Many people mistakenly believe that their indoor cats do not need flea treatment, but indoor cat flea control is important if you seek to prevent cat health problems.
Why?
Believe it or not fleas can invade any household and so protection and prevention is important to avoid the disease risks posed to pets by fleas. Risks posed from fleas on cats can lead to the need for veterinary treatment for issues such as flea bite dermatitis, flea bite anemia, tapeworm, Cat Scratch Fever and more. Even one flea can cause misery for an animal that is sensitive or allergic to fleas.
So, just how can indoor cats become exposed or infested with fleas?
Flea infestations can occur in surprising ways. For instance, feral cats host fleas and distribute these pests to other environments as they roam through a neighborhood. In addition, other roaming animals (dogs, rats, wild animals) can bring fleas into a yard and garden or into the unsecured crawl spaces of your home. Pet parents, or human visitors, might also bring fleas into the home on their clothing or shoes. Finally, if you provide a secured outdoor area for your cat, access to the patio, or have other pets that are allowed outside, your cat could also pick up fleas.
How do you know if your indoor cat has fleas?
There are a few ways to identify a flea infestation. First, you might actually see a flea crawling on your pet. If your cat begins grooming excessively, or biting and chewing, these might be indicators of a flea infestation
Living indoors (or primarily indoors with leashed walks outdoors and/or access to an outdoor enclosure) is the safest lifestyle for your cat. However, your cat is not safe from parasites even if living indoors. It is important to take the proper precautions to protect both yourself and your cat.
Stay tuned for our next blog that highlights our recommended flea prevention options, or call us if you have a question.