How to Prevent Flea Infestation in Cats
Did you know that the peak flea season is in the warmer months? Fleas are around all year round and can stay dormant on your cats and kittens through winter, ready to take overcome spring and summer. It is important that you are treating your cats throughout the year and not waiting until an infestation has started. Prevention is the key. It is a lot more manageable to deal with one or two rouge fleas, than a full infestation. Let’s have a look at how to prevent a flea infestation in cats.
Use a treatment throughout the year.
It is important that you are treating your cats all year round. This helps to keep the fleas at bay. If you wait until there are fleas present, this can result in you having an infestation that is harder to get rid of.
By using a treatment throughout the year, you are able to create a barrier that will hopefully keep the fleas away.
Use an insecticide at home
Not only do your pets need to be treated, but your home does as well. It is a good idea to treat the home each year with an insecticide that helps keep fleas away. Make sure that when you are applying the insecticide that it is not able to be access by your pets or young children as it can cause harm to them.
If you do end up with fleas in the home or on your pet, it is a good idea to go through and do a detailed clean. This would involve deep cleaning the carpets with a vacuum and steam mop, washing curtains and bedding and cleaning lounges.
How will I know if my cat has a flea infestation?
There are a few different way you can determine if your cat has fleas. One way is if you notice that they are scratching a lot. If they have fleas they will most likely experience skin irritation which results in them becoming itchy. The excessive scratching is a common sign of fleas. If left untreated it can cause infections in broken skin.
Another way to tell is by checking for ‘flea dirt’. The dirt like substance is the feces that they flea has left behind on your cats skin and fur. Combing your cat can help you to see if there is any present.
If found, you will then need to treat your cat to help get rid of the fleas.
Which treatment should I use?
There are a number of different flea treatments on the market. Speaking to your vet or local pet shop will help you to choose the right one for your cat. Frontline and advantage are popular choices when it comes to flea treatments. Whereas Revolution and advocate are all round treatments that also assist with coverage for heartworm, lice and mites.
Remember that prevention is better than a cure. So rather than sitting back and waiting for an infestation to happen, be proactive and give your cat the best chance at keeping the fleas away.
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