which can lead to severe scratching and even bleeding, hair loss and weight loss for the cat. To effectively stop a flea infestation, you need to understand how these parasites operate.

If your cat has allergic dermatitis caused by flea bites, you will notice that the scratching is elevated and may be accompanied by chewing of the bites as well. This type of severe reaction can lead to loose of fur and may need additional medical treatment in addition to the elimination of the fleas themselves.

Flea control is important even if your cat is not allergic to them. Fleas can cause health issues for cats too including anemia from the loss of blood, tapeworms (fleas eat the eggs and transmit them to other animals) and skin infections from the bites caused by fleas. Any one of these flea related health issues can have dire consequences for your pet.

Now that we have established how important flea control is for both you and your cat, it is time to address the many options that are available to you. If your cat has not yet acquired fleas, then the use of powders and dips can be a step in preventing them.

Flea collars can be very effective at maintaining flea control and are quite useful used in conjunction with powders, dips or sprays. The most effective means of flea control are spot on liquids that are applied to the back of the cat's neck and rid the animal of not only fleas, but, quite often, ticks and tapeworms as well in one easy treatment that takes only seconds.

Because flea eggs do not stay on the cat, it is very important to treat the cats bedding, carpet and furniture. If this step is missed, the fleas will keep reappearing no matter the amount of flea medication that you use on your pet. The use of flea bombs and a good vacuuming will help in your quest to rid your cat of fleas for good.

Whatever decision you make as to the form of flea control, it is important to follow the manufactures directions. Because fleas can live in a state of suspended animation for such a long time, it is important to continue the use of flea medications for a minimum of two months after you see the last adult flea on your cat.

David Lee is the owner & designer of several pet sites. Find info on cat care , cat flea control , cat kidney disease , cat trees and Pet steps or for dog lovers German Shepherd training or German Shepherd puppy