Some great advice on Fleas from Your Cat Magazine
Fleas don’t have much regard for the time of year if the conditions are right for them to breed, and with most homes being centrally heated, providing a nice warm place for bugs to thrive, pet owners can’t afford to let their guard down. That’s why it’s important to protect your cat from these unpleasant parasites and the health problems they could cause.
“Cats are good at hiding signs of pain, but flea problems can lead to large sores if the animal is allergic to their bites,” explains Caroline Allen, director of Canonbury Veterinary Practice and PetVet.
Constant itching could also lead to hair loss, infection and discomfort. “Cats can’t tell us how they’re feeling but it’s very common to pick up undetected problems when we examine them,” Caroline adds.
PROTECT YOUR PET
A monthly flea treatment for cats is vital to protect your pet from suffering in the first place. Make a note each time you treat your cat and don’t let time lapse between treatments. Ideally, cats should be treated once every five weeks. However, there are occasions when it pays to be extra vigilant in the fight against fleas.
ON HOLIDAY
If you are taking your cat on holiday, be sure to apply a flea treatment before you go. Your cat is unlikely to be able to resist exploring his new surroundings and you can’t be sure of what he may encounter. By applying a flea treatment before you go, this could lessen the chances of needing to visit a vet while you’re away.
WARMER MONTHS
When the weather starts warming up and there is dampness in the air, this is an ideal time for fleas to breed. While you may not be able to prevent your cat from bringing unwanted visitors in from the garden, you can reduce the risk of both your pet and your home suffering from a flea infestation by vacuuming regularly. This will help to eliminate any eggs that may have dropped off your cat.
BEFORE BOARDING
If you have organised to leave your cat in a cattery while you go away, you will most likely be asked to treat your cat against fleas before dropping him off. This should be done two to three days before boarding. Although cats don’t tend to interact with other cats during their stay, give your cat a thorough groom once you collect him to ensure he isn’t bringing home any unpleasant guests.
There really is no wrong time to make sure your cat is covered for fleas. If an infestation is not treated, it could result in serious health problems for your cat, such as worms which can occur from ingesting flea eggs. “Worms are very common in young cats and dogs,” says Caroline. “They can cause intestinal disease and even obstruction in young animals and there is also a risk to human health from the larvae.”
